Electric or manual? Which toothbrush is best for me?

I am asked on almost a daily basis "which toothbrush should I use? Electric or manual?"

There are so many toothbrushes on the market and it can be a bit hit and miss to see which one would suit you best. Although I am happy as long as patients are brushing for 2 minutes twice a day, some brushes can give you more bang for your 2 minutes than others.

Manual toothbrushes have come along way since the humble brush first appeared in 1780 being made of pig's bristles attached to a handle made of cow bone. Yummy.

These days, bristles are much softer and antibacterial. Some handles are now biodegradable making them a healthier choice for the environment. When choosing a manual toothbrush, I often tell my patients to look for 3 features:

1. Soft head. Some bristles can be too firm resulting in gum recession and trauma.

2. Small head. A smaller head can access back teeth more easily and even wrap around the back of the last molar, and

3. Comfortable handle. You need to have a good grip, especially if you have dexterity issues such as arthritis.

If you want to learn how to use a manual toothbrush click here.

But, I am a VERY big advocate for electric toothbrushes. And the reason for this is as follows:

1. They usually have a small head. This makes for easy access to molars and hard to reach places

2. They have a timer. Ask my 6 year old, 2 minutes is "taking forever!" So a timer is a nice reminder that you need to spend more time brushing

3. They stop if you press too hard. I take all my frustration out on my teeth when I brush. And use a lot of pressure. Because of this I have gum recession where I have brushed away gum tissue from years of trauma. Some electric toothbrushes will stop once pressure is applied

4. They are better at cleaning than a manual toothbrush. Studies have shown you remove 80% more plaque using an electric toothbrush for 2 minutes than a manual brush. I have been in the clinics for over 20 years and I can honestly see a huge difference in my patients who use an electric toothbrush opposed to those who use a manual one. The teeth are cleaner, there is less build up and much less bleeding overall.

5. They are very effective for children and people who have limited dexterity. Because the brush is moving for you, there is less room for error with technique. You just need to aim for the right spots!

6. They keep ontop of surface stains better than a manual toothbrush. The fast polishing action of the electric toothbrush head is very effective at reducing surface stains from diet and smoking.

If you want to learn how to use an electric toothbrush click here.

Whichever brush you choose, make sure to brush for 2 minutes, twice a day and to change your toothbrush every 3 months. Happy brushing!