The difference between a manual and electric toothbrush

This is a question we get asked about quite often. It doesn’t help either that there are lots of different manual and electric toothbrushes for sale all claiming to do different things or focus on specific areas. In this blog post we look to try and give you the answer to this question.

Before we look a little closer at this, let’s look at what the aim of a toothbrush is generally. The aim is to clean the teeth thoroughly ensuring that as much plaque as possible is removed thus contributing to a sound oral health routine.

When electric toothbrushes first came out onto the market, many agreed that there didn’t seem to be much difference between the two. However, as time and science has evolved, we are finding that electric toothbrushes are becoming more expert and the precision to give a better clean has advanced greatly.

Brushing your teeth isn’t a difficult task (although there is a technique to it.) An advantage that electric toothbrushes have over manual ones is that the brush heads are much smaller allowing you to reach all areas of the mouth, including hard to reach parts. Many power toothbrushes have different ‘functions’ which use technology to clean the teeth in different ways. Vibrating or oscillating are examples of this. A potential downside to an electric toothbrush could be over zealous use from owner. Remember that electric toothbrushes work faster and better than manual ones, yet as humans we still have a tendency to scrub our teeth. This practice can cause damage and users of electric toothbrushes should be aware of this.

Generally as dentists, we recommend electric toothbrushes as the ability to provide a targeted clean to all areas of the mouth and teeth is second to none. Individual choice will obviously vary but the key point is to ensure that you brush regularly and thoroughly whichever version you opt for.

Thinking about joining us as a patient? Visit our why choose us section now, to find out why you should.

Looking for more information?

Require a dental appointment, or are looking for cosmetic treatment such as teeth whitening in Tamworth, why not contact Ascent Dental Care Tamworth today, for a tailored and friendly service.