It’s the age-old question dentists hear all too often: Are electric toothbrushes really better than manual toothbrushes? Funnily enough, this question is actually really easy to answer: no. Both are equally effective BUT only if they are both correctly used with the proper technique. So the real question is not which is better, but rather what is the correct technique for brushing teeth?
Correct Technique for Brushing Teeth
Plaque is a biofilm of bacteria that attempts to attach to the surface of teeth – tooth brushing aims to combat and prevent bacteria from sticking and becoming plaque over time. In order to do this, whether or not you’re using manual or electric, you need to brush close to the gum to remove the plaque from the gingival margins WITHOUT pressing too hard and causing damage to the gums (i.e. gum recession). Make sure to brush every surface of each tooth, and use floss in the areas that the toothbrush can’t reach (i.e. the spaces in between your teeth).
Manual vs. Electric Toothbrushes
| Manual | Electric |
| You can have total control of how you brush your teeth. | Electric toothbrushes are a great help for people with limited dexterity due to arthritis or physical disabilities. |
| Manual toothbrushes are much cheaper to buy. | Kids love the look and feel of electric toothbrushes. They are usually so colourful and come in all different shapes and sizes. It gets a lot of kids excited to brush their teeth and it’s a nice introduction to oral hygiene for kids. |
| You can respond more readily to twinges and reduce the pressure applied to sensitive teeth and gums when necessary. | Electric toothbrushes have power rotation that helps loosen plaque. |
| Manual toothbrushes are easy and convenient to pack in your travel luggage. | Electric toothbrushes come with in-built timers that indicate every 30 seconds and the 2-minute mark so you can brush each quadrant of your mouth evenly in an equal amount of time |
At the end of the day, regular correct brushing and flossing is the key, not the gadget used. Hopefully, this article has helped you choose which one is right for you to keep on smiling!