Dental instruments such as toothbrushes, floss, and other teeth cleaning devices comprise a multibillion-dollar business. There is such a variety of oral health apparatuses available that it can be intimidating when attempting to pick the best choice for your mouth. Some are electric, however many are manual, and it is hard to know which ones truly are better in helping maintain your oral well-being.
To ease the confusion, your friends at Kitchener & Waterloo Emergency Dental Office have laid out the upsides and downsides of two tools that you should use in your daily routine oral routine: the toothbrush and floss. We talk about both the electronic and traditional versions of these tools, to give you a thorough understanding of your options. This article can help you make the best choice for your needs!
Picking Between Manual & Electric Toothbrushes
Electric Toothbrushes
Pros: An obvious plus to using an electric brush is that it is easier and more fun to use. This is a fantastic plus for people who are reluctant to brush twice each day, and particularly for children, as it can inspire their enthusiasm to brush.
Additionally, electric toothbrushes can provide a more thorough clean than a manual brush, because they deliver between 6,000 and 30,000 strokes per minute. This implies that it can take less time to properly clean your teeth. However, quickly running the toothbrush over your teeth will not be effective; ensuring that every tooth is thoroughly cleaned will still be crucial to ensuring your teeth are properly cleaned.
Lastly, this type of brush can be helpful for those who do not have the dexterity needed to use a manual toothbrush, because it is easy to grip and does the rotating motion itself.
Cons: Price is the biggest barrier that keeps people from buying an electronic toothbrush. Even the cheapest electric brushes typically cost more than a manual toothbrush, and the high-quality ones are significantly pricier. On top of the initial cost of the unit and its charging base, the brush heads must be replaced just frequently, and these can be expensive as well.
The size and weight of an electric toothbrush can also be a big downside, particularly for people who travel often or do not have much counter space in their bathroom. The brush is about double the size of a manual toothbrush, and it comes with a charging station too. This bulk can present problems for certain folks.
And finally, people tend to find the vibrations produced by electric brushes to be irritating, and even sometimes painful. Those with loose teeth, gum tissues, or general sensitivity should choose a manual brush, as controlling the force of an electric toothbrush is likely to pose challenges.
Manual Toothbrushes
Pros: The principal upside to manual toothbrushes is the amount of control they allow the user to have. You are given the ability to choose the speed and pressure with which to brush your teeth, gums, cheeks, and tongue. This results in a more comfortable cleaning for those who have sensitivity in their mouth, or who find the continuous vibrations of electric toothbrushes annoying.
Manual (also known as traditional) toothbrushes are the cheaper option too, typically priced under $10. They do not take up much space either, making travel and storage very simple and space-efficient.
Manual toothbrushes also cannot break, as there are no batteries to charge or accessories needed. You will also avoid the headache of replacement parts!
Cons: In order to thoroughly clean the teeth and mouth, manual brushes rely on the user having a superb technique when brushing. This is an issue for people who do not take proper care to brush their teeth, and also presents issues for people who find operating a toothbrush to be difficult. In order to thoroughly clean the mouth, quite a bit of agility is needed, so a manual brush may not be the best option for those who find this challenging. People with motor difficulties, arthritis, or similar conditions may think the manual toothbrush is more challenging to operate than an electric one.
Traditional brushes also do not have an equal amount of appeal as an electric toothbrush, resulting in an uninspired attitude towards brushing. For children, manual brushes do come in exciting colours, patterns, and some even have TV characters on them. But for adults who prefer high tech options, manual toothbrushes may be the unfavourable option.