Thanks to advancing technology and an overall shift towards healthier lifestyles, our dentist in Bloomingdale and West Loop often gets questions about electric toothbrushes. Are they more effective than standard toothbrushes? What benefits do they provide? Are they worth the extra money? It’s only natural to question a change that has taken the dental world by storm over the past 10+ years. Nowadays, there are even prescription services that make getting new electric toothbrush heads easier than ever.
The question still stands: is an electric or manual toothbrush better for your smile?
Pros & Cons to Each
Like most options in life, there are pros and cons to each side. Let’s start with the electric toothbrush. It is ideal for those who don’t have a lot of dexterity, as the vibrating head and bristles do the hard work for you. You won’t have to move your arm back and forth across your teeth in order to get results. The timing aspect of an electric toothbrush is appealing for many as well, keeping track of the time you spend in each quadrant of your mouth and alerting you when your full 2 minutes of brushing time is up. This ensures that you are doing your due diligence during your daily brushing and flossing routine.
On the other hand, manual toothbrushes have long been utilized to keep teeth clean and healthy. Manual toothbrushes are significantly cheaper and come in a variety of different sizes and bristle types to help each individual get the most out of their routine.
Which Is More Effective?
There is no clear-cut answer as to which type of toothbrush is more effective. Manual toothbrushes can be just as effective as electric toothbrushes if the proper technique is used, but electric toothbrushes generally do a better job of removing plaque and bacteria in hard-to-reach places.
Establish an Oral Health Routine That Works for You
Regardless of the type of toothbrush that you’re using, make sure to do your best to reach all areas of your mouth. You should also floss daily regardless, as it can reach areas of your mouth that brushing your teeth cannot. Schedule regular reservations with our team at Pure Dental Spa so we can complete checkups and catch small problems before they snowball into something more serious.
If you have specific questions about which type of toothbrush is ideal for you, don’t hesitate to contact our dentist in Bloomingdale or West Loop today!