When shopping for a toothbrush, are you better off reaching for an electric one? There are pros and cons to using an electric toothbrush as part of your daily oral hygiene routine.
Pro: More Brush Strokes Per Minute
While regular toothbrushes can clean your teeth just as well as electric toothbrushes can, the issue is that if you don’t brush for the recommended two minutes, it’s hard to get every tooth. An electric toothbrush is able to cover a larger surface area much faster so you can clean more teeth in the same amount of time. You make about 300 strokes per minute with a manual toothbrush, while you can make thousands of brush strokes with an electric toothbrush in a minute.
Pro: Better at Cleaning Your Teeth
Studies have shown that electric toothbrushes are better at cleaning your teeth than manual ones, with electric toothbrush users generally having less plaque and suffering less from gum disease. Electric toothbrushes are also better at cleaning your teeth depending on what kind of brusher you are. They’re great for kids because they might think that electric ones are easier to use and more fun than a manual toothbrush. People with braces may also have an easier time using an electric toothbrush because it can clean in and around the metal. Lazy brushers would also benefit from electric toothbrushes since it does most of the work for you.
Pro: Can Help You Brush Better
Some electric toothbrushes on the market now come with timers and will alert you when two minutes is up. There are even electric brushes that have Bluetooth built in, which connects you to an app that tells you how you’re brushing and how you can improve.
Con: More Expensive
The downside to electric toothbrushes is that they’re more expensive. Manual toothbrushes generally cost only a few dollars, but you can spend more than $100 on an electric toothbrush depending upon what brand you purchase. Brush heads also need to be replaced more often than manual toothbrushes, which adds an additional cost on top of the money you already spent for the toothbrush itself. While there are many pricey models on the market, companies like quip are developing more affordable models and will even ship you new brush heads when you’re due for a change.
While the type of toothbrush you use is entirely up to you, consider your oral habits, dental needs, and budget when deciding if an electric toothbrush is right for you. Call us today if you’d like to discuss this in more detail, and schedule a check-up and cleaning while you’re at it.!
We make sure each and every one of our clients’ needs and concerns are addressed in a caring and thoughtful manner. We want your experience to be as enjoyable and efficient as possible here at Williamsville Family Dentistry in Williamsville, NY.