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Dental professionals and their patients have long pondered the question: are electric toothbrushes superior to manual toothbrushes? While it comes down to individual preference, cost, and whether or not individuals have access to the most up-to-date dental technology, science has delivered a definitive conclusion.

However, there are several exceptions and conditions to consider when determining whether an electric toothbrush is better than a regular manual toothbrush. Your age, the health of your teeth, and whether you’re undergoing any dental treatment are factors that might influence a dentist’s decision.

Which is better, an electric or manual toothbrush?

Brushing your teeth is the first step in maintaining good oral health. Electric and manual toothbrushes are both effective at removing plaque, which causes decay and illness, but which should you choose an electric or manual toothbrush?

Dentists will frequently emphasize to their patients that the essential aspects of toothbrushing are:

  • Brush twice a day, and essentially, just before bed
  • Brush for at least 2 minutes at a time
  • Do not rinse after brushing but spit to avoid rinsing away the fluoride in their toothpaste
  • Do not use mouthwash just after brushing; otherwise, it removes fluoride.
  • These practices can be achieved using a manual brush or an electric toothbrush.

Electric toothbrushes are frequently advised for better dental health. Electric toothbrush brushing is a quick and straightforward method to keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy. They’re more expensive than regular toothbrushes; however, the replacement brush heads may also be costly. Do electric or manual toothbrushes have any advantages?

The benefits of using an electric toothbrush

Electric toothbrushes are more successful in removing plaque from difficult-to-reach locations. In one study, electric toothbrushes, over time, compared with regular manual brushes, reduced gingivitis (gum disease) and removed more plaque.

The round, oscillating head on a small-headed electric toothbrush, such as an Oral-B, makes it simpler to reach these regions, especially those at the back of your mouth. Every time you move your toothbrush over your teeth, an electric toothbrush with vibrating bristles allows for more micro-movements.

Easier for people with limited mobility

Most of the work is done by an electric toothbrush. It may benefit young children who need to be watched while brushing their teeth until they are at least nine years old and those with restricted mobility.

  • Parkinson’s
  • Carpal Tunnel
  • Arthritis
  • Stroke sufferers
  • Developmental disabilities

The toothbrush can be used with a few simple motions. The user merely needs to move the brush around their mouth and along each tooth surface, and effective brushing can be obtained even if they have little manual dexterity.

Brushing for at least 2 minutes with built-in timers

Most electric toothbrushes include a built-in timer, unlike manual brushes, which tell the user when they’ve been brushing their teeth for a certain amount of time. This is especially useful when it comes to children, but utilizing an egg timer or singing a two-minute song while brushing is always an option – but it isn’t always practical.

May improve oral health in people with orthodontic appliances

Electric toothbrushes benefit people who use orthodontic appliances like braces since they make brushing easier. If you already have good oral health, plaque levels remained about the same whether you used an electric toothbrush or not. However, if you find it difficult to clean your teeth while undergoing orthodontic treatment, an electric toothbrush might help your dental health.

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