Have you ever wondered how many minutes you brush your teeth each year? If you brush the recommended 4 minutes a day, you should be spending about 1,440 minutes a year – or 24 hours each year! Since you spend so much time brushing your teeth, it’s probably best you find a brush you enjoy using, right? So, how do you decide?
For years, the dental community has debated whether the electric toothbrush is superior to a traditional brush. The short answer is, it’s really up to you!
Even though that might be the case, let’s dive a little deeper and discuss the pros and cons of each so you can make the right choice for your pearly whites.
Electric Toothbrush
Pros
Traditional Braces: Those who have traditional wire braces, may find cleaning their teeth to be less of a chore with an electric brush. The vibrating bristles help to free away food that’s stuck between wires while encouraging a lack of plaque buildup.
No More Plaque: According to a study published in 2015, electric toothbrushes remove 21% more plaque than manual brushes due to the oscillating and vibrating features that are offered.
Easy to Use: Individuals tend to enjoy using a vibrating head with interchangeable bristles because it’s less likely to tire your hand. Just make sure you are holding your brush at a 45-degree angle with your gyms to ensure proper cleaning!
Cons
Bulky: If you travel a lot or like to store your brush away, electric may not be for you. Electric brushes are heavy, require batteries and a charger.
Delicate: Your electric brush is a small machine that can be damaged if not cared for properly.
Expensive: Costs vary, but electric toothbrushes go for anywhere around $20-$200 dollars; not including the brush heads, which should be changed every 3-4 months.
Manual Toothbrush
Pros
Budget-Friendly: Manual brushes are far less expensive, and your dentist will always supply you with a fresh one each time you visit!
Same Results: As long as you are following the right brushing technique, you will see the same results as you would with an electric brush.
Transportable: Manual brushes require much less space in your bathroom and are easy to pack on the go!
Cons
So Many Options: With so many brushes on the market, you may be staring into an abyss of brushes every time you’re due for a new one.
Timing: Electric brushes usually come with a timer that helps you achieve 2 minutes of brushing each time you clean your teeth. With a manual brush, you lose that luxury! Although, you can always use a timer instead.
More Work: Unlike an electric brush, a manual brush takes a bit more effort to mimic circular motions to clean your teeth just right.
The Choice is Yours
Either way, you can’t go wrong; but we hope this list helped you decide which brush will work better for you. Looking for brush recommendations? Feel free to contact us today.