Electric toothbrush vs manual toothbrush. Advantages and disadvantages

When it comes to toothbrushes, we are faced with a wide range of options, with many types to choose from. What is important when it comes to toothbrushes is that they ensure effective cleaning of the teeth, because in this way, we manage to maintain the health of the teeth and the soft tissues around them.

There are several important aspects when discussing the choice of toothbrush, but it is also important to know the correct brushing technique, namely: the correct brushing is done from the gums to the tip of the teeth, with pulling movements and circular brushing. It is advisable to brush your teeth at least twice a day and once a day to perform a complete hygiene (dental, tongue and gum brushing with the use of dental floss and mouthwash and mouthwash) at an interval of 20 minutes after eating.

When brushing your teeth with a manual toothbrush, it should last between three and five minutes, and for an electric toothbrush, two minutes is enough.

Electric toothbrush

Advantages of an electric toothbrush:

• Thanks to the electric system, more efficient tooth brushing is achieved, removing more bacterial plaque from hard-to-reach areas, regardless of the time during which tooth brushing is carried out;
• There is a 3D cleaning system for each tooth, and this does not require special skill and can also be used by people who cannot brush their teeth effectively by hand;
• Electric toothbrushes notify you every 30 seconds that it is time to move on to cleaning the next quadrant, with a total brushing time of 2 minutes;  
• Features vibrations that produce micro-movements, removing bacterial plaque more effectively;
• It covers larger dental areas, being effective in periodontal diseases;
• Reduces stains and helps clean enamel just a few weeks after use;
• It can achieve between 7,000-30,000 rotations per minute, making it easy to use for both children and adults;
• It features a wide range of shapes and colors for family members;
• It features different programs: the program for daily hygiene, for tooth sensitivity, for gum massage, for teeth whitening and deep cleaning, and helps clean the tongue;
• Does not create pressure on the gums: the toothbrushes have built-in smart sensors that recognize the pressure with which the toothbrush is brushed and reduce the rotation speed of the head;

Disadvantages of electric toothbrushes:

• The disadvantage would be that they depend on a charger or batteries, which can be an inconvenience when traveling, for example;
• Another disadvantage would be the higher cost compared to a manual toothbrush.

Manual toothbrush

Some important aspects to keep in mind when choosing a manual toothbrush are:

• Toothbrush size: appropriate for the age of the person using it - child/adult; For children up to two years old, the toothbrush should have a 15 mm head; for children between 2-6 years old, the toothbrush head should be between 19 mm; for children between 6-12 years old, the toothbrush head should be 22 mm, and for adults it can be 25 mm long;
• Bristles hardness – soft or medium bristles are more often indicated, as they do not damage the soft gingival tissue, while hard ones can damage the gums. Soft bristles are more flexible and manage to effectively clean the area at the base of the teeth, the gingival sulci. The ends of the bristles should be rounded and not pointed or flattened;
• The toothbrush handle should be ergonomically designed;
• Be sanitized - after brushing your teeth, wash your toothbrush, let it dry outdoors to avoid mold forming, and store it away from the toilet.

Advantages of a manual toothbrush:

• They have an affordable price, do not require replacing the tips, which are harder to find;
• It offers better control of tooth brushing, thanks to the correct inclination of the toothbrush which can be achieved more easily;
• It does not create much foam, due to the lack of vibrations and oscillations that can create unpleasant sensations on the gums;
• Requires a timer to be able to quantify the time spent brushing your teeth;
• They do not depend on the power source.

Proper brushing and pain-free brushing cannot replace a visit to the dentist, even if it helps you improve your dental hygiene. If you don't know which toothbrush to choose, it would be best to ask your dentist what he recommends.