Which is better: a regular toothbrush or an electric one?
Brushing your teeth is the foundation of good oral care and prevention. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), both electric and manual toothbrushes are effective at removing the plaque that causes decay and disease.
Electric and manual toothbrushes each have their own benefits. The ADA gives its Seal of Acceptance to any toothbrush, electric or manual, that has been shown to be safe and effective. Read on for the pros and cons, and which might suit you better.
Benefits of an electric toothbrush
The bristles of an electric toothbrush vibrate or rotate to help remove plaque build-up from your teeth and gums. The vibration produces many more micro-movements every time you move the brush between your teeth.
More effective at removing plaque
A review of studies found that, overall, electric toothbrushes reduce plaque and gingivitis more than manual ones. After three months of use, plaque was reduced by 21% and gingivitis by 11%. Oscillating (rotating) toothbrushes appear to work better than brushes that simply vibrate.
Easier for people with limited mobility
Electric toothbrushes do most of the work for you. They can help anyone with limited mobility, such as people with:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Arthritis
- Developmental disabilities
Built-in timers
A built-in timer on an electric toothbrush helps you brush for long enough to remove plaque from your teeth and gums.
It can create less waste
When it is time to replace your toothbrush, in many cases you only have to replace the head, which can be less wasteful than throwing away an entire manual toothbrush.
That said, if you use a single-use electric toothbrush, you will need to replace the whole thing when the time comes.
It can improve your focus while brushing
At least one study found that people were more focused when brushing with an electric toothbrush. That improved their overall brushing experience and could potentially get their teeth cleaner.
It can improve oral health for people with braces
One study found that electric toothbrushes were particularly helpful for people with orthodontic appliances such as braces, because they make brushing easier.
Among people with braces who already had good oral health, plaque levels were roughly the same whether or not they used an electric toothbrush. But if you find it hard to keep your mouth clean during orthodontic treatment, an electric toothbrush can improve your oral health.
Fun for children
Not every child is keen on brushing their teeth. If an electric toothbrush appeals to your child more, it can help them clean their mouth well and build healthy habits.
Safe for gums
Used correctly, an electric toothbrush should not damage your gums or enamel — it should support your oral health overall.
Pros and cons of electric toothbrushes
Pros:
- More effective at reducing plaque and gingivitis than a manual toothbrush
- Better for gum health in people with braces
- Better for children
- Better for older people
- Better for some people with skin conditions
- Extra features
- Less waste
Cons:
- Cost
- Noisy
- Easy to press too hard
