Everyone has their personal preference whether they like to use an electric toothbrush or a regular toothbrush. But there are certainly advantages to using the electric version, from speed to thorough cleanings. If you’re still unsure, you can ask at your next preventative dentistry visit with us.

Let’s take the time today to answer the question: are electric toothbrushes better than manual ones?

Electric Toothbrushes: The Pros

There are many advantages to using electric toothbrushes, such as:

  • Better for Cleaning Teeth: Research shows that people reported a 21 percent reduction in plaque after using an electric toothbrush for three months or more. In general, electric versions give people better results when it comes to cleaning their teeth. Certain types, such as those with oscillating heads, are reported to perform the best.
  • Teach Ideal Brushing Habits: Because they do most of the work for you, electric toothbrushes outperform manual brushes, essentially because they ensure you are brushing correctly. You don’t have to maintain an even pressure and go side to side like you would with a manual brush. Just press the electric brush to your teeth and slowly glide it across the surface. Many electric toothbrushes these days come with a built-in timer, which helps ensure proper brushing time (should be two full minutes)
  • Attachments for Orthodontic Patients: If you have braces, you know how hard it is to brush and floss your teeth with a regular brush. With an electric version, you can choose the type of brush head you want to clean hard-to-reach places, such as interproximal brushes. These attachments can even supplement flossing when it comes to the difficult areas of your mouth.
  • Helpful for People With Impaired Dexterity: If you have difficulties with fine motor control, you’re best off with an electric toothbrush. That’s because, unlike manual toothbrushes, electric versions require little movement or dexterity. Thus, they are ideal for children and older adults.

Manual Toothbrushes: The Pros

On the other side, there are many advantages to manual toothbrushes as well.

  • Easy to Travel With: Simple is the way to go when traveling, and it’s easier to throw a manual brush in your bag than pack your electric toothbrush with spare batteries.
  • Inexpensive: Toothbrushes should be replaced frequently, which can get expensive if you own an electric one. Manual ones are much cheaper, often just a couple of dollars or less.
  • Easy to Purchase: You can buy manual brushes pretty much anywhere, from convenience stores to drug stores to grocery stores, and they usually have a large selection to choose from. When you want an electric toothbrush head, you have to search for one that is compatible with your particular base and not every store has what you’re looking for.
  • Useful Anywhere: Whether you’re hiking through the mountains, camping in the woods or heading to a remote Caribbean island, manual toothbrushes are easy to bring along. You’re not as likely to find an outlet to plug in your electric toothbrush, and if you do, you may want to conserve what little energy you have access to.

Electric Toothbrushes: The Cons

Even though they have many pros, electric toothbrushes have some cons as well.

  • Expensive: Electric toothbrushes are more costly to own and use, even when just replacing the head. In addition to the cost of the unit itself, you also have to have a constant supply of batteries on hand.
  • Require Charging: Electric toothbrushes can run out of power at the most inopportune time, leaving you scrambling to find an outlet or scrounge up some batteries. Many electric toothbrushes take a few hours to charge.
  • Technical Issues: Electric toothbrushes have lots of internal parts that can break down, as opposed to a manual toothbrush that only has a base and bristles.

Manual Toothbrushes: The Cons

Finally, let’s go over some cons of manual toothbrushes to round out the list.

  • Difficult for Those With Disabilities: Certain disabilities can make manual toothbrushes difficult or impossible to use.
  • Require Proper Brushing Technique: There is a right way and a wrong way to brush your teeth. Manual toothbrushes can pose a challenge for people who don’t know how to brush properly, such as the effects of using too much or too little pressure. It’s common for people to brush their teeth too quickly, which can leave harmful bacteria and plaque in their mouths.

In Conclusion

So, which one is right for you? Is an electric toothbrush better than a manual one? The answer is, in many cases, yes, but it depends on the person.

If you just want to keep your teeth clean, either type will work for you. The benefit in electric toothbrushes is that they give you a more efficient clean, they are convenient, they are consistent, and they come with additional helpful features that a manual brush does not.

Book Your Twice-Yearly Cleaning With Ashby Dental in Elmwood

To get more advice on whether you should be using an electric toothbrush or a regular toothbrush, book your twice-yearly cleaning with us and ask. It’s super easy to book your appointment at Ashby Dental, with your choice of friendly, experienced hygienists and dentists. Just call us today at (510) 549-0133. We are located at 2507 Ashby Ave. in Berkeley, CA and our hours are Mon – Thu 8am to 4pm and Fridays 8am to 1pm.