The core of good oral hygiene and prevention is brushing your teeth everyday. Both manual and electric toothbrushes are effective in removing oral plaque, which is what causes decay and disease. But which should you use?
Electric or Manual Toothbrush?
It is very important to note that there are a few key points to consider when deciding if an electric toothbrush would be better than a manual toothbrush for an individual:
- Age – the toothbrush that kids are most likely to use is the one that is best for them, you might want to read Can Kids Use Electric Toothbrushes?
- Teeth condition – electric toothbrushes may be helpful to brush hard-to-reach areas
- Any ongoing dental treatment – electric toothbrushes can make brushing easier for people with orthodontic appliances such as braces
- Health condition – people with limited mobility might want to use an electric toothbrush
- Budget – manual toothbrushes are significantly cheaper
- Personal preference – for example, not everyone likes the vibrating feeling of an electric toothbrush
The pros and cons of each type of toothbrush can be found in this short article.
With Either an Electric or Manual Toothbrush
Avoid high sugar diets and schedule routine appointments with your dentist when using either an electric or manual toothbrush.
Most important things tooth brushing is concerned:
- Brush twice a day, and essentially, just before bed
- Brush for at least 2 minutes at a time
- Avoid using mouthwash just after brushing, otherwise, it removes the fluoride in toothpaste
How to Brush Your Teeth
The most important parts of brushing your teeth are using proper technique, and doing it twice per day, every day. The recommended way:
- Pick a toothbrush that is the right size for your mouth.
- You might want to avoid hard bristles that can irritate your gums. Soft-bristle brushes with multi-level or angled bristles are recommended.
- Use a fluoride toothpaste.
- Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle to your teeth and gums.
- Gently brush all tooth surfaces (front, back, chewing) for 2 minutes.
- Rinse your toothbrush and store it upright to air dry — and keep it out of range of the toilet which can spray germs when flushing.
- Rinse your mouth — this shouldn’t replace flossing or brushing.
Floss at least once per day, before brushing. Here are the steps to follow when flossing your teeth. If you experience any bleeding, consult your dentist.
The Takeaway
In essence, both manual and electric toothbrushes, if used properly, can be used just as effectively to maintain clean and strong teeth.
Electric or Manual Toothbrush —remember to make decisions based on the 6 key points mentioned at the beginning of this article.
Regardless of the type of toothbrush you use, the key is to brush and floss every day. You can continue to use a manual toothbrush if you feel most comfortable doing so as long as it ensures that you will continue to brush at least twice daily, every day.
Interested in personal hygiene? Read also Are You Using The Right Disinfectants During This Pandemic?
