Teeth Brushing Guide: Electric or Manual Toothbrush – Which is best?

With the multitude of options available at your local store, how do you know which toothbrush is the best? Furthermore, is there really a difference between an electric and manual toothbrush? And why aren’t there more firm bristle brushes on the shelves?

Learn everything you need to know about the effectiveness of an electric vs. manual toothbrush. Find out what makes the most significant difference in your brushing routine and see which toothbrush dentists recommend to keep your teeth and gums in optimal condition.

Electric vs. Manual Teeth Brushing: Which is the best for your teeth?

The teeth brushing and dental hygiene tools you keep by the sink are the weapons in your arsenal to fight plaque and defend against tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. When you buy a new toothbrush, you choose your weapon. But which toothbrush is the best for your teeth and gums, and where are all the firm bristle brushes?

Why You Can’t Find a Firm Bristle Toothbrush

When you use a toothbrush, the objective is to scrub the plaque and stains off your teeth and gums. Some people have more sensitive gums and prefer a soft bristle toothbrush, whereas others prefer the extra strength of a medium bristle brush. But the firmer the bristles, the easier it is for you to damage the enamel on your teeth.

For example, your teeth are like a cooking pan, and your teeth’s enamel is like the pan’s non-stick coating. When cleaning a pan with non-stick coating, you have to avoid scrubbing with anything too abrasive, like steel wool. Instead, you have to use a softer scrubbing tool that is strong enough to remove food residue but not abrasive enough to scratch off the layer of the non-stick coating.

When it comes to your teeth, firm bristles are like steel wool in that they scrub too hard against the protective layer of enamel on your teeth. Losing your teeth’ enamel will cause gum recession, tooth decay, and erosion. So, use a soft or medium bristle brush and avoid firm bristles.

Is an electric toothbrush better than a manual brush?

The most important thing is to brush twice and floss once every day with any toothbrush. But an electric brush is an excellent upgrade to your teeth brushing experience. Overall, there is limited proof that an electric brush is any more productive a tool than a manual brush. So, like many tools, it comes down to which toothbrush you prefer and the benefits an electric toothbrush poses over the classic style.

Benefits of Using an Electric Tooth Brush

All things being equal regarding proper brushing technique, both an electric and manual toothbrush is equal to the task of cleaning your teeth and gums. However, all things are often not equal because many people do not follow the correct technique when brushing their teeth or sufficiently brushing each tooth. So, an electric toothbrush might be significantly more effective because it does the brushing for you.

Many people suffer from physical ailments that prevent quickly brushing with a manual toothbrush. An electric toothbrush features a bristle head that rotates, oscillates, vibrates, or performs a combination of these actions. The battery powers the brush head, ultimately making it easier to scrub hard-to-reach sides of teeth and teeth in the back of your mouth.

More Convenient and Effective

An electric toothbrush scrubs your teeth effectively and makes taking care of your teeth more convenient. The powered bristle head produces hyper-fast movements to scrub a tooth many more times in a second than is possible with a manual brush. And many models have a timer feature to keep you from rushing through your brushing routine.

When you brush with a manual toothbrush, you focus on two things: scrubbing and targeting your tooth. An electric brush enables you to spend all your energy targeting the tooth while the brush does the scrubbing. You can also target the plaque hiding underneath the gum line to prevent infection, tooth decay, and periodontitis.

More Engaging and Educational for Kids

Building the foundation for good oral and dental health begins as soon as you have teeth. It can be a challenge to make sure young children brush their teeth long enough and well enough to remove plaque effectively. An electric toothbrush makes dental hygiene fun and engaging and ensures that their teeth get a better scrub at the same time. But more important than using an electric toothbrush is following the proper brushing technique, order, and routine.

How to Brush Your Teeth the Right Way

Keeping your teeth clean is all about diligence and routine. Dentists recommend brushing twice and flossing at least once a day. The first time you brush should be in the morning, the second before bed, and you should spend at least two full minutes scrubbing your teeth each time you brush.

Correct Brushing Order: Floss, Brush, Wait, and Rinse

The correct order to practice your dental hygiene routine is: to floss first, brush second, wait a few minutes, and rinse with mouthwash last. If you brush before you floss, you never brush the areas of your teeth covered by plaque, which flossing removes.

After flossing and brushing your teeth, wait five to ten minutes before rinsing with mouthwash. Rinsing immediately after you brush will wash the fluoride in your toothpaste off your teeth. And don’t rinse before brushing your teeth because the acidic mouthwash makes it easier to scrub the enamel off your teeth.

Schedule Your Dental Consultation

An electric toothbrush can make your brushing routine easier and more convenient, but diligence is the biggest key to a healthy smile for years to come. Whether you use an electric or a manual brush, the most important thing is to follow the correct brushing order and practice good oral hygiene every day. Call our office to schedule your consultation and learn which teeth brushing tool is best for your oral health and dental longevity.