{"id":3976,"date":"2021-08-10T13:31:08","date_gmt":"2021-08-10T13:31:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thedentalexpress.com\/?p=3976"},"modified":"2024-03-07T01:18:26","modified_gmt":"2024-03-07T01:18:26","slug":"dental-care-showdown-electric-vs-manual-toothbrushes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thedentalexpress.com\/dental-blog\/dental-care-showdown-electric-vs-manual-toothbrushes\/","title":{"rendered":"Dental Care Showdown: Electric vs. Manual Toothbrushes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Everyone has their preference, but are electric toothbrushes better than manual ones? Find out the pros & cons of each & who comes out on top below<\/span><\/h1>\n

Two minutes twice a day. That\u2019s the golden <\/span>toothbrushing<\/b><\/a> standard.<\/span><\/p>\n

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And the <\/span>research<\/b><\/a> is clear. Cleaning your teeth for a solid 120 seconds is proven to remove much more plaque and decay-causing bacteria than a mere 45.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Essentially, the longer you brush, the more food particles you get rid of and the more likely you are to hit those hard-to-reach areas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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But could the brush you\u2019re using have an impact on how effective your brushing sessions are?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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After all, electric toothbrushes can vibrate, rotate, oscillate, and perform all kinds of complex movements that the human hand can\u2019t hope to mimic.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Are manual brushers truly at a disadvantage? Or are all those fancy automatic brushes just for show?<\/span><\/p>\n

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This week, we\u2019re hosting a dental care showdown between electric and manual toothbrushes to see which is best for your smile. Who do you think will win?<\/span><\/p>\n

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Let\u2019s find out!<\/span><\/p>\n

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Manual Toothbrushes: The Pros<\/span><\/h1>\n

Compared to all the settings and perks that come with an electric model, a manual toothbrush might seem a bit dull.<\/span><\/p>\n

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But according to the ADA, they\u2019ve been around for 5,000 years in one form or another. There\u2019s a reason they\u2019re still around and maintain their popularity status.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Not only are they simple to use, they\u2019re also easy to get your hands on. Nearly every grocery store, supermarket, pharmacy, and even gas station keeps manual toothbrushes in stock.<\/span><\/p>\n

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But perhaps most importantly, they\u2019re affordable. Whereas an electric toothbrush can run you anywhere from $10 to $300 or more, you can find a manual brush for as little as $0.99.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Even if you could find a powered toothbrush for a comparable price, you\u2019d probably have to make a serious sacrifice in quality, which is never a good thing when your smile\u2019s at stake.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Manual Toothbrushes: The Cons<\/span><\/h1>\n

As reliable as manual toothbrushes are, they do come with a couple drawbacks.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Compared to someone who uses an electric toothbrush, manual brushers are more likely to brush <\/span>harder<\/b><\/a>, which can lead to enamel abrasion and even erosion.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Also, since many electric models come with built-in timers, manual brushers may be at a disadvantage when it comes to brushing time. It\u2019s harder to tell if you\u2019ve brushed for the full two minutes without a timer, so you may unknowingly be cutting your sessions short.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Try using your phone\u2019s timer or a regular kitchen timer to see how long you usually brush, and bump it up to two minutes if you find yourself finishing too soon.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Electric Toothbrushes: The Pros<\/span><\/h1>\n

Nowadays, you can take your pick from a wide range of electric toothbrushes, from basic one-setting models to advanced ones with all the trimmings.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Let\u2019s take a look at the benefits that come with these powered brushes:<\/span><\/p>\n