{"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":"
Two minutes twice a day. That\u2019s the golden <\/span>toothbrushing<\/b><\/a> standard.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 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 <\/p>\n 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 <\/p>\n But could the brush you\u2019re using have an impact on how effective your brushing sessions are?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 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 <\/p>\n Are manual brushers truly at a disadvantage? Or are all those fancy automatic brushes just for show?<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 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 <\/p>\n Let\u2019s find out!<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\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 <\/p>\n 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 <\/p>\n 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 <\/p>\n 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 <\/p>\n 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 <\/p>\n As reliable as manual toothbrushes are, they do come with a couple drawbacks.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 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 <\/p>\n 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 <\/p>\n 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 <\/p>\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 <\/p>\n Let\u2019s take a look at the benefits that come with these powered brushes:<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Now, all these high-tech add-ons are cool, but it\u2019s time to take the gloves off and ask the big question…<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The answer: Yes\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n But only slightly!<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n In fact, the <\/span>American Dental Association (ADA)<\/b><\/a> states that the difference is so small that \u201cit\u2019s a wash,\u201d and all that matters is you brush twice a day for two minutes.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Plus, it\u2019s essential to note that only one type of electric model has been shown to achieve these improved results.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n In the <\/span>studies<\/b><\/a> that report powered toothbrushes being more effective, models that both oscillate and rotate reduced plaque 7% more and gingivitis 17% more than manual brushes.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n But again, the ADA doesn\u2019t consider this statistically significant enough to select a winner.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n So, if those percentages are enough to make you want to use an electric brush, then by all means, go for it!<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n But the takeaway for these tech\u2019d out teeth cleaners is that they allow the user to have <\/span>\u201coptimal\u201d<\/b><\/a> brushing technique \u2013 whether they\u2019re capable of brushing manually or not.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n So, if you or someone you know has trouble brushing properly, an electric toothbrush is the way to go.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Outside of that, it\u2019s entirely up to you!<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Aside from the glaring price difference we talked about earlier, the main issue you\u2019ll likely run into is finding replacement heads for your electric brush.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Depending on what kind you get, you may find that only certain stores carry new heads. This scarcity can make replacing them difficult if your store runs out of stock or if you go out of town.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n And of course, battery-powered models mean you\u2019ll need to take batteries with you wherever you go, unless you have a backup manual brush for traveling.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Overall, as the ADA says, the moral of the story is that \u2013 no matter what type of brush you use \u2013 you should brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day to help prevent tooth decay and gum disease.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n And as always, don\u2019t forget to <\/span>floss<\/b><\/a>!<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n When you visit Dental Express, your smile always comes first.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n We\u2019re known around San Diego for our family-friendly atmosphere and affordable dental care, and we strive to live up to that reputation every day.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Our philosophy is to treat dentistry as a public service instead of a business, which drives us to consider your needs and budget before every decision.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you want you-focused care at a reasonable price, give us a call. We have six locations in the greater San Diego area open six days a week, and we\u2019re always accepting same-day appointments and walk-ins.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Just have some dental care questions you want answered? Our office team is always standing by to help out and give essential tips. Whatever your dental needs are, please don\u2019t hesitate to reach out!<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Do You Make These Common Dental Care Mistakes?<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n The Health Conscious Consumer\u2019s Guide to Buying a Toothbrush<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n Dental Care Over 65: Everything You Need to Know<\/b><\/a><\/p>\nManual Toothbrushes: The Pros<\/span><\/h1>\n
Manual Toothbrushes: The Cons<\/span><\/h1>\n
Electric Toothbrushes: The Pros<\/span><\/h1>\n
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Are Electric Toothbrushes More Effective at Cleaning Teeth Than Manual Ones?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Electric Toothbrushes: The Cons<\/span><\/h1>\n
San Diego\u2019s Top Destination for Healthy Smiles<\/span><\/h1>\n
Keep Reading<\/span><\/h1>\n