When you clean your teeth regularly with the right technique and for the required time, you will manage to keep your gums healthy either using manual or electric toothbrush.
According to «American Dental Association» the manual toothbrushes can be as effective as the electronic. The key to preventing tooth decay lies in how each toothbrush is used and not on the toothbrush itself.
Take a read at some more detailed information about these 2 different types of toothbrushes:
Electric
- Multiple programs specialized for sensitive teeth, others for whitening and for massaging the gums;
- Pressure sensors warning you if you brush very hard;
- Timer for counting the minutes of brushing;
- Digital reminders to replace the brush head;
- You can choose different head anytime you want;
Manual
- Very long, multi-leveled bristles;
- Rounded bristle tips;
- Specially designed bristles for teeth bleaching;
- Specially designed handles;
- Conical or angled brush head;
- Special design for tongue cleaning;
Now that you have more information about each brush, continue reading about the factors you should have in mind when buying one!
Cost
You can find economical electric toothbrushes on the marker, but generally speaking they are more expensive that the manual ones. Apart from the initial cost, the head replacement at regular intervals, also costs more.
Liking
The best toothbrush for you is the one that suits you and your needs best. This way, the chances of using it, increases.
Effectiveness
There have been numerous studies to determine if the electronic toothbrushes are more effective than the manual, to reduce gum disease and eliminate plaque accumulation. The researchers concluded that there are no significant differences between the two. However, evidence indicates that a particular type of electric toothbrushes (whose bristles rotate and fluctuate during use) is the most effective.
Safety
The answers in this chapter vary according to the individual needs. If, for example you brush quite hardly with a manual toothbrush, then the electronic one will propably help you make your movements softer. Studies have shown that electric toothbrushes increase the number of bacteria in the blood more than the manual ones. This is a threat ONLY for people with certain heart problems, since there is a risk of contamination.
Written by Dr. Athina Tsiorva DMD