Increasingly, patients are asking dentists in Newcastle whether they should be using an electric toothbrush instead of a manual toothbrush. There are a plethora of different electric toothbrushes on the market, but they can be quite the investment. Most people who have made the change to using an electric toothbrush are happy with the outcome, feeling they do a better job at cleaning their teeth compared to an ordinary toothbrush.
However, if you have an excellent brushing technique and are great at flossing your teeth regularly, then there may be no reason to dump your manual toothbrush in favour of an electric toothbrush. It can be a different story for people with limited dexterity, for example, someone with arthritis. If this applies to you, then an electric toothbrush which will do much of the work for you. Additionally, an electric toothbrush can be great for kids because they are more fun to use. Anything that encourages children to brush their teeth more regularly has to be a good thing!
Ultimately, your choice of toothbrush does come down to individual preference, but we’ve made a quick comparison between manual toothbrushes and electric toothbrushes to highlight some of the differences.
Manual Toothbrushes
The pros of using a manual toothbrush include:
The cons of using a manual toothbrush include:
Electric Toothbrushes
The pros of using an electric toothbrush include:
The cons of using an electric toothbrush include:
Making Sure You Choose the Right Toothbrush
Regardless of whether you prefer to use an electric or manual toothbrush, it’s important to make sure you choose a toothbrush with the right kind of bristles. Ideally, it should have soft to medium bristles because anything harder could damage your teeth and gums. When choosing your toothbrush, make sure its head is small enough to reach right to the back of your mouth. Electric toothbrush heads are generally quite small, but if you prefer a manual toothbrush and have a little mouth, it’s perfectly okay to use a child-sized toothbrush. Finally, make sure you change your toothbrush regularly. Dentists in Clarington recommend getting a new toothbrush every three months, or more frequently if it begins to look worn.
If you feel your toothbrushing techniques could do with a little help, then please don’t hesitate to ask our dentist in Courtice, next time you visit us here at West Bowmanville Family Dental.
