Over the past decade or so, electric toothbrushes have become more popular in households. Does that mean that they are the right thing for you and your family? Or should you stick with the manual ones that you have been using for many decades? Would switching mean that you might have a better chance of a good dental visit? There are reasons to consider either one.
Here are some thoughts to help you decide on the answer to the question: Should I use a manual or electric toothbrush?
Manual
What people tend to like most about manual toothbrushes is that they are often very cheap and are easy to find. All it takes is a short walk to a drugstore to find a wide array of brushes to choose from and they all tend to fall within a very affordable price range. There’s a reason that they are very popular even in the age of electric toothbrushes. Also, they are easy to bring along when traveling, whereas electric toothbrushes might require more work, especially if they need to be plugged in and there are differences in voltage in different countries.
There are several things that can work against manual toothbrushes. People may not know exactly how long they are brushing – and they are supposed to do it two minutes at a time. They may lose focus and not properly brush each quadrant of their mouth at a time. Also, they may also fall into the habit of brushing too hard each time..especially as they get closer to a dental appointment. That can lead to damaged enamel and irritated gums.
Electric
What many people like about the electric toothbrush is that it makes it easier for a lot of people who might have limited mobility – like those with rheumatoid arthritis, for example. The spinning bristles do a great job of removing food particles and plaque. There is no need to brush too hard – just let the toothbrush do the work. Some of them have timers that go off when it’s time to move to the next quadrant of the mouth.
The vibrations of the electric toothbrush might be off-putting to some. They might like the feeling that the manual toothbrushes have. Also, cost and waste may play a part. Sometimes, some of these brushes require new heads, whereas with a manual one, you just throw it out and replace it with a brand new brush. Stores might not carry the new electric head and that would require ordering one online. Disposable electric ones mean that you are throwing out both the brush and a battery, which is not entirely environmentally friendly.
The price tag can also play a big part in the decision whether or not to get an electric toothbrush. The rechargeable models can cost almost $100 and then the heads that replace them can cost around $20 each. The disposable ones can last up to four months and the price tag is not too heavy – between $6 and $20. The cheaper ones do not have things like built-in timers.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to the electric toothbrush, both older people and kids tend to like it. The children see it as a different way to brush their teeth and can even treat it like a game to make the usual chore seem a lot different. The electric toothbrush also saves a lot of physical energy for older people, which is something they appreciate very much.
There is one more important thing to know – you need to stick to proper technique when you brush. An electric toothbrush won’t be as good if you only spend a minute with it rather than the recommended two when you brush. The same goes for a manual one. Flossing is also important when it comes to keeping your oral health at its peak.
Whatever brush you choose, Dr. Shaista Najmi and the staff at Ivory Dental Jacksonville will be glad to discuss their thoughts on them the next time that you make an appointment. They can also show you the best ways to use them. Call them today:(904) 998-1555.
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Ivory Dental
11362 San Jose Blvd Suite #7,
Jacksonville, FL 32223
Phone: (904) 998-1555
Website: https://ivorydentaljacksonville.com/