14 Sep Electric and Manual toothbrushes – Which one to go with?
Using a good toothbrush is an important part of practicing good dental hygiene but choosing a toothbrush can be difficult. When you go shopping for a toothbrush, you’ll likely find the number of options overwhelming. With that in mind, we’re going to discuss the main two types of toothbrushes so you can determine which is the best choice for your children.
Manual toothbrushes
These are usually made out of hard plastic and require the user to move the toothbrush up and down over their teeth and gums to remove plaque.
Pros of Manual Toothbrushes
Manual toothbrushes are significantly less expensive than their electric toothbrush counterparts, typically costing a couple dollars. They’re also more portable due to their smaller size and the fact that they don’t require a charger.
Cons of Manual Toothbrushes
Manual toothbrushes are less environmentally friendly than electric toothbrushes. It’s recommended that you replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months.
If you’re using a manual toothbrush, that means throwing away your toothbrush multiple times a year. On the other hand, if you choose to use an electric toothbrush, you just throw away the plastic head of the brush, minimizing the amount of plastic that ends up in landfills.
Electric toothbrushes
Electric toothbrushes have heads that rotate and oscillate to help you clean your teeth. This means the user simply needs to place the brush on his/her teeth/gum line and the brush does most of the work.
Pros of Electric Toothbrushes
Electric toothbrushes have been shown to do a better job of removing plaque and reducing gingivitis than manual toothbrushes. Additionally, most electric toothbrushes come with a two-minute timer that alerts the user once they’ve brushed for the dentist recommended two minutes. This timer can be especially beneficial for adults or children that struggle to brush their teeth for the full two minutes.
Cons of Electric Toothbrushes
Electric toothbrushes are significantly more expensive than manual toothbrushes, costing anywhere from $40 to well over $100 for more expensive brushes. Furthermore, replacing your electric toothbrush’s head (every 3 to 4 months) costs around $15 each year. Depending on the type of electric toothbrush, the brush will either require batteries or will have to charge each night. Having to charge your toothbrush isn’t a huge deal, but can be inconvenient if you forget to charge it.
Here’s a simple chart that summarizes the pros and cons of each type of brush
When it comes to choosing between a manual toothbrush and an electric toothbrush, there isn’t a right or wrong choice. Both toothbrushes will clean your children’s teeth when used properly. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. Perhaps your children find the rotation and oscillations of an electric toothbrush too forceful, if so, a manual toothbrush is likely the best option. On the other hand, maybe your children need the two-minute timer on an electric toothbrush to ensure he/she brushes for long enough.
Even if you find the best toothbrush for your child, it’s crucial that they’re brushing their teeth properly. If you are unsure when should a child brush their teeth, we can help answer that one.
At such a young age they likely lack the dexterity to brush properly.
Choosing the right toothbrush is important, just like choosing the right pediatric dentist is important. If you have questions about choosing the right toothbrush or broader questions about your child’s dental care please call 972-727-0011 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Lisi at Kids Pediatric Dentistry in Allen.