Electric vs. Manual Toothbrush

Electric toothbrushes have been on the market for years now and you may still be wondering: do they really work better?

Nothing is wrong with your ol’ trusty manual toothbrush! People have been brushing manually for decades and still are to this day! Yes, they both accomplish the same end goal, but one is clearly more efficient than the other.

So, the question becomes not what is wrong with manual toothbrushes, but what’s wrong with how we’re using them? With the proper technique and routine, manual toothbrushes and floss are usually all that’s needed to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. The problem is, most of us slack off with and we don’t brush long enough or use the proper technique to clean our teeth and gums effectively.

All that hard work!

Do you ever struggle to find the energy to brush and floss right before bedtime? Well if you did, you might be interested to know that electric toothbrushes are not only more effective, but they require less effort than a manual! As the name implies, manual brushes require your own energy to move the brush in small circles (not up and down). With electric toothbrushes you can sit back and let the brush do the work for you. Now you do still have to do some work but the brush does most of the heavy lifting. So, if your technique isn’t perfect (like most of us), you can rest assured you’re still getting a quality clean each time.

Proper brushing technique requires a certain level of dexterity, which can make it difficult for children, the elderly, or people with physical disabilities. Electric brushes are great for everyone, of course, but these particular demographics that may otherwise struggle to brush effectively can have a trusty tool on their side to get the job done better.

But an electric toothbrush is expensive!!!

Not compared to a dental crown or gum disease treatment! We know, the cost of an electric brush can be more than three times that of a manual and often you get a manual brush for free after seeing the dentist. When you look at the lifetime value and return on the investment, electric is the way to go. Electric brushes can range anywhere from $30-$200+ dollars, but with up to 150x the cleaning power, the investment is well worth it.

If you’re an expert brusher and flosser with perfect technique and you’ve never had any issues with tooth decay or gingivitis, then a manual toothbrush is probably just fine—but if you’re like the rest of us, an electric toothbrush is the way to go.

We would be happy to recommend one that suits your individual needs and budget. We recommend a electric toothbrush for all ages as well! Whatever brush you use, be sure to use light pressure, a 45-degree angle, and small circular motions for at least two minutes, twice per day for the best results!