If you are committed to improving your oral health, then changing your toothbrush is the best place to start. If you’ve only ever used a manual toothbrush, now is the time to upgrade to an electric toothbrush to give your teeth and gums the care and attention they need when brushing. Here we share the reasons why electric toothbrushes are better than manual ones and give you some top tips on what to look for when choosing the best electric toothbrush for you and your family.
Manual vs electric toothbrush
As dentists we are often asked about the difference between manual and electric toothbrushes and which are best. We will almost always recommend an electric toothbrush as they offer superior cleaning qualities to keep your teeth and gums healthier.
A couple of years ago the longest study of its kind was completed and the results revealed to dental professionals and members of the public. This study compared electric toothbrushes to manual ones and found that people who use an electric toothbrush keep their teeth longer and have healthier gums than those who use a manual toothbrush. This is because electric toothbrushes and especially those with oscillating heads, are much better at removing plaque. If left on your teeth, plaque can lead to tooth decay and gum disease which if untreated can result in tooth loss.
Electric toothbrushes can make it easier for you to stick to a good oral health regime thanks to their in-built 2 minute timers. We are always reminding our patients to aim for around two minutes of effective brushing twice a day and with the timer already part of your toothbrush, it is effortless to adhere to.
Many electric toothbrushes also have sensors that light up on the brush if you are applying too much pressure to your teeth. This is a great way to ensure that you don’t damage your tooth enamel or cause your gums to recede by brushing too hard.
What to look for when choosing an electric toothbrush
If you are ready to shop for an electric toothbrush but are overwhelmed by the huge amount of choice, here are a few things to look out for:
Brush size - If you have a small mouth you’ll find a compact head easier to reach all the surfaces of your teeth. A larger head is fine if you have a bigger mouth.
Bristle type - Choose soft bristles as they are gentle on your teeth and gums and a brush head with angled bristles to give you the most superior clean, as the bristles help lift plaque out from even those hard to reach places.
Brush handle - most electric toothbrushes come with an easy to grip handle to ensure your hand doesn’t slip off the wet brush whilst you are cleaning your teeth.
Choosing the best electric toothbrush for your child:
Only just over half of all children in the UK use an electric toothbrush and this is despite the fact that they can remove up to twice as much plaque as a manual toothbrush. If you want to help your child have a great oral health routine that they can take with them into adulthood, choose an electric toothbrush that will make cleaning easier, more effective and more enjoyable:
- Choose a small toothbrush head with soft bristles that is suitable for the age of your child.
- Choose a handle that fits easily into their hands and isn’t too big for them to hold comfortably.
- Choose a brush in a colour, design or featuring a character that they love as this will help to motivate them to brush their teeth and enjoy doing it.
- Choose an electric toothbrush with a pressure sensor as children can do long lasting damage to their teeth and gums if they press too hard when brushing.
- Make sure the brush has an in-built two-minute timer as it will help get your child used to the normal duration for effective brushing and alert you to when this time is up.
Shop for a new electric toothbrush at Dentalia
Did you know that you can use our online shop to find your next electric toothbrush? We currently offer the following options:
Oral B Pro 3D 2500 RPM - A limited edition toothbrush with sound connectivity - £37.50.
Oral B Pro 3D 2000 RPM - A stylish looking toothbrush with visible pressure sensor - £30.
If you need more advice on choosing the best toothbrush or how to improve your oral health routine, please ask as your next appointment.
