Manual Vs. Electric Toothbrushes

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How Much Better are Electric Toothbrushes for Daily Teeth Cleaning?

Why should you care so much about your tooth and gum health? Obviously, there are aesthetic reasons — you don’t want to lose your teeth or have bad breath. But there are also medical reasons — you want to avoid bone or gum loss, dental fillings and surgery, for instance.

Having the right toothbrush can make dental care easier and more effective. But how do you know what type of toothbrush is right for you? The war between manual and electric toothbrushes rages on. Here’s how the teeth cleaning experience varies between the two types:

• Manual toothbrushes. The classic, standard toothbrush gets the job done. With proper technique, brushing for two minutes twice a day keeps your mouth in pretty good shape. Also, this type of toothbrush is incredibly inexpensive, so you can replace it as often as necessary. A manual toothbrush is low maintenance and great for traveling. Manual toothbrushes require a little more elbow grease, and you must brush properly (soft, circular strokes) and for the full two minutes without the convenience of a timer.

• Electric toothbrushes. With a powered toothbrush, you simply place the toothbrush at the right angle and let it do the rest of the work for you. This automated process can give you great results with less physical and mental work. These types of brushes can be great for children, and they can come in colorful colors and characters. Many models feature built-in timers, which eliminate the guesswork regarding how long you need to brush. The downside of electric toothbrushes is the cost of brush head replacement, and the time needed for charging (or battery replacement). They are also not as travel friendly, although some models come with travel cases and smaller travel-sized charging docs.

Contact our General Dentist in San Francisco Today

Regular teeth cleanings also play a pivotal role in dental health, even if you brush and floss twice a day. Pastel Dental provides teeth deep cleaning and other dental care services. San Francisco Dentist Dr. Alex Pastel is committed to your dental health, and his team cares about your smile. Give us a call today at 415-831-1999 or book your next appointment online using our convenient scheduling tool.