You may have seen TV commercials that brag about how fantastic certain toothbrushes are. “Your mouth has never felt this clean! Dentists approve!” But, really, how can you choose a toothbrush that is going to vanquish plaque and protect your smile from the ravages of bacteria and decay? Some people claim that you can’t beat a pricey electric toothbrush, while others claim that an old-fashioned manual toothbrush will do the trick just fine. Your dentist in Joplin is here to weigh in on the debate.
Electric Toothbrushes
Advertisements often claim that electric toothbrushes deliver superior cleaning power, and that is true — to an extent. They can stroke your teeth thousands, or even tens of thousands, of times each minute. That fast action can help to dislodge particles from your teeth and leave you feeling minty fresh.
However, it’s still important to use good brushing technique; the toothbrush won’t do all the work for the person using it. In some cases, the guy with the two-dollar toothbrush could have a cleaner mouth than the guy with the two-hundred-dollar toothbrush — all because of the way they use the tools at their disposal.
If you and your kids have great brushing habits, your whole family can benefit from electric toothbrushes. The kids will especially love having them because of the fun factor. Children might think that brushing their teeth is the most boring thing in the world, but if you add a fancy electric toothbrush, they might start to love taking care of those pearly whites.
Traditional Toothbrushes
You might be inclined to stick with a manual toothbrush because you don’t want to spend a lot of money, and that’s okay! Many traditional dental tools are capable of delivering a satisfactory clean. Pick a manual brush with soft bristles and spend about two minutes twice a day giving your smile the attention it deserves. Your good habits will pay off for your teeth and your budget.
Other things to love about manual toothbrushes is that there is nothing to charge and no batteries to change. They’re easy to store and travel with, too.
How Should You Decide?
Both manual and electric toothbrushes can do a stellar job of cleaning your teeth if they’re used properly. Which one is right for you really boils down to your circumstances. If your budget allows for an electric toothbrush, why not try it out? You may come to enjoy brushing more, and it might be easier for you to keep that gorgeous smile clean. You could clean more surfaces in your mouth in a shorter period of time.
You might also talk to your dentist and ask for an opinion. They may recommend a specific toothbrush based on your unique needs. For example, many dental professionals are fans of sonic toothbrushes, which uses a fast side-to-side motion to dislodge plaque.
Both electric and traditional toothbrushes can clean your teeth well; the tool itself is less important than maintaining good oral hygiene habits.
About the Author
Dr. Dan K. Young leads the team of professionals at Young Family & Cosmetic Dentistry. He always encourages his patients to have excellent dental habits, including brushing their teeth twice daily. If you have questions about which tools you should use to care for your pearly whites, contact our office at 417-781-3440.