The Best Toothbrush - Electric or Manual?

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Brushing your teeth is an important part of everyday life. Morning and night we take a few minutes of our time to brush as much plaque off our teeth as we can before we begin the day or immerse into a long night's sleep. But the question remains, which is more effective, the time tested manual toothbrush, or the high-tech electric toothbrush?

The main cause of plaque is the build-up of bacteria on our teeth. If not brushed away thoroughly on a daily basis it leads to damaging plaque which could lead to gingivitis and evolve into periodontitis. This is why it's important to choose the right toothbrush for your needs. Whether you choose a manual or electric toothbrush these are few features your toothbrush must have in order to be effective:

Soft bristles
Unless advised by your dentist, it is best for your toothbrush to have soft bristles. Soft bristles are tough enough to remove damaging bacteria without damaging your gums or eroding your teeth enamel like a hard bristled brush would do.Rounded/angled head
Your toothbrush must be able to reach the bacteria hiding teeth at the back of your mouth. Make sure your toothbrush head is small enough to reach the back and rounded at the edges so as not to hurt you.Wide handle
Make sure your toothbrush handle is wide enough for you to grip firmly in order to effectively control the movements of the bush in your mouth - especially if you have dexterity issues. A rubber grip on the handle is also very helpful.

The difference between manual and electric brushes

Is the battery powered toothbrush more effective?

When power toothbrushes first entered the market there was no clinical proof that they are more effective at removing bacteria from teeth than manual toothbrushes. It became a question of preference rather than the effectiveness of the product. However today there are a few electric toothbrushes on the market that have actually been clinically proven to remove more bacteria from your teeth than manuals. In some instances electric toothbrushes with tiny heads are better suited to cleaning back teeth because of the rotating brush - ask your dentist about it. That said the average manual and electric toothbrushes have the same level of effectiveness when it comes to removing plaque. The method in which your brush your teeth actually plays a bigger role than the type of brush your use.

How to brush your teeth effectively:

Hold the toothbrush at a 45 degree angle and brush each tooth from the gum line to the bottom of the tooth - front and back.Two minutes is efficient for a good brush and be careful not to add too much pressure when brushing.

With that in mind let's take a look at the two main differences between these two types of toothbrushes:

Cost
Electric toothbrushes are obviously more expensive than manual toothbrushes because of the wiring inside that keeps the brush head turning when you need it to. On the other hand manual toothbrushes are very affordable and some are even cheaper than candy - so make your choice.Convenience
For the lazy brusher battery powered toothbrushes are a huge convenience. All you have to do is move the brush around your mouth and some electric brushes even have timers that tell you when to stop brushing. Manual bushes are convenient in the sense that you don't need a power plug or batter to keep them going; they are easy to pack and go anywhere.So whether you choose the manual or electric brush your teeth are not at risk, just choose what's best for you and what suits your dental needs best. Once you find the right toothbrush brushing your teeth will feel better and the results will be great!