While both manual and electric brushes are effective at removing plaque, bacteria, and food particles, it is generally agreed that that people who use electric toothbrushes have better oral hygiene with less plaque and gingivitis.
Electric Toothbrushes Are Better for Cleaning Teeth
Research has shown that those who use electric toothbrushes in general have better results for cleaning their teeth. While the difference isn't massive, it does mean that electric toothbrushes have the edge when it comes to maintaining great oral health.
Electric toothbrushes are a great tool that help to remove bacteria and plaque from your teeth. They are a great alternative to manual toothbrushes, and can make your oral care routine easier. Electric toothbrushes do cost a bit more, but many people say they are worth the investment.
Using an electric toothbrush won't damage your teeth — but misusing one can lead to tooth damage, sensitivity, and gum recession.
Clinical studies have shown that electric toothbrushes with rotation-oscillation movement are more effective at removing plaque and help to keep your mouth overall healthier vs. regular manual toothbrushes.
The path that the brush should follow around your mouth is exactly the same as for a manual toothbrush (see guide here). Hold the brush at a 45 degree angle with a little pressure, and hold on each tooth for 3 to 5 seconds.
Electric toothbrushes are generally considered safer for gums. In addition, soft bristles are recommended over hard bristles, regardless of toothbrush type. As aggressive brushing can lead to gum recession, an electric toothbrush with better, soft bristles can be superior for gum health.
When using a rechargeable electric toothbrush, it isn't necessary to press hard or scrub. Simply guide the brush while it provides the brushing action. In fact, some electric toothbrushes have pressure sensors that alert you when you're brushing too hard.
Electric May Be Better For Some
Those who have trouble holding onto a toothbrush and manipulating it to scrub all parts of the mouth and teeth can absolutely see improvement in oral health by switching to an electric toothbrush. Some of these patients can include kids, those with arthritis, or people who have braces.
Over 11 years of research have concluded that individuals that use an electric toothbrush generally have healthier mouths. The Journal of Clinical Periodontology reported that electric toothbrushes had 22% less gum recession, 21% less plaque build-up, and 18% less tooth decay on average.
Dental professionals agree that the stroke efficiency of an electric toothbrush — which essentially does the work for you — beats a manual model, hands down, but a decent one can cost anywhere from $40 to $300 or more.
Because sonic toothbrushes vibrate at around 10 times the rate of an electric toothbrush, a two-minute brushing session with a sonic toothbrush will give you more cleaning power.
In general, electric toothbrushes on their own don't damage your enamel. The problem is just if you're pushing too hard with your brush, using a toothbrush head with hard bristles, or using abrasive toothpaste. These things can wear away at your enamel faster.
The simple answer is, no. If your gums are damaged by, for example periodontitis, the most severe form of gum disease, it's not possible for receding gums to grow back. However, even though receding gums can't be reversed there are treatments that can help to stop the problem from getting worse.
While your gums won't grow back on their own, surgical treatment can be used to replace the missing tissue, and restore both your appearance and your oral health. Gum grafting involves taking soft tissue from another part of the mouth and grafting it onto your gums.
In general, you should replace the head of your electric toothbrush every 12 weeks. This should be done more often than for a manual toothbrush because electric brushes often have shorter bristles. For this reason, they tend to become worn down more quickly and must be replaced sooner.
Electric toothbrushes, as well as manual ones, can be very effective if used correctly. However, if you're like most people and brush too hard, you could be causing damage to teeth and gums without knowing it. And all the extra power of an electric toothbrush could be making matters worse.
You can use any fluoride toothpaste with an electric toothbrush. Whatever type of goal you have for your oral health, you can find a toothpaste to help you get there along with your electric toothbrush.
As a rule, it's safe to leave your toothbrush on the charger. The charging stand serves two purposes. The first is to provide a place for the toothbrush to sit when it's not being used. Secondly, it's a quick and convenient way of recharging when the battery is low.
Electric Toothbrushes
The variable speed brush on an electric toothbrush rotates or vibrates, which can help with removing plaque and bacteria from your teeth and gums. Many studies show they do a superior job of it, especially the rotating brush types.
Many people prefer manual toothbrushes because they are much cheaper, which makes changing them regularly more cost effective. Also, people, especially those with small children, worry that an electric one will pinch them. Manual toothbrushes are easier for children to use.
Electric rotating-oscillating toothbrushes come with lower power than sonic toothbrushes, but due to the rotating head you can find them quite powerful in removing the plaque off your teeth. Sonic toothbrushes, on the other hand, are considered much more effective thanks to the high level of vibrations they provide.
Oral-B offers several added features to their electric toothbrushes across each of its lines, while Philips Sonicare has most of its added features exclusive to the higher-end products. For users looking simply for a basic electric toothbrush for the right price, Oral-B is the right choice.