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Battle of the Brushes—Power v Manual

June 8, 2017Dr. Robsonoral health

goodbrushinghabits

There have been a lot of advances in power toothbrushes. Today they’re small, lightweight, and many models are rechargeable. You can also select a power toothbrush with all sorts of fancy options: timers, pressure sensors, travels cases, and other cool features.  And you can choose power toothbrushes with bristles that are sonic, rotating, vibrating, oscillating or even counter-oscillating.

Some models will even massage your gums.   But power toothbrushes don’t do everything.  For example, we haven’t come across any models that will do your taxes or pick up the kids from school. Not yet, anyway.

So many Fancy Features

With all these fancy features, power toothbrushes can get pretty expensive.  You can still find a basic, non-rechargeable model for as little as $6.  But prices can quickly escalate to over $200 when you start piling on the extras.

But Do Power Toothbrushes Actually Work Better?

Of course, the most important question about power toothbrushes is Do they really work better than manual toothbrushes? For most people, the answer is Not really.  You see, research indicates that manual brushes can be just as effective as power models. The most important factor in effective brushing is how you brush, not which type of toothbrush you are using.

The Important Thing Is How You Brush

Whether you select a manual or power toothbrush, the five most important habits you need to remember about brushing are:

  1. Apply adequate pressure.
  2. Don’t apply too much pressure.
  3. Brush for at least two minutes each time.
  4. Brush all surfaces of your teeth.
  5. Thoroughly brush all sections of your mouth.

So as long as you are physically able to apply enough pressure and you remember to brush your teeth completely twice a day, you can do a good job brushing with a manual toothbrush.

Some People Should Definitely Choose a Power Toothbrush

However, there are some cases where a power toothbrush does make a difference for the better.  For example, power toothbrushes are a good idea for people who are unable to press down hard enough on their teeth.

If you struggle with arthritis or limited mobility, a power toothbrush is probably a better choice. The toothbrush provides much of the brushing action for you, so you get a better clean with a lot less movement on your part.

There is some evidence that sonic power toothbrushes break up the plaque on your teeth more effectively than manual toothbrushes.  But overall, studies indicate that manual brushes work just as well when you practice an effective regimen of oral hygiene which includes daily brushing and flossing.

Brush Completely for at Least Two Minutes Every Time

Research demonstrates that people who choose power toothbrushes are more likely to take good care of their smile than people who select manual toothbrushes.  The biggest single variable here is how long people brush.

The Most Valuable Feature

Perhaps the most valuable feature on many power toothbrushes is the timer, which encourages people to brush longer.  According to Dr. Joan Gluch, adjunct associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania Dental School, “Average folks brush 46 seconds. With timers people will go to at least the two minutes.”

Although you can do an effective job brushing your teeth with a manual toothbrush, power toothbrushes can help people take better care of their teeth:

If you find yourself struggling to meet two minutes, you tend to brush unevenly, or you find manual brushing to be too much labor, upgrading from a manual toothbrush to an electric one that automates these elements would make sense.

Call Us to Schedule Your Checkup Today

Whichever type of toothbrush you ultimately select, you should take good care of your teeth by brushing and flossing every day.

Another great thing you can do to ensure the longevity of your smile is visit Robson Family Dental at least twice a year for regular checkups. Don’t you think it’ time to give us a call right away to schedule your next appointment.

Tags: manual toohbrush, manual v power toothbrush, oral health, power toothbrush

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