To help in the selection of a toothbrush I would like to share here some of my insight into the features that separate manual and electrical toothbrushes.
- Cost. Manual toothbrushes are cheaper and available at any grocery, while electric toothbrushes may be more expensive with basic models ranging between $40-$60.
- More effective. Electric toothbrushes, are more effective in removing plaque and are considered a better alternative to maintaining gum health. A recent large study found strong evidence to support the beneficial effects of electric toothbrushes.
- Less pressure on your teeth & gums. Placing too much pressure on our teeth can wear away at the tooth enamel, causes sensitivity, and stirp the gums away. While we can feel the amount of pressure we’re using with our manual toothbrush, there are electric toothbrushes that have a mechanism that restricts their action or even stops it if you press too hard, which can be better.
- For kids. Manual toothbrushes are great for children when they start to learn to brush, since they allow them to play with it. As the children grow, some parents find that they need convince their children to brush their teeth. Then electric toothbrushes have the “novelty effect” which makes them more appealing and easy to use. There is even an app called “Brush Busters” that encourages children to take care of their oral hygiene.
Regardless of the toothbrush you use it is important that it has soft bristles. We encourage you to check if the brush is still good to use by examining the bristles to see if they are straight and firm or to see if they have dark stains which can point to bacteria growing on the brush.
Please don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Kaufman or to call today Tooronga Family Dentistry, phone number 98227006, for more information about which toothbrush will suit you best.