Electric Toothbrushes Pros and Cons
Electric toothbrushes are very popular, but are they truly better than manual toothbrushes? There are a number of pros and cons of electric toothbrushes. Weigh these to find out if they are right for you.
Pros
They may clean better
The sellers of electric toothbrushes often claim that they can clean better than manual toothbrushes. According to Web MD, there is some evidence to support this. One study found that electric toothbrushes removed 11% more plaque and reduced gingivitis by 6% over three months. The rotating-oscillating toothbrush, whose bristles rotate one way and then change directions, are more effective than both manual brushes and electric ones that do not change directions.
They may contain fun features
Some of the electric toothbrushes have nice features such as indicating that you are brushing with too much pressure. Some also have timers. These can enhance the brushing experience.
Fun
Some people simply like gadgets. They may enjoy electric toothbrushes because they are more advanced than manual ones.
Cons
They are more expensive
In general, electric toothbrushes are more expensive than manual toothbrushes. Sometimes this difference can be extreme. This can be magnified because of the fact that you need to regularly change out the brushes (or heads).
They can break
Most manual toothbrushes do not break. There is much more to go wrong on an electric toothbrush. You may think that you will only need to replace the head of a very expensive electric toothbrush, but if the gears stop working, you will have to replace the entire thing. You may also need to replace batteries, which is another extra cost and hassle.
They are less available
You will find manual toothbrushes at many places. Some stores that only offer one toothbrush will offer a manual one and not an electric one. You are likely to get one at every visit to your dentist.
They are not as easy for travel
Traveling with an electric toothbrush can be a little more difficult. They are generally larger and less convenient. They may not fit on your bathroom counter as well.
You may over-brush
It can be difficult to tell how much pressure you are putting on your teeth with an electric toothbrush. If you put too much pressure you can actually wear away the enamel of your teeth.
There is no one right or wrong decision when choosing between an electric and manual toothbrush. Consider all of the pros and cons of each when making your choice.