Electric vs Manual Toothbrushes – Which Is Better?

Every human needs to choose the right toothbrush for cleaning their teeth and tongue and maintaining their oral health. The store shelves have both manual and electric toothbrush varieties for sale which confuses most buyers as to which one will be best for their use. However, both of them are effective for the removal of dental plaque that causes decay and other oral health concerns. 

Usually, which style you choose is all up to your personal preference. In this guide, everything about both electric vs manual toothbrush is covered. Keep reading till the end and learn about the benefits of an electric toothbrush and the pros and cons of using either of the two toothbrushes, so that you can make the best choice for yourself or your child.    

Electric Vs Manual Toothbrush: What are they? 

Manual toothbrushes are hand-held brushes, made up of a hard plastic handle and the head covered with soft nylon bristles to clean the gums and in between the teeth. They are operated by the user’s hand and moved up and down in a circular motion over the teeth and gums to get rid of food debris and plaque. These are the ones that probably everyone would have used since they were young and usually they are the ones handed over by dentists after professional cleanings and routine dental check-ups.  

Electric toothbrushes are powered toothbrushes, battery-operated and rechargeable devices that are designed to be guided through the mouth. They make rapid automatic bristle motions-either vibratory or rotatory to remove the food debris and plaque build-up from the teeth and gums.    

What are the Benefits of an Electric Toothbrush?

• Effective removal of dental plaque: The rotary/oscillating heads of electric toothbrushes are designed to steer around each tooth and clear away any debris or plaque in the process. With the most effective brushing technique, such toothbrushes can even work on hard-to-reach areas of the mouth and result in superior cleaning of the teeth, gums, and tongue.  
• Easy to use: Simply push the ON/OFF button of the toothbrush (depending upon the model being used) and allow the head of the toothbrush to do its work. Therefore, it’s easy to use and helps in cleaning each tooth, one section of the mouth at a time. It is an easier option for handicapped or mentally challenged people who have limited mobility and those with arthritis or even children. Most benefited are the children as they get to learn about ins and outs of proper oral hygiene and stay on the right path to good oral care.
• Designed using cutting-edge technology: Electric toothbrushes can be either low-tech and consist of a rotating head and timer or they can be high-tech. Some models of electric toothbrushes are designed with different pressure levels, so one can find out what works best for the teeth and gums. There are even some models that allow one to sync up with Bluetooth and track the progress of dental cleaning. Other models are also available like those that allow one to set time for each quadrant of the mouth, sets a reminder on the timing of brushing, have different brush head adapters, and prevent hard brushing.
• Powerful cleaning: With an electric toothbrush, one can brush teeth with much more power behind every stroke. Such toothbrushes rotate the head of the toothbrush many times per minute than is possible with a manual toothbrush, hence providing a deeper clean to the teeth in two minutes.
• Built-in timers: Electric toothbrushes now come up with timers like those where one can time the full two minutes or the ones that let timeout 30 seconds for each quadrant. Therefore, with an electric toothbrush, one can brush for the right amount of time.
• Best for people with orthodontics: Anyone having braces fitted inside their mouth can find it hard to practise oral hygiene using a manual toothbrush. However, with electric toothbrushes, it becomes a lot easier to get in between the orthodontics and all around the teeth.

Benefits of Using a Manual Toothbrush

• Affordable and accessible: Manual toothbrushes stock up in the market in a variety of options based on the bristle pattern, bristle hardness, the shape of the head, and the design of the handle. They can be picked up at convenience stores, grocery stores, online stores, or at the dentist’s office. These work consistently and get the job done right every time it is used.
•  Provides more control to the user: While ones use a manual toothbrush, the speed at which the hand is used to move the bristles around the mouth as well as the pattern of rotation decided to be used can all be controlled. Moreover, the user does not have to deal with a lot of saliva inside their mouth when they brush. 
• Users can determine the appropriate amount of pressure: As all the control is in the hands of the user, a manual toothbrush can even allow the user to apply an appropriate amount of pressure on every tooth. While using a manual toothbrush, if the users experience any discomfort because of sensitivity, they can easily change the pressure they are applying.
• Easy to travel with and store: Manual toothbrushes are generally small and less bulky than electric toothbrushes. Also, they do not need to be charged. They are very convenient for use and can be easily packaged while traveling and be used anytime anywhere whenever one needs them to clean teeth.

Is a Manual Toothbrush Better than an Electric Toothbrush?

While this mainly depends upon personal preferences, however, it is helpful to know if there are any cons of using a manual toothbrush. The reasons why electric toothbrushes are in demand are because of the following drawbacks of manual toothbrushes:

• Not efficient teeth cleaning: While using a manual toothbrush, one must ensure that brushing is done at right angles and used on every quadrant of the mouth with small, gentle circular motions around each tooth. Most users are unable to do it properly and end up having dental plaque or tartar and gum infections.  
• Users may brush their teeth too hard: As the user has the control over handling of a manual toothbrush, it may lead the user to brush too hard. When this happens, the gums might get damaged and bleed. 
• No timer: Most people who use manual toothbrushes do not brush their teeth for the entire two minutes. That’s because there is no built-in timer like those found in electric toothbrushes. In such cases, while brushing teeth with a manual toothbrush, the users may have to be cautious about the timing in their head or consider putting a timer on a mobile phone to ensure that they brush for a complete two minutes. 

Disadvantages of Electric Toothbrush

• Cost: Regardless of the model of toothbrush one purchases, one is expected to pay more than a manual toothbrush. Even its maintenance is costly, like you might need to change batteries or replace its head often, and depending upon its model, the parts may be costly.
• Not eco-friendly: After the use of an electric toothbrush, its head and batteries need to be replaced. However, when one is done using a manual toothbrush, one can just throw it or repurpose it for different uses like cleaning other surfaces. Also, there are even recyclable manual toothbrushes, made of bamboo, which are biodegradable.
• Not everyone’s preference: Some people cannot get used to or don’t like the vibration sensation inside their mouth as the head of their electric toothbrush rotates. They may even find it a little messier as extra saliva may come along while using an electric toothbrush.