Manual toothbrush vs electric toothbrush

Brushing is the basis of proper daily oral hygiene . The toothbrush helps us to eliminate the remains of food and plaque that can accumulate in our mouth, avoiding possible infections and diseases. For this reason, it is important to choose a toothbrush that guarantees effective hygiene.

On many occasions we are struck by the doubt of which is the best toothbrush, whether the electric or the manual. Both brushes have their advantages and the choice of one or the other will depend on the habits and comfort of the patient, and the recommendations of the dentist.

The main advantage of electric toothbrushes is that they can further reduce bacterial plaque , which is responsible for the production of cavities and gingivitis. Another advantage is that the risk of tooth abrasion is lower , since they have a mechanism to control the pressure that we exert on the teeth and gums. It has been found that patients who use electric toothbrushes tend to spend more time brushing , indicating an important motivating factor.

Some electric toothbrush manufacturer have added a timer or emit an acoustic signal that guarantees a correct brushing time, lasting at least two minutes.

Those whose head performs rotary and oscillatory movements are more efficient . In addition to rotating, the brush head oscillates over the tooth and adopts different angles to be able to reach the area where the gum ends and the tooth begins, which is of the utmost importance to eliminate bacterial plaque.

The electric toothbrush is especially suitable for people who have difficulties brushing their teeth on their own , such as people with mental or physical disabilities. It must also be given priority in patients with arthritis.

If a caregiver or family member is in charge of brushing a person's teeth, the electric toothbrush is much more comfortable, effective and practical to remove bacterial plaque.
 

And which toothbrush is suitable for children?

In the case of children, it is advisable for parents to brush their children's teeth with a manual toothbrush until they are three years old , from then on the child can be left with some independence to brush his teeth alone. At the age of six it is a good time to start using the electric toothbrush if desired. It has helped many parents to convince their children to brush their teeth, as children find electric toothbrushes fun. It is very important to explain to them how to do it so that they brush their teeth correctly and acquire a good habit.

In the case of choosing a manual toothbrush, we must choose a brush with a rather small head size and with intermediate bristles , which adapt better to the mouth and reach areas of difficult access such as the interdental space.

Very soft bristle brushes do not guarantee us to correctly remove bacterial plaque. If we use those with very hard bristles, we can carry out a traumatic, very aggressive brushing, damaging the enamel of the teeth and gums.

The manual brush is especially indicated after surgery , when there are stitches or there is a sore area. In this case, it is advisable to use a manual brush with ultra-soft bristles, which allows a softer brushing to clean the sensitive area.

• Place the bristles of the brush on the gum line.
• Hold the brush at a 45 degree angle along the gum line .
• Keep the bristles in contact with the surface of the teeth and the gum line to brush as effectively as possible.
• Press so gentle to avoid damaging teeth and gums. The vibrations from the electric toothbrush can create a little more pressure.

• Follow a specific order, starting on one side and finishing on the other so as not to forget any area.
• Make a circular motion over all tooth surfaces and then make another general pass using sweeping movements, from the gum line to the outside of the tooth. 
• Do not forget the chewing surfaces, or the tongue, as well as dental floss or interdental brushes to clean the areas between teeth.