Is an electric toothbrush better than a regular toothbrush? & bull; hello healthy

Modern toothbrushes like the ones we use today were first invented in the late 1930's. Several improvements and improvements have been made to the toothbrush design since then, but the original concept has never changed. Until the 1990s, electric toothbrushes came to shake the world as a popular and pain-free alternative to the manual version.

Is one version of this modern toothbrush really superior to the other?

The advantages of a regular toothbrush

1. Effective cleaning of teeth, if done with the right technique.

Brushing your teeth completely clean only takes two minutes and you are guaranteed to achieve optimal oral and dental hygiene with just a regular toothbrush, and you don't have to worry about wrong actions because everything is controlled manually.

You can adjust how much pressure you apply when you grip the toothbrush. This is useful to help you avoid putting too much stress on your teeth. Excessive pressure on the teeth can erode the tooth enamel, causing pain, increased tooth sensitivity, and an increased risk of tooth decay.

With the electric model, the pressure strength is regulated by the machine and you cannot adjust it according to your needs.

2. Cheap and practical

With a manual toothbrush, all you really need is a brush head cover - some manual toothbrush products on the market come equipped with this feature. You don't have to worry about buying a spare battery or forgetting to bring a charger in an emergency.

Manual toothbrushes are relatively inexpensive and can be obtained anywhere, even in small shops near your home or for free as a “souvenir” for monthly dental visits to dentists. The thing to remember, you must regularly replace your toothbrush every three months.

3. Many product variations

Manual toothbrushes are available in several models with various functions, types of bristles, head shapes, and colors that you are free to choose at will. You can choose a soft bristle toothbrush if you have sensitive teeth, and a small brush head if you have a small mouth. Some brands of manual toothbrushes also provide children's versions of the same function and model.

In short, you'll never run out of options with a manual toothbrush.

Lack of a regular toothbrush

1. It takes extra effort and time

Manual toothbrush depends on the user to be able to effectively remove plaque on the teeth. As well as having to really understand effective brushing techniques, you are also required to move the brush back and forth in your mouth to clean your teeth. The problem is, if you are pressed for time, you will tend to brush your teeth carelessly - which makes it ineffective.

In addition, manual toothbrushes also require you to estimate how long you are brushing your teeth (unless you are on a timer), and occasionally forget yourself, which puts you at risk of tooth decay from peeling enamel.

The advantages of an electric toothbrush

1. Suitable for children and people with reduced mobility

With an electric toothbrush, all you need to do is position the brush at a 45º angle and let the brush work on its own.

An electric toothbrush can be a tool that facilitates daily routines for people who have difficulty using their hands, for example for the elderly and those with arthritis. If your dentist finds that you are not effective enough at cleaning your mouth and teeth with a manual toothbrush, he or she may suggest that you switch to an electric toothbrush.

What's more, children who are prone to fussy and lazy brushing their teeth can be "seduced" to use an electric toothbrush. Most children rarely brush their teeth just because they are lazy or don't want to. Electric toothbrushes provide convenience and fun brushing sessions without wasting a lot of effort - sshh… Applies to those of you who are lazy too, you know!

2. Effectively reduces plaque and gingivitis

Compared to regular toothbrushes, electric toothbrushes have been shown to be effective in reducing plaque by 21 percent more and reducing the risk of gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) by 11 percent - as well as improving gum health - after 3 months of routine use, especially if using an electric toothbrush that uses the rotation oscillation feature. (the bristles rotate at the same time back and forth).

3. There is a timer and no need to scrub too hard to make it cleaner

If you tend to brush your teeth too hard, you run the risk of breaking them easily. Therefore, an electric toothbrush will make it easier for you to adjust the softness of the pressure on the gums and teeth, while also cleaning at the same time.

Many of the electric toothbrush products have a built-in timer that will stop rotating the brush automatically once the time is up. That way, you can avoid the risk of brushing too long and too hard, which can actually damage your teeth.

Lack of electric toothbrush

1. The cost is quite draining the bag

To get an electric toothbrush, you are required to spend more than a manual toothbrush. Electric toothbrush heads also need to be replaced frequently, just like manual toothbrushes. Unfortunately, many of these spare electric toothbrush heads are sold separately. Be prepared to provide additional fees.

An electric toothbrush can also lull you into fake success. You may feel like you're already brushing better because you spent tens to hundreds of thousands on an electric toothbrush - but in reality, not necessarily.

What's more, although electric toothbrushes can be twice the size of a regular toothbrush, they are quite fragile. If you drop a brush, or it gets damaged for some reason (out of warranty), the cost of replacing the brush can be enough to make your wallet even more depleted.

2. Not practical

Electric toothbrushes tend to be larger in size, making them difficult to fit in a bag or suitcase when traveling. Apart from that, you also need to provide an emergency spare battery and don't forget to bring a charger wherever you go with your toothbrush.

At home, you must first charge the brush before you can use it, or your toothbrush is not a wireless version and requires you to plug it into the nearest power outlet.

3. Increase the number of bacteria in the blood

Several studies have found that using an electric toothbrush can increase the number of bacteria in the bloodstream, more than a manual toothbrush. Of course, this would pose no risk to healthy, immune-healthy people. However, it can increase the chance of acquiring a potentially dangerous infection of the heart for people who have certain heart conditions.

In the end, whether it's an electric or manual toothbrush, the choice comes down to individual preferences. What's more important is how you use your toothbrush. Make sure you brush your teeth with a soft bristle brush and fluoridated toothpaste for two minutes, twice a day.