Electric Toothbrushes vs. Manual (Hand) Toothbrushes

Electric and manual (hand) toothbrushes are equally effective. It is not the brush itself that determines proper brushing, but rather the brusher and where it is directed.

However, some benefits of an electric toothbrush are that almost all will have timers on them. This will help ensure your child will learn to brush for two to three full minutes at each brushing. If your child is having dexterity issues, an electric toothbrush is much easier to use. It provides the brushing or moving action, but they will still need to guide it tooth by tooth. Some electric toothbrushes come with pressure sensors which can help if you are heavy-handed brusher. They will automatically stop brushing if you brush too hard. If you have gum recession, you may want to switch to an electric toothbrush to prevent your condition from getting worse. Most electric toothbrushes will come with a free app and have Bluetooth connection to phones or tablets. This can help with motivation and make brushing more fun. Some can even track the areas that may need extra attention.

Manual toothbrushes are more cost-effective for families. They also do not need batteries or chargers. They are smaller and travel-friendly, so no excuses for not brushing while away from home. With manual toothbrushes, you do not need to worry about vibration or noise sensitivity. They are also easier to replace if damaged or lost.

Remember: compliance is the key for healthy teeth and gum tissue. Sometimes trying something new can recharge an old routine!