We all know brushing your teeth is the foundation of oral care and hygiene, and we should all be brushing twice a day; but with what? Both electric toothbrushes and manual toothbrushes are great for removing plaque, but one method is superior and recommended here at The Courtyard Clinic.
How should you be brushing your teeth?
Before we get into the type of toothbrush, let’s make sure we have the technique perfected!
To most effectively brush your teeth, you need to:
- Brush twice a day
- Brush for at least two minutes at a time
- Brush first thing in the morning, before breakfast
- Do not use mouthwash directly after brushing
- Do not rinse out your mouth after brushing, this keeps the toothpaste working on your teeth for longer
Manual Vs. Electric ?
Studies have shown that electric toothbrushes are more effective at removing plaque and reducing your chance of developing gum disease. How? Simply put, electric toothbrushes are better at reaching hard-to-reach awkward areas around the mouth, where manual toothbrushes would struggle. But that’s not the only benefit, some studies have also found that electric toothbrushes increase your focus while brushing and overall result in more concentrated and efficient brushing.
Two Minute Brushes
Electric toothbrushes also come feature-packed to improve your oral hygiene. Brushes with countdown timers for 2 minutes are a great way to ensure you are brushing for at least 2 minutes, every time.
Careful on the gums
Lots of electric toothbrushes also feature pressure sensors that notify the user when brushing gets too hard. This is particularly useful when brushing your gums and can protect from and prevent over-brushing – which can ultimately lead to a more damaged mouth.
Costs
The strongest argument for a manual toothbrush comes down to the bottom line: price. While it’s true a manual toothbrush can be a lot cheaper than electric toothbrushes, electric toothbrushes have come down in price drastically over the last few years, and if there’s any self-care investments we think are essential, it’s for a good toothbrush!
What should you buy?
Electric Toothbrush choices are almost endless, so it can be hard to know which one to get and what to look out for. We recommend you go with an option that has all the features mentioned above. In particular, Oral-B’s range of toothbrushes have great oscillation heads to maximise cover, so these are the favorite at The Courtyard Clinic. You can find Oral-B’s collection on Amazon here; take a look around and go with the brush that best suits your budget. Remember you can also opt for sensitive bristle heads for a softer brush.