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Powered toothbrushes are fun and they offer a lot of fancy gadgets. But are they really more effective than old-fashioned manual toothbrushes. In most cases, the answer is “no.”
The Important Thing to Remember About Brushing
Manual toothbrushes are fine for practicing effective dental care at home provided you meet the following criteria:
- You are able to apply adequate pressure to all sections of your mouth while brushing.
- You are willing to brush for at least two minutes, providing equal attention to all sections of your mouth.
- You brush your teeth twice per day.
What the Research Says about Toothbrushes
The consumer advocates at The Sweethome say that when it comes to the question of manual versus powered toothbrushes, “cleaning modes don’t matter, according to experts we spoke to and research we’ve seen.” This means that you can effectively clean your teeth with either a powered or a manual toothbrush.
The Most Important Thing is How Long You Brush
Now here’s where it gets interesting: Research suggests that overall people who use power toothbrushes get better results than people who use manual toothbrushes. But when these experiments are controlled for time, there’s no significant difference in performance.
Why do people who select powered toothbrush get superior results over people who buy regular toothbrushes? Researchers speculate that it’s because people who are willing to invest in a powered toothbrush are more likely to be committed to maintaining their healthy smile.
As the research suggests, time spent brushing is the key variable for determining how effective brushing will be. In other words, the most important factor is how you brush, not the kind of toothbrush you select.
Powered Toothbrushes Encourage Healthy Habits
Why do people who choose powered toothbrushes tend to brush longer? Brushing is more fun with a powered toothbrush, but the main reason is probably because many powered toothbrushes feature a timer. This helps remind people to brush longer.
Healthy Brushing Habits
If you are already using effective brushing techniques, you might want to just use an egg-timer while brushing instead of going out and buying an expensive powered toothbrush. Here’s a list of good brushing practices:
- Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums.
- Don’t press down too hard on your teeth.
- Gently brush back and forth in short strokes.
- Replace your toothbrush every three to four months or sooner if bristles are frayed.
- Select a toothpaste that contains fluoride for people who are more than two years old.
- Brush teeth twice per day.
- Brush all the surfaces of your teeth.
- Select a toothbrush that’s the appropriate size and shape to fit all areas of your mouth.
Some People Definitely Should Use Powered Toothbrushes
There are some people who are better served by using a powered toothbrush. People who are unable to provide adequate pressure on their own are advised to use a powered toothbrush:
If you struggle with arthritis or limited mobility, a power toothbrush is probably a better choice. The toothbrush provides much of the brushing action for you, so you get a better clean with a lot less movement on your part.
Schedule a Checkup with Your San Jose Dentist
You should continue to practice effective dental care at home with whichever type of toothbrush you choose. Visiting Dr. Cooper for regular checkups is another great thing you can do to protect your smile. Give us a call to schedule your appointment today.