Turó Park Dentists Explain Why They Love Electric Toothbrushes

An electric toothbrush is an investment in your future oral health.

We at Turó Park Medical and Dental Center in Barcelona could talk about tooth brushing all day long, and we usually do! For this post, we thought we would answer a frequent patient question:

Why should I pay for more an electric toothbrush?

Simply put, electric toothbrushes do a better job of cleaning your teeth and mouth.

A comprehensive review of numerous research studies showed that electric toothbrushes remove more plaque and prevent gingivitis SIX times more than manual toothbrushes. Also, after just three months of using an electric toothbrush, plaque was reduced by 21% and gingivitis by 11% in the patients studied.*

For those of you who dread going to the dentist, switching to an electric toothbrush may mean quicker and more pleasant visits because you will have less plaque and gingivitis.  That might be worth the extra cost of an electric toothbrush alone!

Our dentists love electric toothbrushes because they:

• Have vibrating and roating with micro-movements
• Can have built-in timing mechanisms to ensure sufficent cleaning (2 minutes)
• Are easier to use with orthodontia or other dental appliances
• Are helpful for those people with difficulties brushing their teeth (the elderly, those with carpal tunnel or arthritis, and children)
• Produce less waste by only throwing out 1 toothbrush head every 4 months, instead of an entire toothbrush

Don’t get rid of your manual toothbrush just yet.

There are definitely some reasons why some people prefer manual toothbrushes.  Manual toothbrushes are:

• Cheaper
• Lighter
• Portable
• And don’t require a battery or electricity to charge

Also, people are less likely to overbrush their gums and teeth with excessive pressure when using a manual toothbrush, compared to an electric toothbrush.

But what about the cost?

Although electric toothbrushes may be more expensive at first, they are an investment which will pay dividends in the form of better oral health for the rest of your life.  Remember, the most expensive electric toothbrushes are not necessarily the best.  For less than 50 euros, you should be able to find a basic electric toothbrush with oscillating microfibers and a built-in-timer, the 2 most important features to consider.  Also, you can save time and money by purchasing replacement brush heads in bulk packs online.

The takeaway

Both electric and manual toothbrushes are effective at cleaning teeth if you use proper technique and brush long enough. It really depends on which type of toothbrush you are used to, and how efficiently you use your brush.  Come talk with one of our English-speaking dentists and they will be able to tell you whether or not an electric toothbrush is worth the extra cost.

Source: Cochrane

Written by Amy Harris