Which Toothbrush is Really Better???

Which Toothbrush is Really Better - Manual or Electric?

With all the bells and whistles and hundreds of toothbrushes on the market, you've got to wonder, which is really the best toothbrush to buy -- manual or electric?

 According to the Academy of General Dentistry, the best toothbrush that you can buy is the one that you will actually use. That's it. Yes, it's really that simple. While both electric and manual toothbrushes have some pros and cons, the bottom line is which one you will use.

 Manual Toothbrush:

Pros
• Inexpensive
• Most have an easy grip handle
• Some come with a tongue scraper
• Easy to travel with  

Cons

• No built in timer to tell you when two minutes are up

• Can be difficult for some people to hold onto firmly
 

Electric Toothbrushes

Pros
• Most have larger ergonomic handles
• Some have built in timers that let you know when you have brushed for a full two minutes
• The feel and buzzing of an electric toothbrush feels good to a lot of people
• Some electric toothbrushes dispense toothpaste
• Its pressure sensor alerts you when you’re brushing too hard

 Cons

• Some electric toothbrushes can be quite expensive
• Most electric toothbrushes require charging or battery replacement

  Although almost any toothbrush can do an effective job, research suggests there is one electronic toothbrush bristle configuration that seems to be better at removing plaque and preventing gum disease. Electric toothbrushes with bristles that rotate together in one direction, and then switch and rotate in the opposite direction — a process known as rotating-oscillating — appear to be more effective than manual brushes and other electric brushes that spin in only one direction.

If you do opt for an electronic toothbrush, a model with rotating-oscillating bristles is probably your best bet.

Whatever toothbrush that you decide to buy, remember that using it is what's really important.