What kind of toothbrush is right for you depends on your priorities. If you want less work and get a deeper clean, an electric toothbrush is the obvious choice. But if you are on a budget or strive for living plastic-free, maybe a manual toothbrush is for you. Choosing a brush doesn’t have to be difficult, it’s about what you value and more importantly, what you will actually use. If a fancy toothbrush with six modes doesn’t sound appealing or replacing an entire brush every three months sounds like a hassle, then you’re on your way to finding the perfect toothbrush fit for you.
Electric Toothbrush Benefits
Removes Plaque Better
Electric toothbrushes are clinically proven to remove more plaque buildup than a manual toothbrush. Powered brushes do the work for you and more efficiently than you doing it yourself.
Has A Timer
Most electric toothbrushes come with a built-in timer, so you are guaranteed to brush longer than the average 45 seconds that manual brushers would do. Some brushes even indicate at what times you should brush each section of your mouth for a more even clean.
Gentler On Gums
Manual brushes lend themselves to scrubbing your gums too hard whereas electric brushes only need to be held at a 45 degree angle toward the gum line to cleanse properly.
Only Replace Heads
Brush heads are the only part of electric brushes that need to be replaced, but an entire regular brush is replaced just as frequently and end up in our landfills. A good electric toothbrush will last for up to 3 to 5 years even though the heads need to be replaced every 3-4 months.
Better For Limited Mobility
People who have physical or neurological disabilities affecting their hands can benefit from an electric toothbrush that does the brushing motion for them. This is also great for kids too who have a harder time brushing for the right amount of time and with the right technique.
Easier Use With Braces
If you’ve had braces, you know what a pain brushing your teeth can be. Orthodontists generally recommend the use of an electric brush to sufficiently brush around the wires and remove hidden debris.
Different Modes
There is only one option of how to use a manual toothbrush, but there can be many settings for an electric one. Depending on the brush you choose, there are modes for sensitive teeth as well as whitening and more. These brushes can be combined with different heads to give you a more customized experience.
Pressure Sensor
Some advanced electric toothbrushes come with sensors that alert you if you’re pressing too hard while brushing. Manual toothbrushes are especially in need of this, but unfortunately don’t have such a thing.
Manual Toothbrush Benefits
More Affordable
Regular toothbrushes don’t have fancy technology that comes with them and are usually made of inexpensive materials which makes them quite affordable. This works for anyone on a budget and isn’t ready to spend more on their oral care.
Can Be Purchased At Most Stores
If you’re in need of a toothbrush you’ll be able to find a normal one in most places like grocery stores or gas stations or even delivered at regular intervals to your home. They’re also great if you need a backup toothbrush while you’re traveling or if you have guests and need to get brushes as soon as possible.
Requires No Batteries Or Charging
It’s a bummer having to use an electric brush without a charge, but you don’t run into that problem if you never had to charge your brush to begin with! If you’re worried about using too much electricity or creating waste with regular replacement of batteries then a manual brush is perfect for you.
Can Be Made Of Natural Materials
If you want a brush that is fully compostable or made of natural renewable fibers then a regular brush may be a great choice. Brushes are now made of bamboo and plant-based bristles or even boar bristles. You can go plastic-free with certain manual toothbrushes, so if that is important to you look for natural brands that support that ideal.
