Home › General Dentistry › The Pros and Cons of Electric Toothbrushes
by Dr. Benjamin Greene in General Dentistry
Your toothbrush is an important tool in helping guard against plaque and cavities. Without a good toothbrush, your risk poor dental hygiene, and consequently, this can affect your overall health.
Maintaining excellent oral hygiene is especially crucial if you have or are considering dental enhancements like veneers. In such cases, finding the best veneers dentist is a key step.
There are numerous studies linking bad oral care to heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory conditions. So, now’s the time to make your toothbrush your best friend.
The question is: should you stick with a traditional toothbrush or purchase an electric one?
Seeing as Kirkland Family Dentistry is one of the most technologically advanced dental practices in Kirkland, we thought we’d be qualified to answer.
There are a lot of factors to consider when deciding on the perfect toothbrush. Consider the following pros and cons to help you make the best decision for your oral and overall health.
The Pros of Electric Toothbrushes
Electric toothbrushes actually offer a range of benefits that make them more appealing than their traditional counterparts. Some advantages you can expect are:
- Thorough yet gentle cleaning- Electric toothbrushes are less abrasive yet more thorough than a traditional toothbrushes. As a result, you can remove a more significant amount of plaque.
- Added accuracy and convenience- A built-in timer helps you keep accurate track of brushing time. This feature, along with the brush’s ability to rotate on its own, makes using it easier and more convenient.
- Support for specific patients- An electric toothbrush allows individuals suffering from arthritis to brush properly with less pain.
The Cons of Electric Toothbrushes
As tempting as the advantages of battery-powered toothbrushes may seem, you should also consider these disadvantages:
- Higher Cost- Battery-powered toothbrushes are more expensive than their traditional counterparts. They also require replacement heads, which can be quite pricey.
- Higher Risk of Damage- Because of their electronics, they are at a higher risk of damage if dropped or falling in the water.
- It can be inconvenient- We’ve all been there. We go out of town for a vacation, and we forget our electronic toothbrush charger. If it dies, you’re back to brushing with a manual toothbrush.
Is it an Ideal Option for Kids?
Kids find battery-powered toothbrushes easier to use. Some even say they’re more fun to use, especially since they come in a number of shapes and sizes. Some models even play music to indicate whether it’s time to switch sides or stop. If your child is reluctant to use a traditional toothbrush, help them pick out a good electric toothbrush.
The Bottom Line
Brushing the traditional way or with an electric toothbrush is a personal decision. Both your dentist and the ADA will tell you that it’s the way you brush that matters. The best, most high-tech toothbrush in the world won’t help if your brushing technique is wrong.
If you decide to pick a battery-powered toothbrush, you may be overwhelmed by the large number of available models.
Be sure to select one that has the ADA Seal of Approval. The ADA has tough quality standards that toothbrush manufacturers must meet in order to get approved. So if the model you like has one, rest assured.
Additional Advice
Don’t forget that your gums need your attention as well. Regular brushing with a good toothbrush will keep many gum problems at bay. However, watch out for early signs of major gum diseases. If you want to learn more about maintaining healthy gums, check out our detailed blog post.
You can also subscribe to this blog and follow Kirkland Family Dentistry health information series. We’ll be covering brushing techniques in the near future, so stay tuned.
About Dr. Benjamin Greene
Dr. Greene has been providing high-quality dental care to Kirkland residents for over 25 years. The Kirkland area is Dr. Greene’s home. He grew up in Bellevue and graduated from the University of Washington before attending dental school in Cleveland, Ohio. He earned his D.D.S. at Case Western Reserve University and then returned to practice dentistry in Kirkland, where he has become part of the community.
