Manual Versus Electric (Powered) Toothbrushes

I have been asked recently by a few patients whether an electric (powered) toothbrush or manual toothbrush is better. Both can be equally effective if used properly and I will explain some advantages and disadvantages of each.

Electric or powered toothbrushes are usually more efficient in removing plaque from the surfaces of teeth and therefore should theoretically be better in terms of prevention of decay and gum disease.  There are some that clean by ultrasonic vibrations and some that do so by mechanical or rotary actions.  Some studies have shown an overall improvement of about 20 to 25% in terms of plaque removal compared to manual toothbrushes but there can also be some disadvantages.  We always recommend that soft or ultrasoft bristles be used and that they be wet first. Also, one must use a light, feathery touch focusing on the area where the tooth and gum meet as this is the area most missed and also the area in adults that can lead to gum problems. If one uses a medium or hard bristle or heavy pressure, we can get gum recession and/or excessive wearing of tooth structure and subsequent sensitivity to temperature or touch. It is for this reason that caution should be observed as we cannot re-grow lost gum or tooth structure.  Cost is also a disadvantage as some powered toothbrushes can cost up to $200 or so and we still need to replace the toothbrush head at least every three months like we do with the old manual ones.

Manual toothbrushes should only be used in the soft or ultrasoft bristle variety as they too can wear out tooth structure or push the gum away from the root of teeth thus causing sensitivity as well.  We always want to make sure the toothbrush is wet prior to placing toothpaste as this decreases the hardness of the bristles and makes them more flexible as well. We should focus on the area where the gum meets the tooth as this is where most gum problems can occur in adults. A heavy touch should also be avoided. Too much pressure can gum recession or excessive wearing of the tooth much like the electric ones.  One advantage of the manual toothbrush is that it is much less costly as only costs a few dollars to replace every three months or so. If used properly it can be just as effective as the electric ones though it may take more time. To give you an idea timewise, we suggest at least 30 seconds per quadrant.  A quadrant being like upper right, upper left, lower right, and lower left areas of our mouth.

Overall, both can be equally effective if used properly. The electric or powered ones are more efficient but can have more potential for harm to teeth.

(The information contained in this article is strictly for educational purposes and is not meant to replace the professional knowledge or advice of your personal dentist.)