In the past, if a shopper wanted to purchase an electric toothbrush, he or she would have to visit the appliance section of the local department store. Nowadays, these battery- or electric-powered teeth cleaning devices are found just about anywhere, even at the supermarket.
Most people know that brushing the teeth can remove food and plaque from the teeth and gums; it also cuts down on tooth decay, gingivitis and other gum disease. An electric toothbrush can do all this and more. A study comparing those who used an electric model to those using a manual toothbrush showed that while the manual brush did an acceptable job, the electric version cleaned comparably better.
Not only does the electric toothbrush move quicker for a deep down tooth cleaning, it also gets under the gums, reducing gingivitis. In addition, it is ideal for those suffering from arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other painful or debilitating conditions. Because the rotating head does all the work, the person doing the brushing doesn’t have to constantly move the hands, wrists or arms back and forth to brush.
In addition to noticeably whiter and visibly cleaner teeth, the owner of an electric toothbrush often has fresher breath than someone who manually brushes. This isn’t to say that the person using a manual toothbrush automatically suffers from bad breath, but statistics show an electric device cleans better. When the mouth is cleaner, the breath is fresher.
Those who own a manual toothbrush tend to brush harder than those who use an electric one. While this is normally considered a good thing, it’s important to note that if teeth are brushed too hard, the tissue covering the gums can become damaged. An electric toothbrush requires less pressure, leaving gum tissue with minimal damage from brushing.
Most people who brush manually have the best of intentions. However, their brushing removes food and plaque only from the very surface of the teeth and gums. An electric toothbrush, on the other hand, penetrates more than the top layer, ensuring maximum plaque removal and an all over clean mouth.
In most cases, the type of toothbrush a person uses is a matter of preference. As long as he or she has good brushing habits and flosses at least once daily, his or her teeth will be healthy whether you choose an electric or a manual toothbrush.