The Great Debate, Toothbrushes: Electric Vs Manual

Written By Fleur Bruna

Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential for a healthy smile. One of the most common questions I hear as dental hygienist is, "Should I use an electric toothbrush or a manual toothbrush?" There are many brands on the market, I will be comparing the two I’m most familiar with and showcase in my practice; Oral-B and Sonicare, to manual toothbrushes. We will delve into their differences and highlight the pros and cons of each, so you can make an informed decision for your oral health. I want to add this post is not sponsored by either Oral B or Sonicare. All toothbrushes I have owned I have bought and not been given for content material.

Electric Toothbrushes:

Pros:

1. Effective Cleaning: Electric toothbrushes use oscillating or vibrating bristles that provide a superior cleaning action, removing more plaque and debris compared to manual toothbrushes. Oral B has a circular head, the newest series iO is much quieter than its predecessors. The iO series has a superior combination of all the previous models that IMO delivers the closest thing to leaving your dental office with that “clean mouth feel”. Sonicare has the traditional toothbrush head, multiple brushing modes and an intense vibration. What I love about both brands is that they both offer the “Test Drive” program. This allows customers to try both models in a dental office to compare side by side, as it really boils down to personal preference.

2. Built-in Timers: Many electric toothbrushes come with built-in timers, ensuring that you brush for the recommended two minutes. This helps you maintain consistent brushing time, leading to better oral health. If you timed yourself, you would be shocked for how little time you actually brush for.

3. Ease of Use: Electric toothbrushes require less effort compared to manual toothbrushes. The powered bristles do most of the work, making brushing easier, especially for individuals with limited dexterity or arthritis. Brushing with an electric toothbrush is definitely not the same as a manual. An electric brush requires you to hold the brush tooth to tooth to allow the rotation and vibrations to do the work for you. In fact by brushing in the TRADITIONAL manner will actually increase the odds of you missing more areas leaving more plaque behind.

4. Brush Modes: The main reason Oral B stands apart from Sonicare for me, is the “pressure” sensor and light up indicator letting you know how hard you are brushing. Hard brushing can lead to recession of gum tissue and dentin exposure. When the toothbrush senses you are brushing too hard, it not only lights up to bring awareness to the user, but also reduces the brushing speed and pressure. (The iO series has a 3 light series, yellow means “too little” pressure, green means “optimal pressure” and red means “ too much” pressure.) Ideally when you hold a toothbrush, your grip should be such that if someone was too bump your hand your toothbrush would fall out. Remember you aren’t scrubbing toilets!!! If your toothbrush head looks splayed out after a few brushes you are most likely brushing too hard. https://youtu.be/m4dblDDY_Ek?si=mtVRXRYYQONJtcWy (video of pressure sensors )

Worn out toothbrush head/ Also signs of hard brushing vs Normal Head on right

5. Smart Features: Where I think Oral B stands out is there app. The iO Series 9 toothbrush connects by blue tooth to the app as like previous brushes but it has a positional sensor that shows you where you are brushing in real time. This allows you see where you are spending more time and where you are missing. This also shows you what areas you may be brushing harder as it keeps track of all the analytics of the brushing experience. You can show this at your next dental visit so that they can better help you adjust what you are doing at home, so you can reach your dental goals together.


Cons:

1. Cost: Electric toothbrushes tend to be more expensive than manual toothbrushes. However, considering the long-term benefits they offer, the investment can be worthwhile. Also both Sonicare and Oral B offer a 60 day money back guarantee while Sonicare offers a 90 day money back guarantee. This allows you to try out their products risk free.

2. Maintenance: Electric toothbrushes require charging or battery replacement. This additional step may inconvenience some individuals who prefer the simplicity of a manual toothbrush. Both companies do offer 2 year warranties on their products so it is important that you register them when you buy it.

3. Cleaning: This can be both a pro/con. The one downfall I found of electric toothbrushes is the gunk that can build up on the base or inside the brush head module if you do not clean and dry them properly between brushings. It is important to take off the brush head after using to allow the inside to dry out and to wipe down the brush handle of any excess toothpaste, water etc prior to charging.

The pro side being that if you get sick, your brush head can actually go in the top rack of your dishwasher to sterilize it, so that you are not inoculating yourself with the same germs you had while sick. This is especially useful if you just replaced your brush head so that you don’t have to throw it away, as they can become costly to replace more frequently.


Manual Toothbrushes:

Manual toothbrushes have been the traditional choice for many years. Let's explore their pros and cons:

Pros:

1. Affordability: Manual toothbrushes are widely available and cost-effective. They are a budget-friendly option that still provides effective cleaning when used correctly.

2. Portability: Manual toothbrushes are lightweight and do not require batteries or charging. They are convenient for travel or on-the-go oral hygiene. Even if you own an electric toothbrush, I always recommended to kids to use manual brushes for school (ex. for those in braces) to reduce the risk of losing or misplacing an expensive brush.

Cons:

1. Technique Dependency: Using a manual toothbrush correctly requires proper brushing technique, which may be challenging for some individuals. Inadequate technique may result in ineffective cleaning.

2. Technique Control: With a manual toothbrush, there is no indication for how hard or soft you are brushing. Without the proper technique and pressure you may find yourslef not maximizing the quality of your brushing.

3. Efficiency: Manual toothbrushes rely solely on your brushing technique and may not provide the same level of cleaning as electric toothbrushes.

4. Time Management: Without a built-in timer, it can be easy to underestimate the recommended two minutes of brushing time.

Both electric and manual toothbrushes have their own set of pros and cons. Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on your personal preferences, oral health needs, and budget. Electric toothbrushes offer superior cleaning and added features, making them more suitable for individuals with specific dental concerns. On the other hand, manual toothbrushes are affordable, portable, and provide control over brushing technique.

Regardless of the type of toothbrush you choose, remember that proper brushing technique, along with regular flossing and dental check-ups, is key to maintaining optimal oral health. Consult with your dentist or dental hygienist to determine the best toothbrush option for you. Happy brushing!

Products

Oral B

  • Best for Tech : Oral B iO series 9 with replacement heads for a year. https://amzn.to/3vAwYiZ . This series allows for blue tooth to app and positional sensors. This iO series 9 sits on the higher end of price point but is extremely effective in teaching proper brushing if using app alongside brushing.

  • -Best for Budget : Oral B iO series 5 https://amzn.to/3S2lyMr (Series 5 with 1 brush head). If the app is not important to you, you can save money by getting the series 5 which still has all the same great features of the 9 without the tracking sensors. The app will still work for time length tracking and logs of brushing frequency.

  • Replacement heads for iO series for a year. https://amzn.to/3u3epDx

Sonicare

Fleur Bruna
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