When it comes to good oral health and general dentistry best practices, there’s a foundational principle that always holds true: Brush (and floss!) your teeth at least twice a day — in the morning and again in the evening before bed.  And, of course, don’t forget your bi-annual dental exam and cleaning.

But you may be wondering if you’re using the right kind of toothbrush — or if you should trade up for a better model like an electric toothbrush.

At Smile Advanced Dental Center in Summerville, SC, we always tell our patients that it’s more about your brushing discipline and technique than your toothbrush style. Indeed, the American Dental Association (ADA) reports that both electric and manual toothbrushes are effective at removing oral plaque that causes decay and disease.

But, in our experience, we often see some advantages when our patients switch over to an electric toothbrush.

What The Evidence Says

Research has shown that an electric toothbrush may just have an edge when compared to a manual toothbrush. 

In one study, there was an 11% reduction in plaque at one to three months of use of an electric toothbrush, and a 21% reduction in plaque after three months of use. For gingivitis, there was a 6% reduction at one to three months of use and an 11% reduction after three months of use. 

Another study found that electric toothbrushes were particularly useful for people with orthodontic appliances, such as braces, because they make brushing so much easier and effective.

Types of Electric Toothbrushes

Just like there are many kinds of manual toothbrushes, there are a range of options for electric toothbrushes, too. For example, you can choose from rotating, oscillating, or sonic technologies (which creates high-frequency waves that help loosen plaque); rechargeable and battery-operated models; Bluetooth connectivity, and more.

Electric toothbrushes also vary significantly in price — from about $10 all the way up to $300 and beyond. 

At Smile Advanced Dental Care, we recommend the Sonicare line of electric toothbrushes. They have bristles that oscillate at 62,000 times a minute and will remove 20% more plaque on the tooth surface than a manual brush.

How You Brush Makes A Difference

Whether you’re using a manual or electric toothbrush, it’s important to brush correctly. That’s because it is actually possible to be overzealous in your brushing technique. Applying too much pressure when you brush can lead to sensitive teeth and damage your gums. 

Electric toothbrushes have a slight upper hand here, too. They help manage the pressure applied, as you let the toothbrush do the work for you. Just be careful to not use the typical back-and-forth motion you’d use with a manual toothbrush, as that can lead to gum damage.

Remember: The ADA puts its Seal of Acceptance on any toothbrush, electric or manual, that’s proven safe and effective — and both can be effective at cleaning teeth if you use proper technique. 

While an electric toothbrush may make brushing easier, resulting in better plaque removal, we believe that the best brush is the one that you use regularly and effectively! 

At Smile Advanced Dental Care in Summerville, SC, we can help guide you through the best option for you. Make sure to schedule your next bi-annual teeth cleaning and exam today.