Are Electrical Toothbrushes better than Manual?

[GarrettG]

As above,

Are electrical toothbrushes better than manual (in particular the famous philips sonicare toothbrush that I've been reading about)? Will they be more convenient for people (like me) with a really busy schedule, and sometimes I'm really tempted (and more than often do) to get off with a quick brush.

Also, the sophiscated electronic toothbrushes can they brush the places that normal toothbrushes cannot reach?

 

[gdentalfear]

Re: Are Electrical Toothbrushes better than Manual

Are electrical toothbrushes better than manual (in particular the famous philips sonicare toothbrush that I've been reading about)?

Depends on what electrical toothbrush you use. In other words, just because it's an "electrical" toothbrush doesn't mean it's automatically better.

Don't buy one just because you've been reading/hearing a lot about it. Ask your dentist for a recommendation. My dentist recommended the "Braun Oral-B Professional Care".

G.

 

[shub2974]

Re: Are Electrical Toothbrushes better than Manual

I have the Sonicare and I HATE it! Its rough, vibrates my whole head and slings water everywhere I prefer my manual one

 

[letsconnect]

Re: Are Electrical Toothbrushes better than Manual

According to a Cochrane meta analysis of studies looking at which toothbrushes are most effective, oscillating rotating ones like the Oral-B high end models (they used to be called 3D, but the range is now called "Professional") perform statistically significantly better than manual ones. Unless you have the perfect manual brushing technique, of course - and few people do.

 

[GarrettG]

Re: Are Electrical Toothbrushes better than Manual

I see many thanks.

Any recommendations for the rotating oscillation toothbrush then? I know it's the Oral-B brand, but do I need to get any specific model?

 

[Lesley]

Re: Are Electrical Toothbrushes better than Manual

I just upgraded from a Braun Plak Control (which my son now uses with his own heads obviously) to a Oral B Vitality.

It's easier this way as we use different bathrooms and I found my son couldn't be bothered coming through to get the toothbrush to change the head, and often just didn't bother cleaning his teeth even though he had a normal toothbrush as well.

The Braun one is definitely better. The strength stays strong even when the battery is going down, where as the Oral B Vitality needs to be charged constantly to maintain any worthwhile vibration.

I also found I prefer the double rotating head brush, as the surface size is larger and it seems more like a normal tooth brush - those tiny circular heads I used to buy are a pain.

Beware though - these double head brush attachments only work with certain models.

 

[scaredstiff]

Re: Are Electrical Toothbrushes better than Manual

I started using an electric toothbrush around 4 years ago. Started off with a cheapy but even so, found that my teeth felt so much cleaner and my gums seemed a little healthier after a while, and wished I had changed over to electric years ago. Really feel that if I had started with an electric toothbrush years ago, my teeth and gums might not now be as bad as they are. With the cheapy brush however, every time the battery died, instead of putting in a new one, I just upgraded my toothbrush. I now have the Oral B rechargeable and find it terrific.

 

[StephenDunn]

Re: Are Electrical Toothbrushes better than Manual

i personally think the electric ones are the lazy way to do it even my dentist told me that why waist 80-100 bucks when you can get a manual one for next to nothing

 

[Lesley]

Re: Are Electrical Toothbrushes better than Manual

With respect...


I don't think it's about being lazy...what dental phobic in their right mind would think about being lazy when it comes to their teeth? Surely anything that is proven to reduce plaque build up is worth investing in if you are a dental phobic - good teeth are worth it at ANY price in my opinion! Less visits to the dentist!

Its not like you just put the brush in your mouth and just stand there.......I still use exactly the same arm action when I brush, but I know it is doubling the cleaning power !

 

[harper]

Re: Are Electrical Toothbrushes better than Manual

good on you lesley
thats just what i wanted to say!
ive just got one and the reason is because i want to do the best i can to look after them as my dentist has worked very hard for me. so not everyone is using one because they are lazy.

 

[Clem]

Re: Are Electrical Toothbrushes better than Manual

I have a hard time doing the whole 2 minutes the Oral-B toothbrush instructions recommend. It seems like it goes on forever. I think I have already, in about 1 minute, cleaned all my teeth, done a once over on my gums, gently, so why keep going and cause more recession? My dentist says he sees no difference between my cleaning now and with a manual, as I do a good job either way. I've bought the thing now so I'll keep using it, but take my manual on trips.

 

[harper]

Re: Are Electrical Toothbrushes better than Manual

i clean mine for 5 minutes

 

[Lesley]

Re: Are Electrical Toothbrushes better than Manual

I clean with electric brush for five minutes, making sure I get to the VERY back of the back molars (where my abcessed tooth was) then I use two different size interdental brushes for about five minutes - WHAT a diference this has made to my gums around my crowns and bridge. No more bleeding, no morning breath, no spongy red gums. Best thing I ever started doing, I'm addicted to interdental brushes.

Then I floss, then I brush again for a minute or so, then use Listerene mouth wash.

Twice a day, and I LOVE the way it makes my mouth feel.

 

[harper]

Re: Are Electrical Toothbrushes better than Manual

have to keep turning the toothbrush back on
dont use mouthwash though especially not listerine

 

[Lesley]

Re: Are Electrical Toothbrushes better than Manual

Yea, it nips a bit - even the new orange one - but it definately gives you protection for the day against decay. Each to their own - but my dentist told me to use it so I do

 

[harper]

Re: Are Electrical Toothbrushes better than Manual

yeah sorry cause its up to you the only reason i dont use it is gordon said mouthwash with alcohol isnt good. as you said though your choice

 

[Sam36435]

Re: Are Electrical Toothbrushes better than Manual

i don`t like Electrical Toothbrushes.
i only use manual ones.