Pro-tips for buying your next toothbrush
Miranda, one of our amazing hygienists, gives you some tips on buying electric vs manual toothbrushes.
Electric Toothbrushes
Pros:
- Can remove more plaque than a manual toothbrush, helping to reduce your risk of cavities and gum disease
- Has a 2-minute timer built-in, so you know you’re brushing the full recommended 2 minutes (many people only brush for about 30 seconds)
- The toothbrush does the work for you!
- The vibrations massage the gums, which helps increase blood flow and promotes healthy gums
- Effectively removes stains
- Especially helpful for people with gum disease or gum recession
- Great for people with braces
Cons:
- More expensive than manual toothbrushes
- Requires charging
- Sometimes it takes some time to get used to the feeling of the vibrations
Tips:
- We recommend Sonicare brand electric toothbrushes
- Change your electric toothbrush heads every three months, or after you’re sick
Manual Toothbrushes
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Can maintain oral health with proper brushing technique
- Easy to toss in your suitcase and travel with
Cons:
- No built-in timer, which leaves you guessing how long you’ve been brushing for
- Requires more work than an electric toothbrush
Tips:
- Buy a soft or extra soft toothbrush, not a medium or hard one! Anything more abrasive than a soft can actually damage your gum tissue over time
- Buy a toothbrush with bristles made out of nylon because it dries quickly and doesn’t harbor bacteria
- Replace your toothbrush every three months, or after you’re sick
