Toothbrush — Manual or Electric? Glad You Asked

As you stand in the oral care aisle, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the 100+ toothbrush options. Sensitive teeth, whitening, deep clean; extra soft, soft, medium, hard; battery, rechargeable, ergonomic — the lists go on. The main objective when choosing should be preventing tooth decay, reducing plaque levels and avoiding damage to enamel and gums. Then you can decide what colour the handle is.

Manual toothbrushes

Choosing a manual toothbrush is not a bad option — lots of people prefer it. Select a soft or extra-soft bristle to protect enamel and gums. Instead of a fast side-to-side motion, which can lead to gum recession and permanent enamel damage, place the bristles at a 45-degree angle so they contact both the tooth and the gum. Facing upwards on the top teeth and downwards on the bottom, make small circular movements on each tooth for about five seconds, then gently flick away from the gums to remove plaque along the gumline.

• Affordable and widely accessible
• Thinner handle and a large range of sizes
• Easy to travel with

Electric toothbrushes

Electric brushes have never been more affordable — a battery-powered brush can be found for as little as $10. Using one is straightforward: hold the brush head against the tooth at a 45-degree angle for about three seconds, then move on. Many models beep to tell you to move to the next quadrant. Recent studies are clear that an electric toothbrush removes plaque more effectively; findings published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology found 22% less gum recession and 18% less tooth decay over an 11-year period.

• Helpful for children and adults with disabilities
• Great for people with braces or orthodontics
• Easier with dexterity challenges
• Built-in two-minute timer and pressure sensor
• Multiple modes, settings and app tracking

In conclusion

There's no single right answer when choosing a toothbrush, but many factors to consider. What matters most is that you disrupt bacterial plaque growth twice a day to reduce the inflammation and decay it causes. Happy brushing!