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Artisan Dentistry's Blog

Manual vs. Electric Toothbrushes

May 25th, 2022

There has long been debate about whether electric or manual toothbrushes reign supreme when it comes to oral hygiene. Those in favor of manual brushing allege that being able to fully control the brush better allows the user to reach difficult spots. Those on Team Electric Toothbrush swear that the subtle vibrations and pressure indicators ensure the optimal clean. So, which is the truth? We’ve gathered the top factors to consider when it comes to choosing your toothbrush, hopefully settling the score once and for all.

Cost
Of course, it’s no secret that electric toothbrushes tend to be a smidge pricier than their manual counterparts. As electric brushes become more mainstream, they are certainly becoming less expensive in general. Still, there is a significant difference between paying $25 for a toothbrush, compared to paying $3. When considering cost, one should consider what exactly it is they’re paying for. Most electric brushes are capable of about 30,000 brushstrokes per minute, whereas most people using manual brushes average at around 200 strokes. If you consider the cost per brush stroke, electric brushes actually cost less.

Usability
For certain patients, electric brushes have some distinct advantages. Kids can benefit from electric brushes with a built-in timer, to help them get a sense of just how long two minutes is. The elderly, especially those with limited mobility, can receive a deeper, more thorough clean in places they might not be able to reach themselves. Overzealous brushers who would normally be at risk of inflaming their gums by applying too much pressure, can find electric models that have a pressure gauge that will alert them if they’re brushing too hard. While these factors wouldn’t necessarily matter for the average adult, electric brushes certainly provide advantage for people with specific needs.

Portability
In this arena, manual brushes clearly come out on top. For frequent travelers, a manual brush (which are traditionally smaller and thinner than their electric cousins) can be thrown into a toiletry bag with hardly a second thought, and if they’re accidentally left behind, their relatively low cost makes them easier to replace.

Clean
Here’s where this debate gets tricky. Of course, some very diligent brushers can get by just fine using a simple, manual toothbrush. Others require the help of the rotating or vibrating brush head. In general, hygienists and dentists tend to agree that most patients would likely benefit in some way from electric brushing, for no reason other than the fact that machines are often capable of things that the human body is not.

Regardless of what kind of toothbrush you use, you won’t see any benefit without regular, attentive brushing. To find out how you’re doing with your individual brushing, or to get a personalized, professional opinion, contact us today.

Warranty

Our 5 Year Warranty

Anyone can train to be a technician, but few have the talent to become an artist. That’s why Dr. Mathew is able to guarantee his cosmetic dentistry work for a full 5 years. If anything goes wrong with the work, Dr. Mathew will fix it free of charge, as long as you continue with your regular 6 month preventative care cleaning and check up for the duration of the warranty.

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Individualized
Treatment Rooms

Our individualized treatment rooms and operatories provide patients with maximum privacy and comfort. The treatment rooms were built specifically with your comfort in mind.

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Here at Paul Mathew, D.D.S. we work diligently to protect our patients' privacy. Requesting an appointment via our Internet portal is considered part of what the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has identified as electronically protected healthcare information or ePHI. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, there are people or entities that may attempt to intercept the data you transmit to us. By checking the "I agree" box, and electronically making an appointment request, you acknowledge that you are making an appointment over the internet and that Paul Mathew, D.D.S. will keep this information confidential but cannot guarantee that others, outside of our practice, may illegally intercept this communication. By accepting these terms and conditions and sending this request via our Internet portal, you accept the inherent risk(s) associated with making this request for an appointment. If you do not accept the terms and conditions, you are always welcome to contact our office via telephone to schedule your appointment.

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Here at Paul Mathew, D.D.S. we work diligently to protect our patients' privacy. Requesting an appointment via our Internet portal is considered part of what the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has identified as electronically protected healthcare information or ePHI. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, there are people or entities that may attempt to intercept the data you transmit to us. By checking the "I agree" box, and electronically making an appointment request, you acknowledge that you are making an appointment over the internet and that Paul Mathew, D.D.S. will keep this information confidential but cannot guarantee that others, outside of our practice, may illegally intercept this communication. By accepting these terms and conditions and sending this request via our Internet portal, you accept the inherent risk(s) associated with making this request for an appointment. If you do not accept the terms and conditions, you are always welcome to contact our office via telephone to schedule your appointment.

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The information presented here is not intended or implied to be medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It should be used for informational purposes only.