Electric vs Manual Toothbrush

The great debate. Are you an electric toothbrush kind of person, or do you prefer the traditional brush?  If you’re on the fence with this topic, this blog post may help you to decide, as we put together pros and cons of both..…or it may confuse you even further!

Manual Toothbrush

PROS

• The main pro with the traditional toothbrush is that it is inexpensive. A couple of pounds can buy you a toothbrush colour or style of your choice and when the 3-month replacement time comes by, you can easily buy one without breaking the bank.
• There seems to be more choice with styles, colours and bristles, so you have the ability to choose according to your sensitivity levels, for example e.g. sensitive gums may prefer soft bristles.
• More choice for children. Kids often claim that they will love one thing forever (remember the Frozen phase parents?) but within a few months, they decide on a new craze to obsess over. Manual toothbrushes are perfect to keep up with them, as they come in many different brands that the kids love. So as soon as the craze is over, so is the time for a new brush which can be what they’re into at the time!
• Manual toothbrushes are super to travel with. Just pop it into your toiletry bag (once dry) and you’re good to go. No need to worry about charging it when you’re away too.

CONS

• More work to do, hence the name ‘manual’. You actually have to move the brush in small circular motions, which is done for you with an electric.
• No timing. It’s up to you when the 2 minutes are over, so there is a risk of under-brushing or over-brushing your teeth, unless you get a timer.

Electric Toothbrush

PROS

• Electric toothbrushes are very easy to use and less work than manual ones, as all you need to do is place the brush at a 45° angle and let it do the work for you.
• Children may find electric brushes more fun to use, which will encourage them to do it. It’s less work for the kids, tickles their teeth and the timer will let them know when they’re done.
• No more guessing with the electric, as the in-built timer lets you know when you can stop, and some beep at 30 second intervals, to let you know when to move onto the next section of your mouth.

CONS

• You’ll need to charge your brush every few days.
• They cost significantly more than a manual toothbrush. However a way to get around this is to purchase one brush and a few different heads, so the whole family can use it.
• Electric brushes can be bulky and not as easy to travel with, as you have to also bring the heavy charger too, along with an adapter if you’re going abroad.