Which toothbrush is really better – manual or electric?

The most important thing to consider when deciding which toothbrush to buy is which one you will actually use. Both electric and manual toothbrushes have some pros and cons, but both will be useless if not used. The Irish Dental Association recommend that you brush your teeth twice a day for 2 minutes. If you’re not sure which type of toothbrush you would use the most, here are some pros and cons of both:

Manual Toothbrush:

Pros:

• Inexpensive
• Most have an easy grip handle
• Some come with a tongue scraper
• Easy to travel with

Cons:

• No built in timer to tell you when two minutes are up
• Can be difficult for some people to hold onto firmly

Electric Toothbrushes:

Pros:

• The larger ergonomic handles can be beneficial for arthritis patients or the elderly
• Some have built in timers that let you know when you have brushed for a full two minutes
• Electric toothbrushes provide a far more thorough cleaning
• Some electric toothbrushes dispense toothpaste

Cons:

• Some electric toothbrushes can be quite expensive
• Most electric toothbrushes require charging or battery replacement
• The replacement heads can be quite expensive