6 Advantages and Disadvantages of Electric Toothbrush

Using a manual toothbrush is the most common way of brushing teeth for many people around the world. Thus, they have not been able to appreciate the use of electric toothbrushes to clean their teeth. However, others find it very controversial to use such tools to do manually achievable hygiene.

There are actually several differences among electric toothbrushes, which include the following:

Rotary toothbrushes or spin-brushes – the brush head moves in a motion that rotates at 3,000-7,500 strokes per minute. This is where the head moves in alternate directions called rotation oscillation.

Sonic brushes – the side-to-side motion of this tool is 10 times the speed of a rotary brush, which is about 31,000 strokes per minute.

Ultrasonic toothbrushes – plaque may not be removed in many types of brushes, but with ultrasonic toothbrushes it can be removed easily. This is due to the very fast side-to-side vibrations created in the motion that should be able to dislodge the plaque.

Ionic toothbrushes – even if the brush head does not move a bit, the low electric current should be able to attract plaque in the bristles.

Hence, here are a set of pros and cons of using electric toothbrush to better understand how it can really affect the lifestyle of many people.

List of Pros of Electric Toothbrush

1. Removes Plaque Better.
The use of modern toothbrushes like the electric-powered one may not have enough studies that support beneficial claims. However, some studies published in popular journals show superior removal of plaque.

2. Lesser Toothbrush Abrasion.
Due to the fact that this electric-powered toothbrush does most of the work, it can show lesser tendency of brushing more than expected that can result to toothbrush abrasion.

3. Better Delivery of Fluoride.
Despite the need for further examinations, the use of electric toothbrushes can offer better fluoride distribution throughout the mouth.

4. Built-In Special Features.
The design of these toothbrushes may include pressure sensors and brushing timers that should help people become better at brushing. Some designs also provide ultraviolet sterilizers that should be very helpful in keeping cleaning tools clean.

List of Cons of Electric Toothbrush

1. More Expensive Investment.
Basically, the use of such toothbrushes can be very lavish. This is because replacement heads can be a lot pricier than standard toothbrushes. Perhaps a spin-brush can be a better alternative than electric-powered toothbrushes. Some issues include overheating that should be a very risky option to consider.

2. Breakability of Such Toothbrushes.
When manual toothbrushes break, the only thing that can happen is to replace it with a new one which can only cost less than a dollar. However, when an electric toothbrush breaks or runs out of battery, it can cost you more than just a few dollars.

It is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day. Hence, it does not require an expensive type of toothbrush to achieve this. Simply make sure that you are brushing regularly with fluoride toothpaste and soft-bristled toothbrushes to achieve better gum and tooth health.

Author Bio
Natalie Regoli is a child of God, devoted wife, and mother of two boys. She has a Master's Degree in Law from The University of Texas. Natalie has been published in several national journals and has been practicing law for 18 years.