Dentists at the North Pointe Dental Associates in Tampa are always glad to answer all the questions patients may have. One of the most frequently asked questions is about which toothbrush is better: electrical or manual.
Interested to hear our answer? You’ll be surprised: It’s not the toothbrush that matters; it’s who’s doing the brushing. As you already know, brushing is the foundation of good oral health and prevention of oral diseases.
Brush your teeth regularly
Let’s break that down. The goal of tooth brushing is to remove plaque from your teeth on a consistent (daily!) basis, so that we prevent the buildup of tartar which leads to tooth decay. A manual toothbrush is a great affordable and accessible tool that helps us do just that. Make sure to brush two minutes per day, twice a day. Gently brush ALL surfaces and make sure to reach those back molars.
For some people, it can be difficult to brush properly with a manual toothbrush. Those with some form of motor disability or arthritis may benefit from using an electric toothbrush. Your Tampa dentists believe that kids or anyone with braces may find an electric brush to be very helpful. Also, there are kids who are not really interested in brushing their teeth, so if an electric toothbrush is more engaging to them, it can help them maintain better oral health.
The same tooth brushing rules apply – two times per day, two minutes at a time. One advantage of an electric toothbrush is that some have a built-in timer. If you’re one of those quick brushers who has a hard time making it to two minutes, consider using a timed electric brush. It will surely help you brush your teeth long enough to remove plaque from your teeth and gums.
At your next dental visit, ask your dentist in Tampa whether he/she thinks you would do better with a manual or electric brush! Your teeth are important. Your smile is important. It’s one of the first things people will notice when they meet you. So, it’s in your best interest to protect them. If you are interested in learning more about us, then check out more of our helpful posts here. Also feel free to contact us for an appointment at (813) 961-1727. Don’t forget to keep smiling! And, as always, don’t forget to floss!
