With all the bells and whistles and hundreds of toothbrushes on the market, you’ve got to wonder, which is really the best toothbrush to buy—manual or electric?
The answer is easy—the one you will use. While both electric and manual toothbrushes have some pros and cons, the bottom line is which one you will employ. Whichever you choose, brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes. If you’re not sure which type of toothbrush you would most likely use the most, here are pros and cons of both. Manual toothbrushes are inexpensive. They are easy to pack and take on a trip. Most have an easy-grip handle and many come with a tongue scraper. On the other hand, they do not have a built-in timer to let you know when two minutes are up and they can be difficult for some people to hold onto firmly. Electric toothbrushes have large handles, especially easy for children and folks with arthritic hands to hold and most have two-minute timers. Some even dispense their own toothpaste. Of course, electric toothbrushes cost a lot more and require charging stations or battery replacements. They don’t pack well for trips. Deciding whether to buy an electric or manual toothbrush basically comes down to what you desire as far as comfort and convenience go. Whatever toothbrush you decide to buy, using it is what’s really important.
Kimberly Rosen has been practicing dentistry in the Santa Clarita Valley
for 15 years. For more information, please call 661-255-2545.