Choosing a toothbrush can be a headache with so many styles available, and the introduction of electric toothbrushes has only added to the confusion.
But are electric toothbrushes actually a better choice than manual ones?
With correct brushing technique, you can achieve optimal results with both manual and electric toothbrushes, says Peter Alldritt, consultant to the Australian Dental Association's Oral Health Committee.
"If someone is doing really well with a manual brush and not having any problems with plaque or brushing too hard, there is little to gain from switching to an electric toothbrush," Dr Alldritt says.
Mastering the tooth brushing technique
The whole reason we brush and floss our teeth is to remove plaque, which is a biofilm of bacteria that tries to attach itself to our teeth.
The right brushing technique achieves a perfect balance between getting the toothbrush close to the gum — so you remove all the plaque from the gum line — without pressing too hard and causing damage to the teeth and gums, Dr Alldritt says.
"In order to think they are doing a perfect job of brushing, some people get in there so hard they can actually cause recession of the gum," he says.
This means the thin top layer of gum is worn away, causing the lower part of the tooth to be exposed.
Since the tough outer layer, the enamel, covers only the upper part of teeth (above the normal gum line), this leaves the lower part of teeth vulnerable to damage cause by hard brushing.
"They can then cause abrasion where they are actually brushing away the [lower parts of the] tooth by brushing too hard," Dr Alldritt says.
He says it's this difficulty in achieving the perfect balance that may mean some people are better off using an electric toothbrush.
When electric may be better
For the many people who struggle to brush their teeth properly with a manual toothbrush, an electric toothbrush can be an improvement because it is less dependent on brushing correctly.
"Often publications come out where they take 100 people and give 50 manual toothbrushes and 50 electric and compare how much plaque is getting removed, how healthy the gums are and how much gum recession they have," Dr Alldritt says.
"In most reports, people using an electric brush generally do better."
Meanwhile, an electric toothbrush designed for children with colourful pictures and music may make it easier to get kids brushing their teeth.
"It sounds like a bit of a gimmick, but if that is going to make it easier for the child to brush their teeth then that has to be good for their oral health," Dr Alldritt says.
People with arthritis in their hands or other disabilities may also find it easier to hold an electric toothbrush because they have a bigger handle than manual ones.
"They can just hold it in their mouth and let the electric motion do the work without them having to move the toothbrush around in a delicate manner," he says.
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Oral hygiene tips
No matter which toothbrush you choose, the rules for maintaining oral hygiene are the same and brushing technique will always be of the utmost importance.
Plaque starts to form near the gum line, not on the top of the tooth, so when you are brushing aim the toothbrush bristles at the gum line.
Then move the toothbrush in a circular motion so that it sweeps plaque away from the gums, Dr Alldritt says.
"Move around the teeth gradually in a systematic fashion; don't just brush randomly in all sorts of places," he says.
"Start in one area and work your way around … so you know you are going to be thorough."
Some other important tips include:
- Choosing a soft-bristle toothbrush rather than a hard or medium brush.
- Cleaning your teeth in the morning after breakfast and before you go to bed at night.
- Replacing both manual and electric toothbrushes every three months (for electric toothbrushes, only the brush head will need replacing).
- Not underestimating the importance of flossing to remove plaque from between your teeth where your toothbrush cannot reach.
- Cleaning your tongue to remove plaque that is full of bacteria and can cause bad breath.
This is general information only. For detailed personal advice, you should see a qualified medical practitioner who knows your medical history.
This story, which was originally written by Jenny Galbraith and published by ABC Health and Wellbeing, was updated in 2019.