When Do You Use a Manual or Electric Toothbrushes?

By Adriana Noton

I have an electric toothbrush and a regular or manual toothbrush. I use my electric toothbrush at home and my manual brush when I travel. I try to do the best job I can no matter which brush I use. I do not want to get a cavity or worse yet a lecture from my dental hygienist. Some advantages manual and electric toothbrushes have will assist you in deciding which to choose.

The less expensive of the too as you might have guessed is the manual one. If you want to save money buy a regular toothbrush. And as I said I use my manual one when I travel. It is easier for me to pack.

You can use your electric one when you are on the road. You can charge it before your trip and you will have a few days of use without having to pack your charger. If you are going to be gone more than a few days you have to pack your charger.

The crucial part of brushing your teeth is not which brush to use but that you actually brush your teeth. If you use an electric brush realize that you are not doing a better job than the traditional brush that you can skip times you are supposed to brush. It does not work that way. You still have to brush after meals, in the morning and before bedtime no matter which brush you use.

I like however that I can massage my gums more effectively with my electric toothbrush however. At least it seems my electric one works better to stimulate my gums. This massage gets the blood flowing in my gums which is important for healthy gums. But a manual tootbrush is better to judge how much pressure you are putting on your teeth when you brush.

Put too much pressure and you can wear down your tooth enamel. Your tooth enamel helps prevent cavities and overall tooth decay. Your regular brush is easier to gauge your pressure verses an electric brush. Sometimes with the electric brush it is moving so fast that you cannot feel the pressure and you might be putting more pressure than you realize. Remember, brushing your teeth helps avoid dentist treatments.

If you can remember learning to brush you probably did not start with an electric brush. A regular brush is best to start kids off with until they can understand how to use an electric one. But you also want to train kids to floss regularly.

Who likes to floss? Not many of us. But it is one of the most important parts of dental care. Also, do not brush after drinking soda. If you do you will be scrubbing off the enamel on your teeth with the acid in the soda. Which ever brush you choose you have to use it regularly. You have to watch the sweets and all the sticky foods that build up and form plaque on your teeth. And remember the regular visits to the dentist help you keep you honest as far as your dental health is concerned. - 30292

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