Toothbrushes
Many patients ask whether manual or electric toothbrushes are better?
Our experience has shown that electric toothbrushes do provide advantages
over manual brushes. The reason is that most of us tend to rush while
brushing manually, instead of spending the recommended two to five minutes
of brushing. It seems that people will spend at least 2 minutes with the
electric toothbrush.
Another reason is that power-brushes use the same consistent level of
movement which allows for less tooth wear and gum irritation. Many times,
we see excessive wear in certain areas due to a patient over-brushing. This is minimized with the electric toothbrush.
Recent studies performed by the University at Buffalo Dental School,
have also shown that electric toothbrushes more effectively reduce the
levels of two bacteria that have been associated with gum disease. They
performed studies using manual and electric toothbrushes in a controlled
study and the results favored electric brushes as a sound investment in
aiding oral hygiene.
In another study performed by the British Dental Association at the Birmingham
University School of Dentistry, research also showed a drastic reduction
in plaque with the electric brush. Levels of plaque colonies were measured
and a reduction was seen in those that used the electric toothbrush rather
than a manual one.
In the United States, in a study published by the ADA, in children between
the ages of 8 and 12 years, the electric toothbrush significantly decreased
the plaque on the primary and permanent teeth of these children.
In conclusion, it appears that the electric toothbrush does indeed help
to decrease dental plaque and allows for better oral hygiene. However,
as with the manual brushes, changing the heads at least every 3 months
and using a soft-bristled head is important to avoid excessive wear of
the outer enamel.
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