Monthly Archives: March 2017

Manual or Electric Toothbrush?

Manual or Electric Toothbrush

It’s time for a new toothbrush. What to do — take the plunge into the world of rotating, vibrating, oscillating brush heads or stick with the classic, manual toothbrush? To ease your confusion in the toothbrush aisle, we’ve compiled a pros and cons list for each contender.

Classic toothbrush:

  • Simple and cheap
  • Easy to travel with and brush between meals
  • Less pressure on teeth and gums – placing too much pressure can wear away at the tooth enamel
  • Better for vigorous scrubbing when it comes to Invisalign trays

Electric toothbrush:

  • Good for those with limited dexterity – those with limited hand, shoulder or elbow movement would benefit with a larger handle and powered brush
  • Unique features such as:
  • Timer, pressure sensors, digital reminders to replace head, different brushing modes
  • Some research shows an electric toothbrush with rotating-oscillating bristles do a better job of removing plaque and reducing risk of gingivitis

It’s important to note that if you routinely bump the stem of the electric brush on your attachments, the vibrations may damage them.

Regardless of which toothbrush you use, it’s important to keep these tips top of mind when brushing your teeth everyday.

  • Use soft bristles
  • Toothbrushes with small heads are best, since they can reach all areas of your mouth
  • Get a new brush (or brush head) every three months, or when there is visible deterioration
  • Brush for at least two minutes
  • Brush with short, gentle strokes, paying attention to the gum line
  • For fresher breath, brush your tongue

For more information on Invisalign, or to schedule a free consultation, please contact us at  (513) 651-0110. Dr. Troy Pearce is located in Downtown Cincinnati, [full state] and is a Preferred Invisalign provider.