Many parents wonder whether electric toothbrushes are better than manual ones for dental care. However, using a manual brush isn’t necessarily doing your child a disservice. If you’ve been concerned about which type to buy, below is a breakdown of how electric and manual brushes measure up.

Does Toothbrush Type Affect Home Dental Care?

Manual vs. Electric

According to an analysis of 56 studies from 2014, electric brushes are slightly more effective—they removed 21% more plaque and reduced gingivitis 11% more than manual ones. However, what matters more than the type of toothbrush is how it’s used. Using a manual brush will not diminish your child’s dental health as long as they use the proper technique.

Time Spent Brushing

Dentists recommend brushing for at least two minutes, twice a day, no matter the brush. If you’re not sure whether your child has been brushing for long enough, try setting a timer. You could also instruct them to sing “Happy Birthday” in their head once per jaw quadrant, as the song lasts roughly 30 seconds.

Thoroughness

Good dental care requires thorough brushing. You don’t need to brush hard—in fact, brushing too hard or too frequently can damage teeth—but focus on areas between teeth and gum lines. Any crevice that can trap food is a prime place for plaque buildup and infection. Electric brushes can help with thoroughness since they spin consistently even in hard-to-reach places. In either case, buy a soft bristled brush, so it doesn’t wear down your child’s tooth enamel or gum lines.

Brushing twice daily, along with biannual dentist visits, are essential to lasting dental health. If your child is due for an exam, schedule an appointment with Pedodontic Associates on Oahu and Maui. For over 25 years, they’ve provided exceptional dental care to children of all ages. They earned the title of “Best Dentists in Hawaii 2011-2018” from Honolulu Magazine. To schedule an appointment, call (808) 735-1733 for the Honolulu office, (808) 487-7933 for Aiea, or (808) 877-0066 for Kahului. You can also learn more about their team of pediatric dentists online.