How to Choose a Toothbrush: Is Brushing by Hand Better? Is an Electric Toothbrush Okay?

Hello~

I’m Jang Tae-hyeon, the head director of Seoul Bardi Dental Clinic.

When talking with patients,

I often get questions like:

“Doctor, please recommend a toothbrush!!”

“Which one do you use?”

How to choose a toothbrush: Is brushing by hand better? Is an electric toothbrush okay?

That makes sense, because there are really so many kinds at the store.

Since there are so many, I’m writing this post for patients who don’t know what to buy.

Which toothbrush is good?

Types of toothbrushes

They are divided by size~

Children have smaller teeth, so their toothbrushes are smaller too~

The designs are all different!!!!

Second, they are divided by whether they use electricity or not.

They are divided into electric toothbrushes and manual toothbrushes.

A dentist’s answer is that any toothbrush is fine as long as it cleans well.

There is no toothbrush that is simply better or worse~

From here, let’s look at the features, advantages, and disadvantages of toothbrushes.

1. Electric toothbrush

An electric toothbrush works by using an electric motor to make the bristles vibrate or rotate automatically.

Because of this, the user can brush effectively without applying force by hand.

I’ve used one a few times too, and it cleans even if you just keep it still.

You just need to place it on the teeth.

Because of the fast vibration and rotation, an electric toothbrush can remove plaque effectively.

Since an electric toothbrush operates at a consistent speed,

users can brush with the same intensity each time.

These days, some electric toothbrushes show by color whether you are applying too much or too little force.

Brushing in anger will ruin all your teethㅠㅠ

Apparently, Korean people brush in anger more often than expected,

and it’s nice that you can see the brushing intensity visually.

If you brush with a gentle force, I think it can help prevent excessive pressure from damaging the gums..

Many electric toothbrushes also have a built-in timer, so you can brush for a longer time.

With a manual toothbrush, the reality is that people barely brush for a little over a minuteㅠㅠ

The downside is the price~

Compared with a manual toothbrush, the device itself costs more.

Because it needs batteries or charging, you have to keep checking whether it is charged.

Also, because force is continuously applied, if you are not careful, it can cause cracks in the teeth,

or even fracture a tooth.

2. Manual toothbrush

A manual toothbrush is the type we commonly use.

Compared with an electric toothbrush, it is less expensive. You can also easily find one nearby,

and since it doesn’t need battery charging, it is convenient to use.

There is also a wider variety of bristle types and firmness compared with electric toothbrushes, so you can reflect your preferences.

In general, for people who have difficulty brushing well, a toothbrush with firmer bristles is recommended, while for people with sensitive gums, softer bristles are recommended.

Personally, when I use a manual toothbrush, I feel more like my gums are being massaged.

It feels like I’m focusing on brushing the areas I want to clean more carefully~?

No matter which toothbrush you use, what matters is whether you brush well.

No matter how expensive the toothbrush is, if you only brush once a day, it won’t help~

And you need to choose a toothbrush that suits you~

If you don’t brush well and use bristles that are too soft,

it may not remove debris properly.

Since the choice depends on whether your gums are in poor condition, or whether you are someone who gets cavities easily,

you should choose while considering your personal oral condition.

If you’re having trouble deciding, visit the clinic and get a consultation😊

The dental hygienist will explain in detail the types of toothbrushes, brushing methods, the amount of toothpaste, and more!!

Today, we compared the pros and cons of the two options, manual toothbrush vs. electric toothbrush, for choosing a toothbrush.

There is no one that is simply better or worse.

If you already have an electric toothbrush at home, using both together is also one good option.

For example, using an electric toothbrush only at night.

In that case, just buy a smaller toothbrush size!!

You might think a bigger one cleans better,

but using a small children’s toothbrush and carefully brushing each tooth one by one actually allows for more thorough cleaning~

If you have any additional questions, please leave a "comment"!!!

#HowToChooseAToothbrush