July  14, 2023

Electric or manual toothbrush? Unsure which to use? In this blog post, we will cover the importance of brushing your teeth well as well as provide some information about the various toothbrushes.

Let’s take a look at the importance of brushing your teeth well:

What is plaque?

Plaque is a biofilm that contributes to diseases such as tooth decay. It occurs naturally due to the microorganisms in your mouth, Fortunately, it can be removed through regular brushing, as well as regular scaling and polishing at the dentist. 

What is calculus?

It is hardened plaque, which will form a hard crust over your teeth over time. If you notice calculus on your teeth, please do book an appointment with us! Leaving it alone can cause complications like gum disease, which will be more costly to treat in the future.

Tooth wear is becoming a greater issue as life expectancy is increasing and we use our teeth for a long period of time. We may not be conscious of it, but our teeth are hard at work whenever we eat or snack, helping to break down food into smaller bits.

Manual toothbrushes have always been the norm, so what about electrical toothbrushes?

Here are some benefits and disadvantages:

Benefits:

1. Duration of brushing is fixed at 2-3 minutes and hence will be sufficient in removing plaque
2. A rotatory motion so better to clean the grooves of teeth
3. Good for people who are less mobile
4. Better at removing extrinsic stains caused by coffee, tea, and tobacco

 vs 

Disadvantages:

1. Have to charge the toothbrush now and then
2. Electric toothbrushes have built-in speed and strength, which prevents excessive abrasion against your gums. However, gum recession is still possible if your brushing technique is wrong.
3. A more expensive alternative to manual toothbrushes 
4. Bigger/ bulkier so more difficult to bring around if you want to brush after meals

So… should I switch to an electric toothbrush?

It varies for each person. If you feel like the manual toothbrush is insufficient to help you in maintaining good oral hygiene, there is no harm trying the electric toothbrush! Do check with our dentists as well as they can give more specific advice to your case.

Feel free to call any of our clinics (Kovan: 6386-0700 or Bedok: 6481-0800) or contact us through  9669-0789 (Whatsapp). We will be glad to answer any queries you have. 🙂