Choosing a Toothbrush

Oral and Dental Health Decal Research Paper 

Upon listening and discussing the topics mentioned in Lecture 3, it becomes evident that  dentistry has changed quite drastically throughout history. From dentistry’s ancient origins with  Hippocrates and Aristotle, to the 19th century’s invention on the nylon toothbrush and  commercially sold toothpaste, and even up to today’s modern innovations in techniques and  technology, it is no question that advances in dental technology is making the patient and  consumer experience more seamless and efficient. However, many people do not realize the  overall importance of using the correct toothbrush. Most dental patients usually rely on the  sample toothbrush they get in their goodie bag after their semi-annual dental cleaning or pick up  a cheap option at their local pharmacy or grocery store. Generally, most patients find all  toothbrushes to be basically the same and lack the incentive and reason to invest in an electric  version. While using a manual brush is, of course, better than not brushing teeth at all, many oral  health care professionals would advise their patients to make the switch to electric toothbrushes.  In this paper, I will compare and contrast the effectiveness and consumer preference of manual  and electric toothbrushes. While both manual and electric toothbrushes help people keep their  teeth clean, electric toothbrushes help ensure patients get their mouths as clean as possible,  reducing their risk for cavities and the likelihood of developing gingivitis.  

Electric toothbrushes offer patients a variety of advantages, no matter their oral condition  (Knight, 2017). Electric toothbrushes emit a pleasant sensation and it’s perceived economic  investment promotes consumers consistent and careful use of the device. These brushes do most  of the work for its users as most models feature a timer to ensure patients brush for a full two minutes. Most electric toothbrushes also have a built-in pressure indicator light which decreases “over-brushing” as it alerts users when they are brushing too hard, thus reducing the risk of damaging their gums. Studies have shown that with the use of electric toothbrushes, there are advantages in reaching interproximal spaces and subgingival plaque below the gumline. With manual toothbrushes, however, the evidence is poor that there is much benefit over proper use of a manual toothbrush for interproximal spaces and subgingival plaque) (Atomik Research 2019). Another research study that took 11 years to complete found that people who use an electric toothbrush have healthier gums, less tooth decay and keep their teeth longer compared to manual toothbrush users (Pitchika, 2019). According to Anastasia Turchetta, RDH: “Electric toothbrushes give us a better chance of accomplishing what we need to do as hygienists, and that’s reducing inflammation, removing plaque and reducing hypersensitivity.” Electric brush can also help improve, she says, including recession and sensitivity from improper brushing and gingivitis from not brushing at all. 

Electric toothbrushes are also great options for children, especially those with braces (2017, Knight). Parents tend to invest a lot of money in their childrens’ orthodontic work, and if kids do brush correctly, they can with white patches on their teeth where the brackets used to be. Electric toothbrushes can reach into the more obscure spaces on teeth that are harder to reach with manual toothbrushes, therefore offering a deeper clean. Elderly patients with dexterity issues can also benefit from electric toothbrushes (Knight, 2017). Many older patients have limited mobility of the hands, thus resulting in remaining plaque left behind in the mouth if they were to use manual toothbrushes. An electric version would reduce the struggle of handling a manual toothbrush and clean the teeth much more efficiently and effectively.

Besides effectiveness, a factor that consumers tend to heavily consider when making the switch from a traditional toothbrush to that of an electric kind is the price. Electric toothbrushes are more expensive compared to their traditional counterparts and require replacement heads every 2-3 months. Many patients would also argue that manual toothbrushes are relatively inexpensive and work just fine for their needs. While plenty of people hold this opinion, it is also important to keep in mind that an electric toothbrush is an investment towards preventative health. Although a decent electric toothbrush retails for about one to two hundred dollars, it is only a fraction of what it costs to complete a deep cleaning or scaling and root planing. Hence, an electric toothbrush is worth the overall cost and investment. 

While many hygienists strongly promote electric toothbrushes, the manual version also provides a plethora of benefits. Manual toothbrushes are much more affordable than electric, thus allowing the average person the opportunity to improve their oral health. Not only are they inexpensive, manual toothbrushes are also travel-friendly. This means that patients have no excuse to skip brushing. When recommending a toothbrush, dental hygienists not only think about what is best for the patient’s oral condition, but they also consider what that patient will actually use (Knight, 2017). Buying any toothbrush, electric or manual, ultimately does not matter if patients are not interested in picking their toothbrush up as part of their regular oral care routine. 

For many patients that have already made the switch, electric toothbrushes are still the best option. They make brushing easier, and patients love how they make their mouths feel. A recent poll conducted by the Oral Health Foundation found that almost half (49%) of the adult population in America currently use an electric toothbrush. Two thirds (63%) if these electric toothbrush users claim that more effective cleaning is the reason behind their switch. Over a third (34%) have been persuaded to buy one because of their dental provider. The remaining 13% received an electric toothbrush as a gift (2018). This showcases the growing prominence of electric toothbrushes among consumers. Finding the right brush that gives patients a clean, fresh mouth will help them understand the benefits of maintaining their oral health. Not only will that make their appointments easier, but once they experience a healthier mouth, it might prompt them to invest in more cosmetic options down the road. They’ll put more value in their oral health care and the services dental practices have to offer. 

Consumers who have made the switch to electric toothbrushes can tell a difference in clean compared to a traditional toothbrush. However, people would not be able to experience the benefits of using such devices unless dental care professionals provide their patients with the proper education and guidance in choosing the correct and most efficient instruments for oral hygiene. Once patients understand the impact that sophisticated dental devices have on their oral health as well as their overall health, most patients would be more than willing to make the extra investment in their smile.

References 

Oral Health Foundation (2018) ‘National Smile Month Nationwide Survey 2019’, Atomik Research, May 2019, Sample 2,003. 

Knight, Renee. “Are Electric Toothbrushes REALLY Better than Manual Toothbrushes?” Dental Products Report, 24 May 2017, 

www.dentalproductsreport.com/view/are-electric-toothbrushes-really-better-manual-tooth brushes. 

Pitchika, V, Pink, C, Völzke, H, Welk, A, Kocher, T, Holtfreter, B. Long-term impact of powered toothbrush on oral health: 11-year cohort study. J Clin Periodontol. 2019; 46: 713– 722. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpe.13126

Written by: Jasmine Tuason