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Electric or Manual Toothbrush for Braces?

Electric or Manual Toothbrush for Braces?

If you are wearing braces, you are one step closer to achieving a perfect smile, but which is the best toothbrush for braces? Straightening your teeth is only one way to achieve that goal. You still need to keep your teeth clean and healthy at the same time. Brushing your teeth is a must for proper oral hygiene, especially for people with braces. However, having dental braces can make brushing teeth more difficult because of how food particles and plaque get stuck between the brackets. If not adequately removed, these caught up debris could lead to bacteria-causing gum diseases and other oral problems. 

Your toothbrush is your best weapon in fighting these oral problems, but which is the better toothbrush for braces? The electric or the manual toothbrush? In what ways are they different? Below is a comparison of the two types of toothbrush to help you decide which one you should use.

Electric Toothbrush for braces - Advantages and Disadvantages 

An electric toothbrush has bristles that automatically move in different directions and rotations. It is powered by a motor and can move clockwise or counterclockwise. It also has bristle motion options, such as the back and forth oscillation and rotation oscillation. 

Here are the benefits of using an electric toothbrush for braces:

  • You experience faster brushing time compared to manual toothbrushes.
  • Using an oscillating electric toothbrush can clean around the nooks and crannies of braces faster than manual toothbrushes.
  • Some electric toothbrushes have a timer, which can be helpful for people with braces who need to spend more time brushing their teeth.
  • Research says that brushing teeth with an electric toothbrush promotes better oral health for people with braces. You make less effort but remove more bacteria and plaque buildup. 
  • Electric toothbrushes help water propel around the mouth, effectively removing hardened plaque around the teeth.

It also has its disadvantages as a toothbrush for braces, such as: 

  • Bristles: Speed brushing around braces can quicken the breakdown of your bristles.
  • Cost: Purchasing a new toothbrush head could cost more than the electric toothbrush itself. 
  • Charging Time: You need to remember to recharge your batteries so you can use them properly. 

Manual Toothbrush for braces - Advantages and Disadvantages 

Here are the advantages of using a manual toothbrush for braces:

  • It is more convenient to use, especially when travelling since there is no need to bring a charger. The battery of an electric toothbrush may last for several days, but there is no security that it could last a long vacation time, so bringing the charger is still necessary.
  • It is more cost-effective than electric toothbrushes.

Here are the disadvantages of a manual toothbrush for braces:

  • A manual toothbrush is not for everyone—using it requires patience and thorough brushing to get a good mouth cleaning. Failing to clean your teeth and mouth rigorously could lead to plaque and bacteria buildup, which can later turn into tooth decay or staining.

How to Take Care of Teeth With Braces: Things You Should Know

  • For Beginners

First-time braces wearers need not worry because a dental therapist or assistant will show you how to brush your teeth after your braces have been placed. There are also several video tutorials online that would help you understand how it works. 

  • On the Right Toothbrush to Use for braces

Whether manual or electric, your toothbrush won’t break your braces, as long as you correctly and gently use them. The right toothbrush for you depends on your speed, budget, and how thorough you brush your teeth. 

  • On Frequency

Your orthodontist will recommend that you brush your teeth and floss after every meal. Doing so will ensure there is no food or plaque caught between your teeth or around your braces. 

Conclusion on which toothbrush for braces

Brushing your teeth with braces on would require practice until you get comfortable and used to the process. Learning about the proper way to brush your teeth through adequate information and demonstrations could help speed up this process. Whether you use a manual toothbrush for braces or an electric one, the most important thing is to clean your teeth regularly and adequately. 

Are you considering getting braces in Gold Coast? Book an appointment with us! We can help you make an informed decision about your teeth and offer the flexibility for you to pay on your terms by choosing a payment plan that works for you with zero deposit and no interest payment plans available.

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Clear Smiles Orthodontics

Clear Smiles Orthodontics

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P: (07) 5593 3733
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