What are the Differences in Toothbrushes?

Up until about 10 years ago, the question of different types of toothbrushes would have centered around long versus short handles, or thick versus thin bristles.

Now, however, the main debate is between manual and electric toothbrushes. As cut and dry as it seems, there are a few differences that spark healthy debate over which one is best any why.

Manual toothbrushes have the main bonus of being exceptionally cheap. They tend to sell for around $2 a go, even the premium brands can’t really go above $10. This means that at the end of the 3 months, it’s easy to ditch the old one and start again.

The bristle technology in manual toothbrushes is much more advanced. There are now toothbrushes with different length bristles for better cleaning, and ones where the central bristle slowly changes color over the months to help identify when the brush needs changing.

The main downfall of manual toothbrushes is the amount of effort you need to put in to get a decent clean. The bristles can also cause damage to the gums through improper brushing.

Electric toothbrushes offer a much more effective cleaning, as the number of revolutions per minute vastly exceeds those possible with just a human hand. The toothbrush heads tend to be much smaller, meaning you have to focus on one tooth at a time, but most dentists recommend this style of brushing as being more effective.

The bristle technology is also catching up with those found on manual ones, and will likely be at a similar level in the next few years. The main downside of electric toothbrushes is their cost. The initial outlay can be upwards of $30, with a set of replacement heads going for around $12.

The heads are designed to last the usual 3 months, so there’s little or no saving compared to manual toothbrushes. They also obviously require charging. This means the hassle of transformers and adaptors if you take it abroad. However, these are minor inconveniences for those who highly recommend them.

Price, design, disposability, convenience, and efficiency are the main factors that determine the differences in toothbrushes. Just don't forget, even the best toothbrushes cannot take the place of a yearly dental exam and cleaning.