Pros & Cons of Mechanical Toothbrushes

Just as many selections are available for toothbrushes as with a new pair of shoes. Name brands, size, texture of the head, shape of the head, manual or electric all offer something different for the consumer. Electric toothbrushes offer the consumer a constant brushing motion, which many find appealing. As with any health care or beauty product, electric toothbrushes have benefits and drawbacks.

History

• The first primitive electric toothbrush was made in 1939 in Switzerland. In 1960, the electric toothbrush began surfacing in the United States. Finally, in 1987, the first rotary spin toothbrush began appearing on shelves. Since the late 1980s, electric toothbrushes have become common in American households.

Pros

• For children, the electric toothbrush, sometimes equipped with music, offers a fun way to begin the brushing routine. For adults suffering from arthritis or other hand/arm disabilities, the rotary motion provides thorough brushing with little effort. Many users of electric toothbrushes feel the electric toothbrush offers a simpler way to clean teeth. Some electric toothbrushes are equipped with a timer to encourage the individual to brush longer than he normally would.

Cons

• According to Thomas E. Radecki, M.D., J.D., who writes for Modern Psychiatry, some studies revealed electric toothbrushes removed only 65 percent to 80 percent of the plaque manual toothbrushes removed when both used for the same amount of time. A second downfall to electric toothbrushes might be the cost versus a manual toothbrush. Third, if the head of an electric toothbrush is not changed often enough, the individual might apply unnecessary pressure that can damage teeth.