With the amount of toothbrushes on the market, making the choice of which toothbrush is best for you can be difficult.  We are here to help!

Manual vs. Electric

When it comes to the manual versus electric toothbrush debate, it really comes down to personal preference.  Each offers their own set of benefits.  With each, good brushing habits and techniques are important for a healthy smile.

Manual Toothbrush

While electric toothbrushes have grown in popularity, manual toothbrushes are still a great economical option.  One important thing to keep in mind is brushing technique matters!  Want to know the right way to brush your teeth with a manual toothbrush?  Check out The Right Way to Brush Your Teeth.

The amount of offerings and features of manual toothbrushes keeps growing, so here are some tips in picking the right one for you:

Size: For most adults, toothbrush heads that are 1” high and ½” wide tend to be most comfortable and able to get to the hard to reach areas.

What Bristle Type Should I Get?

Most dentists recommend soft bristles.  They are much more gentle on your teeth and gums.  Many people tend to use too much pressure when they brush which negatively impacts tooth enamel and gums.  Remember, brushing your teeth should not feel like an arm workout.

Other Options? Now we know there are many different options as far as handle shape, tongue scraper attachments, bristle angles and material.  When it comes down to it, go with what you feel is most comfortable and give you the best results.

Electric Toothbrush

Electric toothbrushes are an excellent choice to keep your teeth and gums healthy.  Many models offer features that take the guesswork out of how long you should brush your teeth, how much pressure should be used, and help with your overall brushing technique.  They are also an excellent choice for those who may have limited mobility or dexterity and for kids who may not love brushing their teeth.

Electric toothbrushes are more costly but can be a good investment.  The brush itself will last for years, but keep in mind it is still important to replace the brush heads every three months.  Want to earn free brush heads for life?  Check out this great deal for Progressive Dental Patients.

Just like manual toothbrushes, there are a lot of different options when it comes to picking an electric toothbrush.  Some helpful features to look out for are:

Quadrant Timers:

Many electric toothbrushes have a quadrant timer feature.  No longer will you have to sing the “ABC’s” twice or set a timer to see just how long two minutes is.  If your brush has this feature, stick to it!  There is no prize for beating the timer.

Pressure sensor:

If you are one that is known for brushing too hard or your bristles are splaying after just a few uses, an electric toothbrush with a pressure sensor is a great choice.  Some pressure sensors will have a light that goes off, give you an audible cue, vibrator or stop oscillating if you are brushing too hard.

Brush Head Style:

Again, brush head size and type is a personal preference.  Some people like the smaller rounded heads where others may feel more comfortable with the traditional brush head style.

What about brushes for kids?

With children, it is important to choose the right size as they grow.  It is recommended that brushing is supervised until at least the age of 8.

  • 3-5 years a child size toothbrush should be used to fit in smaller hands and smaller mouths
  • Ages 6-9 a youth sized manual toothbrush or even electric toothbrush can be used
  •  Around age 10, a child’s mouth is usually large enough for an adult sized toothbrush.

Electric toothbrushes for children ages 6+ can be great choices to get them excited about brushing and offer features such as quadrant timers and pressure sensors to help them with their brushing habits.

Want to Earn Free Brush Heads for Life?

Progressive Dental is excited to bring you Care Beyond the Chair.  Patients who purchase the Care Beyond the Chair Z Sonic Professional Series Toothbrush will earn free brush heads for life at their Recare appointments.

  • Two Brush Heads for 6 month Recare Appointments
  • One Brush Head for 3 Month Recare Appointments

This is an amazing incentive to keep up with your oral hygiene care.

Z Sonic Professional Series Toothbrush features:

  • 5 Brush Modes – Clean, White, Polish, Massage & Sensitive
  • 31,000 – 48,000 Sonic pulses/min + 30 sec. Quad Timer
  • Eliminates 21% more plaque & reduces gingivitis by 11% compared to manual brushing
  • Lithium-ion Battery, 3 Months on 1 Charge

Ask us today about this special offer!

*Only available to Progressive Dental Patients