Should You Use an Electric Toothbrush or a Manual Toothbrush? – Consumer Reports

Whether you choose a basic toothbrush or one with all the bells and whistles, the way you brush is key. “The correct technique can be used with a powered or manual toothbrush,” says Paulo Camargo, DDS, a professor and the associate dean of clinical affairs at the UCLA School of Dentistry in Los Angeles. “People who do a good job can do a good job with either.”

To get the most out of every toothbrushing session:

Hold the toothbrush at the proper angle. “The biggest mistake most people make is holding their toothbrush at 90 degrees, which cleans the teeth but not the gums,” Camargo says. “Bacteria grows in the space between the teeth and gums, and in order to disrupt it, you need to use the bristles at a 45-degree angle and get them below the gum line.”

Brush two teeth at a time. Work your way methodically around your mouth, focusing your attention on two teeth at a time, Tang says. “If you’re using a powered brush, just set it on those two teeth and let it do its thing, then move on to the next two,” she says.

Be thorough. “Regardless of what type of brush you use, you still have to make sure the bristles touch every surface of every tooth,” Messina says. Clean the front and back sides of all your teeth, top and bottom, including the sharp edges. You also need to get the toothbrush behind your back teeth. For good measure, use your toothbrush to go over the surface of your tongue, to reduce bacteria and prevent bad breath.

Use the right touch. “There’s a fine line between doing a good job and overdoing it,” Camargo says. If you’re concerned that you’re brushing too hard, try this trick: Instead of grasping the toothbrush in your fist, hold it with just your fingertips. “It doesn’t allow you to put as much pressure on your gums,” Tang says. And know the signs of overly aggressive brushing: tooth sensitivity, bleeding or irritated gums, receding gums, and splayed toothbrush bristles.

Replace your toothbrush regularly. You’ll need to break out a new toothbrush—or a new brush head for an electric toothbrush—every three to four months. If you notice the bristles are frayed or splaying open, it’s definitely time for a new one. “Splayed bristles can no longer effectively get under the gum line,” Camargo says.

Last, consider this: Plastic toothbrushes create a lot of trash—of the type that doesn’t break down easily. With electric models, you’re typically tossing a little less plastic because it’s only the brush head that’s replaced regularly. However, some manufacturers now offer manual toothbrushes with replaceable heads. And some companies make manual toothbrushes from sustainable bamboo, compostable bio-plastic, or cellulose (plastic generated from wood)—though these aren’t necessarily ADA-approved. (Read our special report, “The Big Problem with Plastic.”)