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Toothbrush Savings That Will Make You Smile

By Nadine Cheung Posted 10:00AM 07/31/12 Savings Experiment |
Savings Experiment: Vitamins

What type of toothbrush do you prefer?

Did you find our video on toothbrushes helpful?

If you're looking for a new toothbrush, it's easy to get overwhelmed by all the options. Many come with fancy features, which increase the price of the brush, but do you really need them?

A basic, ADA-approved manual toothbrush with soft bristles will cost you anywhere from $2 to $8. That's a nice price for standard bristles, but some may be attracted to electric toothbrushes, which can cost $100 more than the manual kind.

So, which one should you choose? Well, at the end of the day, it turns out that you don't need a fancy brush to keep your teeth healthy and clean. There's no significant difference between the manual and electric brushes and their ability to remove plaque or prevent gum disease, so you're better off with a manual brush, if you're trying to save money.

However, if you want to get the most out your dental routine, you need to brush for 2 minutes to allow the fluoride in your toothpaste to work properly. This may seem like a long time, but you'll get the full benefits of your routine this way.

toothbrushesIn conclusion, manual brushes are the most wallet-friendly, but your brushing method is the real key to savings. Keep these tips in mind and you'll certainly have something to smile about.

Tagged: bathroom, best toothbrushes, brushing your teeth, dental, electric toothbrushes, hygiene, lifestyle, manual toothbrushes, Savings Experiment, SavingsExperiment, toothbrushes

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Jerry

I had my doubts until I tried a Sonicare. The difference in the feel of your teeth is very noticeable, and the dentists recommend similar type of electric toothbrushes. They claim to be able to tell the difference.

October 29 2012 at 2:24 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
connie

They REALLY need an option on their polls for "I don't know if the video was any good ... I refuse to watch it - just print the dang story! :-)

October 29 2012 at 1:47 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to connie's comment
pabkunter

Hi Connie,
If you go to the Next Poll after the one that asks you what type of toothbrush you prefer (the button appears with the poll results), you will be asked if you found the video helpful. You'll find the results interesting.

October 29 2012 at 12:07 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Keith

I have been using a Sonicare toothbrush for 10 years now. I am on my 2nd brush now. I go through about 30 seconds of picking and scraping during my check-up/cleanings vs. several minutes when I used to use 'manual' brushes. Also, our neighbor is a hygienist and she says that she can tell who uses a Sonicare or similar product just by looking - the teeth and gums just look better.

October 29 2012 at 12:03 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
drronda

Absolutely not true. When used correctly, Sonicare toothbrushes do an amazingly better job, especiallly for
those who do not have great dexterity or small motor skills

October 28 2012 at 11:46 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
gracelanefarm

Don't believe it. There is no comparison between how clean a Sonic toothbrush gets your teeth and a manual. Also, stay away from the battery operated brushes with a spinning head, they are too hard on your gums.

October 28 2012 at 10:39 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
taleighenlow

First of all your brushing technique is horrible and incorrect.. If people follow your advice they will most likely end up with gingivitis and gum recession. Secondly, there are really no similarities between a manual and an electric toothbrush- electric (Sonicare) produces many more strokes per min compared to a manual as well as has to ability to clean approx 2mm beyond the gumline ( which is where most bacteria harbors) . As a hygienist I see the proof everyday in how effective electric toothbrushes are and how much they really do help improve the quality of my patients oral health.

October 28 2012 at 10:31 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
Jeanine

The depth of ignorance in this article is only surpassed by the bogus photo.

October 28 2012 at 10:17 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
Deborah

Dumb and dumber

October 28 2012 at 9:16 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Marguerite

i have been told by multiple dentists that electric is the way to go. need more proof, i am 40 and have never had a cavity and never spend more than 10 minutes in the chair getting my teeth cleaned. you can get a electric for 30 bucks, well worth it.

October 28 2012 at 8:11 PM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply
rmitai

Well regardless of what they say, I had lots of problems before my dentist suggested a sonic toothbrush and the difference in my teeth/gums has been amazing. I no longer have to go every 3-4 months like I did before so when you compare the price of the one time cost of the toothbrush, including replacement heads versus more trips to the dentist per year (insurance only covers 2), I'll stick with the sonic toothbrush.

October 28 2012 at 7:41 PM Report abuse +3 rate up rate down Reply

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