[waterbuffalofarmer]

I was thinking of buying an electronic toothbrush instead of using a manual. The question is which one to buy? And would it be necessarily better than using a manual? I am convinced, by my dentists, that an electronic is better. Just thought I would throw this discussion out there for opinions and comments from all you guys. Really what do you all think?
Thanks

[Buttermilk]

I have an electric toothbrush and would not go back to a manual willingly. My dentist said she could tell when I first got it.

[pgkevet]

electric every time. BUT there are two technologies and several qualities of each sort from simple oscillation to ultrasonic.
My last 'ordinary' electric died after several years use and i just treated myself to a top of the range ultrasonic after reading reviews. It really is brilliant but my wife can only use it on it's 'sensitive' setting and with care so it doesn't clean her bridgework away!
If you have sound teeth then I'd recommend it oterwise stick with the other sort.
Cheap electric toothbrushes are also handy for pollinating tomatoes if you're too embarrassed to be seen in the greenhouse with a sex toy....

[Fleecewife]

Use both plus dental floss.  An ordinary manual brush is great for refreshing the whole mouth in the morning, when your teeth don't have food residues, just morning breath.  Floss plus a battery powered brush are great for a thorough clean of plaque and food residues after lunch and before bedtime.

[waterbuffalofarmer]

Can I ask? I am quite wary of flossing, dont judge me, my teeth I am told are perfect and I was told by someone that if you floss In between your teeth they develop gaps, is this true?

[Buttermilk]

Floss can only work if you have gaps to start with.  I have found that I am developing gaps as I age.

[waterbuffalofarmer]

should I floss then, as my teeth don't really have gaps?

[pgkevet]

If your teeth are too close to gether to get floss between them then use dental spirals to clean the low interdental space and massage the gums.

[Marches Farmer]

I think dentists overlook the genetic angle when it comes to dental caries.  According to my small animal vet Labradors very rarely suffer from plaque, whereas Yorkshire Terriers always do.  Similarly my large animal vet says most Beulah sheep he sees are broken-mouthed by six years of age yet we've only had two Southdowns similarly affected in the all the hundreds we've kept.  I don't see why humans shouldn't be similarly affected. 

[Lesley Silvester]

I'd say electric every time. My OH has very crooked bottom front teeth and, consequently has problems with plaque no matter how well he brushes. An oscillating head brush gets rid of most of it. Flossing with brushes works well if you can't manage to get floss between your teeth or, like me, have hands that don't work that well.

[Louise Gaunt]

My dentist advised an electric toothbrush with a pressure sensor ( it flashes red when I push too hard) as I was getting wear on my teeth along the gum line. I really like it, and probably won't go back to an ordinary brush.

[Hellybee]

Use corsodyl. Kills everything.  I remember going into the hygienist one day and she really relishes her job, she was most disappointed when my mouth slide was clear. You ve used corsodyl this morning haven't you???

[Rupert the bear]

Teeth Eh ? just showing off you lot  . By now Santa could have delivered a full set