With all the bells and whistles and hundreds of toothbrushes on the market, you've got to wonder, which is really the best toothbrush to buy -- manual or electric?

According to the Academy of General Dentistry, the best toothbrush that you can buy is the one that you will actually use. That's it. Yes, it's really that simple. While both electric and manual toothbrushes have some pros and cons, the bottom line is which one you will use. The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes.

If you're not sure which type of toothbrush you would use the most, I have provided some pros and cons of both:

Manual Toothbrush:

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Most have an easy grip handle
• Some come with a tongue scraper
• Easy to travel with

Cons

• No built in timer to tell you when two minutes are up
• Can be difficult for some people to hold onto firmly

Electric Toothbrushes

Pros

• Most have larger ergonomic handles
• Some have built in timers that let you know when you have brushed for a full two minutes
• The feel and buzzing of an electric toothbrush feels good to a lot of people
• The bristles can get in where a manual brush can't

Cons

• Some electric toothbrushes can be quite expensive
• Most electric toothbrushes require charging or battery replacement

Since everyone is different, I think it's really good to have a variety of dental products to choose from.

Deciding whether to buy an electric or manual toothbrush basically comes down to what the user desires

We know what canker sores are, but the exact cause is still unknown. Women statistically suffer from canker sores more often than men. Canker sores are typically seen in people between the ages of 10 and 40, although they have been known to show up at any age.

There is reason to believe that certain types of bacteria and/or viruses are responsible for the painful mouth sores. Canker sores are not contagious and are not related to the herpes simplex virus, also known as cold sores.

Canker sores are caused by:

• Injuries to the mouth, as seen frequently by contact sports players. Accidentally biting the inside of the cheek or lip may also result in a canker sore
• Temperature hot food or drink may cause a canker sore in the area of the mouth that was essentially burnt by the offending substance
• Spicy and/or acidic foods often produce a canker sore as a response to the irritation these spices and acids create in the mouth
• The use of chewing (smokeless) tobacco will often cause a canker sore to develop in the area of the mouth where the tobacco is held, due to the irritating chemicals found in the addictive product
• Poor-fitting, complete or partial dentures may cause canker sores in the area of the mouth where the denture may rubbing on the tissue. The development of a canker sore is often one of the first signs that indicate the need for a denture reline or adjustment by your dentist or denturist
• Orthodontic brackets, bands, and various other orthodontic attachments will often cause canker sores to develop in area of the mouth where there is constant friction on the oral tissues. This is common when orthodontic treatment first begins and may occur after each subsequent adjustments, throughout each stage of treatment
• Allergies to metals such as nickel may become evident in the mouth of a person wearing orthodontic devices necessary to move the teeth. Canker sores may begin to appear adjacent to the metal attachments. This is often referred to as contact dermatitis.
• Broken teeth are often sharp and may rub on the oral tissues to produce painful canker sores. Broken restorations may also cause a similar effect on the oral tissues
• Emotional stress has been identified as a possible trigger that may cause the development of canker sores
• Bacteria responsible for peptic ulcers known as Helicobacter pylori, has been linked to canker sore occurrence
• Vitamin deficiencies, specifically vitamin B12, foliate (folic acid), and iron, may trigger canker sore development
• Hormonal changes, notably during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause, have been linked to canker sores
• Canker sores often run in families. Genetics my be a factor for many canker sore sufferers
• Allergic reactions and sensitivities to certain foods may cause a canker sore to develop. Allergic reaction to certain types of bacteria found in the mouth may also result in this type of mouth ulcer
• Celiac disease sufferers may experience canker sores. Gluten may be associated with the development of canker sores in those with celiac disease
• Information associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) often will list canker sores as a complication associated with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
• Mouth sores are a common occurrence observed in immuno-suppressed patients, such as those with HIV/AIDS
• Behcet's Disease, a rare autoimmune disease that damages the body's blood vessels notes mouth sores, more specifically canker sores, as a one of the four most common symptoms of the disease
• Sodium lauryl sulfate is a common ingredient in toothpaste and had been associated with the development of canker sores

Treatment is generally not necessary for most canker sores as they tend to heal quickly on their own. If canker sores persist for longer than 2 weeks, see the dentist.

See your dentist immediately if canker sores:

• Become unusually larger than normal
• Are extremely painful, interfering with eating, drinking, and talking
• Begin to appear more frequently than normal
• Do not heal after 14 days
• Are accompanied by a high fever
• Appear to become infected

Time has revealed professional teeth whitening to be a safe, conservative and effective way to improve smiles.  A dental health professional has access to the most successful treatment options when it comes to bleaching one’s teeth.  Additionally, dentists have the knowledge and training to provide the most up-to-date information on which products and procedures are helpful or potentially harmful.  Dentists can advise patients on which teeth may not be treated effectively by whitening, including areas of decay and existing tooth-colored restorations.  Adequate instruction from the health care provider arms the patient with the facts which lead to the greatest results. 

During the bleaching process patients should abstain from activities that inhibit maximum teeth whitening from taking place.   While the opening of the dental tubules created by the whitening agent allows stain to be pulled from the teeth, it also permits stain to infiltrate the teeth.  Therefore, the less exposure a patient has to these staining elements during the bleaching process, the whiter the teeth may become.  Specifically, in the hours following exposure to the bleaching agent, patients should avoid food and drinks with heavily staining capabilities.  Included in this category are blueberries, tea, coffee and red wine.   Smoking during this process will naturally limit the effectiveness of the teeth whitening product as well.  Also, it is advisable to avoid alcohol based mouth rinses while whitening your teeth because they can cause the whitening agent to be less effective.