Manual or Electric Toothbrush?

Dentists and dental care professionals have long been touting the advantages of electric toothbrushes, because an electric toothbrush moves much more quickly (up to one hundred times) than a manual one. People who know how to brush correctly and do so on a regular routine probably can do as well as someone with any power toothbrush. The problem as dental professionals see it is that many people aren’t as conscientious as they must be if they use a manual toothbrush, so power toothbrush will be an improvement in the way they brush. The question then becomes what kind of electric toothbrush is preferable?

A recent study compiled by the Cochrane Oral Health Group in England compiled statistics over a period of twenty-seven years. The results of the report has validated that concept and furthermore has clarified the type of toothbrush that works best. It is specifically the electric toothbrush with rotational (oscillating) action that is the “winner.” Rotational or /oscillating toothbrushes (rotate in one direction and then reverse) were shown to remove as much as 11% more plaque than manual or other power toothbrushes and also reduced bleeding of the gums by as much as 17%,

Interestingly enough the results of the study do not indicate why the rotational oscillation toothbrush works better that electric toothbrushes with circular or side-to-side motion. The researchers plan to continue their study of these toothbrushes and hope to determine whether they actually reduce cavities and/or periodontal disease. In the interim, the results of the study thus far can be helpful to dentists in making recommendations to their patients.