Manual or Electric Toothbrush, Which is Better ?

A recent study was do to compare the results from a people using a manual toothbrush or an electric toothbrush. The 2 groups were scored on the amount of plaque still left behind after toothbrushing with each toothbrush.

They compared the results of more than 50 patients who used a power toothbrush with 60 who used a manual toothbrush. They reported no differences between the groups in plaque before and after brushing, clinical parameters, and overall brushing duration in a study published in BMC Oral Health (May 29, 2019).

Disclosing tablets which stains the plaque was found most frequently left on the teeth near the gumline.

If you don't know how to brush properly with a manual toothbrush you are probably no going to do much better with an electric toothbrush. Most people miss around the gumline because they concentrate on the upper half of the teeth and don't properly angle the bristles of the brush at a 45 degree angle down towards the gumline.

Make sure your hygienist instructs you on proper oral hygiene techniques for your own mouth. Especially if you don't have nice, straight teeth !