THE QUESTION: Is it true that electric toothbrushes are better than manual toothbrushes for your teeth? The science : Whether oscillating and rotating to sweep away debris or using sonic vibrations to get the job done, electric toothbrushes are better at removing dental plaque and reducing gingivitis than manual brushes, studies show. Still, dental experts say, there are other factors to consider. A 2014 review of studies that had more than 5,000 participants in total reported that after using an electric toothbrush for three months, there was a 21% reduction in plaque, which can cause gingivitis (inflammation of the gum) and tooth decay.
And there was an 11% reduction in gingivitis, which, left untreated, can lead to more advanced gum disease and tooth loss. Research has also shown that oscillating-rotating toothbrushes may have a slight edge over high-frequency sonic toothbrushes. But the toothbrush may not be the key.
“The most important thing is not so much the brush, but the brusher,” said Edmond Hewlett, a spokesman for the American Dental Association. “And by that, I mean that we talk to our patients about one toothbrush versus another and try to help them choose the one that they’re most likely to use, and then to use it effectively.” With the proper approach, manual toothbrushes can be as effective, particularly for people who are more comfortable with them, said Tien Jiang, an assistant professor at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine.
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