Is an electric toothbrush better than a manual for removing plaque?

Many dentists will tell you that one of the most popular questions that their patients ask them has to do with the effectiveness of electric tooth brushes.

Popular electric tooth brushes, such as the Oral-B Sonic Complete DLX, Oral-B Triumph, and Sonicare FlexCare Electric Brush are, after all, significantly more expensive than a manual tooth brush and take up slightly more space on the bathroom counter. The question is: are they worth the extra investment?

The answer: Yes. Here's why:

When it comes to determining how effective tooth brushes are, researchers generally evaluate the amount of plaque that is removed from teeth over the course of timed intervals. For example, during a study, researchers might compare an electric tooth brush to a manual tooth brush for 30 seconds, 60 seconds, and 90 seconds of brushing. Overwhelmingly, researchers have found that electric tooth brushes can remove more plaque than manual tooth brushes for the same amount of brushing time. As a result, an electric tooth brush requires less time to achieve the same results as a manual brush.

Even Early Electric Brushes Were More Effective

The Journal of Periodontology published a comparative study of electric tooth brushes and manual tooth brushes fifteen years ago (when electric tooth brushes weren't even as advanced and popular as they are today). In that study, researchers found that electric tooth brushes removed more plaque in two minutes of brushing than manual tooth brushes removed in six minutes of brushing. Can the electric tooth brush be an effective oral hygiene aide, and a time saver? We think so.

Brush for Two Minutes

Nearly every dentist informs his patients that the minimum amount of time they should brush their teeth each day is two minutes, twice a day. Two minutes of brushing helps to dislodge plaque, neutralize some bacteria, freshen breath, and stimulate blood flow to the gums. However, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Dentistry found that the average adult brushed their teeth for only 78 seconds, even though they thought they were brushing for 141 seconds. This means that the average adult is only brushing for a little more than a minute, while the brushing time should be doubled in order to effectively promote healthy oral hygiene.

Electric tooth brushes come with a built-in solution to help you brush for the recommended amount of time: they have timers that let brushers know when they have brushed for two minutes or longer. That means no more guessing games required!

Investment in Long-Term Oral Health

While an electric tooth brush may cost you slightly more money now, you are sure to reap the benefits of the investment with each visit to the dentist. By adopting healthy dental habits, brushing twice a day for two minutes with an effective tooth brush, and getting regular six-month dental check-ups, you will save money, time, and your oral health for years to come.

Not sure about which electric tooth brush is best for you? Check out our article comparing two of our most popular electric tooth brushes: the Oral-B Triumph and Oral-B Sonic Complete.