Power Toothbrushes May Be More Effective Cleaners Than Manual Brushes

Power Toothbrushes May Be More Effective Cleaners Than Manual Brushes

Plaque is a film that develops over teeth and is created by bacteria normally found in your mouth. Over time, bacteria in this plaque can release acids that attack tooth enamel leading to tooth decay and gum disease. These conditions can be painful and require dental treatment and impact your overall health. Fortunately, regular dental examinations along with brushing and flossing can help prevent these conditions. Powered toothbrushes for home use have become a popular option but it is not clear if they have added benefit.

Researchers wanted to compare manual and powered toothbrushes to determine which was better at reducing plaque and gingivitis. The study, published in Cochrane Database, found that powered toothbrushes reduce plaque and gingivitis more than manual toothbrushing.

About the Study

The systematic review included 51 trials assessing the effectiveness of unsupervised manual or power toothbrushing on plaque and gingivitis. There were a total of 4,624 participants in studies lasting four weeks or more. Compared to manual brushing, powered brushing was associated with:

  • 11% reduction in plaque
  • 6% reduction in gingivitis after 1-3 mouths of use
  • 17% reduction in gingivitis after more than 3 months of use

How Does this Affect You?

A systematic review is considered a reliable form of research because it combines several smaller studies. The higher the number of participants the more reliable the results may be. However, the systematic review is only as reliable as the studies that were included. In this case, many of the studies may have had some bias, which may decrease the reliability of results.

If you suffer from frequent cavities or gum disease, you may want to talk to your dentist about the type of toothbrush that you use. Some people find it easier to brush their teeth with a powered toothbrush, especially those who have physical impairments. When choosing any brush, make sure the size and shape of the brush fits your mouth comfortably and allows you to clean effectively.

No matter what type of brush you use, the American Dental Association recommends brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months. Ideal dental health also includes daily flossing and regular visits to the dentist.

Resources

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
http://www.aapd.org
Mouth Healthy—American Dental Association
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org

Sources:

Plaque. Mouth Healthy website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed August 6, 2014.
Toothbrushes. Mouth Healthy website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed August 7, 2014.
Yaacob M, Worthington HV, et al. Powered versus manual toothbrushing for oral health. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014 June 17;6:CD002281.
Last reviewed August 2014 by Michael Woods, MD

EBSCO Information Services is fully accredited by URAC. URAC is an independent, nonprofit health care accrediting organization dedicated to promoting health care quality through accreditation, certification and commendation.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

To send comments or feedback to our Editorial Team regarding the content please email us at healthlibrarysupport@ebsco.com. Our Health Library Support team will respond to your email request within 2 business days.

Home |Terms and Conditions |Concerned About Privacy? |Accessibility |Careers |For Employers and Medical Plan Providers

You may also be looking for: CVS/pharmacy | MinuteClinic | Specialty Pharmacy | SilverScript | Accordant