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Commercials would certainly have you believe electric toothbrushes are better. But then again, commercials would also have you believe that women find male "body sprays" completely irresistible. Trust us -- not true. But back to oral hygiene. This 2004 article from the BBC states that "electric toothbrushes may be better at removing plaque and preventing gum disease than manual brushes." According to a British study involving 1,786 people, "people who used an electric toothbrush for one month reduced their plaque levels by 11% compared with those who used manual brushes." However, according to the Boston
Globe, not all electric toothbrushes are created equal. Consumers should look for toothbrushes with "rotation-oscillation action." This type of brushing helps get rid of plaque more effectively. Still, it's worth noting that there's no magical electric toothbrush out there. According to medical physiologist Cliff Whall, if a person uses a manual toothbrush correctly, it can be just as effective as an electric one. Unfortunately, few people know how to use manual toothbrushes correctly. Kind of sad, really. There are lot of electric toothbrushes to choose from, and some can be quite pricey. Ask your dentist for recommendations if you're thinking of switching.
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