Manual versus powered toothbrushes: what is the evidence?

Powered toothbrushes are a significant segment of the oral care market. Numerous clinical trials have compared the effectiveness of manual and powered toothbrushes for their effectiveness in improving oral health and the results are often conflicting. Recent Systematic Reviews by the Cochrane Oral Health Group have distilled this information and provided unbiased conclusions, namely that: powered toothbrushes with an oscillating rotating action are more effective than manual toothbrushes in reducing plaque and gingivitis; other types of powered toothbrushes produced less consistent reductions in plaque and gingivitis than manual brushes. Further studies are required to determine the relative effectiveness of manual and powered toothbrushes in improving the status of patients with periodontitis.

This review provides the dental professional with an unbiased summary of current evidence regarding the relative effectiveness of manual and powered toothbrushes.