Fact or Fiction? Powered Toothbrushing is More Effective than Manual Toothbrushing

Purpose: To answer the question of whether powered toothbrushing is more effective than manual toothbrushing, this paper reviews various aspects of powered toothbrushes in terms of efficacy, safety, acceptability and special considerations for certain patient groups. Future research directions and gaps in the current knowledge are also discussed. Materials and Methods: The literature review was conducted using PubMed. A hand search of the references of the retrieved articles was also performed. Results: Powered toothbrushes have been found to be as effective as manual toothbrushes in removing plaque and reducing gingival inflammation. They are safe with no adverse effects on hard or soft tissues. Among the powered toothbrushes, there is evidence to suggest that rotation-oscillation toothbrushes may be more effective than others. The results seem to suggest that certain special-needs patient groups, such as the elderly and the disabled, may benefit from the use of powered toothbrushes. Conclusion: Powered toothbrushes are as effective as manual toothbrushes in facilitating oral hygiene. They may be recommended for certain patient groups to improve the efficacy of oral hygiene measures. More data on the safety and acceptability of powered toothbrushes are necessary.