“9/10 recommend an electric tooth brush – are you the 10th?”
In 2014, it was shown through a systematic review, that power/ electric toothbrushes are better than manual toothbrushes. This was measured in their efficacy in removing biofilm from the occlusal, lingual and facial/buccal surfaces of teeth.
However, within the electric toothbrush category, are oscillating-rotating (OR) toothbrushes better than side-to-side translating toothbrushes?
Clark-Perry et al. did a systematic review of 15 articles, published between 2009 and 2019. It is important to note that the manufacturer of the product being studied funded 12 out of the 15 articles that were reviewed. It was observed that OR electric toothbrushes provided a significantly increased reduction in plaque.
There was no significant difference in the presence of gingivitis when comparing the two modes of electric toothbrushes. However, there was an increased reduction in the number of bleeding sites with the OR toothbrush compares to the side-to-side electric toothbrush.
Out of the 15 studies reviewed, only one study measured gingival recession and found no significant difference in recession causation between the two different types of toothbrushes.