Electric toothbrushes provide proven benefits over manual toothbrushes
Multiple systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and clinical trials demonstrate that electric or powered toothbrushes provide proven benefits over manual toothbrushes, particularly regarding superior plaque removal and reductions in gingivitis across various populations.
The preponderance of high-quality systematic reviews and meta-analyses ([1], [8], [11]) and clinical trials ([2], [9]) provide robust evidence that electric-powered toothbrushes outperform manual toothbrushes in plaque removal and gingival health reduction. While one paper ([6]) notes a lack of clear superiority in older adults specifically, and another paper ([0]) notes general inadequacies in mechanical plaque removal without comparing toothbrush types, the overall literature consistently supports the clinical advantages of powered toothbrushes, satisfying the threshold for SUPPORTED.
T. Elkerbout, D. E. Slot, N. Rosema, G. V. D. van der Weijden. How effective is a powered toothbrush as compared to a manual toothbrush? A systematic review and meta‐analysis of single brushing exercises. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1111/idh.12401
A systematic review and meta-analysis found moderate certainty that powered toothbrushes are more effective than manual toothbrushes for plaque removal.
K. K. Saroya, Arpit Gupta, Richa Shrivastava, Nishant Mehta, Ashima Goyal. Powered versus manual toothbrushes for plaque removal and gingival health amongst 55 and older individuals: A systematic review and meta-analysis.. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1111/scd.12974
A systematic review of older adults suggested that current literature does not clearly support the superiority of either powered or manual toothbrushes for this specific demographic.
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Takahiro Ikawa, Koji Mizutani, Takeaki Sudo, Chihiro Kano, Yuichi Ikeda, Tatsuya Akizuki, Hiroaki Kobayashi, Yuichi Izumi, Takanori Iwata. Clinical comparison of an electric‐powered ionic toothbrush and a manual toothbrush in plaque reduction: A randomized clinical trial. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1111/idh.12475
A randomized clinical trial demonstrated that electric-powered ionic toothbrushes had a significantly higher plaque removal rate than manual toothbrushes in certain oral areas.
Dağdeviren F, Van der Weijden GAF, Zijlstra CPL, Slot DE. The Effectiveness of Power Versus Manual Toothbrushes on Plaque Removal and Gingival Health in Children-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1111/idh.12915
A systematic review and meta-analysis concluded that powered toothbrushes offer a small advantage in plaque removal over manual toothbrushes in children.
Adam R, Grender J, Timm H, Goyal CR, Qaqish J. A 4-week randomized clinical trial evaluating plaque and gingivitis effects of a new oscillating-rotating electric toothbrush.. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adaj.2025.04.015
A clinical trial found an oscillating-rotating electric toothbrush to be significantly more effective than a manual toothbrush at reducing plaque and gingivitis.
Ayako Aziza Solachuddin, Shafa Syahida Solachuddin, M. Zakki, Nugroho Ahmad Riyadi, W. H. Suriyah. Effectiveness of Powered Toothbrushes Compared to Manual Toothbrushes in Reducing Plaque and Gingivitis: A Systematic Review. 2025. https://doi.org/10.33476/ydj.v2i2.260
A systematic review reported that powered toothbrushes are generally more effective than manual toothbrushes for improving plaque and gingival health.
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