Electric Toothbrush

What is an electric toothbrush ?

Uses electric power to move the brush head
Makes use of oscillating/rotating, vibrating, or ultrasonic technology
Comprises of high-tech rechargeable models as well as low cost battery-powered toothbrushes

Since electric toothbrushes' handles come in a variety of shapes and materials always choose one that gives you a better grip on it such as a round and small brush head.
Bristles must have rounded ends
Choose ones that have pressure sensors as they help to regulate the speed of the brush and avoid damaging the teeth and gums
Choose ones with a built-in timer to help you control the duration of brushing and ensure that you brush for the correct duration
As specified by your dentist specific to your needs, mouth shape and dental problems.

Apply minimal pressure as all electric toothbrushes perform most of the necessary movements on their own.
Place the head of the electric toothbrush at a 30 to 40 degree angle on the gum line for about 2 seconds and move the brush from tooth to tooth gently
Repeat the procedure for the inner surfaces and the chewing surfaces as well
Rinse and clean your brush head after brushing
Replace your brush head every 3 months or once the head has worn out.
Always read the operating instructions before first use, as these may differ from model to model.

Electric Toothbrush	Manual Toothbrush
Only minimal skill level is needed to brush properly	Requires manual dexterity and diligence
Will probably clean better where someone lacks the skills needed for manual brushing, has problems making the necessary movements of brushing - people with arthritis and elder people	Not helpful in such a scenario
Tend to brush longer with a power toothbrush, as minimum effort is needed; it can lead to better removal of dental plaque	Efforts needed can cause the person to limit the amount of time spent on brushing
Smaller brush head that is easier to reach all areas of their mouth, even to the back teeth without causing discomfort as some larger brush heads, hence more preferred	Not always true
Less brushing force is required	More force required
Less likely to cause damage to tooth enamel and gums	Incorrect techniques can often cause damage
Allow you to regulate the brushing time and pressure applied using a built in timer and pressure sensors. E.g. Braun Oral-B or Sonicare range	Manual regulation required
Recommended for those who wear braces as it may reach crevices between braces and teeth that are not easily cleaned	Comparatively, cleaning can be a cumbersome task for those who have braces

They are categorised based on the type of the brush head’s shape and movement:

Rotary toothbrushes - a circular head that rotates in one direction
Counter-rotational toothbrushes - different tufts of bristles rotating in opposite directions
Rotating-oscillating toothbrushes - a circular head that spins back and forth in quick bursts
Oscillating-pulsating toothbrushes – an additional pulsating motion to enhance the cleaning action
The Sonic toothbrush - a conventionally shaped head, which vibrates in very high speed to create turbulent fluid dynamics, disrupting and removing dental plaque even beyond the point where the tips of the toothbrush's bristles actually touch.