Editing Toothbrush (section)

===Electric toothbrush===
{{main|Electric toothbrush}}
[[File:So Many Choices (11693539025).jpg|thumb|Various electric toothbrush heads]]

It has been discovered that compared to a manual brush, the multi-directional power brush might reduce the incidence of gingivitis and plaque, when compared to regular side-to-side brushing. These brushes tend to be more costly and damaging to the environment when compared to manual toothbrushes.<ref>{{Cite web|title=New research finds electric toothbrushes 'fairly horrifying' for the environment - but bamboo brushes aren't the answer|url=https://www.independent.ie/news/environment/new-research-finds-electric-toothbrushes-fairly-horrifying-for-the-environment-but-bamboo-brushes-arent-the-answer-39533694.html|access-date=2021-05-08|website=independent|date=15 September 2020 |language=en}}</ref> Most studies report performances equivalent to those of manual brushings, possibly with a decrease in plaque and gingivitis.<ref name="pmid21154357">{{cite journal|last=Deacon|first=SA|author2=Glenny, AM |author3=Deery, C |author4=Robinson, PG |author5=Heanue, M |author6=Walmsley, AD |author7= Shaw, WC |title=Different powered toothbrushes for plaque control and gingival health.|journal=The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews|date=Dec 8, 2010|issue=12|pages=CD004971|doi=10.1002/14651858.CD004971.pub2|pmid=21154357 |volume=56|pmc=8406707}}</ref> An additional timer and pressure sensors can encourage a more efficient cleaning process.<ref name="pmid21985880">{{cite journal|last=Kallar|first=S|author2=Srivastava, N |author3=Pandit, IK |author4= Gugnani, N |title=Plaque removal efficacy of powered and manual toothbrushes under supervised and unsupervised conditions: A comparative clinical study|journal=Journal of Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry|date=1 January 2011|volume=29|issue=3|pages=235–8|doi=10.4103/0970-4388.85832|pmid=21985880|doi-access=free}}</ref>
Electric toothbrushes can be classified, according to the speed of their movements as: standard power toothbrushes, sonic toothbrushes, or [[ultrasonic toothbrush]]es. Any electric toothbrush is technically a powered toothbrush. If the motion of the toothbrush is sufficiently rapid to produce a hum in the [[audible frequency]] range (20&nbsp;Hz to 20,000&nbsp;Hz), it can be classified as a sonic toothbrush. Any electric toothbrush with movement faster than this limit can be classified as an ultrasonic toothbrush. Certain ultrasonic toothbrushes, such as the Megasonex and the Ultreo, have both sonic and ultrasonic movements.

There are different electric toothbrush heads designed for sensitive teeth and gums, increased stain removal, or different-sized bristles for tight or gapped teeth.{{citation needed|date = January 2025}} The hand motion with an electric toothbrush is different from a manual toothbrush. They are meant to have the bristles do the work by just placing and moving the toothbrush, so that fewer back and forth strokes are needed.