Electric vs manual toothbrush: which is better?

Dental & oral care ·Published 10 October 2026 ·Reviewed 10 October 2026

Written by the Priceline Pharmacy Pacific Fair team. Reviewed by Jason Markey, BPharmSci, MPharm, Owner and Pharmacist.

General health information from a registered pharmacist. It doesn’t replace advice from your own pharmacist or doctor.

An electric toothbrush has a modest edge. A Cochrane review of 56 trials found that powered toothbrushes reduced plaque and gum inflammation (gingivitis) more than manual toothbrushes, and the Australian Dental Association (ADA) says scientific studies show there are benefits. The catch, as the ADA puts it, is that “how well any toothbrush cleans your teeth depends on how well you use it”.

So the best toothbrush is the one you’ll use properly: 2 minutes, twice a day, with fluoride toothpaste. Below we cover what the research found, who gets the most from going electric and which features are worth paying for. If you’re comparing models at Pacific Fair, our team can help you find your way around the range.

What does the research say about electric toothbrushes?

The most thorough look at this question is a Cochrane review, which pools the results of many trials. Its 2014 update included 56 trials comparing powered and manual toothbrushes, and found:

• Plaque: an 11% reduction at one to three months of use, and a 21% reduction after three months
• Gingivitis (gum inflammation): a 6% reduction at one to three months, and an 11% reduction after three months
• Side effects: few studies reported any, and those that were reported were “localised and only temporary”

The reviewers rated the evidence as moderate quality. They also noted that the benefits for long-term dental health are unclear, and that “the clinical importance of these findings remains unclear”. The largest body of evidence was for rotation oscillation brushes (where the brush head turns back and forth), which reduced plaque and gingivitis at both time points.

What does the Australian Dental Association recommend?

Whichever brush you choose, the ADA’s advice is the same:

• Brush 2 times every day, for 2 minutes each time.
• Use a brush with soft bristles, manual or electric, and fluoride toothpaste.
• Be careful not to press too hard. Pressing too hard can damage your teeth and wear away your toothbrush bristles.
• After brushing, spit out the toothpaste foam but don’t rinse with water. This lets a layer of fluoride toothpaste sit on your teeth for longer.
• Clean between your teeth, because toothbrush bristles can’t reach the spaces between them.
• Try not to eat or drink after brushing your teeth before bed.

healthdirect makes the same point about technique: “The way you use your toothbrush is just as important as the type you have.”

How do you brush properly with either type?

A good routine looks like this:

1. Choose a toothbrush with a small head and soft bristles, and use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste (healthdirect).
2. With a manual brush, the ADA suggests putting it in your mouth at a 45-degree angle and brushing down to your gums, where bacteria sit on the teeth.
3. With an electric brush, healthdirect says to “just move the brush slowly along”.
4. Keep going for the full 2 minutes. The ADA suggests 30 seconds for each corner of your mouth, and healthdirect suggests setting a timer.
5. Use a light touch rather than scrubbing.
6. Spit out the toothpaste and skip the rinse.
7. Floss, or use another between-teeth cleaner such as interdental brushes, at least once a day (healthdirect).

Who benefits most from an electric toothbrush?

The ADA says your dentist may recommend an electric toothbrush if you:

• have trouble holding and controlling a manual toothbrush
• have braces
• have gum disease

For people with limited manual dexterity, the Queensland Government says an electric toothbrush, or a manual toothbrush with a modified handle, may give a better grip and more control. Handle changes can include bending or extending the handle, adding weight or attaching an ergonomic grip, and a dental practitioner or occupational therapist can advise. That’s worth knowing if you help an older parent with their daily routine.

healthdirect adds that some people find an electric toothbrush easier to use and that it does a better job of cleaning their teeth and gums. Its advice is to ask your dental practitioner what’s best for you.

Which electric toothbrush features are worth paying for?

The ADA describes two features that help:

• A 2-minute timer. Some electric toothbrushes let you know when you’ve reached 2 minutes, and some buzz or beep every 30 seconds so you know when to move to the next corner of your mouth.
• A pressure sensor. Some have a built-in sensor that tells you, with a noise or flashing lights, when you’re pressing too hard.

Both help with things the ADA highlights: brushing for the full 2 minutes and not pressing too hard. Beyond that, look for soft brush heads and replacement heads that are easy to buy, because you’ll be changing them regularly.

You can browse electric toothbrushes on priceline.com.au or compare models with our team in store.

How often should you replace your toothbrush or brush head?

Every 3 months. healthdirect says to replace your toothbrush or toothbrush head every 3 months, or when it looks worn, and the Queensland Government says to replace it sooner if the bristles look worn and splayed. Because pressing too hard wears bristles away, a brush that looks frayed after only a few weeks is a sign to ease up.

A simple habit is to swap your brush or brush head at the start of each season.

Is an electric toothbrush better for kids?

healthdirect’s guidance for children focuses on the routine and an adult’s help rather than the type of brush:

• Babies: clean their teeth with water at first, with no toothpaste.
• 1–2 years: brush twice a day with a soft children’s toothbrush and a very small amount of children’s toothpaste, no larger than a grain of rice.
• 3–6 years: brush twice a day with children’s toothpaste, using an amount the size of a small pea.
• Over 6 years: children can use adult-strength fluoride toothpaste.
• Like adults, children only need to spit out the excess toothpaste, not rinse.
• Help your child clean their teeth until they are 8 years old.

healthdirect also suggests checking with your dental practitioner about low fluoride toothpaste for young children. If your child loves gadgets, a brush with a 2-minute timer can help them stick to the full 2 minutes.

How can our team help?

At Priceline Pacific Fair you’ll find electric and manual toothbrushes in our dental and personal care range, and our team can help you compare timers, pressure sensors and brush heads. If you have braces or gum problems, ask your dentist which type they suggest before you buy. And if your mouth often feels dry, have a read of our guide to dry mouth causes and relief. Thinking about whitening? Read teeth whitening strips and kits: are they safe? first.

When to see a pharmacist or GP

Your dentist is the best first stop for most tooth and gum problems. Talk to your dentist if:

• you have braces or gum disease and want to know whether an electric toothbrush suits you
• you find it hard to hold or control a toothbrush (an occupational therapist can also help with handle changes)
• you’re not sure which toothpaste is right for your child’s age

See a dentist or a GP (our in-store Help Medical GPs are one option) if you have:

• tooth pain, or swelling in your gums or face
• a mouth sore that isn’t healing (our guide to mouth ulcer treatment has more)

And talk to one of our pharmacists if your mouth often feels dry or sore and you take regular medicines.

This article is general information only and isn’t a substitute for personal advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always read the label and follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist or you’re worried, talk to your pharmacist or GP. In an emergency, call 000.