Why is an electric toothbrush important if you want to reduce tartar and gum disease?

It's not: No one has to use an electric toothbrush for proper oral hygiene. A hand held toothbrush and dental floss is all that is necessary. However, many patients do a better job with an electric toothbrush. Only for those with physical handicaps who could otherwise not brush adequately would i consider it 'essential'.

Dexterity problem: In the case if dexterity is a problem regarding poor oral hygiene effort (brushing and flossing), electric toothbrush, especially sonnicare, will help solve the problem. Sonnicare vibrates and creates fluid movement on the surface to remove the plaque even when the toothbrush bristle is close to and not touching the surface. It also has the timer to make sure we spend enough time brushing!

It's a better brush: For most of us, we will do a better job with the electric brush--it will remove more plaque.

It's not: You can have healthy gums without using an electric toothbrush. An electric toothbrush is only a tool to aid in having healthy gums without all the physical labor of manual brushing.