Two minutes. It's really not that long, but when you're brushing your teeth, it can seem like an eternity. So what do you do? You finish up brushing before the two minutes are up, and you don't clean your teeth as thoroughly as you should.

In fact, in a survey conducted in 1998, most dentists reported that the majority of their patients weren't brushing properly, and they weren't brushing long enough. This means that plaque—a combination of destructive bacteria, food residue and saliva—is left on your teeth, increasing the chance that you'll develop gum disease.

Power toothbrushes can help to solve this problem. Technology has produced new ergonomic designs and bristle motions that rotate, oscillate and emit sonic vibrations. They're also lots more fun to use than a plain old manual toothbrush, so it's more likely that you'll brush as often and as long as you should.

Fun aside, power brushes provide more effective plaque removal, which lowers your risk for developing gum disease and tooth decay. They also provide more gentle brushing, as users tend not to press a power toothbrush as firmly against the gums; gentler brushing means less wear and tear on the gums and tooth enamel. A study comparing the Braun Oral-B oscillating/rotating power toothbrush to a manual toothbrush found that the group using the power toothbrush experienced significantly less bleeding of their gums, probably due to a reduced brushing force and the rounded shape of the power toothbrush's bristles.

Power brushes are also easier to use because the brush head is typically smaller than that of a manual brush, so it's easier to maneuver it around your mouth. Since they move over your teeth with precise, repetitive motion, more plaque is removed with a power toothbrush than with a manual toothbrush. And because it's more fun to use—for both adults and children—it's more likely that you'll brush regularly and for a long enough period of time!

Another bonus of a power toothbrush: they're a gadget. They make noise. They are, in essence, power tools. And if they help to keep your mouth cleaner and healthier, everyone wins!