Manual toothbrush: 43 percent

Power toothbrush: 57 percent

Among the power-brush set, a favorite was Sonicare, with 38 percent of the vote. One-third like Braun Oral-B, with votes split among the many manual and power models Oral-B makes.

In a 2003 rating of toothbrushes, Consumer Reports determined that proper technique and how long you brush—two minutes is optimal—matter more than the type of brush.