As a retired dentist, I use an Oral-B 40 manual brush. The most important consideration when choosing a toothbrush is that it should have SOFT, polished-nylon bristles. In spite of the hype in the ads, anyone with average manual dexterity can do a good job brushing with a manual toothbrush.
If you have compromised manual dexterity, by all means use an electric, but again make sure it has SOFT, polished-nylon bristles. How many heads it has and whether thay are round or rectangular and how much you paid for it are pretty inconsequential.
You can look for the ADA seal of approval. It will tell you whether the brush has been tested and accepted by the American Dental Association.
Perhaps, more important is flossing (yes, I know, you've heard it from your dentist and you still don't want to do it. Just do it!), either with a length of floss from a roll (Glide is the easiest to use), or with a "U"-shaped flossing device (Plackers, etc.). I always told my patients, "You don't have to floss all of your teeth, just the ones you want to keep." So, ask your dentist or hygienist to show you how to use floss, if you don't know how. Remember, this isn't punishment, it's taking responsibility for your health.
Finally, I have been using
Soft-Picks by G.U.M., in addition to brushing and flossing, for the past couple of years. They have completely arrested the minor periodontal (gum) disease that I have in a couple of places. Periodontal disease is incurable, but it can be arrested. It is not only the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, it is also linked to heart disease, so controlling it is critical to your general health.
BOTTOM LINE: I can do all of this: brushing, flossing, soft-picking in about three minutes, without any electricity. Haven't had a cavity in decades.
Disclaimer: I am RETIRED and have let my license lapse. I have no connection with Butler, G.U.M., Glide, Oral B or any other dental device manufacturer. But after a dental career that spanned four decades, I did learn to clean my teeth and gums!:S
