An electric toothbrush may help those who have difficulty brushing their teeth, although it's not proven to clean better than a regular toothbrush.
Toothpaste also contains abrasives.
Designed to clean and polish teeth, abrasives include silica, alumina, calcium or low levels of baking soda. If a paste is too abrasive, however, it may damage teeth, creating a place for bacteria to accumulate. While plaque can be brushed away, toothpaste manufacturers must prove to the ADA that their paste prevents gingivitis in order to make a claim to fighting plaque. Tartar, on the other hand, can only be removed by a dental professional. Tartar-control toothpastes won't defeat existing tartar, but do help prevent further buildup.