If you’re doing it right, you should spend at least 28 minutes a week brushing your teeth. An electric toothbrush can help you achieve a deep clean more so than a manual toothbrush, experts told us. It scrubs away biofilm that can later turn to plaque, and it makes achieving the American Dental Association’s oral b toothbrush heads recommended two minutes of brushing with toothpaste even more simple, and perhaps, delightful. Cleaning modes generally don’t matter, according to experts we spoke with and research we’ve seen. A “sensitive” mode may help people who find a brush’s normal oscillations or vibrations too jarring.
Advanced brushing technology helps build healthy brushing habits and promotes naturally cleaner, whiter teeth. Some users may be motivated by a timer or an app to track brushing, while others may feel overwhelmed by the extra technology. I tested eight total toothbrushes in total, four of which didn’t make the cut.
According to Foreo, one full charge gives a whole year’s worth of battery power. Daruvuri noted that this toothbrush takes up less space than previous models she’s used since she doesn’t have to constantly keep it in a charger on her sink. Save over 50 per cent on this electric toothbrush from Oral-B and achieve dentist-like results from your own bathroom. The Pro 3 comes in this gorgeous pink colour and features the brand’s 360-degree visible gum pressure control and 3D cleaning technology to remove more plaque and maintain healthier gums. The visible gum pressure control stops pulsations and reduces speeds, visibly alerting you by turning to red if you’re brushing too hard and it’s rechargeable with a long-lasting battery.
We’ve recommended this brush since 2015, and it continues to perform well in long-term testing. In September 2017, the Pro 1000 was among the first five electric toothbrushes to receive the ADA Seal of Acceptance. The Pro 1000 has comfortable-feeling oscillating bristles, a simple one-button oral b genius toothbrush interface, and a battery that in our tests lasted on average 11.5 days with twice-daily use. Best of all, you’re not getting overcharged for features like digital monitors, travel cases, or inductive chargers—none of which will actually get your teeth any cleaner than the Pro 1000 can.
The most significant thing about any powered toothbrush that might change over the course of its lifetime is the battery life; over the years, rechargeable batteries tend to lose capacity. In the case of a toothbrush, this might mean it becomes less powerful or doesn’t hold a charge for as many days. While you may think stiff bristles are better at removing plaque, they can cause gum irritation, tooth sensitivity, and damage to the mouth if used too aggressively. An affordable toothbrush that doesn’t skimp on quality, the Colgate Extra Clean Full Head Toothbrush uses circular power bristles to clean teeth effectively and remove plaque. The gripped handle is comfortable to hold, and the built-in tongue scraper helps remove bacteria and freshen your breath.
The brush head on an Oral-B toothbrush oscillates, as opposed to Sonicare’s side-to-side motion. With all that being said, “teeth should be cleaned with gentle brush motion, regardless of the type of brush you use,” Doniger said. If you’re concerned about improper or over-brushing — especially as it pertains to overall gum care and tooth health — talk to your dental hygienist about proper brushing technique. They can walk you through how to brush at their office so you can avoid confusion at home.
Philips Sonicare’s 9900 Prestige is the brand’s top-of-the-line smart toothbrush. It connects to your phone—to track your brushing habits—and has extraneous cleaning modes. The replacement brush heads for the 4100 are slightly more expensive when compared with Oral-B’s, making this brush costlier over the long run.
Similarly, we found the price a lot to spend on multiple, unnecessary cleaning modes (four for the 7500), intensities (three), and travel accessories. It’s been nearly a decade since the first app-connected, or “smart,” electric toothbrushes became available, but most are still at least double the price of a standard electric toothbrush. We don’t think they’re for everyone, but people who can benefit from added guidance and feedback through the brushing process may find a smart toothbrush to be a crucial tool in maintaining oral health. The Philips Sonicare 4100 also has a two-minute timer with quadrant pacing but is less noisy compared with the Oral-B Pro 1000. The Tom’s of Maine Naturally Clean Toothbrush is made from natural, BPA-free materials that are recyclable when you’re ready to replace them.