I sometimes brush too hard, and the Philips Sonicare buzzed and lit up when I pressed down too hard with the toothbrush — a gentle nudge to let me know to lighten the pressure. The brush also automatically adjusts intensity if you’re pushing too hard. Here are the best six electric toothbrushes for the whole family, according to my personal testing and dental experts. The Oral-B Pro 500 has two brushing modes so you can set the power depending on how much sensitivity you have. If changing from a manual toothbrush, start in sensitive mode and gradually adjust the power. Some missed a pressure sensor and thought the visual cues for the cleaning modes could have been clearer; however, everyone who tested it said they’d stick to this model in future.
It’s the same ‘game-ification’ that the language-learning app Duolingo uses to make you stick to your goals. You can choose a ‘journey’ – fresh breath, plaque fighter, whitening, gum health or ortho care – each with different advice and different cleaning modes to use. It has a smooth magnetic stand that holds a charge for around two weeks. The head is slimmer than other brushes and more easily reaches the hard-to-brush back teeth and inner surfaces.
Oral-B’s brush head refills are, on average, less expensive than brand-name replacement heads for other brushes. Dentists recommend getting a new toothbrush every three months, so these cost savings oral b braun toothbrush can add up over time. Philips Sonicare brush heads tend to be more expensive, but the Waterpik and Dazzlepro brands have heads that are roughly the same price as those of the Oral-B’s.
And while we feared the worst from the NiMH battery, it actually lasted a reasonable 43 minutes in our tests. We would like to see a pressure sensor and a charging indicator, but if you only have around £22 to spend on a toothbrush, this is as good as it gets. They work with companion apps that time your brushes, keep a diary of your activity and provide oral hygiene tips or snippets of news.
Since October 2021, the charging pedestal that accompanies any new 4100 has only a USB plug. Customers can request a free two-prong plug adapter from Philips Sonicare. Sonic brushes resemble traditional toothbrush heads and are the default for Philips’ Sonicare range. Instead of rotating, they vibrate at ultra-high frequencies to wash plaque and dirt away from the gum line.
That being said, I do think it’s a good options for anyone with gum sensitivities. The silicone bristles are so soft and flexible, they gently sweep across your teeth and gums, and though it all feels a little weird, my mouth does feel clean after use. It’s true you can still get the progress reports and ‘journeys’ if you leave your phone in the bedroom – the toothbrush talks to the app via Bluetooth – but in practice I found that I stopped bothering after a few days. On the plus side, those few days’ guidance were enough to change how I brush my teeth. I spend much longer on each zone now, trying to get the little smiley face on the toothbrush’s built-in screen that says I’ve done well.