The best electric toothbrushes can make a big difference to your oral health. It doesn't have to be hard to switch from manual to electric. We rounded up a variety of options to suit different budgets and requirements in this guide.
The experts say what they say.
Hannah Ripley, a hygienist at Zandielle Dental Practice, says that electric toothbrushes remove more plaque than a manual toothbrush since the brushes rotates or vibrate.
Electric toothbrushes can be useful for people who don't have the dexterity to use a manual toothbrush, making them an accessible option. The electric toothbrush's handles are easy to hold and the brush does all the work without the user having to worry about moving it from tooth to tooth.
Electric toothbrushes are better at removing plaque than manual brushes, making the choice between them a no-brainer, according to a review in the International Journal of Dental Hygiene.
Interdental tooth care for overall oral health and plaque reduction is important, as well as an electric toothbrush. The interdental flossing attachment on some electric toothbrushes uses pressurised water. Manual flossers and interdental brushes can be more affordable.
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Patients using electric toothbrushes have generally better oral hygiene, less decay and less gum problems, says Daniel Theron, a dentist at Treetops dental practice.
If you are planning on making the switch from manual to electric, you need to know how to use an electric toothbrush to get the best results. Which electric toothbrush is the best? Is there any advantage to some brands over others? To help you decide which electric toothbrush to buy, we've put together a list of pros and cons.
The Oral B Genius X is the ideal toothbrush for anyone who wants to improve their dental hygiene. An interactive app tracks and monitors your brushing habits and patterns using A.I. technology, while extra features help users set oral hygiene goals with coaching tips and tricks.
If you're not interested in using the app, there's plenty to like about the Oral B Genius X. The toothbrush has six cleaning modes, including tongue cleaning, sensitive, whitening, gum care and pro cleaning, with a powerful brush head. A charging travel case is included on some models.
The Oral B Genius X has an average of 4.5 stars out of five reviews on Amazon. Many users enjoy the coaching aspects of the app and positive reviews mention a smooth feeling after cleaning. Many users express surprise at how much coverage they were missing during brushing sessions, before using the Oral B Genius X.
Negative reviews report instability of the app, problems connecting more than one user to the app, and the volume of the toothbrush being too loud.
The Oral B Genius X isn't a sonic toothbrush, so it may be a little noisy for users who prefer a quieter brushing session. It is similar to a dishwasher or washing machine. It could be a game-changer for anyone who has been told to improve their brushing technique.
Pro clean had the edge when it came to that clean-mouth feeling after brushing, even though daily cleaning mode was very similar. Gum care mode had a gently massaging, rhythmic oscillation that moved up and down in intensity, while 3D white mode echoed that sensation of having a polish at the dental hygienist.
The Sonicare DiamondClean 9000 has 4 brushing modes, including clean, white, gum health and deep clean+. Each of these modes can be further adjusted to an intensity setting that suits you, giving you a wide range of brushing experiences to choose from.
We felt a difference between clean and deep clean, the latter leaving our teeth feeling cleaner. We didn't notice an enormous amount of difference between the other modes, except that Gum Health was a bit softer on the gums.
The DiamondClean 9000 comes with a free app to help you keep track of your oral hygiene and when you need replacement brush heads. Automatic re-ordering can keep your bathroom cabinet stocked up.
While the Oral B Genius app helps users improve their brushing technique by identifying areas they missed, the DiamondClean 9000 app charts your brushing activity and how much pressure you apply during sessions. Unless you need to be reminded to brush your teeth every day or to ease up on pressure while brushing, you might not get as much from the app.
The DiamondClean comes with a case that is perfect for travel or brushing your teeth at the office, which is a huge plus point.
Users rave about the DiamondClean. Despite its almost silent operating volume, it scores a 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon for its ability to deep clean teeth and remove stains. Users love the convenient charging case. The app's limitations and the fact that the toothbrush doesn't come with extra heads make it expensive to purchase further down the line.
With or without the app, the DiamondClean 9000 has enough features to impress, even at its high price point.
The Waterpik Complete Care 9.0 combines a sonic toothbrush and water flosser in a single device, making it cost-effective and space-saving.
The Waterpik Complete Care 9.0 has a host of extras, such as 5 water flosser tips, 2 brush heads, a storage case and travel case.
Each of the cleaning modes was tested multiple times. Whitening mode adds extra polishing to a brushing session during the recommended two minutes. The most impressive mode to use was massage mode, which gave a gentle massaging pulse to the gum area.
The Waterpik Complete Care 9.0 scored 4.5 stars out of 5 on Amazon.com, with a lot of users scoring it the full 5 stars. Users rate it highly for its ability to deep clean teeth, ease of use and timer function. Many users point to the Waterpik Complete Care 9.0 as being able to resolve dental issues, such as gum infections or issues with cleaning caused by retainers.
There are problems with the battery if it is constantly charging, the water flosser is too loud, and there is a leak from the water reservoir.
It is designed to be plugged into a bathroom sockets near a basin, but it may not be right for everyone. If you want to get the best value for money, you should invest in the Waterpik Complete Care 9.0 instead of shelling out for a toothbrush and flosser.
The Oral B-io Series 9 is marketed as the ultimate clean electric toothbrush.
The Oral B-io Series 9 has an in-built pressure sensor which will light up red when too much pressure is applied, white when brushing is too soft, and green when it is just right, giving brushers the full Goldilocks experience when it comes to brushing. There are 7 brushing modes that include daily clean, sensitive, gum care, intense+, super sensitive, tongue clean and whiten.
There was a change in intensity between the daily, intense+ and sensitive/super sensitive modes. The only mode that was suitable for this reviewer was super sensitive. Gum care left us with a tingly feeling on our teeth. If you're looking for a toothbrush with a good amount of pressure, this is the one for you, but if you're a bit sensitive, there are better options out there.
A 3D A.I. view during brushing is offered by a smart, connected app. Users can track brushing data and gum health over time.
The phone is available in 3 different colors and has a magnetic charge for easy docking. The handle can charge in just 3 hours.
The Oral B-io Series 9 comes with a handy travel case that doubles up as a charger, and a travel refill holder, although only one brush head is provided with the starter kit.
85% of users on Amazon give the Oral B-io Series 9 the full 5 stars, rating its cleaning ability and app function. There is little difference between cleaning modes and problems connecting to the app.
The Oral B-io Series 9 could be the perfect electric toothbrush for you if you are after a smart, connected clean with a brush that looks sleek and stylish on the bathroom shelf.
The Foreo ISSA 3 is sleek and stylish. The toothbrush has a curved handle and a long battery life. The sonic electric toothbrush is made from silicone and bristles are made from plastic.
16 intensity settings allow users to set the level of cleaning, while an angle brush head and extended bristles allow access to hard-to-reach areas of the mouth. The back of the toothbrush head has a ridged panel.
We found that the highest level setting gave the best results, or results closest to that of a regular sonic toothbrush, while the lower levels were redundant. Users with sensitive teeth may prefer to use this toothbrush at a lower setting.
Users of the Foreo ISSA 3 say it has improved gum health and cleaner-feeling teeth. They rate the battery life over several weeks, the stylish design, and the ease of use.
The high price point of the Foreo ISSA 3 is criticized by negative reviews. They don't have a clean feeling after brushing their teeth, so they don't know how well the toothbrush is cleaning their teeth.
The futuristic style of the Foreo ISSA 3 will give your bathroom shelfie the wow factor, even though it doesn't have the extra features found in the other models. The battery life cuts down on energy, time and money.
The Oral B Pro 1000 is a budget-friendly electric toothbrush that does away with all the bells and whistles of its hi-tech neighbors and simply cleans well.
The price of the Oral B Pro 1000 is low, and only one cleaning mode is available. It could be the right toothbrush for you if you are after simplicity. You don't have to worry about which mode to use, or how to connect your phone to it.
The toothbrush has some helpful features, such as a built-in pressure sensor and a timer that help you remember when to move to the next part of your mouth. When you complete the recommended two minutes of brushing time, it will alert you. Replacement brush heads are very affordable.
The Oral B Pro 1000 clears away the confusion and focuses on delivering a powerful clean with its round cross-action brush head, because most people tend to use just one or two cleaning modes on even the most sophisticated brushes. If you have sensitive teeth or gums, it may be too powerful. If you want a toothbrush that promises to whiten teeth or massage gums, look elsewhere.
Colgate's answer to providing an accessible smart brush at a low price point is the sonic toothbrush. Users can choose from a range of colors, including blue, green, purple and black. The design is slightly different from the battery models.
The brush has three brush modes, normal, sensitive and deep clean, and an in-built timer, designed for comfort and accuracy while brushing.
Colgate's smart hum app allows users to track their brushing progress and target brushing to neglected areas, helping you to brush your best. You can redeem points towards rewards in the app, which you can use to buy replacement brush heads.
A starter kit includes a toothbrush handle and head, a travel case, and an extra brush head for up to six months of brushing.
Amazon users love the Hum by Colgate, giving it 4.5 stars out of 5. They rate the connected app experience as easy to use and operate, while many praise the toothbrush's ability to give a powerful clean.
We think you could spend a lot more money on a toothbrush and still get the same experience because of its low price point and connected features. Colgate's Hum is a great value and fun to use.
The Spotlight Oral Care Sonic Toothbrush is an affordable option for those who have never used an electric toothbrush. It uses sonic technology to mimic the feel of a manual toothbrush with a deep- clean effect.
There is a lot to like about the Spotlight Oral Care Sonic Toothbrush. It has an elegant, minimalist design that is available in three stylish colors and three cleaning modes. A charging dock and a sturdy travel case are included. The charging plug is designed for the UK, so you will need an adaptor in order to use it, even though this toothbrush is widely available in the US. Replacements for the toothbrush heads are only $30 and come with a pack of three.
In our at- home testing, we worked our way through all three cleaning modes. We found that the highest setting - white - gave the best results. Users with sensitive teeth may prefer using this toothbrush on the sensitive mode. The brush provided a clean finish that felt similar to a deep clean you might receive at a hygienist, as it was highly effective in removing plaque and discoloration.
The Spotlight Oral Care Sonic Toothbrush has a very positive user review with the majority of users citing a deep clean. The 3-pin charging plug is the focus of negative reviews. If you want to upgrade your oral hygiene routine, you might want to invest in a more premium option, since there is no accompanying app with this toothbrush.
The Spotlight Oral Care Sonic Toothbrush offers a professional deep clean for an affordable price.
If you care for your teeth correctly, you're going to be using the device a lot, so it's worth thinking about comfort first. A firm but comfortable grip is offered by the handle that sits nicely in the palm of your hand.
The battery life is a key factor. The battery life of an electric toothbrush is not much of a problem if it spends most of its life in a charging dock by your bathroom basin. If you travel frequently, you may benefit from an electric toothbrush with a long- lasting battery. The internal battery in the toothbrush can often hold its charge for several weeks.
The simplest features are often the best in electric toothbrushes, and they come with all sorts of technological bells and whistles. Automatic timers can be set to make sure you clean your teeth for the recommended amount of time, usually 2 minutes, and pressure sensors which alert you when you press too hard on your teeth.
When electric toothbrushes have smart features, they are really clever. The smartest apps can map your mouth to give you real time feedback and encourage you to make sure you don't neglect any areas of your mouth. Kids can enjoy that kind of interaction.
There are two types of electric toothbrushes: sonic and oscillating. The round brush heads that rotates at high speeds are used to remove plaque and buff teeth.
Sonic electric toothbrushes use sonic technology that vibrates the head up to 60000 revolutions per minute for a truly thorough clean. There isn't much evidence to support one method over the other, so you have to decide whether you like the slightly less intense brush head over the sonic brush.