Most dentists recommend that their patients must switch to the electric toothbrush. It is three times more effective than the manual toothbrush for removing dental plaque, has several brushing modes to adapt to user needs and can operate for several days on a single charge. A practical choice for everyday use as well as for travel.
Many products have had time to appear on the market to satisfy all budgets, and it is now possible to find very well equipped devices at good prices.
What is the best electric toothbrush?
Having a guide that indicates the advantages and disadvantages of the products is always a good option. We did a test, we evaluated quality and qualities, on that basis, we elaborated this small list where are those that, we consider, are the best electric toothbrushes.
Philips HX9394 / 92 Sonicare Diamond Clean electric toothbrushes
This pack of two brushes from the manufacturer Philips is made with sonic technology that allows a speed of 62,000 movements that reaches interdental spaces, the gum line and deep cleaning in problem areas.
It comes with a Diamond Clean brushing head that improves the health of your gums, provides more whitening and helps you get rid of dental plaque.
It works with lithium-ion batteries that last up to three weeks before reloading, comes with a panel that charges the brush more quickly and is compatible even with smartphones.
Those who already have affirmed that it is a robust product, whose timer tells you when it is time to move to another quadrant of the mouth and when you should finish brushing.
Its price is the highest of our selection, however, taking into account that it is two brushes for the price of one, with high quality and performance, you would be rather making good long-term investments.
Oral-B Genius X with Artificial Intelligence
Oral-B continuously innovates to carry out its mission. GENIUS X electric toothbrush is announced with artificial intelligence.
Artificial intelligence technology helps understand how people brush their teeth and provides real-time feedback of areas of the mouth that need more attention.
The result of the AI and the feedback can be tracked in the dedicated Oral-B app. The electric toothbrush is a high-end model which comes with a home charger, a transport box with storage for 5 heads, USB port and integrated smartphone holder.
And above all not simple vibrations like the classic model, but ultrasonic pulsations that wash teeth even better. Different vibration modes are available depending on your preferences.
Braun Oral-B Genius 8900
The Oral B rechargeable electric toothbrush is designed with Braun technology that helps you whiten teeth and maintain optimal oral care
It comes with a triple pressure control system that improves the health of your gums and also has a position detection technology that indicates the area you have not yet brushed to ensure total care of your teeth and mouth.
It has five modes of brushing: daily cleaning, sensitive, care of the gums, bleached and Pro-Clean, functions that guarantee a more complete cleaning and a pleasant experience of brushing. It is compatible with various replacement heads of Oral B.
It is affordable and is a great investment considering that it is two brushes, high quality and a recognized brand, for the price of one.
Waterpik Sensonic Toothbrush
Equipped with three heads to cover different types of cleaning and an ergonomic non-slip handle, the Waterpik ultrasonic brush helps you in the prevention of gum disease.
It comes with an integrated timer, adjustable speed and a charging base to recharge when necessary. Those who already have it claim that it is a robust and resistant product with a rotation system, which provides greater oral care.
It has a low price and you get it in white, blue and stainless steel. If you also take home the water irrigator from the same manufacturer you will give your teeth better care.
Oral-B Pro 2 2000S Sensi Ultrathin Electric Toothbrush
With its rotating round head, the Pro 2 2000S Sensi Ultrathin brush from Oral-B fulfils its brushing mission well thanks to two modes: Standard and Softness, for more fragile gums.
Its rapid movement allows for a thorough cleaning, whiteness noted from the first brushing and elimination of dental plaque. Despite its effectiveness, this model takes care of your gums with the included brush and a pressure sensor that alerts you to excessive pressure.
Praised for its excellent value for money, users also appreciate its fast charging time and the pressure sensor which optimizes brushing.
Remington Electric Toothbrush
With a battery that can last up to two weeks of use, before recharging, the Remington brush is made with sonic technology of 33,000 movements per minute. It comes with a carrying case, ideal for travelling.
It has a two-minute timer with a 30-second interval 3 cleaning modes: normal, gentle and massage; and, in addition, it has LED indicators and stylized and light design.
It is economical and according to the opinion of those who already have it, it is an ergonomic product, precise and of good quality that guarantees a thorough cleaning and provides an optimal brushing.
Oral-B Vitality Cross Action
It is a mid-range electric brush, with no greater qualities than those with a power of 7600 oscillations per minute. Its performance is for beginners with electric brushes or for those who do not want to spend so much on this product.
It comes with a timer, has heads inspired by professional tools that provide deep cleaning to all teeth and even reaches those deeper and more difficult places.
It has a water-resistant handle, presents no electrical risk to the user and provides a friendly and satisfactory brushing experience.
This model of Oral B is the least expensive of our selection and you get it in different colours and it is compatible with all the heads that are not sonic technology.
Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 5100
At Philips, the Sonicare ProtectiveClean 6100 has everything you would expect from a good electric toothbrush. It has three modes (Clean, White and Gum Care for sensitive gums) accompanied by three levels of intensities, which should please everyone.
It also has pressure sensors and a stopwatch that can ring at 30-second intervals to notify you when to change the area to be brushed.
You can keep it away from a power outlet for 14 days without any problem. The presented version is sold with 2 heads, a charging station and a travel case.
Why use an electric toothbrush?
Dentists recommend automatic brushing over manual brushing. This recommendation is linked to a concern for the proper treatment of crowns and gums. In fact, with automatic brushing, plaque is more easily scoured and gums are better preserved. More specifically, the movements made by the head of the electric toothbrush provide a progressive descaling effect. In addition, thanks to the pressure sensor option, the tool keeps users away from the risks of bleeding and redness.
Given these facts, more practically, what type of electric toothbrush should you take? Should we choose a high-end, mid-range model or rather take the cheapest model available? It is a question of habit and a question of budget. Anyway, all electric toothbrushes, whether they come from oral b and Braun or whether they are produced by Philips have their strengths and weaknesses.
Types of an electric toothbrush
Although there is a wide variety of electric toothbrushes, they are divided into two different types:
- Normal energy: These are low-end, can produce from 3,000 to 7,500 brushed per minute, come with rotating heads that rotate in a circular and some come with pulsating heads that vibrate in the horizontal movement to the front and back. They have a low price range.
- Sonic: It is similar to the electric brush, but with a key difference that is its speed and power. The best of these brushes produce from 30.00 to 40.000 brushed per minute. They generate sound waves and vibrating water molecules that are more effective in cleaning teeth and gums. They have a high price range.
Manual vs. electric toothbrush: which is more efficient?
Most studies on the subject show that electric toothbrushes remove more plaque than manual toothbrushes for the same amount of time. They are therefore generally more effective than conventional brushes and are increasingly recommended by dentists. But it’s not the only advantage they have.
The advantages of the electric toothbrush
Indeed, their effectiveness:
- Electric brushes clean almost by themselves, so it is difficult to “badly” brush your teeth with this kind of toothbrush
- They are also ideal for people with disabilities or gripping difficulties
- Most models of electric brushes are equipped with timers to better respect the recommended 2 minutes of brushing
- The more sophisticated models have different brushing modes suited to a large number of objectives: gum care, whiteness, etc.
- Today there is a wide variety of brushes to offer effective cleaning to wearers of dental appliances or prostheses as well as people suffering from gum disease for example
In short, the electric toothbrush is “easy to use and guarantees longer brushing and often proves to be more effective in adults, especially in implant or periodontal maintenance, provided that it is oscillating-pulsating or sonic.
What to look for when choosing electric toothbrush?
While the basic models bring a standard head and a cleaning program, the most sophisticated models have a series of features that you should consider when buying one, among these are:
- Brush Timer: With
this, you make sure that the brushing lasts a total of two minutes, the time recommended by the dentists. Some are self-programmable, others will sound a kind of alarm when the set time elapses. - Pressure sensors: These allow you to know if you are applying a lot of pressure when brushing your teeth. When this happens some light up or emit sound and others stop working. Remember that to remove the plaque is not necessary to press too much, in fact, this can be harmful to your teeth.
- Soft Grip Handle: The best brushes of this style have a soft grip that gives you more comfort when you hold or use them. They also reduce the vibrations that are felt in the hand when brushing.
- Power levels and speed of brush movement: The number of brushes per minute makes the difference. Tests show that sonic toothbrushes clean teeth more effectively than regular toothbrushes. Generally, brushes with selectable modes and several power levels are more recommendable than those that only have an
on / off function. - Brush head type: If you prefer large brush heads, similar to the heads of manual brushes, pulsating rotators may be an option. If you are looking for precision and cleanliness in difficult areas, small heads will come better. There are also heads and bristles designed for specific purposes, such as whitening, flossing, sensitive teeth and braces. Choose the one that best suits your needs and
remember that you should change them every 2 or 3 months. - Size: The size will depend on the age of the user. For children and adolescents between the ages of 4 and 12, a lightweight child’s brush is recommended, which is easier to hold. You can get a normal size if the user is adult, but put a small head to make it easier to manoeuvre. In case of travel, a thin and light brush is the best option.
- Battery type and the life: Make sure you choose electric toothbrushes with rechargeable batteries. The best electric toothbrush is rechargeable with a long-lasting battery. It is recommended to choose brushes with indicators of the life of the battery or that indicates when it should be recharged.
- UV Disinfectant: A UV disinfectant produces UV light that shines on the brush heads, killing any existing bacteria or germs that can grow in that area of the brush while in the bathroom. They are highly recommended for hygiene purposes, especially if you live in messy or crowded areas, where dirt and germs from the environment and other people can accumulate in your brush head.
- Licenses and guarantees: The vast majority of good electric toothbrushes offer you, at least, 12 months or more guarantee. Some manufacturers give a return guarantee of 14 to 30 days, time in which you can try the product and decide if you like it or not.
How does electric toothbrush work?
As we have already told you, the electric brush should be used twice a day, as recommended by dentists. The best being in the morning and in the evening and for two minutes. We recommend that you spend 30 seconds on the upper right, 30 seconds on the upper left, 30 seconds on the lower right and finally 30 seconds on the lower left. You will have a deep and effective brushing.
Most models have a handy timer for timing brushing times, and some even emit a signal every 30 seconds to let you know you need to change the game.
Remember to charge your electric brush well.
Here are the steps for brushing with this type of brush:
- Start by wetting your brush
- Put your toothpaste on the brush
- Brush your teeth starting with the gum and then brush the inner surface of the tooth before ending with the outer surface of the tooth. Make a circular movement with the brush and brush two teeth at the same time
- Once you have brushed all parts of your mouth, touch the surface of your tongue with the head of the brush.
- Now rinse your mouth with water
- Rinse the brush head
- Remember to put the toothbrush back on its charger
Is the electric toothbrush suitable for children?
As we have just seen, the electric toothbrush is more effective than the manual toothbrush and the good news is that it can be used by children. More so, it has specific advantages over the manual toothbrush for the youngest:
- It is easier to use than a manual brush because it is enough to put it on the surface of the teeth
- She is more playful
- It is often decorated and therefore prettier
- It is sometimes equipped with a timer to ensure that the brushing is long enough
- New models are even connected to mobile apps so kids can keep track of their brushing progress
Be careful, however, the electric toothbrush is reserved for children over 5 years old and it is imperative to choose a model suitable for the little ones: a small brush, handle easy to hold in hand, etc.
