Are you thinking about getting an electric toothbrush? If so, you may be wondering what features should you look for…and what is the best electric toothbrush for your needs? To find out, Bottom Line Personal asked Kami Hoss, DDS, CEO of The Super Dentists, what to consider…
Electric versus manual
You can brush as well with a manual toothbrush as you can with an electric brush…theoretically. But you’re unlikely to do so. Most people’s brushing technique is subpar, and a good electric toothbrush can result in a far superior clean.
Types of electric brushes
Most electric toothbrushes fall into two categories…
- Oscillating: This is an older technology in which the head moves back and forth to clean and polish teeth.
- Sonic: As the name suggests, these brushes use sound waves and vibration to dislodge plaque.
So which is better? Much depends on your personal preference. Oscillating brushes tend to be bulkier and can get caught in braces or other dental devices. Sonic brushes often make a whizzing sound that some people dislike. But when it comes to pure efficiency, sonic brushes usually outperform oscillating models.
Things to keep in mind…
Safety: Always get a brush with soft or ultra-soft polyester (not nylon) bristles. The number one mistake made by well-intentioned people is brushing too harshly and damaging enamel and gum tissue. Brushes with pressure sensors and lights on the handle alert you when you’re brushing too harshly or too lightly.
Effectiveness: Manufacturers usually tout the results of independent laboratory testing that compares their brushes’ plaque removal to that of a manual toothbrush. Before you buy, see what the research says—check out reputable publications like Consumer Reports for unbiased reviews.
Hygiene: Bristles become filthy from the billions of microbes in the mouth and especially when stored near toilets, which disperse bacteria when flushed. Keep brushes away from the toilet and close the toilet lid before flushing. But: Don’t cover the toothbrush bristles with a cap—they need to dry out. You also can purchase a UV sanitizer for toothbrushes or buy a brush with built-in UV cleaning.
Features to ignore
Don’t be dazzled by marketing gimmicks and fancy colors. You need only one or two modes (gentle and normal). As for brushes that come with phone apps, most people end up not using them. Also, high rotations per minute (RPMs) are meaningless, since a toothbrush is supposed to work gently, not like a drill through steel.
Best overall toothbrush
SuperMouth ULTIM8 SmartBrush System with a patented bristle technology, smart pressure sensors and a UV sanitizer. $99.99 to $199.99. SuperMouth.com Disclosure: Dr. Hoss is CEO of SuperMouth and helped develop the SuperMouthUTIM8 SmartBrush System.
Best affordable electric toothbrush
Ordo Sonic Lite—the features of this well-designed brush are stripped down to the essentials. A two-minute timer with “quadrant pacing,” which alerts you when you’ve spent enough time on one area of your mouth, and two modes (“clean” and “sensitive”). $44.99. OrdoLife.com
Other contenders
The Oral-B Pro 1000 ($49.94, Walmart.com) and the Philips Sonicare 4100 ($39.96, Amazon.com) are also reputable, effective and safe choices.
