Sing “Happy Birthday” three times. Floss daily. Make sure you brush your gums, too.
We’ve heard it all but, sometimes, it isn’t as simple (though highly important). And, much to our luck, some of the best electric toothbrushes on the market can help carve out the work for you.
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In contrast to the manual ones you can pick up at your local dollar store, electric toothbrushes boast modern technology to help clean off debris and maintain that pearly white smile you all want and seek.
Post Wanted Picks
- Best Tested: Philips Sonicare 4100 Power Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush
- Best Budget: hum by Colgate Smart Battery Toothbrush Kit
- Best Splurge: Waterpik Sensonic Sonic Electric Toothbrush
- Best Travel: quip Sonic Toothbrush
- Most Recommended: Oral-B iO Series 5 Limited Rechargeable Electric Powered Toothbrush
“An electric toothbrush is more effective in removing food, debris and bacteria from your mouth, particularly between your teeth and at the gumline, compared to a manual toothbrush,” Sharon Huang, DDS, board-certified dentist founder of NYC’s Les Belles, told the New York Post. “Research has shown that brushing for two minutes with an electric toothbrush is equivalent to brushing for seven minutes manually.”
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Surprisingly, I’m a semi-recent newcomer to the world of electric toothbrushes. They’ve been around for years, though I’ve only been using them (on strict rotation) for four months. So, you’re receiving the freshest of the product reviews yet.
Ahead, the New York Post has tested and reviewed the best electric toothbrushes to buy in 2024, plus teamed up with dentist experts for additional recommendations. We pieced together an in-depth FAQ section, too, sharing some helpful notes before shopping for one.
Click to jump to a specific section:
- Best Electric Toothbrush Overall
- Best Budget Electric Toothbrushes
- Best Electric Toothbrush Worth the Splurge
- Best Electric Toothbrushes for Travel
- More Recommended Electric Toothbrushes
- Best Electric Toothbrushes for Kids
the best electric toothbrush tested
Philips Sonicare 4100 Power Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush
Pros:
- Includes a two-minute StarTimer to ensure you’re brushing for the dentist-recommended time
- Offers a whiter clean with each use
- Comes with a brush head for travel sanitation
Cons:
- None to speak of
As the most gentle electric toothbrush that offered a near-instantaneous brighter smile with each use, the Philips Sonicare 4100 Power Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush is the clear-cut winner among this list. Not only is it fairly priced between $35 and $50 on the market but its quality is second to none.
Specifically, it’s a No. Amazon best-seller with more than 32,000 alluring reviews — but that’s not why it’s our favorite. The two-minute SmarTimer with QuadPacer ensures a dentist-recommended brushing time, and its pressure sensor and two intensity settings protect sensitive gums from the impact of overbrushing.
What I liked most about this toothbrush, specifically, it how lightweight yet effective it is. Truly, it doesn’t feel like a high-tech item because of its feather-weight design but its oval-shaped brush head made it almost effortless to touch on the gum area, in between teeth and my tongue.
Additionally, its inclusion of a brush head makes it fit for travel and ensures its ultra-sanitary. It’s relatively quiet to use, simple to recharge and one of the best value items you can invest in.
Best Budget Electric Toothbrushes
hum by Colgate Smart Battery Toothbrush Kit
Pros:
- Less than $25 on Amazon
- Compact and pairs with an app via Bluetooth
- Gentle on your gums
Cons:
- The app isn’t completely necessary
For an electric toothbrush model that’s affordable but doesn’t compromise quality, the hum by Colgate Smart Battery Toothbrush Kit is the clear-cut answer to the lingering question: What electric toothbrush can I buy, for less?
It delivers powerful sonic vibrations in two modes; that way, you can personalize your pulse by choosing the vibration level that suits you (either normal or sensitive). This conscious feature is especially for those with sensitive gums, like me.
I love how simple it is to use, most notably. For the price, it’s a to-the-point electric toothbrush that’s gentle enough to make me reach for it and inexpensive enough to allow me to repurchase it.
And, for the money — it still includes the bells and whistles most other models have. Namely, its two-minute timer reminds you of how long you *should* be brushing for.
AMAZON $14.50
Lumineux Sonic Electric Toothbrush for Adults
Pros:
- Eco-friendly bamboo brush head
- Dentist designed
- 5 cleaning modes
Cons:
- No timer
Although we wish this electric toothbrush came with a timer, we do love the five different cleaning modes it has. From whitening to polishing to plain old regular cleaning, our teeth enjoy them all. We also love its bamboo head and soft bristles! And the fact it’s under $100 on Amazon? Even flossier!
AMAZON $75.00
BURST Pro Sonic Toothbrush
Pros:
- One of the easiest models to use, especially for its brushing timer setting
- Ergonomic, contoured handle
Cons:
- Vibrations could be gentler
I’ve been hearing much about the brand BURST (in fact, it’s one of the New York Post readers’ favorite oral hygiene brands!) Here’s the latest — its Pro Sonic Toothbrush is one of the more recent models to join the electric toothbrush party, and its benefits are pretty celebratory.
Notably, the model features an advanced pressure sensor to prevent over-brushing and protect gums with real-time feedback. I was impressed with the integrated screen at the handle’s center gave me a thumbs-down sign on a day it didn’t quite approve of my brushing.
More, it displays five custom modes (whitening, clean, massage, sensitive, freshen) and a two-minute timer with a 30-second quad interval timer. This interval timer tracks brushing more keenly.
While its vibrations could be a bit gentler on the gums, I love using it for the screen. Truthfully, it reminds me of a kids’ toothbrush (where it encourages you to brush for longer) and sometimes, I *really* need that reminder. Its easy to clean, too, and I find the brush heads last for quite a bit, unlike some others where I’ve had to replace them much sooner.
Overall, it’s a nifty electric toothbrush that’s fairly priced for the specs, compared to some others on this list. Other colors are available to choose from as well.
AMAZON $94.99
Best Electric Toothbrush Worth the Splurge
Waterpik Sensonic Sonic Electric Toothbrush
Pros:
- Soft bristles
- Unique cleaning modes and settings that make it a wonderful value
Cons:
- Vibrations could have been a bit gentler
- No toothbrush head protector, though a full travel case is included
From the brand that brought you the infamous Waterpik Flosser ($85), the Sensonic Sonic Electric Toothbrush is another big-deal item I have to place on your radar. It’s most similar to the best overall pick, the Philips Sonicare 4100 Power Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush — both for its style and efficacy.
With a bit larger of a brush head, it’s fairly priced and comes with three active modes and a travel case for convenience. Its three modes are effective as well: Clean- (for everyday performance), Stain Removal (for removing surface stains) and Gum Care (for gently enhancing gum stimulation).
I find this electric toothbrush offers the perfect amount of settings for the experience you get. It doesn’t have 15+ settings that are confusing to me. Instead, its three settings offer the right amount of power and cleaning efficacy to leave my teeth fresh and clean.
More, its quite modern-day, to say the least. Its two-minute timer includes a 30-second pacer to encourage you to brush longer. The recharge indicator is another useful feature I appreciate as it prevents the toothbrush from dying on you while in use.
With ADA-compliant soft bristles, ultra-quiet technology and an ergonomic handle, it’s quite the triple threat. While I would have loved the brush head to have its own protector — and, for the vibrations to have been a note more gentle — it’s a worthy pick.
AMAZON $89.67
Best Electric Toothbrushes for Travel
quip Sonic Toothbrush
Pros:
- Soft bristles
- Travel case adds another layer of convenience
Cons:
- Brush heads have to be replaced more regularly than most
- One vibration setting, though not a dealbreaker
When I first began using the quip Sonic Toothbrush, I thought, “Wow, this is incredible for the money.” Not only is it a signature pick on the affordability front but it’s also the best one for traveling, all thanks to its slim design and included protector.
The brand is available at a wealth of online retailers and it features some of the softest bristles I’ve used. Though its brush head does have to be replaced often (even more so, as the moisture and leftover toothpaste residue is inevitably trapped, at times, in the holder), it’s not a dealbreaker given how effective it is at brushing. However, if you *really* take care of it and wipe the bristle with a clean microfiber cloth, it should last you up to three months before a replacement is needed.
Above all else, I love how versatile it is. Whether it sits nice and pretty on my counter or is safely packed in my duffle bag for a weekend trip, it’s one of the options on this list I trust enough to take with me everywhere while not needing a whole battery pack and stand for.
Oral-B iO Series 3 Limited Electric Toothbrush
Pros:
- Lightweight to hold
- Small brush head allows the model to clean hard-to-reach areas inside the mouth
Cons:
- Not as gentle, so not recommended for those with sensitive gums
When you think of electric toothbrushes, Oral-B is a surefire household name. Its iO Series 3 Limited Electric Toothbrush is a premier option that gives “small but mighty” new meaning. Because its brush head is small, it’s able to power through hard-to-reach places inside the mouth.
At first, I didn’t love how small the brush head was. After all, it seemed like it wouldn’t clean my teeth as well due to its compromised room to lay my toothpaste on. However, it’s power is pretty impressive and, while the bristles could be gentler, I find myself reaching for this on days where my mouth feels a bit dry or in need of more of a deeper clean.
With more than 4,000 sensational reviews on Amazon alone, it’s the real deal. It does include a proprietary pressure sensor, Oral-B’s only one to signal if you are applying what’s said to be the “ideal pressure” for an “effective, safe clean.” While this feature is surely noticeable, the brush itself could have been a bit gentler. That aside, it’s a solid option, as far as electric toothbrushes go.
More Recommended Electric Toothbrushes
Oral-B iO Series 5 Limited Rechargeable Electric Powered Toothbrush
Pros:
- Round head to reach molars
- Gum protecting pressure sensors
- 2 minute timer
Cons:
- Pricey
There are many electric toothbrushes on the market and it’s not easy determining which one deserves a space at your bathroom counter. “If the electric toothbrushes have the ADA (American Dental Association) seal of acceptance, then we know they are safe and efficient, if used correctly,” DiFoggio advices. For this reason, we like Oral-B. A number of the brand’s electric toothbrushes have earned the coveted seal, including those in the iO Series.
A favorite? The iO Series 5. It has a built-in timer, pressure sensors to keep you from brushing too hard or soft, and also works with an AI powered app that tracks how and when you brush.
Customer review: “I don’t love brushing my teeth, to be honest. This thing rocks. Removed plaque I didn’t know was plaque. I highly recommend.”
AMAZON $219.99
Oral-B Pro 1000 CrossAction Electric Toothbrush
Pros:
- Different cleaning modes
- Sensitive mode
- Affordable
Cons:
- Some reviewers complain about the charge time
This is an entry-level oscillating electric toothbrush if some of the other options are too pricey. “I like that it has a sensor to let you know if you’re brushing too hard and a timer that goes off every 30 seconds so you know when to move to a different section of your mouth,” Dr. Huang says.
More than, 55,000 folks on Amazon have given it five stars, making it one of the best rated electric toothbrushes around. Its small, round head easily moves from tooth to tooth — even the hard to reach ones in the back. It’s also gentle, so if you have sensitive gums, give it a shot. Another bonus? That it comes in white, blue and pink, which makes brushing something to look forward to even more!
Customer review: “Love this thing- it hits the sweet spot between having the features I most want (the pressure sensor, 3 modes, and the 30-second quadrant timer) without having a lot of silly extras like connection to an app and such. I got this as an upgrade from a slightly more basic model from the [same company] and I love it. Highly recommend.”
AMAZON $49.99
Soniclean PRO 3500 Toothbrush
Pros:
- Good value
- Has five cleaning modes
- Water-resistant
Cons:
- May not be great for those with sensitive teeth
For a standout electric toothbrush that’ll do the job, the Soniclean PRO 3500 Toothbrush is one of the best values we’ve seen, considering it comes with not one, not two but eight brush heads. It’s also water-resistant, boasts a two-minute smart timer (to ensure a dentist-recommended clean) and comes with a one-year warranty in case anything goes awry.
Don’t forget to also check out the Soniclean toothbrushes at Amazon.
Customer review: “I have braces but like the sensitive setting on this brush. When I get an adjustment, that setting is just what I need to get clean without the pain. I also love that it comes with eight heads because having braces, I change my toothbrush out more frequently than before. I like the color and the slender design. My old one was bulky and I didn’t use it much. The size of the brush heads are great as well. They’re not too small. My mouth feels fresh when I finish.”
AMAZON $39.99
Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9300 Rechargeable Toothbrush
Pros:
- Has four cleaning modes
- Three different brush head types included
- 4.5 stars on Amazon, and more than 9,000 ratings
Cons:
- Corded charger
“This is certainly one of the more pricey options, but it has tons of great features like sensors that tell you if you’re using too much pressure, as well as the ability to sync your toothbrush up to your phone to see where you need to pay more attention to cleaning,” Dr. Huang notes.
DiFoggio also favors a toothbrush with sensors. She says, “I [recommend] electric toothbrushes with pressure sensors, since they are especially great at helping you know what type of pressure to use when holding their toothbrush on your teeth. If you are someone with gum recession [or] you’ve been told by your dental provider to be more gentle when brushing your teeth, I would definitely consider using one that has a visual pressure sensor or a pulsing pressure sensor.”
The electric toothbrush has three intensities, four cleaning modes, and comes with three different brush heads that automatically pair with the right mode to give a proper cleaning. Capable of removing 10 times the plaque in comparison to a manual brush (including around the gums), your smile will thank you every time you look in the mirror.
Customer review: “I have used Phillips electric toothbrushes for many years. I love them. Good quality, long lasting, and easy to use.”
AMAZON $235.99
The Waterpik Complete Care 5.0 Water Flosser + Sonic Electric Toothbrush
Pros:
- Includes seven tips
- 22-ounce reservoir
- 10 cleaning settings
Cons:
- Takes up a lot of counterspace
- On the noisy side
Customers also love the Waterpik Complete Care 9.0
If you’re searching for the best electric toothbrush and water flosser combo, look no further. An ADA approved brand, this is also one of the best electric toothbrushes for braces. The bristles of the toothbrush have a high-low design and are soft enough to be gentle on teeth and gums, while still being tough enough to dislodge debris. The water flosser easily moves behind metal and the gaps between teeth, removing plaque with a quickness! Switch between the different cleaning settings to find your favorite. We suggest sticking to the lower ones if your mouth is on the sensitive side. Regardless, we think you’ll love it as much as the 1,000 plus Best Buy customers who swear by it.
Customer review: “Excellent. Just what we needed for my pre-teen as he begins his journey with braces.”
Philips Sonicare Prestige 9900 Electric Toothbrush
Pros:
- A brush that adapts to your cleaning needs in real time
- Comes with a leatherette case
- Links to app to give replacement reminders
Cons:
- Some customers report issues with the app, as well as with the toothbrush staying charged
If you’re looking to splurge on oral care, there’s no better electric toothbrush than Philips’ Sonicare Prestige 9900 Electric Toothbrush. Boasting the same brand Dr. Huang loves, it’s even more precise thanks to the SenseIQ technology that brings more motion to your teeth and gums, along with its angled bristles to remove more plaque.
Customer review: “This is a beautiful looking electric toothbrush. It works great and I’ve noticed a difference in how my teeth feel after brushing in comparison to another brand I was using for years. This color is gorgeous. I think for the price, the battery life could be better but I still recommend it if you’re looking for a higher quality electric toothbrush. I travel quite a bit and it’s super easy to pack, as it isn’t too bulky. It comes with a beautiful case too.”
AMAZON $379.96
Oral-B iO Series 10 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush
Pros:
- Personal brush coaching through base — no app required
- Seven cleaning modes
- Fully charges in three hours
- Offers brush tracking through app
Cons:
- Expensive
Is this toothbrush pricey? Yes. Yes, it is. However, it’s also really neat and one of the best Oral-B electric toothbrush options. It can guide the entire brushing experience — without the use of its app — thanks to its charging base. It has seven different cleaning modes, including one that focuses on cleaning your tongue and another for whitening your pearlies. It also comes with a charging travel case, so you can keep that million dollar smile going on vacay.
Customer review: “Replaced an aging older Oral-B model that was beginning to have charging issues and splurged on the top of line model. Wow. This toothbrush works really well and feels like a dentist cleaning each time. Seems much faster and more thorough than the one I replaced.”
AMAZON $399.99
Burst Sonic Toothbrush
Pros:
- Has smart timer
- Offers 3 different modes of cleaning
Cons:
- Bristles may feel too soft for some
“This is my personal favorite,” Dr. Huang shares. “It’s the most gentle electric toothbrush I’ve used (and I’ve tried them all!).”
Namely, she likes that the bristle is delicate and soft, which is essential. And, she still gets a great clean every time she uses this brush.
Aside from white, this slim electric toothbrush also comes in black, pink and purple. For more of a value, opt to order the bundle on Amazon for a box that comes with four replacement heads and a travel case.
Customer review: “Absolutely love this toothbrush. I had the first generation of Burst toothbrushes. I upgraded to the new one recently and absolutely love it. Can’t recommend this product enough. Their warranty is great. The battery on my last toothbrush died and would only work after every charge — they replaced it for free! This new generation can hold a charge for a week without having to keep it on the stand. We travel a lot, so that’s a huge perk for me.”
AMAZON $45.60
Brüush Electric Toothbrush Kit
Pros:
- Sleek design
- Good for travel
- Six different cleaning modes
Cons:
- Some reviewers report issues reaching customer service
“This is another compact option that is great for travel,” Dr. Huang says. “It has a USB power charger and adaptor, so it’s easy to take with you wherever you go.”
Conveniently, Bruush also has an optional subscription plan, so you can receive automatic brush heads sent to you directly. The color options are unique, too. More importantly, it has multiple cleaning modes, has a 4 week battery life, and a 2 minute timer.
Customer review: “There is no comparison between Bruush and standard toothbrushes. The Bruush exceeds all expectations.”
SURI Sustainable Electric Toothbrush
Pros:
- UV-C travel case
- No app to download
- Vibration based cleaning
Cons:
- Doesn’t have ADA seal
There’s a few things we like about this electric toothbrush. For starters, it doesn’t have an app, so if you can’t deal with downloading another thing, this could be for you. Armed with a 40-day battery lifespan, as well as a waterproof design, the brush offers more than 30,000 sonic vibrations to dislodge plaque and hidden food. It’s slim, which we love, because packing a bulky brush is annoying. Its carrying case also has UV-C lighting to kill bacteria. Okay, we like more than a few things about this pick, and so do the 4,000 reviews who’ve given it a five star rating. While we do wish it had an ADA seal to back it, we’re excited to know that it’s the winner of several awards.
Customer review: “I absolutely love my SURIi toothbrush! T[en out of ten I would recommend it!] Sustainability, reparability and the lifetime guarantee were the primary reasons I purchased one, as I needed to replace my previous perfectly functional electric toothbrush (because the heads for it were discontinued). And I’m so glad I decided to get one — I love it! The toothbrush itself is high quality and my teeth have never felt so clean. I particularly like the fact that I can switch between the everyday clean mode and the polish mode. Very shortly after I got mine, everyone else in my family also wanted one, so now my house has one of each color! I’ve had it a month and have not had to charge it yet, and the case it came with is very convenient for travel. It’s worth noting that the UV cleaning light only works when the case is plugged in to charge, meaning I don’t use it as often as I thought I would. But it’s still a nice feature to have.”
Gleem Electric Toothbrush
Pros:
- Less than $30
- Battery operated
- Timer and memory function
Cons:
- Lack of different settings
- Flimsy
All electric toothbrushes make noise. However, this one is on the quieter side and doesn’t disappoint in the cleaning department. Its soft brush has rounded filaments to buff and shine, and there’s even a built-in memory function if you have to pause mid-brushing.
Customer review: “This toothbrush helped me get a great checkup at the dentist. The hygenist said i had very little plaque. I was in and out of the chair in 23 minutes, and that included talking and a fluoride treatment. She said the toothbrush made the difference!
AMAZON $19.98
Philips One by Sonicare Rechargeable Toothbrush
Pros:
- Tapered bristles for brushing flexibility
- Two-minute timer with 30-second notifications
- A charge that last for 30 days
- Also works with AAA battery
Cons:
- Needs a USB-cable to charge without battery
- No intensity or different style of cleaning options
Just like Huang, Lowenberg also loves Philips Sonicare toothbrushes. “[It’s] amazing configuration of bristles [that] make you actually feel like the bristles are getting in between the teeth, and the vibrating power of the brush leaves your mouth feeling like your teeth have been thoroughly cleaned,” Lowenburg said.
Customer review: “Some sonic style brushes are simply too strong and make brushing uncomfortable. Thus brush works amazingly without being uncomfortable. I like being able to replace the batteries versus having to recharge it. Makes using it while traveling easier.”
AMAZON $29.96
FOREO ISSA 3 Rechargeable Electric Ultra-Hygienic Sonic Toothbrush
Pros:
- Bristles made of nylon silicone
- 365 days of brushing after 2-hour charging
- Color options
Cons:
- Intensities are not that intense
For a more ergonomic design, the FOREO ISSA 3 features a handle that, according to Lowenberg, “allows you to effectively reach every part of the mouth.” What’s notable about this design is how the bristles are made with silicone, which is nonabrasive and soft, which he also notes provides a gentler, more comfy brushing experience.
“Another benefit is that the bristles are nonporous silicone which is resistant to bacteria build-up,” he said. “I typically recommend that my patients use a soft-bristled, electric toothbrush with a timer, like the Issa, because they remove plaque and stains more effectively while still being gentle on tooth enamel and helping to prevent gum recession.”
Customer review: “What I like about the Issa 3 Sonic Toothbrush is the minimalistic design and the fact that it is charged with a USB cable. Usually when I think of electric toothbrushes, I think of clunky charging docks and accessories which take up so much counter space and aren’t the most travel friendly. I’d honestly dare to travel with the Issa 3 — even without its charging cable, because it holds a charge really well. I’ll have to test out the 365 days with only one charge claim but it’s doing amazing so far. The design is similar to a classic toothbrush only slightly larger, and the silicone material is softer so it isn’t rough on the gums. I haven’t experienced any bleeding while getting used to it, like I did with regular soft toothbrushes.”
AMAZON $189.00
AquaSonic DUO PRO
Pros:
- ADA approved
- Comes with eight brush head attachments
- Only needs to be charged once per month
Cons:
- Takes up a lot of room
Where do we start with this bad boy? It’s simply amazing — and so reasonably priced! Featuring a flexible head and four different cleaning mode. We love the UV sanitizing station meets charging dock, as well as its timer. A single charge will give you 30 days of uninterrupted brushings, and two travel cases are also included.
Customer review: “Works great! Stays charged and travels well. I like the whitening setting. The clean setting is intense! It does the 30 sec intervals and I’ve noticed a huge difference in the whiteness and cleanliness of my teeth. A great buy for an awesome price.”
Best Electric Toothbrushes For Kids
Oral-B Kids Electric Toothbrush
Pros:
- Has pressure sensor
- Includes an additional brush head
Cons:
- Only one color option
This pick from Oral-B is one of the best electric toothbrush for kids. It doesn’t hurt that it’s also an Amazon Choice product, too — because getting kids to brush their teeth can sometimes be a struggle (you can say that again).
“It comes in a few character options, like Moana, which can help motivate,” Dr. Huang shares. “On the cleaning side, it comes with gentle brush heads and has a magic timer app to help kids brush for the recommended time.”
Customer review: “Perfect for teaching the kiddo how to brush. The timer and pressure notifications are obviously and very helpful.”
AMAZON $49.99
Spinbrush Kids Battery Powered Toothbrush
Pros:
- Affordable
- Battery operated
- ADA seal of approval
Cons:
- Very basic
You don’t have spend a lot of money to up your child’s brushing game. This kid’s electric toothbrush is $5, ADA approved, and is easy to handle. It doesn’t have the frills an adult brush has but does your child need those? Probably not.
Customer review: “I never would have thought that buying a motorized toothbrush would have my son so motivate to remind me to help him brush his teeth. It’s definitely convenient and very helpful to help a 5-year-old train to brush his teeth. Having Yoshi on it is a plus, and my boy loves Mario, so another win for Dad!”
AMAZON $6.12
How we tested
While brushing away, there are specific criteria I kept in mind — for a testing period of four months — while vibrating my electric toothbrush on to unveil pearlier whites:
- Gentleness: At the time of testing, I have Invisalign treatment (you know, the invisible braces). For that reason, it was a wonderful time to experiment with which electric toothbrushes may be best. In all honesty, if toothbrushes vibrating far too heavily, I made sure to note that.
- Travel-friendliness: Most electric toothbrushes hold a pretty large charge time. However, some are more equipped for traveling, clad with covers or cases.
- Settings: As you can imagine, some electric toothbrushes have a litany of speeds and settings to choose from. I made note of which ones piqued my interest the most.
- Value: When you can go out and buy a toothbrush (or two, or three) at your local dollar store, it’s imperative to explain the value in a given electric toothbrush. Why is it worth it? This consideration was answered for each pick.
An FAQ on Electric Toothbrushes
To help you find the right toothbrush for you, we spoke to three different oral hygiene experts: Sharon Huang, DDS, founder of NYC’s Les Belles, Dr. Marina Gonchar, DMD and owner ofthe New Jersey-based practice Skin to Smile, and Whitney DiFoggio, BS, RDH and founder of TeethTalkGirl.com.
“As a dental hygienist, I recommend electric toothbrushes to almost all of my patients,” DiFoggio notes. “This is because there is a less chance of user error when brushing with an electric toothbrush. Since they don’t do the work for you like electric toothbrushes, manual toothbrushes have a higher chance of [being used] incorrectly.”
Benefits of electric toothbrushes
Aside from brushing away to better oral health, electric toothbrushes have unique capabilities that render them better than manual ones.
“Electric toothbrushes either rotate the bristles or use sonic energy to remove debris, plaque and bacteria so they are washed away,” Dr. Huang explains. “Electric toothbrushes can be much more gentle on teeth and gums compared to the force you’d need to use with a manual toothbrush to get the same results.”
Plus, electric toothbrushes are also great for children who haven’t fully learned how to properly remove all food, or for anyone with mobility issues that would prevent them from brushing their teeth properly, per Dr. Huang. Not to mention, people who usean electric toothbrush have better oral health compared to people who do not — meaning their gums and teeth are healthier overall, Huang notes.
Dr. Marina Gonchar, DMD and owner ofthe New Jersey-based practice Skin to Smile also notes that the design makes it easier for people with limited mobility “as it requires less wrist and hand motion.”
What type of features should one look for in an electric toothbrush?
First things first — look for an electric toothbrush with a head that will comfortably fit inside your mouth. “Typically, smaller is better so that the toothbrush head can maneuver all around your mouth and in the front, behind and on top of your teeth,” Dr. Huang notes.
She also recommends looking for an electric toothbrush that has extra soft bristles. “The soft bristles in an electric toothbrush strike the right balance of being effective, yet gentle on your teeth and gums so as not to cause irritation,” Dr. Huang adds. “Abrasiveness brushes will strip enamel and cause gum recession.”
DiFoggio likes toothbrushes with timers. She says, “Different electric toothbrushes will provide different benefits depending on the individual’s dental health, such as tooth sensitivity, gum recession, swollen gums. My best advice is to always ask your personal dental provider which toothbrush they feel would best fit your needs.
“I always recommend electric toothbrushes with built-in timers. This beneficial feature tells you how long to brush and some even tell you when to switch quadrants. A normal tooth brushing session should be 2 minutes and you should spend 30 seconds cleaning each of the 4 quadrants in your mouth.”
Gonchar also notes the importance of different brushing modes, which “provide versatile functionality for changing dental needs.”
When should I replace my electric toothbrush head?
The general rule of thumb is to replace your toothbrush head every 12 weeks, according to Dr. Huang. And, it’s best to replace your toothbrush head sooner if you’ve been sick or if you notice missing, frayed or loose bristles.
Is it better to go for a vibrating toothbrush or one that has rotating bristles?
“Both oscillating (rotating) and sonic (vibrating) electric toothbrushes are equally effective,” says DiFoggio. “Electric toothbrushes are capable of making thousands of tiny strokes in just a few seconds, whereas manual toothbrushes are not. So, if you use an electric toothbrush properly, you should be able to clean your teeth above average.”
What is the perfect dental hygiene routine I should practice daily?
This is a question likely everyone wants more clarity about (us included). Luckily, Dr. Huang provides her expert tips.
“The best oral care routine consists of daily flossing, teeth brushing twice daily, removing bacteria from the tongue with a scraper daily and mouth rinsing daily — in this order,” she instructs. “The two most important items are daily flossing and twice-daily brushing.”
And, if you want to add a mouthwash, too, Dr. Huang says to “go for it” (aside from visiting a dentist a least twice a year for a deep clean and/or if you’re experiencing any kind of pain or irritation in your mouth).
How do I travel with an electric toothbrush?
It may sound like a silly question but, when your prized tooth scrubber lives on your bathroom counter, it can become easy to leave it at home when traveling — but you don’t have to.
“Separate the toothbrush head from the toothbrush handle when you travel, and place both in a plastic bag (or a travel bag included with many electronic toothbrushes),” Dr. Huang said. “Pack the toothbrush and toothbrush head in your carry-on.”
And, for a pro tip, she recommends fully charging your toothbrush before traveling as it should hold a charge anywhere from one week to one month, depending on the brand.
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