Last updated: April 1, 2017
You probably don’t know it, but if you haven’t been using an electric toothbrush, you’ve been brushing your teeth wrong. An electric toothbrush can take all of the guesswork out of brushing your teeth. This article will help you find the best electric toothbrush for you.
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Product | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|
  Waterpik Complete Care Water Flosser | $$ |
|
  Philips Sonicare 3 Series Gum Health Sonic Electric Rechargeable Toothbrush | $$$ |
|
  echargeable High Powered 40,000vpm Deep Clean | $ |
|
  Oral-B Deep Sweep 5000 Smartseries with Bluetooth Electric Rechargeable Power Toothbrush | $$$$ |
|
  FOREO ISSA Hybrid | $$$$$ |
|
Table of Contents
Different types of electric toothbrushes
There are seven basic types of electric toothbrushes. Which kind you decide to get depends largely on your budget. They range from $10 dollars to $100 dollars for the more high tech ones. No matter which kind you get, your electric toothbrush will clean your teeth and keep them healthy . . . .as long as you use it properly.
Rotating
The most budget friendly electric toothbrushes have rotating brushes. They have a small head with a circular brush that just spins around in a circle. The best rotating electric toothbrush will give your teeth a great clean. The one drawback is that you still have to floss, either with traditional floss or with a water pick.
Rotating Oscillating
These look just like the regular rotating electric toothbrush, yet they are slightly different. Instead of just spinning around, they oscillate. Changing direction helps to remove the plaque from your teeth much more effectively.
Pulsing
The pulsing electric toothbrush combines the circular rotating brush while the whole head simultaneously goes back and forth. This covers much more area the first time so you don’t need to keep going over the same spot like with a simple rotating brush. This is more of a mid range budget electric toothbrush that is slightly more effective than a simple rotating brush.
Counter-Oscillating
These look just like the rotating oscillating electric toothbrush, but have two brushes. Each one spins counter to the other. By rotating in opposite directions, they can blast through the plaque more effectively than it’s cheaper counterpart.
Dual Head
This has two heads that work counter to each other. Instead of two spinning heads, one spins while the other slides side to side. Combining the two different types of heads is very effective at getting the plaque and tartar off of your teeth. You only need to go over your teeth one time, rather than go in circles and then go back again side to side like you would with a manual toothbrush.
Side to Side
As the name implies, the brushes don’t spin at all on the side to side electric toothbrush. The best electric toothbrushes that have the side to side action are the ones that have a very high vpm, or vibrations per minute.
Sonic and Ultrasonic
The top-of-the-line electric toothbrush is the sonic or ultrasonic. Using high frequency and a very high vpm, the plaque is broken down and brushed away. In addition, they are able to push the toothpaste with water mixed with it in between the teeth getting into areas that other electric toothbrushes can’t. They act like a toothbrush and flosser all in one machine.
What to consider when buying an electric toothbrush
Is it rechargeable or battery powered?
Each type has its pros and cons. With a battery powered toothbrush, they are usually not expensive, and getting a replacement battery is easily done. The problem is that they are not usually very energy efficient and can burn through batteries. This makes them not so budget friendly after all.
A battery powered toothbrush can travel easily since they don’t need to be charged. This is especially helpful if you plan to travel overseas where they use different voltage. A rechargeable toothbrush is nice because you don’t have to worry about replacing batteries every few weeks. The downside is if you forget to charge it, you will have to use it like an ineffective manual toothbrush.
Most of the rechargeable toothbrushes have a charging stand, however. With a charging stand, you don’t have to worry about remembering to charge your toothbrush since it rests on the charger when not in use. The downside is when the battery is old and won’t hold a charge, you will likely need to replace the whole toothbrush.
How many heads come with the brush?
This is an important consideration since it will add to the overall cost of the toothbrush when you have to replace the heads. A good toothbrush usually comes with 3-5 heads. Since each head may only last 2-3 months, check to see how much the replacements heads cost. If the toothbrush only comes with a single head, see if you can buy the heads in bulk to keep the cost down.
What is the size of the brush head?
The rotating brushes usually have the smallest heads and can reach those hard to get to areas of your mouth. Some others that have dual heads can be tough to maneuver inside your mouth. If your mouth is small or you have a very sensitive gag reflex, the size of the brush head will matter to you.
What type of bristle do you need?
Most dentists recommend soft to medium soft bristles. Hard bristles can rub too much of the enamel off of your teeth, weakening them and leaving your teeth susceptible to cavities.
All that really depends is the user’s preference, of course. If you have a certain type of bristle on your manual toothbrush, make sure the electric one has the same bristles for the brushes. Keep in mind that, since electric toothbrushes are generally more effective than manual, a soft bristle will work just as well as the medium one that you may be used to.
What does it cost upfront and for upkeep?
Even the cheapest electric toothbrushes will have some costs associated with them. How often will you need to replace the batteries? Can you swap out the head, or will you need to buy a whole new toothbrush when the bristles are worn out?
You may spend more money upfront for a high tech toothbrush, but spend less in the long run if the costs associated with it are not as high. Some of the replacement heads can be bought in bulk or there may be generic brands that cost less and are still compatible.
What are the extras that will make you want to use it regularly?
Let’s face it. Brushing your teeth is not the most exciting moment of your day. So, what if your toothbrush has some exciting bells and whistles that makes it at least easier to brush your teeth, if not a little more fun?
Some extras include a pressure sensor to let you know if you are being too rough on your teeth. Brushing too hard can rub off more enamel than is healthy and lead to tooth decay. A brushing timer is also something that is becoming popular on some electric toothbrushes. Dentists recommend brushing for a full two minutes. With a timer that tells you when it’s time to put the brush down, there is no more guesswork involved.
Not only that, but many timers will also beep every 30 seconds to let you know it’s time to change the type of brush or to change your brushing technique.
Bringing brushing your teeth into the realm of science fiction is possible with the bluetooth compatibility some toothbrushes have. Your toothbrush can connect with your smartphone and analyze your brushing technique and effectiveness. Your brushing data will be analyzed by an app for you to read and make the necessary changes to get the most out of your dental hygiene experience!
Which of these 5 electric toothbrushes is the best?
Waterpik Complete Care Water Flosser and Sonic Toothbrush WP-900
- Clinically proven to remove up to 99.9 percent of plaque from treated areas
- High-volume reservoir with 90+ seconds of water capacity
- 25% faster bristle speed than other leading sonic toothbrushes
- Floss and brush with one device
- Combination of water pressure and pulsations cleans deep between teeth and below the gumline
- A covered tip and brush head compartment holds five accessories
- Perfect for anyone with braces, implants, crowns, or periodontal pockets
- Includes five different tips
Get your teeth clean just like at the dentist right in your own home. No appointment necessary! With the Waterpick WP-900, you can have a top-of-the-line electric toothbrush with a professional style waterpick flosser. It even has a water reservoir that gives you up to 90 seconds of flossing.
For those with braces, string flosses are not an option. Your only way to get the debris out of your braces is with a water flosser. Flossing is integral to maintaining healthy teeth, but a wire floss can only do so much. Having a high powered water flosser makes your life so much easier. You really will be saving yourself trips to the dentist by using this electric toothbrush combo.
The sonic toothbrush can get debris from below the gumline and blast away plaque due to its high vpm brush.
There are five different tips to really give yourself a professional teeth cleaning every morning. Changing the tips is a snap and only takes a second. You only need a minute with the brush to get brighter, cleaner teeth; then add another 90 seconds with the sonic flosser and you will have your mouth as healthy as possible.
The brush is rechargeable and should last close to two years. A typical charge will give you a few hours of brushing time. It even comes with a handy travel case so you can take your dental care on the road with you.
Philips Sonicare 3 Series Gum Health Sonic Electric Rechargeable Toothbrush
- Three intensity settings for a gentle and comfortable brushing experience
- Patented sonic technology delivers up to 31,000 brush strokes per minute
- Three weeks of battery life between charges
- Two color light battery charge indicator
- Includes: 1 Philips Sonicare 3 Series gum health rechargeable toothbrush, 1 ProResults gum health brush head, 1 small charger, and 1 hard travel case
- Delivers up to 31,000 brush strokes per minute
- Safe on orthodontics, dental work, veneers, and implant material
Can you get 31,000 brush strokes per minute with your manual toothbrush? I didn’t think so. If that was the only benefit from Philips Sonicare, then it would certainly be worth the cost. But, you get so much more. It has three different brush settings to make sure your brushing experience is as comfortable as possible plus seven different brush heads each with its own special job to do.
There is the Adaptive Clean head for deep cleaning and the Diamond Clean head for whitening. The Intercare head will get between the teeth. Proresults gum care will keep your gums healthy. Proresults plaque control gets rid of plaque. The Ultrasoft head is for sensitive teeth, and the Simply Clean head is for your basic teeth cleaning.
There is a timer that beeps at 30 second intervals indicating it is time to change the head. In just a couple of minutes, you have a total teeth cleaning routine that will reduce your dentist visits. A single battery charge will last you roughly three weeks with twice daily brushing. A two color light will let you know when it is time to recharge.
In addition, the blue bristles change color when it is time to change the head. You can expect to get roughly 2-3 months out of a head before it needs replacing. It has a very low profile so it will fit easily on just about any sized shelf in your bathroom and, since it can hold a charge for three weeks, it can travel with you very easily. The charger is also very small and can be easily packed for long trips.
The Sonicare is probably the most effective electric toothbrush on the market, especially for the price. It is proven to remove six times more plaque than a manual toothbrush, and it more than doubles your gum health compared to an ordinary toothbrush.
echargeable High Powered 40,000vpm Deep Clean
- Produces a dynamic cleaning action with 40,000 vpm
- Five different cleaning modes: Clean, Sensitive, White, Gumcare and Massage
- Rechargeable
- Two minute auto timer-Alarm buzzes every 30 seconds to remind to change head for different cleaning mode
- Safe on braces, fillings, implants, crowns and periodontal pockets
- Built in UV sanitizers for accessories
- Includes three brush tips
For a really deep clean, you should go with an ultrasonic cleaner with up to 40,000 vpm. The CUH Sonic electric toothbrush gives you those features without breaking the bank. It costs much less than its competition while offering the same features.
It reduces twice as much plaque as an ordinary toothbrush. It has five different operation modes: Clean, Sensitive, White, Gum care, and Massage. It will alert you every 30 seconds to change the head and go with a more specific mode for a total clean.
Besides blasting away the plaque, it also massages the gums and reduces tartar and gingivitis. The 40,000 vpm helps get the toothpaste and water in between teeth for a very deep clean in spots where an ordinary toothbrush could never hope to reach.
The charger will give you hours of brushing before it needs to be recharged. In addition, the stand where you keep it doubles as the charger, so it will likely always be fully charged. Included in the charging station is a UV storage case for the other heads.
This keeps your heads sanitized and much cleaner than if left out on a surface. Without getting into too many gory details, let’s just say that there are particles floating around your bathroom that you don’t want falling onto your toothbrush. Not only will they be kept away from any bacteria, but the bacteria present will be killed by the UV rays in the storage bin.
The two minute auto timer will time your brushing to make sure you take the recommended time to fully brush your teeth. It will shut off automatically so you don’t overdo it, too. Overall, this is a great way to keep your dental care up to a professional level.
Oral-B Deep Sweep 5000 Smartseries with Bluetooth Electric Rechargeable Power Toothbrush
- Bluetooth communication between brush and smartphone provides real-time feedback on brushing habits
- Triple Cleaning Action features three bristle zones on a head
- 3D cleaning sweeps side-to-side, rotates, and pulsates to break up and remove up to 100% more plaque than a regular manual toothbrush
- Pressure sensor lights up on brush and smartphone if you brush too hard
- Five modes: Daily Clean, Gum Care, Sensitive, Whitening, and Deep Clean
- Two minute timer pulses every 30 seconds, prompting you to switch areas of the mouth
- Compatible with Oral-B electric rechargeable brush head refills
This is the first of its kind toothbrush that connects with your smartphone to provide real-time feedback on brushing habits, helping you achieve amazing results. If you need a toothbrushing coach, then you will benefit from the helpful oral care tips for motivation.
Pressure sensors tell you when you are brushing too hard, and a timer pulses every 30 seconds to let you know when to switch your brushing style. It will time your teeth brushing to two minutes to let you know you have done enough.
The Deep Sweep has five different modes: Daily Clean, Gum Care, Sensitive, Whitening, and Deep Clean. With each 30 second alert, change the mode and get a really deep clean.
The brush heads pulse, rotate, and go side to side to provide a deep and powerful clean. Reducing plaque and debris from below the gum line will keep your teeth and gums healthy and looking great. It is also compatible with all Oral-B brush heads so you can personalize your toothbrush with the perfect brush head for you. With regular use, you should be able to get ten days out of each charge, and it comes with a handy carrying case.
FOREO ISSA Hybrid
- Silicone bristles channel 183 high-intensity pulsations per second to create micro-sweeps that effectively and gently clean the teeth and gums
- Consists of soft silicone bristles and PBT-polymer bristles that don’t scratch tooth enamel or damage gum tissue
- Made with quick-drying, nonporous silicone that resists bacteria buildup
- 2-Year Limited Warranty and a 10-Year Quality Guarantee
- 11,000 high-intensity pulsations per minute
- Rechargeable battery
If form is as important as function for you, then let that also apply to your toothbrush. The Foreo ISSA is a sleek modern looking piece of art. It looks cool but works great, too.
The Foreo ISSA is ideal for those with sensitive teeth. The silicone bristles are tough on plaque while gentle on your teeth. It uses sonic pulse technology to blast plaque away. The pulses create micro-sweeps that effectively and gently clean the teeth and gums.
The silicone won’t scratch or wear away your enamel keeping your teeth strong and healthy. Even the most sensitive teeth will strengthen after using the Foreo. The bristles are also quick drying to prevent any bacteria from forming as well as from being non-porous.
This is not an inexpensive electric toothbrush, but it is backed by a 2-year warranty. Foreo is confident that you will get your money’s worth out of this toothbrush. It will pay for itself in less dentist visits anyway!
Final thoughts on best electric toothbrush
Ok, I have left you in suspense long enough. Which of these five electric toothbrushes is the best? Which one made the cut? Let me first say that any one of these will give you healthy teeth and gums, and you won’t ever want to go back to using a traditional toothbrush after seeing the results.
But, the best of the bunch is the Oral-B Deep Sweep 5000 Smartseries with Bluetooth. Even without connecting to your smartphone, it will give you a superior tooth brushing experience. It has been proven to reduce gingivitis, tartar, and tooth decay. The pressure sensor will show you how you probably use too much pressure when brushing.
So much of our lives is connected to our phones. Sleep trackers. Activity trackers. And now even out dental hygiene. The app helps you take more control over your daily routines and maximize their effectiveness. Brushing your teeth is one of the most important parts of a healthy lifestyle, so it goes without saying that the benefits of knowing your data should be at the top of the list.
Take control of your dental care and see the results for yourself. Your dentist may not like it, but your teeth will love you for it! Read more sleep hygiene articles here.
Best Pick: Oral-B Deep Sweep 5000 Smartseries
with Bluetooth Electric Rechargeable Power Toothbrush
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