Are you something of a dental dynamo? Would you do anything to keep that mega-watt smile of yours bright and healthy, including flossing every day, rinsing with mouthwash, and going for regular dental checkups? You’ve probably used many different manual toothbrushes over the years, and while they’ve likely got the job done, maybe you’ve been thinking about upgrading to an electric toothbrush. We’ve prepared this buying guide to help you with everything you need to know to make the switch and pick up a great electric toothbrush in 2024.
There are two main types of electric toothbrushes that you’ll come across when looking for one:
A sonic toothbrush’s high-frequency vibration waves alter the fluid dynamics around your teeth. In terms of scrubbing away plaque and germs, these outperform conventional toothbrushes. Compared to traditional toothbrushes, sonic electric toothbrushes are also gentler on the gums.
While the head of a revolving toothbrush spins, the head of an oscillating electric toothbrush moves back and forth. The rotational or oscillatory motion helps clean your teeth better without damaging them.
The first factor you should be familiar with is the number of brush strokes per minute. The more BPM an electric toothbrush has, the better it is at removing plaque and bacteria from the teeth. The typical range for oscillating-rotating toothbrushes is between 1,300 and 8,800 BPM, while sonic electric toothbrushes can reach speeds of 24,000 to 30,000 BPM or higher.
The next factor on our list is the timer. If you use an electric toothbrush with a timer, you’ll know when you’ve brushed for the necessary two minutes. Some electric toothbrushes also come equipped with a quadrant timer, which divides the total time you spend brushing your teeth into four equal sessions — this helps you make sure you’re thoroughly cleaning all parts of your mouth when you brush.
Some electric toothbrushes have multiple cleaning modes, including high-speed, sensitivity, and gum care, to name a few. You can also choose from various vibration intensities when it comes to sonic toothbrushes. Some electric toothbrushes even let you mix and match different modes and intensities to customize your brushing experience.
Electric toothbrushes equipped with pressure sensors will warn you if you apply excessive pressure to your teeth, and this will help reduce gum damage.
Inductive charging and USB charging are available for electric toothbrushes. The toothbrush must be placed in a special cradle to charge inductively, whereas you can use a USB charger with any ordinary USB port.
You should get an electric toothbrush that can withstand water — face it, your toothbrush is going to get wet, so it’s a smart idea to make sure it’s waterproof, especially if you like to brush your teeth in the shower.
The batteries that power electric toothbrushes can either be rechargeable or disposable. While it’s true that the purchase of a rechargeable toothbrush will save more money in the long term, the convenience of disposable models can make them a better option in some situations.
If you want to take your electric toothbrush with you when you’re on the go, look for one that comes with a convenient carrying case. The brush and its brush heads will be safer in this case while traveling.
Electric toothbrush brush heads are typically interchangeable, so rather than having to buy a whole new toothbrush every three months (as is recommended by dentists), you only need to buy a new brush head. Brush heads come in various shapes and sizes, so it’s crucial to choose one that works with your brush — and your teeth. A compact electric toothbrush head is a good way to clean those tough-to-reach spots in your mouth.
The Philips Sonicare Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush is user-friendly and gentle on the gums and teeth, even the most sensitive ones. The technology in this brush provides up to 62,000 movements per minute, removing up to five times as much plaque as a regular manual toothbrush.
This electric toothbrush has a battery life of up to 14 days, and a low-battery indicator light will let you know when it’s time to charge it. This makes it great to take on short trips, and it also features BrushSync technology that lets you know when a replacement brush head is needed. This electric toothbrush is top of our list thanks to its advanced technology, comfortable design, and how easy it is to use.
The AquaSonic Black Series Electric Toothbrush has a strong motor that cleans and whitens teeth at 40,000 vibrations per minute, and it features four operation modes, vibration timers, and wireless charging capability. An automatic shutoff occurs after two minutes (the cleaning time recommended by dentists), and a built-in smart chip sends a vibrational alert every 30 seconds to remind you to switch to a different area of your mouth.
This electric toothbrush has a sleek, black design that features an ergonomic handle and can add some class to your bathroom countertop. This comprehensive electric toothbrush set includes an AquaSonic electric toothbrush, eight DuPont-developed brush heads that last four months each, a travel case, and instructions to help you get started.
There’s a lot to like about the Oral-B CrossAction Electric Toothbrush. Its design features a significantly different motion than similar electric toothbrushes, oscillating, pulsating, and rotating to give all your teeth’s surfaces a thorough cleaning. This brush is ideal for people who have sensitive teeth, with moderate movements that won’t hurt people with sensitive gum lines.
If you happen to brush too hard with this electric toothbrush, a sensor will activate that stops its pulsations. The heads that come with this electric toothbrush are made to protect your teeth, and they feature color-changing technology that conveniently lets you know when they need to be replaced. This electric toothbrush’s bristles are perfectly angled to provide the most effective cleaning, and the manufacturer claims that it can remove up to 300% more plaque than a manual toothbrush can — wow!
The 7AM2M Sonic Electric Toothbrush is an excellent way to keep your teeth and gums healthy. This brush is ideal for anyone searching for a dental hygiene device that can help them achieve healthy teeth and gums without taking a sizeable chunk out of their wallet.
This electric toothbrush features a built-in timer that notifies you when you’ve brushed your teeth for two minutes, and it also has numerous speed settings for a more personalized teeth-cleaning experience. This electric toothbrush includes a charging base, allowing you to keep it charged and ready for use every morning and night, and its six brush heads are removable to make sure you always have fresh bristles.
The DrDent Sonic Electric Toothbrush is a high-end toothbrush that utilizes sonic technology to clean teeth and remove plaque. It comes with a charging station and storage box, as well as a built-in timer to make sure you brush for the recommended two minutes. This brush is mild on teeth and gums, making it an excellent choice for anyone seeking a powerful, yet gentle electric toothbrush.
This electric toothbrush comes with a travel case for storing its seven DuPont brush heads and is perfect for keeping your toothbrush clean and tidy. Its timer and five cleaning modes can help you get a high-quality, efficient brushing, and you won’t have to worry about running out of power thanks to its long battery life that can last up to eight months before needing a charge.
A:
It all depends on your needs and budget. Some electric toothbrushes come with disposable batteries and will cost you somewhere between $6 to $15, while rechargeable toothbrushes can cost you anywhere from $40 to $150.
A: Yes, you should. If you want to keep your teeth and gums healthy, you should brush and clean them. An electric toothbrush can make this really easy.
A: Skipping brushing every once in a while is fine because it takes around 24 hours for plaque and bacteria to grow on your teeth, but it’s recommended that you brush at least twice daily and floss once. Electric toothbrushes can make brushing super convenient and help eliminate the temptation to skip a daily cleaning.