Frequently asked questions about the electric toothbrush
Do dentists recommend Oral-B or Sonicare?
Oral-B and Philips Sonicare are two of the most widely recommended toothbrush brands by dentists, but there is no industry consensus on which electric toothbrush is best. Dentists recommend a wide range of electric toothbrushes, and depending on which brand you ask, you’ll get a different answer.
One thing that almost every dentist agrees on, however, is that electric toothbrushes are better at cleaning than manual toothbrushes. Even more important than the type of brush you use is practicing good dental hygiene habits: brushing regularly and for the two minutes your dentist recommends, reaching all areas of the mouth, and flossing.
Are round head electric toothbrushes better?
Round head electric toothbrushes oscillate thousands of times per minute, enough to effectively remove plaque, bacteria and debris while brushing. A sonic or ultrasonic toothbrush, which is more likely to have a typical head shape, pulses tens of thousands of times a minute to break up and remove plaque, bacteria and debris.
There isn’t much evidence that sonic and ultrasonic toothbrushes are more effective than standard electric toothbrushes at cleaning teeth, but, on paper, the newer technology contains more vibrations per second and could help remove plaque faster.
Are electric toothbrushes better than manual toothbrushes?
Research shows Electric toothbrushes are most effective at cleaning teeth and protecting against gum disease if used correctly and for the recommended amount of time. This is because the vibration of the bristles works very hard to remove plaque from your teeth and reduce the risk of gum inflammation. Oscillating (rotating) and sonic (vibrating at very high speeds and frequencies) electric toothbrushes have been found to work even harder.
Electric toothbrushes often have additional features that are also important. A built-in timer, for example, can help you brush your teeth for a long time. Some toothbrushes even connect to your phone to give you personalized brushing tips.
Some people they report that she is more focused when brushing their teeth with an electric toothbrush and kids tend to find it more fun – especially if there are related kid-friendly apps involved. People with braces can also find it easier to keep their teeth clean with an electric toothbrush.
But electric toothbrushes are more expensive than manual ones, and finding replacement heads isn’t always easy. It’s also worth noting that not everyone likes the feel of using them.
Can electric toothbrushes harm your teeth?
Brushing too hard and too fast with an electric toothbrush can permanently damage tooth enamel and cause receding gums. But electric toothbrushes can only damage teeth and gums in this way if too much pressure is applied, so always be sure to let the toothbrush motion do all the hard work.
Top features to look for in an electric toothbrush
- Brush timer – This will help ensure that your teeth are brushed for the dentist recommended time of two minutes. Some electric toothbrushes are programmed to be on for as little as two minutes, while others will alert you with a beep or vibration when it’s time to stop.
- Brushing functions – Some brushes, often the more expensive ones, have a range of brushing modes which are designed to adapt your electronic toothbrush to your cleaning needs, for example if you have sensitive teeth you can choose a gentler setting.
- Pressure sensor – Pressing your teeth too hard can damage your gums, so some electric toothbrushes have pressure sensors to alert you when you’re pressing too hard.
- Mobile applications – A number of electric toothbrushes are Bluetooth-enabled, meaning they can connect to your phone via an app, giving you additional data about how you’re brushing your teeth. With some apps, like Oral B, you’ll get real-time feedback as well as tips and instructions.
How to properly use an electric toothbrush
Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gum line. Gently move the brush back and forth in a circular motion across the front, back and top of your teeth. Don’t scrub, especially along the gum line, and floss for harder-to-reach areas between teeth. Some toothbrushes also allow you to brush your tongue to avoid cavity-causing bacteria.
You should spend at least two minutes using this technique, spending 30 seconds on each part of your mouth – upper right, upper left, lower right and lower left. Repeat both morning and night.
How to clean an electric toothbrush
To ensure that your electric toothbrush stands the test of time, we would recommend cleaning it regularly. Rinse the toothbrush head and electric body after each use to remove toothpaste build-up and excess dirt. A cotton bud can also be used to reach tougher areas like the base, or a damp cloth for tougher debris.
How long do electric toothbrushes last?
The average electric toothbrush lasts three to five years. Many electric toothbrushes come with a two-year warranty. But you will need to change the heads more often – the general advice is at least every three months. Some of the newer electric toothbrush heads have color changing indicators to alert you when replacement is needed.
Are electric toothbrushes environmentally friendly and can they be recycled?
Yes and no. Yes, because when it’s time for a new toothbrush, all you have to do is replace the head. No, because they are still plastic and, at the end of their useful life, they have to go to a landfill. Although toothbrush heads are generally not recyclable, it’s worth noting that because electric toothbrushes last longer, you don’t need to replace them as often as manual ones. Plus, the heads are much smaller than an entire manual toothbrush, leading to less plastic waste overall.
But there’s nothing stopping you from recycling batteries and cables, and a growing number of brands offer recycling services. Colgate’s oral care recycling program accepts the entire toothbrush, packaging and all. To use the service, take your unwanted products to one of our drop-off locations across the UK. You can find the full list of collection bins here.
The verdict: Electric toothbrushes
If you want an electric toothbrush that is not too expensive and is relatively cheap to buy replacement heads, we recommend Oral-B Pro 3. The oscillating brush head has a powerful cleaning action and can easily get into those hard-to-reach places, while the 360-degree pressure sensor ensures you’re brushing safely.
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