I hate brushing my teeth my teeth. I do it because I have to, but it's a time-consuming and uncomfortable process — two minutes in front of the mirror can feel like an eternity. My dentist says I brush too hard. Don't get me started on flossing. Electric toothbrushes make the whole experience easier. Their vibrations and oscillations can more effectively remove plaque from your teeth and gums, and most toothbrushes have a timer that encourages you to brush for two minutes.
Sonic toothbrush or oscillation?
There are countless types of electric toothbrushes to choose from, but they generally fall into two categories: ultrasonic and oscillating (for U-shaped brushsee below). The best toothbrush is one you will use twice a day. You can buy top-rated toothbrushes everywhere, but if it feels strange in your mouth or hurts your gums, you might not want to use it.
Ada S. Cooper, dentist and consumer advisory spokesperson American Dental Associationtold me that both styles are effective in reducing plaque, according to recent studies. She notes that you should talk to your dentist about which type will work best for you, and she recommends looking for the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Most of our picks have it. (If they don't, that doesn't necessarily mean they're bad.)
- ONE Ultrasonic toothbrush looks like a manual brush, has an oval brush head. It vibrates gently and quietly, using a high-speed side-to-side bristles motion to break up plaque. Sonicare was the first brand to introduce sonic toothbrushes and is probably the most famous name in the category.
- Oscillating toothbrush oscillate and pulsate—oscillate meaning to move or rotate back and forth—around the entire tooth. They tend to be louder than sonic toothbrushes and may cause your head to vibrate more while brushing. You will be familiar with this if you are new to electric toothbrushes. Oral-B is probably the most famous brand for this type of electric toothbrush.
Other factors to consider
In addition to choosing between an oscillating toothbrush and an sonic toothbrush, here are some other factors you may want to think about.
- Future costs: You'll need to replace your brush head about every three months—more if you tend to brush with too much force. They range in price depending on the brand and head type, so it's worth checking first. Oral-B offers Many types of heads in packages ranging from $9 for one ARRIVE $55 for 10. Many brands offer subscriptions for less. You can often find unbranded heads that cost less but work well with the handle, although you may not get the same quality.
- Charging: Electric toothbrushes have rechargeable or replaceable batteries. Battery life depends on the brush, but it may require charging every week to every few months. Do you want to commit to keeping your battery charged or carrying a spare battery, or do you prefer the ease of a manual toothbrush that can work anytime, anywhere?
- Brand history: If you buy from a brand like Sonicare or Oral-B, chances are you'll be able to buy replacement brush heads or get customer service if you need anything. You can also buy these in store instead of having to order online. We recommend some newer brands here, many of which only have online stores and there's no way to predict whether they'll be around in five years. However, some make great brushes, so it may be worth it if the initial cost isn't too high.
How to brush teeth effectively
Getting the best toothbrush money can buy means nothing if you don't brush your teeth properly. Luckily, this is quite easy to do, right:
- Floss: Once a day, you should floss before brushing your teeth. Medea prefers dental floss to string and switched to dental floss. Refillable version from Quip.
- Brush for two minutes: Brush your teeth twice a day, spending about a minute on each top and bottom tooth – 30 seconds on each quadrant, which is why most electric toothbrushes have a 30-second timer to remind you to switch. go to the next part. Make sure you clean both the front and back of your teeth, and focus on cleaning the gum line, where food can stick and plaque can accumulate.
- Be gentle: If your toothbrush bristles look crushed, you're brushing too hard. You want to keep your teeth clean, but you don't really need to scrub to do that. Electric toothbrushes are often gentler on people, but you still need to keep this in mind.
- Don't forget your tongue: Bacteria accumulates on your tongue, which can cause bad breath even if your teeth are clean. You can brush it with a toothbrush or use the tongue cleaner on the back of some toothbrush heads. I like to pair it with one tongue scraper for $10 to remove most of the initial buildup.
- Do not rinse: If you are using fluoride toothpaste—this will help prevent tooth decay-Friend You should not rinse your mouth Or use mouthwash immediately.
A good toothbrush doesn't have to cost you more than a few Hamiltons. We tested a variety, from basic models to fancy ones with oscillating brushes, and everything in between. We test the brushes for at least two weeks but try to use them according to their estimated battery life, switching between modes and noting the cleaning power of each mode.
Here are the best electric toothbrushes you can buy. We also have eco-friendly non-electric options if you don't want to own another device that needs charging. Don't forget to check out our other self-care gadget guides, from Best hair dryer And Best hair straightener arrive Best shower water filter And Best beard trimmer.
Updated December 2024: We selected the Snow LED Whitening Electric Toothbrush as our choice and added notes about the Snow Advanced LED Whitening Electric Toothbrush Set.
Reporting by Christopher Null contributed to this guide.
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