10 best electric toothbrushes
Almost everyone you know probably hates going to the dentist. Why? Dental care is one of the most neglected aspects of self-care, and no one wants to be told to brush twice a day and floss when they already are. But what if there was a way to make your at-home dental care more effective and disappoint your dentist less? There is, in the right electric toothbrush.
The American Dental Association notes that both electric and manual toothbrushes are effective at removing plaque, which is the root cause of decay and disease. However, some studies have found that using an electric toothbrush rather than a manual one over a period of three months significantly reduced both plaque build-up and gingivitis. As electric toothbrushes vibrate or rotate, can be easier to get a deeper clean than with a manual toothbrush, but they’re also often more expensive to buy and maintain than the $5 drug store manual one.
The Independent spoke to dentists across the United States and the UK to find out what the best electric toothbrushes on the market are when we ran into an interesting predicament: almost all the dentists we spoke to recommended Oral-B toothbrushes.
Oral-B Genius 8000, $179.99
“Smart” toothbrush, Bluetooth enabled
2 week battery life
Removes up to 100% more plaque than a regular toothbrush
Dr Dimitri Mantazi at Hove Dental suggests the Oral-B Genius 8000 based on its unique high-tech features, including a timer and pressure sensor to assure you get the best brush possible. Dr Mantazi said the Oral-B Genius 9000 is his top-recommended toothbrush, citing its “six independent cleaning modes, the stand-outs being the sensitive tooth and gum care settings”. He also notes the 360 degree SmartRing, feature that lights up when you brush too hard is great for helping prevent over brushing and enamel damage.
Dr Rhonda Kalasho of Glo Modern Dental agrees, saying “Not all electronic toothbrushes are made equal. I think the round headed toothbrushes like Oral- B are far superior, it moves in a circular motion allowing you to cover more surface area of the tooth ultimately cleaning the tooth surfaces more thoroughly. Receding gums have been shown to be linked to poor occlusion, and exacerbated by brushing too hard. Brushing too hard is not a good thing, and contrary to popular belief, it does not help the teeth remove more plaque by brushing harder.”
If the Oral-B Genius 8000 model is out of your price range, the Oral-B 1000 pro is a good option under $50. It lacks the fancier features, like multiple brush modes, but has a pressure sensor and a 10-day battery life.
If the Oral-B models aren't exactly what you're looking for, The Independent tested a few other types of electric toothbrushes to bring you the best options possible.
TAO Aura Clean Sonic Toothbrush System: $88.99, Amazon
Back in the sonic realm, TAO takes sanitation to new heights. With notably soft bristles and, like the Goby, two intensity levels, the TAO Aura Clean doesn’t have the power or customizability of bulkier brushes. But the distinguishing factor here is the Aura’s novel self-cleaning system. When not in use, the brush is placed headfirst into the cleaning station, then, when needed, it’s pulled from the station like the sword in the stone. The plugged-in station (which doubles as a charger) conceals an ultraviolet lamp that dries the brush head, shields it from splashes and helps prevent bacteria growth. Though the base has a footprint about as big as a wine bottle, it’s still lightweight—perhaps too lightweight for how much room it takes up. And, as a note to the aesthetically minded toothbrusher, let it be known that the handle for the “supernova white” version is, in fact, slightly off-white, in case you’re going for the clinically sterilized look.
Quip electric brush in Copper Metal: $45.00, Get Quip
The Brooklyn-bound crowd has likely seen a few subway ads for Quip, a slim, sleek, battery-powered brush that would fit right in at the Apple Store. Like me, you might not like your toothbrush sitting on the bathroom vanity, where it’s too close to the countertop cliff and within splashing distance of unwelcome fluids or, god forbid, someone else’s toothbrush. So I appreciated the thin strip of adhesive that turns the Quip’s case into a small holster you can affix to nearly any surface. I attached mine to the shady side of the bathroom cabinet, out of harm’s way and beyond threat of any stray liquids. But with the Quip’s slight frame and AAA-battery-powered engine comes the feeling that there isn’t much horsepower under the hood. Some toothbrushers may need a little more oomph.
Sonic Toothbrush by Dr. Jim Ellis: $18.49, Amazon
If you’re looking for oomph, Dr Jim Ellis has you covered. Ellis, a dentist, got tired of recommending various electric toothbrushes to his patients, so he decided to go straight to a manufacturer and design one himself. The result is a solid, pared-down electric brush at a very attractive price. While it doesn’t have the flourishes of more expensive brushes—no sensors or special bristles, and only three settings—its fastest mode clocks in at a whopping 40,000 oscillations per minute, or about 30 percent more than most brushes. This “whiten” mode proved a bit too intense for my sensitive gums, though the “massage” setting, which alternates between 31,000 and 40,000 pulses per minute, felt just right. It’s not the prettiest piece of hardware to behold, but you’d be hard pressed to find a better bang for your buck.
Foreo Issa: $89.40, Amazon
If you’re looking for chic, Swedish design could be the answer. Founded in Stockholm in 2013, Foreo dramatically redesigned the electric toothbrush with style and hygiene in mind. The curvaceous Issa model, available in a rainbow of modern tones, uses dozens of silicone bristles that dry faster than standard brush heads, thus deterring bacteria buildup. With its rubbery bristles and sexy form factor, you might think the Issa is meant for polishing a Jeff Koons sculpture. Nevertheless, my teeth and gums enjoyed the lower-power levels of the eight available, since the higher levels felt like overkill. In fact, although the Issa’s max speed is only 11,000 pulsations per minute, my hand rattled more with the Issa than with Dr. Ellis’ brush, which is capable of nearly four times as many pulsations. Perhaps that’s because with the Issa, it feels like the whole device is vibrating, not just the brush head. Regardless, after a few sessions, I felt like I was getting some serious cleaning done, even if my teeth were a little achy at first. Plus, for the power-conscious brusher, Foreo says a single hour-long USB charge will last six months.
Philips Sonicare 9300 DiamondClean Smart: $212.60, Amazon
Sure, the new guys on the block have a lot to offer, but don’t think the big brands are going quietly. 9300 DiamondClean Smart, by Sonicare (a Philips brand), is the Cadillac Escalade of electric toothbrushes. It has four modes, with three speeds each; a pressure sensor that lights up when you brush too hard; a luxurious, lengthy handle (mine was pearly white and chrome); and an app to help you manage what could become a strict mouth-care schedule. Even the charging station looks like a rocks glass ready for a finger of fine scotch. The included wall plug goes into a coaster that’s topped with a short, heavy glass; to charge, simply place the toothbrush in the glass, and wireless charging will commence. Yet the toothbrush—the longest reviewed—has a square bottom, meaning the device sticks out of the glass with a Pisa-like lean. I couldn’t help but imagine how easily a stray hand or cat’s tail would knock the brush out of its charger like a spilt champagne flute. Still, the number of modes and speeds is top of the line, and the app, though a little clumsy, helped improve my mouth-care routine. I had no idea I was brushing too hard all these years.
Goby Electric Toothbrush: $50.00, goby.co
Another entrant in the oscillator field is the Goby electric toothbrush, a recent addition with fewer bells and whistles but a better price. Having only two settings and no pressure sensor, the Goby can’t compete with higher-end brushes, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s smaller than its competitors, though a full USB charge lasts about two weeks, making the Goby a solid entrée into the oscillating realm. Aside from the Quip, however, this was the only toothbrush reviewed that can’t stand upright on its own, so expect to use the flimsy base if you want your brush standing on a countertop.
Brio SmartClean: $68, Amazon
In a cluttered field with so much innovation and gadgetry, an electric toothbrush can now also be judged by what it doesn’t have. The Brio SmartClean doesn’t have a pressure gauge, an app, fancy bristles, or a distinguished design. But do you really need all those things? It’s a question worth asking, especially when the still-competent SmartClean costs about a third as much as the Sonicare DiamondClean and, Brio claims, its replacement heads come out to about half the price of the big guys.
