Learn about our electric toothbrush favourites, plus our top tips for looking after your pearly whites.
Looking after your pearly whites starts with brushing them twice a day, every day, and of course, you can’t brush your teeth without a toothbrush. Most dentists recommend electric toothbrushes over manual, because they provide a better clean. But with so many on the market, which electric toothbrush is right for you? We’ve listed some of our favourites below, plus your electric toothbrush questions, answered.
What’s the difference between an electric toothbrush & manual?
Many believe that a manual brush is just as good as an electric, but this isn’t always the case. Electric toothbrushes have a wide variety of features to improve your brushing routine and your oral hygiene long-term, whilst you would have to have a perfect brushing routine for a manual toothbrush to deliver the same sparkling results.
Electric toothbrushes and their features can change from brush to brush, but many include:
• A timer, which will let you know once you’ve brushed for the dentist-recommend time of two minutes
• A range of cleaning modes, that may include high speed, less harsh for sensitive teeth, gentle on gums and more
• A pressure sensor, which will alert you if you apply too much pressure on your teeth. This can help prevent any damage to your teeth and gums
Most electric toothbrushes also have replaceable brush heads, which you can normally find in multipacks. Make sure to find the right brush head for your toothbrush, though, or else they won’t work!
What are the benefits of using an electric toothbrush?
Electric toothbrushes have lots of different benefits that can help improve the overall health of your teeth and gums when used properly. Now that’s something to smile about!
These can include:
Better plaque removal
With a manual toothbrush, it takes a lot of effort to clean your teeth thoroughly, especially those hard-to-reach areas. An electric toothbrush makes deep cleaning a breeze, because the toothbrush head rotates, doing most of the heavy lifting for you.
Reduced chance of tooth decay & gum disease
Because of this more thorough clean, electric toothbrushes tend to be more effective at removing plaque and bacteria, so, in the long run, they can help to prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
Improved oral health
A deeper clean and less plaque build-up means one thing – over time, your electric toothbrush can help to improve your oral health.
Are there different types of electric toothbrushes?
You can get two types of electric toothbrushes: oscillating-rotating and sonic. But what does this actually mean?
Oscillating-rotating toothbrushes have a round head which moves back and forth whilst the head spins around. This takes the cleaning action to the next level without applying any additional (or unnecessary) force on your teeth.
Sonic toothbrushes vibrate very quickly which rapidly moves liquid around your mouth, helping to remove plaque and bacteria more effectively than other toothbrushes.
Our top picks for your new favourite electric toothbrush
Best: budget electric toothbrush
Try: Oral-B Vitality Pro Black Electric Toothbrush
• Three brushing modes: daily clean, sensitive & unique sensitive
• Two-minute timer feature
• Long-lasting, rechargeable battery
Achieve a great clean with Oral-B’s oscillating electric toothbrush, featuring a dentist-inspired round brush head for a deep clean whilst being gentle on gums.
Best: for travelling on a budget
Try: Ordo Sonic Lite Electric Brush – Petal
• Two brushing modes
• Two-minute timer feature
• Long-lasting, rechargeable battery
Using sonic pulse technology for a dentist-clean feeling every time, Ordo’s electric toothbrush has a USB charger, perfect if you’re a frequent traveller. Plus, the sleek design in pink or white will look fab in any bathroom.
Best: value toothbrush
Try: Oral-B iO3 Electric Toothbrush Matt Black (& Travel Case)
• Three brushing modes
• Two-minute timer feature
• Long-lasting, rechargeable battery
With a smart pressure sensor, Oral-B’s dentist-inspired round brush helps achieve a professional, purifying clean feel from the comfort of your home – or even your hotel, thanks to the convenient travel case.
Best: sustainable toothbrush
Try: SURI Electric Toothbrush Winter Fern & UV Case
• Two brushing modes: everyday clean & polish
• 40+ day battery life
• Self-cleaning & charging travel case*
Made with recyclable and replaceable plant-based heads**, plus a body designed to be repaired, SURI’s electric toothbrush looks after the planet and your teeth, removing three times more plaque than a manual toothbrush.
Best: for sensitive gums
Try: Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9000 Special Edition Electric Toothbrush in Pink
• Four brushing modes & three intensity settings
• App to improve & maintain healthy brushing habits
• With settings especially for sensitive teeth
Using sonic technology, this toothbrush gives a premium, professional cleaning experience that can make teeth look whiter in just three days.^ Also available in aquamarine, the complimentary app connects to your brush and can help to improve your oral hygiene.
Best: for a high-tech clean
Try: Oral-B iO9 Electric Toothbrush - Black Onyx
• Seven brushing modes, including sensitive, gum care & tongue cleaning
• Three-hour quick charge plus a charging travel case
• Dentist-inspired round brush head
Dubbed Oral-B’s best clean, this high-tech electric toothbrush uses 3D teeth tracking and A.I. to monitor your brushing, whilst the enhanced pressure sensor helps stop you from applying too much pressure.
How can I get the most out of my electric toothbrush?
How do I use my electric toothbrush properly?
Always check your electric toothbrush’s manual for instructions, especially when it comes to using the brush’s specific features. But, at a glance:
• Always brush your teeth for at least two minutes twice a day (ideally every morning and before you go to bed)
• Use gentle circular motions, brushing all areas of your mouth
• Replace the toothbrush head every three months (as this is what dentists recommend) or after a bout of illness
How do I look after my electric toothbrush?
Whilst the brush heads should be replaced every three months, you can help make the toothbrush handle last for as long as possible with the right care. Plus, regularly washing your brush head and the right storage can help you prevent bacteria build-up. Here are our top tips:
• Clean the handle and charger regularly to prevent dirt and germs from building up
• After brushing your teeth, rinse your toothbrush with tap water to remove any leftover residue
• Try to store your toothbrush in a bathroom cabinet, or somewhere far away from the toilet; this is because bacteria particles from the toilet stay in the air even after flushing, and those germs could get onto your toothbrush!
• Or, if you have a cap to cover your toothbrush head, make sure the brush can air dry before putting it on to avoid bacteria and potentially mould
Frequently asked questions about electric toothbrushes
Do dentists really recommend electric toothbrushes?
They do! Dentists tend to recommend electric toothbrushes over a manual because they’re easier to use, and are much more effective than a manual toothbrush. In fact, to get the same results as an electric toothbrush from a manual brush, you’d have to have a near-perfect technique.
Your dentist might have their own recommendation for an electric toothbrush, so make sure to ask them when you’re at your next check-up.
Is it okay to use an electric toothbrush everyday?
Yes; electric toothbrushes are designed to be used twice a day, every day. If you’re experiencing gum irritation or increased sensitivity, however, it may be from other factors like brushing too harshly or applying too much pressure to your gums.
Can electric toothbrushes damage your gums?
If you don’t use your electric toothbrush properly, you could risk damaging your gums. Remember that your electric toothbrush should be doing most of the work for you, so you shouldn’t have to scrub your teeth or use a lot of pressure whilst brushing.
Whilst electric toothbrushes clean your teeth more effectively than a manual toothbrush, they can’t clean between your teeth like flossing does. Even if you have an electric toothbrush, you should still floss to clean any debris your toothbrush couldn’t reach.
Are electric toothbrushes better for travel?
Electric toothbrushes often come with travel cases, making them super handy for ensuring great dental hygiene even when on holiday. Make sure your electric toothbrush is fully charged, and if you’re going away for a while, make sure to pack the charger just in case.
Can children use an electric toothbrush?
It can be tricky encouraging your little ones to brush their teeth and to make sure they’re brushing them correctly. An electric toothbrush can help give you peace of mind that they’re brushing effectively, and it might even motivate them to brush their teeth on a regular basis without your suggestion.
An adult electric toothbrush can be too harsh on children’s teeth, so you may want to shop for an electric toothbrush for kids – the plus side is that you can get these brushes in fun colours, or even have your child’s favourite character on the side!
We all want our little ones to have the best start, and that includes setting them up with a great dental hygiene routine that they’ll stick to. Electric toothbrushes, even children’s ones, might be too harsh on younger teeth, so if you’re not sure whether your child is ready to upgrade to an electric toothbrush, speak to your dentist to see what they think.
Are electric toothbrushes better for the environment?
Most electric toothbrushes come with replaceable brush heads, which are more environmentally friendly than binning an entire manual toothbrush. Look out for an electric toothbrush that charges through an outlet and not batteries, to avoid any further waste.
You can also buy sustainably made toothbrushes like SURI’s plant-based electric toothbrushes.
Now that you’ve brushed up on our top picks for the best electric toothbrushes, why not take your dental care to the next level with our top tips on looking after your teeth or our dental hygiene tips for different age groups? Make sure to discover our wide range of dental products to help create a dental hygiene routine you can’t help but smile about.
