Electric toothbrushes are an advanced type of toothbrush that uses either vibrations or rotations to clean the teeth. They're generally more expensive than manual toothbrushes and come with smart features, such as timers and pressure sensors that alert you when brushing too hard. Patients who use electric toothbrushes are a lot less likely to suffer from gum disease”, says Dr Edwards-Lunn. “Unfortunately, gum disease is a multifactoral disease. Just having an electric toothbrush doesn’t mean you won’t get it. But it will mean the risk is much reduced. The most important thing is removing the plaque.” Will electric toothbrushes help with receding gums? So what changed a few months ago? I traveled with Leah to her mom’s house in Washington, DC. I forgot my toothbrush, and Leah said I could use hers. With great hesitancy I did it—I couldn’t go to bed with dirty teeth. Then, after using Leah’s toothbrush and not, you know, dying or something, I realized that it was all OK, and now at home when I mix up our toothbrushes it doesn’t phase me. ANYWAY, we aren’t getting paid at all (I wish) to endorse these toothbrushes, but if you can find them at a local store, maybe give them a shot. However, you might want to color-code them with a marker because the numbers are tiny and easy to miss. The toothbrush uses sonic technology, although it pulses at a lower frequency than the more expensive models above (40,000 pulses per minute). However, my teeth were still left feeling squeaky clean, and I especially liked how the brush has a central silicone bristle to help with removing surface stains.

The size and shape of the toothbrush handle are essential for comfort and grip. Some toothbrushes have ergonomic handles that naturally fit your hand, while others have non-slip grips for added control. Rubber grips help to prevent the brush from slipping out of your hand while in use—even more crucial when the toothbrush is wet. During testing, our testers unboxed the toothbrushes and added toothpaste. After setting a timer for two minutes, they began brushing all surfaces of their teeth, paying particular attention to areas that are typically difficult to reach. They took note of how comfortable the bristles were, how easy the toothbrush was to maneuver, and whether they felt like their teeth were adequately clean afterward. Electric toothbrushes come in different sizes, too. In general, the replaceable heads of electric toothbrushes are smaller than the full-sized head of a manual toothbrush, so if you are used to a full-sized head, the electric toothbrush may take some getting used to.

Can electric toothbrushes be bad for your teeth?

Bamboo Toothbrushes have soft/firm recyclable caster bean bristles, perfect for effectively cleaning small teeth, ethically sourced FSC bamboo handles and non-toxic water-based paint.

The Verywell Health team tested toothbrushes based on three main criteria: comfort, ease of use, and functionality. We ranked each toothbrush on a scale of 1 to 5, with five being the best. We also evaluated the toothbrushes for overall quality, including handle design, bristles, and added features.

The verdict: Electric toothbrushes

Keep in mind that one of the benefits of the smaller head size on an electric toothbrush is that it is better able to clean each tooth individually and get to the hard-to-reach places of your mouth. Many different styles of brush heads are available, from polishing brush heads to brush heads for sensitive teeth. There are a number of varying bristle movements powered toothbrushes utilize. Oscillating/rotating technology is independently validated as better than manual brushing in reducing plaque and gingivitis. The Oral-B iO Series features the latest technology when it comes to brushing teeth and protecting your gums. The award-winning brush combines powerful, but gentle micro-vibrations with Oral-B’s unique dentist-inspired round brush head for a professional clean feeling. Extra-soft Bristles: For a gentle yet effective clean, you may want to opt for a brush head with softer bristles like the Oral-B iO Gentle Care**. Its optimized bristle patterns adapt to the curves of your teeth and gums for maximum comfort. Once on, the cover seals and protects your toothbrush from the external environment - preventing cross-contamination while staying clean and fresh, which then cleverly allows the toothbrush to dry out.

This unique electric toothbrush is from FOREO, a brand that usually makes high-tech face brushes. It has a similar ‘beauty tech’ vibe, with a smooth silicone handle and curvy design (two times stronger silicone than the previous version). It’s very simple to set up and use, and has an unbelievably long battery life of 365 days per charge (no, I don’t quite know how that works, either – but it’s true. I’ve never had to charge it). That makes it a great toothbrush for travel.Simply switching to an electric toothbrush cannot guarantee healthy teeth, of course. A good toothpaste, brushing technique, brushing at the right time and flossing are all crucial too. But an electric toothbrush is certainly a good start. And it’s important it contains the right amount of fluoride, which depends on a child’s age. The NHS provides the following guidance: I want to love it, but I’m not sure I do, as the head is quite wide which makes it hard to reach all the nooks and crannies - although it has been streamlined from the ISSA 2. It has a huge range of 16 different speed settings, although they’re not separated into dedicated ‘modes’ as such, and I actually found that 16 is too many. It has an interval timer, which prompts you to move to a different area of your mouth every 30 seconds for a thorough clean, but again no pressure sensor. While manual toothbrushes are more traditional, electric toothbrushes are battery powered," explains Dr. Horowitz. "They rotate to help remove plaque and clean teeth and stain more efficiently than a manual toothbrush." Dr. Horowitz recommends speaking with your dentist if you want specific toothbrush recommendations. I had never imagined that an electric toothbrush could be a stylish accessory, but this one has a smooth, ergonomic design that’s a minimalist’s dream. One brushed silver button switches it off and on, and toggles between three brushing modes: ‘Sensitive,’ ‘Clean,’ and ‘White.’ Other toothbrushes offer more speed settings, but I found this to be more than enough (and less confusing). It uses Sonic technology that moves bristles side-to-side at a rate of up to 48,000 reps per minute.