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I hate brushing my teeth I do it because I have to, but it’s a time-consuming, uncomfortable process — standing in front of the mirror for two minutes can feel like an eternity. My dentist says I brush too hard too. Don’t even get me started on flossing. Electric toothbrushes make the whole experience easier. Their vibrations and oscillations can more effectively get rid of plaque from your teeth and gums, and most brushes have a timer that encourages you to brush for the full two minutes.
Sonic or Rocking Toothbrush?
There are seemingly endless electric toothbrushes to choose from, but they generally fall into two categories: voiced and oscillating (for) U-shaped brushessee below). The best toothbrush is the one you will use twice a day. You can buy the most highly rated toothbrush around, but you may not want to use it if it feels weird in your mouth or hurts your gums.
Ada S. Cooper, a dentist and consumer advisor spokeswoman American Dental AssociationAccording to recent research, both styles are effective in reducing plaque. He notes that you should talk to your dentist about which would be best for you, and he says to look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance. (If they don’t, that doesn’t mean they’re bad.)
- A sonic toothbrush looks like a hand brush with an oval brush head. It gently and quietly vibrates using a high-speed side-to-side bristle motion to break up the board. Sonicare was the first brand to introduce a sonic toothbrush and is probably the most recognized name in the category.
- Swinging toothbrushes oscillate and pulsate—meaning to oscillate, move or rock back and forth around the entire tooth. They are louder than sonic brushes and can cause your head to vibrate more when you brush. If you’re new to electric brushes, you’ll get used to it. Oral-B is probably the most popular brand for this type of electric toothbrush.
Other factors to consider
In addition to choosing between oscillating and sonic toothbrushes, there are a few other factors you’ll want to think about.
- Future cost: You should replace the brush head about every three months – more often if you tend to brush with a lot of pressure. Their price varies depending on the brand and type of head, so it’s a good idea to check in advance. Oral-B offers different types of heads in packages of up to $9 for one for $55 for 10. Many brands offer subscriptions at a lower price. You can often find off-brand hoods that work with the handle, although you may not get the same quality for less.
- Filling: Electric toothbrushes have either rechargeable or replaceable batteries. Battery life depends on the brush, but it may need to be charged every week to several months. Do you want to commit to keeping it charged or have a spare battery on hand, or do you prefer the convenience of a handheld brush that works anytime, anywhere?
- Brand history: If you buy from a brand like Sonicare or Oral-B, you’re more likely to be able to get replacement brush heads or contact customer service if you need anything. Instead of ordering online, you can also get them in store. We recommend several new brands here, many of which only have online storefronts, and there’s no way to predict whether they’ll still be around in five years. Some make great brushes, so if the initial price isn’t too high, it might be worth it.
How to brush teeth effectively
Getting the best toothbrush money can buy won’t do any good if you don’t brush properly. Thankfully, it’s pretty easy to do right:
- Thread: You should brush your teeth before brushing once a day. Medea prefers thread to thread and has switched to a Downloadable version from Quip.
- Brush for two minutes: Brush twice a day, spending about a minute on your top and bottom teeth—30 seconds per quadrant, which is why most electric toothbrushes have 30-second timers to remind you to switch to the next one. Be sure to get the front and back of the teeth and focus on cleaning the gum line where food can get stuck and plaque can build up.
- be gentle: If your toothbrush bristles look crushed, you’re brushing too hard. You want to keep your teeth clean, but you don’t actually need to brush. Electric toothbrushes often help people become more gentle, but you still need to be careful.
- Don’t forget your language: Bacteria build up on your tongue and this can cause bad breath despite clean teeth. You can brush it with your toothbrush or use the tongue cleaner on the back of some brush heads. I like to combine it with a A tongue scraper for $10 first to remove most of the buildup.
- Do not wash: It helps if you use fluoride toothpaste prevents tooth decay– you he should not rinse his mouth or use mouthwash immediately.
A good brush won’t cost you more than a few Hamiltons. We’ve tested many types, from basic models to fancy models with oscillating brushes and everything in between. We test the brushes for at least two weeks, but try to use them for their approximate battery life by switching between modes and noting the cleaning power of each.
Below are the best electric toothbrushes you can buy. If you don’t want to have another device that needs charging, we also have eco-friendly cordless options. Don’t forget to check out our other self-care gadget guides from The best hair dryers and Best Hair Straighteners for The best shower water filters and The best beard trimmers.
Updated December 2024: We’ve made the Snow LED Whitening Electric Toothbrush an option and added notes about Snow’s Advanced LED Whitening Electric Toothbrush Kit.
Christopher Null’s reporting contributed to this guide.
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