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. 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 on your teeth and gums, and most brushes have a timer that encourages you to brush for the full two minutes.
Sonic or oscillating toothbrush?
There is an endless array of electric toothbrushes to choose from, but they generally fall into two categories: acoustic and oscillating (for U-shaped brushSee below). The best toothbrush is one you will use twice a day. You can buy the most high-end toothbrush, but if it feels weird in your mouth or hurts your gums, you won't want to use it.
Ada S. Cooper, a dentist and consumer advisory spokesperson American Dental Associationtold me that according to recent studies, both styles are effective in reducing plaque. She notes that you should talk to a dentist about which will work best for you, and she says to look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance, most of our picks have it. (If they don't, it doesn't mean they're bad.)
- A sonic toothbrush Looks similar to a manual brush, with an oval brush head. It vibrates slowly and quietly, using high-speed side-to-side bristle motion to break up plaque. Sonicare was the first brand to introduce sonic toothbrushes and is probably the most famous name in the category.
- vibrating toothbrush Rotate and oscillate—Oscillate means moving or swinging back and forth around the entire tooth. They are louder than sonic brushes and may cause more vibration to your head while brushing. If you're new to electric brushes you'll need to get used to it. Oral-B is probably the most well-known brand for this type of electric toothbrush.
Other Factors to Consider
Besides choosing between an oscillating and sonic toothbrush, these are some other factors you'll probably want to think about.
- Future Cost: You need to replace the brush head about every three months – even more if you 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 beforehand. oral-b offer different types of heads from to pack $9 for one To $55 for 10Many brands offer subscriptions at affordable prices. You can often find off-brand heads that cost less but work with the handles, although you may not get the same quality.
- Charging: Electric toothbrushes either have rechargeable batteries or replaceable batteries. Battery life depends on the brush, but it may need charging every week to a few months. Do you want to commit to keeping it charged or having a spare battery on hand or do you prefer the ease of a manual brush that can work anywhere, anytime?
- Brand History: If you purchase from a brand like Sonicare or Oral-B, it's much more likely that you'll be able to purchase replacement brush heads or get customer service if you need anything. You can also get these from stores instead of ordering them online. We recommend some new brands here, many of which only have online storefronts and no way to predict whether they'll be available in five years. However, some people make great brushes, so it may be worth it if the initial cost is not too high.
How to brush teeth effectively
There's no point buying the best toothbrush money can buy if you don't brush properly. Thankfully, it's very easy to get it right:
- fountain: You should floss your teeth before brushing once a day. Medea prefers floss picks instead of a string, and switches to a refillable version from quip,
- Brush for two minutes: Brush twice a day, spending about a minute on your top and bottom teeth – 30 seconds for each quadrant, which is why most electric toothbrushes have a 30-second timer to remind you to move to the next one. Is. Make sure you clean the front and back of the teeth and focus on cleaning the gum line, where food can stick and plaque can accumulate.
- Be gentle: If the bristles of your toothbrush look like they have been crushed, you are brushing too hard. You want to keep your teeth clean, but you don't have to actually scrub to do it. Electric toothbrushes often help people be gentle, but you still need to be careful.
- Don't forget your tongue: Bacteria accumulate on your tongue, which can cause bad breath, even with clean teeth. You can brush it off with your toothbrush or use the tongue cleaner that is on the back of some brush heads. i like to pair it with a tongue scraper for $10 First to remove most of the buildup.
- Do not rinse: If you're using fluoride toothpaste – which helps prevent tooth decay-You should not rinse your mouth Or use mouthwash immediately.
You don't need to spend more than a few Hamiltons for a good brush. We've tested several 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 estimated battery life, switching between modes and noting the cleaning power of each.
Listed 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 non-electric options. Don't forget to check out our other self-care gadget guides, from best hair dryer And best hair straightener till Best Shower Water Filter And best beard trimmer,
UPDATE December 2024: We've made the Snow LED Whitening Electric Toothbrush an option, and added notes about Snow's Advanced LED Whitening Electric Toothbrush Set.
Reporting by Christopher Null contributed to this guide.
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