According to data from the Oral Health Foundation, 12 million Brits have switched to electric toothbrushes over the last five years. An estimated 34 million U.K. adults, 67% of the population, now use an electric toothbrush. In the United States, Consumer Reports says the figure is roughly 132 million people, citing research by marketing analysis firm Mintel. Obviously, there’s been significant growth in the adoption of electric toothbrushes (and a decline in poking fun at English smiles). That also means more products have appeared on the market. So the questions become: how effective are these devices, what differentiates them, and how do you decide which to use?
Are Electric Toothbrushes Effective?
In 2014, the Cochrane Oral Health Group carried out an independent review of studies dating back to 1964. Yes, electronic toothbrushes predate Sonicare, which was unveiled in the early 1990s. A study of 5,068 participants found an 11% plaque reduction after 1–3 months and 21% after 3 months. Gingivitis dropped by 6% at 1–3 months and 11% after 3 months.
Marc Schlenoff, dentist and VP at Tend, notes these devices reduce cleaning force, lowering the risk of gum recession and tooth structure erosion.
A study spanning 11 years found that electric toothbrush users have healthier gums, less decay, and retain natural teeth longer than manual brush users. Dr. Nigel Carter OBE, CEO of the Oral Health Foundation, confirmed this, stating that electric toothbrushes offer clear benefits for oral health.
“As the science behind the advantages of electric toothbrushes is mounting,” Dr. Carter added, “the decision whether to invest in one becomes much easier.”
Electric toothbrushes may also yield better results for certain groups, experts say. For instance, older adults, especially those with arthritis or limited mobility, might not have the dexterity to maneuver a manual toothbrush effectively. Powered brushes do much of the work and their larger handles are easier to grip.-
All of that said, there is no reason for consumers to abandon traditional brushes. According to dentist and American Dental Association (ADA) spokesperson Dr. Ada Cooper, a manual toothbrush actually can deliver nearly the same dental hygiene benefits as an electric toothbrush, although many dentists and researchers believe the latter to have a slight edge.
What to Look For Brush Movement
Not all electric toothbrushes are created equal. Brush movement is one of the major differences. The movements of electric toothbrushes tend to span three types: rotating, oscillating, and sonic. Rotating, or rotary, brush heads move in a circular back-and-forth motion, over the surface of the tooth. Oscillating indicates a brush that moves in a side-to-side fashion. Sonic toothbrushes, popularized by the Philips Sonicare brand, vibrate the bristles at high speeds, up to frequencies of 50,000 movements per minute. As to which movement is the best, conclusive research has not been determined.
Reporting on the “7 Very Best Electric Toothbrushes” for New York Magazine, Jenna Milliner-Waddell, Karen iorio Adelson, and Ambar Pardilla interviewed dental practitioners to get their takes.
Dentist Sharon Huang of Les Belles NYC explains that sonic toothbrushes use sonic waves to dislodge debris with less force. She adds that rotating mechanisms require direct contact with teeth for effective cleaning.“The sonic toothbrush has a sonic wave. When your toothbrush gets close to your tooth, it dislodges bacteria even without direct contact. The ideal toothbrush handles it all. Orthodontist Janet Stoess-Allen emphasizes that rotating heads are especially effective at cleaning all sides of curved teeth.
Electric Toothbrushes in Bristles
Experts in the New York Magazine article state that people should use hard-bristled brushes for scrubbing grout from bathroom tiles, not for dental care. They unanimously preferred soft-bristled brushes, particularly for people with sensitive teeth and gums.
Another reason to consider soft bristles is the power of electric toothbrushes. A 2017 PLOS One study found electric toothbrushes caused more dentin abrasion than manual ones, with dentin exposure linked to enamel wear or gum recession.. Abrasions to the dentin increase tooth sensitivity and can hike cavity risks.
Consumer Reports explains that researchers tested dentin samples with simulated brushing over 8.5 years. Sonic toothbrushes caused the most abrasion, oscillating toothbrushes less, and manual brushes—especially with rippled bristles—the least. In fact, a gentle touch with a soft-bristled toothbrush—whether manual or electric—is the safest bet.”
Pressure Sensor in Electric Toothbrushes
Some electric toothbrushes detect aggressive brushing and respond by beeping or stopping the head’s movement using built-in pressure sensors.. It’s not an imperative feature for most people who are evaluating what device to buy, but it can provide tremendous benefits for individuals who are switching from manual to electric toothbrushes for the first time.
Timer in Electric Toothbrushes
To get the best results from your cleaning regimen, dentists recommend two minutes of brushing: 30 seconds for the fronts and backs of your upper and lower teeth. Many electric toothbrushes compensate for this by including a built-in timer that beeps or briefly pauses at the end of each 30-second interval.
Major Differences in Electric Toothbrushes
As manufacturers compete in their attempts to reach consumers who now have more choices, they have introduced a wide variety of devices into the market. Apart from certain functional aspects, such as bristles and head movement (e.g., oscillating, rotary, sonic), the primary differentiators come down to a few characteristics:
Aesthetics of Electric Toothbrushes
Sure, a toothbrush is a practical device, but that doesn’t mean every person favors a utilitarian design. In many households, a toothbrush can double as a piece of bathroom decor. You’ll find whimsical and cartoon-inspired brushes for children, sleek and modern looking devices such as Quip, and colorful yet streamlined brushes from brands like Goby, which the New York Magazine reviewers described as “eye candy for your bathroom counter.”
Features of the Best Electric Toothbrush
We’ve already discussed the core features of most electric toothbrushes, those that speak to functionality and effectiveness, but there are many other options manufacturers have added to bolster the appeal of their devices. Keep in mind, however, with increasing feature sets comes a spike in costs.
- Battery versus charging. Some people prefer the portability of brushes powered by battery rather than those that must charge on a stand or dock.
- Apps. Believe it or not, brushes like the Oral-B 8000 use Bluetooth technology to connect the device with an app on your phone. As New York Magazine explains, ”You can get real-time feedback on your brushing habits, help you know where you’ve brushed so you don’t miss a spot, and coaching to get you through the recommended two minutes. You can easily see this diagnostic report using the included phone holder that suctions onto the mirror.”
- Battery Life. Most brushes last about two weeks on one charge. Brushes such as Pro-Sys VarioSonic Electric Toothbrush have a prolonged battery life of one month on a single charge. For frequent travelers, this convenience could be an important consideration.
- Single Use. Not everyone is ready to leap headlong into the world of automated toothbrushes. For those looking to test the waters, there are non-rechargeable brushes on the market. A popular model is the Oral-B Pro-Health Anti-Microbial electric toothbrush, which offers a variety of colors and a low selling price.
Best Practices for Choosing an Electric Toothbrush
McCormack also offered solid advice on criteria to keep in mind when making purchasing decisions for electric toothbrushes.
- When shopping for an electric toothbrush, you’ll want a model that is gentle on gums, without sacrificing cleaning power.
- Look for a handle with a soft-touch grip, which will make the toothbrush easier to maneuver when cleaning all those hard-to-reach places where plaque can build up.
- Consider the replacement brush head options (and their cost) when selecting an electric toothbrush. The ADA recommends replacing the brush head at least every three months.
- A splurge-worthy benefit worth considering is a built-in, two-minute timer, which helps ensure that users brush long enough.
- Additional features such as pressure-sensing technology and adjustable program settings can help improve brushing technique, but aren’t really necessary.
In the end, That said, brushing with any toothbrush, either manual or electric, is better than not brushing at all.
