What type of electric toothbrush are there?
If you're used to the usual up-down brushing motions of a manual toothbrush, you'll be surprised to know there are two camps when it comes to brushing your teeth with an electric one. The Oral-B iO series’ oscillating round brush heads rotate at thousands of brushes per minute, isolating each tooth to give it a clean at lightning speeds.
Sonic brushes resemble traditional toothbrush heads and are the default for Philips' Sonicare range. Instead of rotating, they vibrate at ultra-high frequencies to wash plaque and dirt away from the gum line. Both have a range of different cleaning modes that offer varying speeds or power settings for a deeper wash or a gentle clean for sensitive gums, (which are largely all the same we might add) but give you the choice to switch up your cleaning as and when you need it. With either choice, your teeth will be happy.
If it's proper advice you're after, then Hundeshagen advises, “Simply let the brush glide from tooth to tooth, ensuring you are covering all surfaces of your teeth and gums, for the dentist recommended two minutes. Different electric toothbrush models have different features such as a 2-minute timer, pressure sensor and even guided brushing using artificial intelligence, to make brushing your teeth even more effective.”
What brand of electric toothbrush is best?
While you've likely sworn allegiance to particular brands for your other gadgets –hands up who refuses to be anything other than Team iPhone– there really doesn't need to be that much loyalty when it comes to toothbrushes, mostly because there are quite a few solid options available at any budget, from the cheap travel options all the way up to the more expensive models.
You've all heard of Oral-B, which is easily the most visible brand in the oral healthcare world, but for good reason. Oral-B's iO series stands out above the rest for the unparalleled AI integration that we just didn't know we needed; though be prepared to spend more on these ones. Alternatives like the Oral-B Pro series are solid if you’re on a budget, but will drop several high-end features like AI connectivity to your smartphone.
Philips offers alternative sonic options which can be kinder to your gums if the oscillating option is too abrasive. then there are the best of the rest, with the likes of Suri, Panasonic and Ordo producing excellent alternatives for those who are eco-conscious, after longer batteries, or even want to do a spot of beard trimming with the same device. In all cases, it's largely down to your budget and personal preference, but you'll be guided through our shopping expert favourites below.
Why should you use an electric toothbrush?
Electric toothbrushes take a lot of the effort and guesswork from your hygiene routine, with built-in brushing timers so you’re not under or over-brushing, sensors to warn you if you’re brushing too hard on your gums, and trackers to help you see different areas of your mouth you’re regularly missing. If you’ve got your technique down to a T with a manual one, then you might not see an electric one as much of an improvement for keeping gum disease at bay.
Bluetooth-enabled electric smart brushes like the Oral-B smart series also give you a score with real-time feedback via the brand’s Oral-B app, prompting you to forever be hunting for the perfect score every time you brush for a dentist-recommended smile. Many smart rechargeable electric toothbrushes also have two-minute timers to help ensure a dazzling Colgate smile. Remember though, you’ll still need to floss, ideally with the help of one of the best water flossers.
Do dentists recommend electric toothbrushes?
Anyone struggling to keep a regular routine will benefit from an electric brush simply because it makes all your cleaning a little easier, but it’s worth noting that dentists don’t really care what kind of brush you’re using, so long as you use it properly. The American Dental Association (ADA) reckons you can use either, so long as you’re brushing twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste.
Don't believe them? Our mates at Oral-B say, “Electric toothbrushes are proven to remove six times more plaque than using a manual toothbrush, which is one of the reasons why dental professionals recommend using an electric toothbrush, twice a day, for a minimum of two minutes. For optimum oral health and supreme gum care, you should also ensure you are flossing regularly.” Never neglect the floss.
Are electric toothbrushes better than manual toothbrushes?
If you'd rather use a manual brush and a bit of elbow grease for your oral hygiene, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that and your dentist will still likely be proud of you for keeping on top of your routine. However, electric toothbrushes crank up the efficiency, power and speed of your cleaning, and will likely be the better option for almost every one of you reading this.
According to multiple studies, electric toothbrushes are always better at removing plaque and bacteria from your teeth, blitzing your gnashers with high-powered vibrations and movements to cleanse them quickly. With many devices featuring multiple brush settings, head types and brushing experiences, you'll be able to customise your daily brush and personalise it for a dazzling smile — and no toothaches.
They also have a tonne of useful features like built-in timers and pressure sensors to guarantee you clean for the optimal length of time and pressure whenever you brush, and some will even have high-end AI tech that will map out your mouth and highlight areas you've missed or under-brushed.
You may have heard rumours that electric brushes will eradicate the enamel on your teeth and make them more brittle, but there's no evidence that we're aware of that shows this is true. Brushing too hard can damage your gums and teeth, but if you use an electric brush correctly, you'll keep your gob clean and healthy.
What features should I look out for in an electric toothbrush?
Brushing motion: Toothbrushes come in two styles: oscillating and sonic. Oscillating brushes have a motor inside that twists the brush head in a rotating motion, gripping the teeth and brushing between the teeth and keeping things squeaky clean. It's mainly the domain of Oral-B's brushes but you might also see other brands utilising this one. The other type is a sonic toothbrush, which firmly vibrate the brush and teeth to shake off detritus.
Brushing modes: The vast majority of toothbrushes have several cleaning modes depending on the type of brush you're after. For instance, some will have specific settings for sensitive teeth, gum cleaning, daily cleansing or a dedicated mode for cleaning your tongue. Pricier models will feature more modes and, while most are largely the same sort of thing with minute variations in speed, it might be that you need to look after delicate gums for the foreseeable future. Your brushing habits will largely dictate which setting you use, but you always have the option to experiment with what feels comfortable.
Replacement heads: You should be replacing your toothbrush head every month or so, but it can often be a headache to set up a subscription or remember to actually buy some new ones every once in a while. Replacing the heads keeps the bristles clean and firm for brushing, and the vast majority of our top picks below have rolling purchases of three heads or more so you have no excuse.
Included extras: Investing heavily in an electric toothbrush might also mean you get a few extra bits and bobs alongside the device. For instance, some come with travel cases, replacement brush heads as part of the main purchase, or UV cleansing cases to totally clean your brush ready for the morning. It's also worth checking to see if the device arrives with a warranty. Most of these brushes below are far from cheap, so protecting your purchase is often a good idea.
Battery life: Almost all electric toothbrushes feature lithium, rechargeable batteries to power the motor, and in almost all cases that we've tested, they last around two weeks of brushing before requiring a trip to the wall socket. Some may last longer (the spennier ones will have more endurance) but anything longer than a week saves you the regular headache of having to top it up before you brush.
Do I need a Bluetooth-enabled toothbrush?
Modern toothbrushes are packed full of smart tech that goes a long way in elevating your brushing technique, but this impressive modernity requires a Bluetooth connection to your smartphone to make it work. Chances are you've got a Bluetooth-enabled handset, so it's not too much of an interruption to your normal routine, but it will require you to have your phone while standing in front of the mirror.
Essentially, this connection will sync up your two devices so you can keep track of the smart features on your phone. This might be monitoring your brushing routine, showing you the quality of your brush with trackable graphs or, in the more extreme and expensive cases, showing you a 3D live map of your gob so you can see which teeth are getting the most love and where you need to work harder.
To get it connected, you'll have to enable Bluetooth on your phone and then likely download an app from the brand. This will hook the two up so you can track your progress on your phone. Admittedly, you don't really need this to brush your teeth. The devices will work without this feature, but you do get a tonne more things to play around with if you choose to do so and, given that you're paying a fairly hefty cost for the models with this option enabled, you may as well use all the features available.
How often should I replace my electric toothbrush heads?
Hygiene should be upfront in your thoughts as you purchase a new toothbrush. One of the biggest concerns? How often you should replace the brush part of the tool itself? The brush is the part that interacts with your gob the most, so it's always going to deteriorate over time as well as accumulate the stuff you don't want to be putting back in your mouth. Therefore, getting into the habit of regularly replacing them is only going to be beneficial.
Most recommendations suggest you replace your brush head every three months to keep them in pristine condition, and you can usually buy a year's worth of brush heads from retailers like Amazon when you pick up the brush, but that does require some future planning to know when you need to buy more.
However, most of the time, that stress can be removed from your thoughts, as you can sign up to subscription packages that automatically send you a shiny new set of heads when you need it. Alternatively, some dentistry practices have a store of replacement heads to keep you topped up until your next visit.
What are the best men’s grooming tools 2024?
There’s nothing wrong with taking care of yourself, but for many, collecting all the grooming tools you need to do a decent job is about as tough as Thanos’ hunt for the Infinity Stones: possible, but takes a lot of time and effort. However, our shopping experts are well-versed in finding the best devices to keep you looking sharp and feeling healthy, whether you’re looking to trim down your beard, hydrate your skin or improve your flossing game with a high-powered jet of water.
We’ve got dedicated roundups on all sorts of grooming essentials to help you find out what’s worth buying. Check out our guides on the best beard trimmers, hair clippers, electric shavers, body hair trimmers, nose hair trimmers, moisturisers, water flossers and toothpaste to complete your bathroom cabinet.
Black Friday 2024 electric toothbrush deals
Black Friday season is officially here, and that means lots of discounts across all sorts of items, from kitchen deals and fragrance deals to Nike discounts, Shark bargains, and, of course, electric toothbrush deals. You've likely already spotted some of the electric toothbrush deals above, like 67 per cent off the Oral-B iO4, or 33 per cent off the Panasonic Multishape. And there's bound to be plenty more savings on the way.
In fact, we'll be updating this page with more deals as they come in, including ones from major retailers like Amazon, John Lewis, Argos, Boots, and more, to keep on top of all the Black Friday 2024 deals.
For more fashion, grooming and technology releases delivered straight to your inbox,sign up for our GQ Recommends newsletter.
