Best Electric Toothbrush

Trying to find the best electric toothbrush recommended by dentists?

Brushing is the most important thing you can do to maintain your dental health. However, in my experience, many people are not brushing their teeth well. They brush too hard, don’t use the right technique, habitually miss the same areas and are not brushing for the recommended two-minutes time.

In conversations with patients, my number one recommendation to maintain dental health is to use an electric toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes help patients overcome all of the above obstacles and create strong brushing habits that keep teeth clean.

Dentist Recommended Electric Toothbrush

Below are three of the best electric toothbrushes on the market and my thoughts on each.

1. Phillips Sonicare Toothbrush

   

   The Phillips Sonicare toothbrush is recognized by many as the best electric toothbrush on the market – and is my personal favorite.

   This line of brushes is known for their sonic vibrations that give you that just-left-the-dentist clean feeling. Simply placing the toothbrush at the gum line will clean your teeth better than a manual toothbrush. And you don’t have to apply force, so you can’t brush too hard. The built-in timer also makes it easy to ensure you’re brushing for the recommended two minutes.

   The Sonicare DiamondClean Smart line is Sonicare’s top-tier offering, and my personal recommendation for anyone looking to buy an electric toothbrush. In addition to the sonic vibrations and built-in timer, this brush connects to your smartphone to offer brushing feedback. It also features a visual pressure sensor to alert you when you are brushing too hard and will reorder brush heads based on your usage.

   The con for many people is the price tag. This brush comes in at around $170, and according to reviews will only last about two years. The sonic vibrations also take some getting used to and can create a mess while you adjust to the sensation.

2. Oral-B Electric Toothbrush

   

   Over the years, many of my patients have suggested I try the Oral-B Genius. Like the Sonicare DiamondClean, the Oral-B Genius offers smartphone technology to provide real-time feedback about your brushing habits, coaching to ensure you brush for the recommended two minutes and a have a pressure alert to keep you from overbrushing your gums.

   The mechanics are where these brushes differ. The Oral-B electric toothbrush has a round head – versus the Sonicare’s rectangular head – and oscillates instead of vibrating. While this electric toothbrush will remove more plaque than a manual toothbrush, in my personal opinion it falls short of the Sonicare. It doesn’t feel as well made and is noticeably louder than the Sonicare. However, I do like the round brush head. The shape makes it very easy to get those hard-to-reach places.

   It’s worth noting that the Oral-B has a number of positive reviews online and people tend to like the brand. If you’re set on going with an Oral-B electric toothbrush, I would recommend the Oral-B iO – it’s quieter, smoother and closer in comparison to the Sonicare DiamondCare.

3. Quip Toothbrush

   

   The Quip toothbrush is also worth noting, as it’s gained popularity in recent years. This brush is in a different category than the others, as it’s an entry-level electric toothbrush.

   The Quip electric toothbrush provides users with the sonic vibrations and guiding pulses of an electric toothbrush with the lightweight simplicity of a manual toothbrush – all at a fraction of the cost of its competitors. It was also the first brush to offer a subscription plan and send users a new brush head every three months to meet dentist’s recommendations for changing your toothbrush or brush head.

   Quip believes that it’s not what you use, it’s how you use it – and while I don’t agree with that entirely – it is a good brush for anyone looking to dip their toe in the electric toothbrush game. I personally use the Quip toothbrush when traveling because of its slim design. You can also stick the brush to your bathroom mirror, freeing up counter space that the other options require.

While switching to an electric toothbrush can improve your oral health, it should not be the only thing you’re doing. Regular hygiene appointments will ensure you are removing plaque and tartar that can damage your teeth.

If it’s been awhile since your last dental cleaning, call our office to schedule an appointment.