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The 19 best electric toothbrushes, according to dentists

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The 19 best electric toothbrushes, according to dentists

We’ve heard it all but, sometimes, it isn’t as simple (though highly important). And, much to our luck, some of the best electric toothbrushes on the market can help carve out the work for you.

In contrast to the manual ones you can pick up at your local dollar store, electric toothbrushes boast modern technology to help clean off debris and maintain that pearly white smile you all want and seek.

To help you find the right toothbrush for you, we spoke to three different oral hygiene experts: Sharon Huang, DDS, founder of NYC’s Les Belles, Dr. Marina Gonchar, DMD and owner of the New Jersey-based practice Skin to Smile, and Whitney DiFoggio, BS, RDH and founder of TeethTalkGirl.com.

“An electric toothbrush is more effective in removing food, debris and bacteria from your mouth, particularly between your teeth and at the gumline, compared to a manual toothbrush,” Huang told The Post. “Research has shown that brushing for two minutes with an electric toothbrush is equivalent to brushing for seven minutes manually.”

DiFoggio has similar thoughts. “As a dental hygienist, I recommend electric toothbrushes to almost all of my patients. This is because there is a less chance of user error when brushing with an electric toothbrush.  Since they don’t do the work for you like electric toothbrushes, manual toothbrushes have a higher chance of [being used] incorrectly.”

Not to mention, people who use an electric toothbrush have better oral health compared to people who do not — meaning their gums and teeth are healthier overall, according to Dr. Huang.

Ahead, our dentist experts share the best electric toothbrushes to buy, along with answering some commonly asked questions about electric toothbrush benefits and what to look for when buying one. Check out our teeth whitening review for an extra add-to-cart item.

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There are many electric toothbrushes on the market and it’s not easy determining which one deserves a space at your bathroom counter. “If the electric toothbrushes have the ADA (American Dental Association) seal of acceptance, then we know they are safe and efficient, if used correctly,” DiFoggio advices. For this reason, we like Oral-B. A number of the brand’s electric toothbrushes have earned the coveted seal, including those in the iO Series.

A favorite? The iO Series 5. It has a built-in timer, pressure sensors to keep you from brushing too hard or soft, and also works with an AI powered app that tracks how and when you brush.

Customer review: “I don’t love brushing my teeth, to be honest. This thing rocks. Removed plaque I didn’t know was plaque. I highly recommend.”

Another ADA approved pick is this electric toothbrush from Bitvae. It offers three different intensities, as well as five cleaning modes, so regardless if you’ve just enjoyed popcorn or kale, no food spec will be left behind. It’s also waterproof — good to know for those who like to brush in the shower — and the battery life is more than 100 hours. One of the best electric toothbrushes for sensitive teeth, many are fans of the soft bristles. And if you’re impressed by apps, you’ll be happy to know that the toothbrush does work with one. However, some happy customers report its a hit or miss.

Customer review: “This is very cool and easy to use! It comes with a case that contains four replacement heads. It’s slender and easy to store or travel with. It only needs to be charged every once in a while and holds battery very well. It’s easy to use and has five modes (Normal, Sensitive, White, Tongue and Smart) You can use it without the app but can also download [it] to control from your phone. It’s definitely worth the money!”

This is an entry-level oscillating electric toothbrush if some of the other options are too pricey. “I like that it has a sensor to let you know if you’re brushing too hard and a timer that goes off every 30 seconds so you know when to move to a different section of your mouth,” Dr. Huang says.

More than, 55,000 folks on Amazon have given it five stars, making it one of the best rated electric toothbrushes around. Its small, round head easily moves from tooth to tooth — even the hard to reach ones in the back. It’s also gentle, so if you have sensitive gums, give it a shot. Another bonus? That it comes in white, blue and pink, which makes brushing something to look forward to even more!

For a real bargain, grab Oral-B’s Genius X Electric Toothbrush. It’s 28% off.

Customer review: “Love this thing- it hits the sweet spot between having the features I most want (the pressure sensor, 3 modes, and the 30-second quadrant timer) without having a lot of silly extras like connection to an app and such. I got this as an upgrade from a slightly more basic model from the [same company] and I love it. Highly recommend.”

For a standout electric toothbrush that’ll do the job, the Soniclean PRO 3500 Toothbrush is one of the best values we’ve seen, considering it comes with not one, not two but eight brush heads. It’s also water-resistant, boasts a two-minute smart timer (to ensure a dentist-recommended clean) and comes with a one-year warranty in case anything goes awry.

Don’t forget to also check out the Soniclean toothbrushes at Amazon.

Customer review: “I have braces but like the sensitive setting on this brush. When I get an adjustment, that setting is just what I need to get clean without the pain. I also love that it comes with eight heads because having braces, I change my toothbrush out more frequently than before. I like the color and the slender design. My old one was bulky and I didn’t use it much. The size of the brush heads are great as well. They’re not too small. My mouth feels fresh when I finish.”

“This is certainly one of the more pricey options, but it has tons of great features like sensors that tell you if you’re using too much pressure, as well as the ability to sync your toothbrush up to your phone to see where you need to pay more attention to cleaning,” Dr. Huang notes.

DiFoggio also favors a toothbrush with sensors. She says, “I [recommend] electric toothbrushes with pressure sensors, since they are especially great at helping you know what type of pressure to use when holding their toothbrush on your teeth. If you are someone with gum recession [or] you’ve been told by your dental provider to be more gentle when brushing your teeth, I would definitely consider using one that has a visual pressure sensor or a pulsing pressure sensor.”

The electric toothbrush has three intensities, four cleaning modes, and comes with three different brush heads that automatically pair with the right mode to give a proper cleaning. Capable of removing 10 times the plaque in comparison to a manual brush (including around the gums), your smile will thank you every time you look in the mirror.

Customer review: “I have used Phillips electric toothbrushes for many years. I love them. Good quality, long lasting, and easy to use.”

If you’re searching for the best electric toothbrush and water flosser combo, look no further. An ADA approved brand, this is also one of the best electric toothbrushes for braces. The bristles of the toothbrush have a high-low design and are soft enough to be gentle on teeth and gums, while still being tough enough to dislodge debris. The water flosser easily moves behind metal and the gaps between teeth, removing plaque with a quickness! Switch between the different cleaning settings to find your favorite. We suggest sticking to the lower ones if your mouth is on the sensitive side. Regardless, we think you’ll love it as much as the 1,000 plus Best Buy customers who swear by it.

Customer review: “Excellent. Just what we needed for my pre-teen as he begins his journey with braces.”

If you’re looking to splurge on oral care, there’s no better electric toothbrush than Philips’ Sonicare Prestige 9900 Electric Toothbrush. Boasting the same brand Dr. Huang loves, it’s even more precise thanks to the SenseIQ technology that brings more motion to your teeth and gums, along with its angled bristles to remove more plaque.

Customer review: “This is a beautiful looking electric toothbrush. It works great and I’ve noticed a difference in how my teeth feel after brushing in comparison to another brand I was using for years. This color is gorgeous. I think for the price, the battery life could be better but I still recommend it if you’re looking for a higher quality electric toothbrush. I travel quite a bit and it’s super easy to pack, as it isn’t too bulky. It comes with a beautiful case too.”

Is this toothbrush pricey? Yes. Yes, it is. However, it’s also really neat and one of the best Oral-B electric toothbrush options. It can guide the entire brushing experience — without the use of its app — thanks to its charging base. It has seven different cleaning modes, including one that focuses on cleaning your tongue and another for whitening your pearlies. It also comes with a charging travel case, so you can keep that million dollar smile going on vacay.

Customer review: “Replaced an aging older Oral-B model that was beginning to have charging issues and splurged on the top of line model. Wow. This toothbrush works really well and feels like a dentist cleaning each time. Seems much faster and more thorough than the one I replaced.”

“This is my personal favorite,” Dr. Huang shares. “It’s the most gentle electric toothbrush I’ve used (and I’ve tried them all!).”

Namely, she likes that the bristle is delicate and soft, which is essential. And, she still gets a great clean every time she uses this brush.

Aside from white, this slim electric toothbrush also comes in black, pink and purple. For more of a value, opt to order the bundle on Amazon for a box that comes with four replacement heads and a travel case.

Customer review: “Absolutely love this toothbrush. I had the first generation of Burst toothbrushes. I upgraded to the new one recently and absolutely love it. Can’t recommend this product enough. Their warranty is great. The battery on my last toothbrush died and would only work after every charge — they replaced it for free! This new generation can hold a charge for a week without having to keep it on the stand. We travel a lot, so that’s a huge perk for me.”

“This is another compact option that is great for travel,” Dr. Huang says. “It has a USB power charger and adaptor, so it’s easy to take with you wherever you go.”

Conveniently, Bruush also has an optional subscription plan, so you can receive automatic brush heads sent to you directly. The color options are unique, too. More importantly, it has multiple cleaning modes, has a 4 week battery life, and a 2 minute timer.

Customer review: “There is no comparison between Bruush and standard toothbrushes. The Bruush exceeds all expectations.”

There’s a few things we like about this electric toothbrush. For starters, it doesn’t have an app, so if you can’t deal with downloading another thing, this could be for you. Armed with a 40-day battery lifespan, as well as a waterproof design, the brush offers more than 30,000 sonic vibrations to dislodge plaque and hidden food. It’s slim, which we love, because packing a bulky brush is annoying. Its carrying case also has UV-C lighting to kill bacteria. Okay, we like more than a few things about this pick, and so do the 4,000 reviews who’ve given it a five star rating. While we do wish it had an ADA seal to back it, we’re excited to know that it’s the winner of several awards.

Customer review: “I absolutely love my SURIi toothbrush! T[en out of ten I would recommend it!] Sustainability, reparability and the lifetime guarantee were the primary reasons I purchased one, as I needed to replace my previous perfectly functional electric toothbrush (because the heads for it were discontinued). And I’m so glad I decided to get one — I love it! The toothbrush itself is high quality and my teeth have never felt so clean. I particularly like the fact that I can switch between the everyday clean mode and the polish mode. Very shortly after I got mine, everyone else in my family also wanted one, so now my house has one of each color! I’ve had it a month and have not had to charge it yet, and the case it came with is very convenient for travel. It’s worth noting that the UV cleaning light only works when the case is plugged in to charge, meaning I don’t use it as often as I thought I would. But it’s still a nice feature to have.”

Adored by Dr. Huang for being extremely quiet, Philips’ Sonicare 4100 Electric Toothbrush is a bargain buy. “This is a less expensive option from Phillips, with some of the features of the DiamondClean, like the two-minute timer,” she notes.

Plus, it comes with a pressure sensor to protect your teeth and gums from excess brushing pressure, along with a two-week battery life and a two-year manufacturer’s warranty.

Customer review: “My hygienist recommended this brush. My gum line was receding due to me brushing too hard. This brush was recommended and it has saved my gums! When I push too hard, it beeps to let me know. I can already see a difference in my gums and my teeth are so much cleaner! I keep the charger plugged in so there is never an issue with battery life. It’s always charged and ready to brush! Plus I got pink, which is super cute!”

All electric toothbrushes make noise. However, this one is on the quieter side and doesn’t disappoint in the cleaning department. Its soft brush has rounded filaments to buff and shine, and there’s even a built-in memory function if you have to pause mid-brushing.

Customer review: “This toothbrush helped me get a great checkup at the dentist. The hygenist said i had very little plaque. I was in and out of the chair in 23 minutes, and that included talking and a fluoride treatment. She said the toothbrush made the difference!

Looking to brush your teeth with something boasting a sleek copper design (among other styles)? Well, quip’s model is as low as $30 and is an all-around great find, making it one of the best affordable electric toothbrush options on the market.

“The quip service is a good option for people who don’t want to have to remember to purchase new brush heads, since you’ll get new ones in the mail every few months,” Dr. Huang explains.

Dr. Marc Lowenberg a cosmetic dentist of Lowenberg, Lituchy & Kantor in New York City also adds that “any toothbrush that people are excited to use is beneficial, because they will be more inclined to use it.”

Customer review: “Love this toothbrush for home and travel. Great battery life and compact. I love it has a cover that can stick [to the wall].”

Just like Huang, Lowenberg also loves Philips Sonicare toothbrushes. “[It’s] amazing configuration of bristles [that] make you actually feel like the bristles are getting in between the teeth, and the vibrating power of the brush leaves your mouth feeling like your teeth have been thoroughly cleaned,” Lowenburg said.

Customer review: “Some sonic style brushes are simply too strong and make brushing uncomfortable. Thus brush works amazingly without being uncomfortable. I like being able to replace the batteries versus having to recharge it. Makes using it while traveling easier.”

For a more ergonomic design, the FOREO ISSA 3 features a handle that, according to Lowenberg, “allows you to effectively reach every part of the mouth.” What’s notable about this design is how the bristles are made with silicone, which is nonabrasive and soft, which he also notes provides a gentler, more comfy brushing experience.

“Another benefit is that the bristles are nonporous silicone which is resistant to bacteria build-up,” he said. “I typically recommend that my patients use a soft-bristled, electric toothbrush with a timer, like the Issa, because they remove plaque and stains more effectively while still being gentle on tooth enamel and helping to prevent gum recession.”

Customer review: “What I like about the Issa 3 Sonic Toothbrush is the minimalistic design and the fact that it is charged with a USB cable. Usually when I think of electric toothbrushes, I think of clunky charging docks and accessories which take up so much counter space and aren’t the most travel friendly. I’d honestly dare to travel with the Issa 3 — even without its charging cable, because it holds a charge really well. I’ll have to test out the 365 days with only one charge claim but it’s doing amazing so far. The design is similar to a classic toothbrush only slightly larger, and the silicone material is softer so it isn’t rough on the gums. I haven’t experienced any bleeding while getting used to it, like I did with regular soft toothbrushes.”

Where do we start with this bad boy? It’s simply amazing — and so reasonably priced! Featuring a flexible head and four different cleaning mode. We love the UV sanitizing station meets charging dock, as well as its timer. A single charge will give you 30 days of uninterrupted brushings, and two travel cases are also included.

Customer review: “Works great! Stays charged and travels well. I like the whitening setting. The clean setting is intense! It does the 30 sec intervals and I’ve noticed a huge difference in the whiteness and cleanliness of my teeth. A great buy for an awesome price.”

This pick from Oral-B is one of the best electric toothbrush for kids. It doesn’t hurt that it’s also an Amazon Choice product, too — because getting kids to brush their teeth can sometimes be a struggle (you can say that again).

“It comes in a few character options, like Moana, which can help motivate,” Dr. Huang shares. “On the cleaning side, it comes with gentle brush heads and has a magic timer app to help kids brush for the recommended time.”

Customer review: “Perfect for teaching the kiddo how to brush. The timer and pressure notifications are obviously and very helpful.”

You don’t have spend a lot of money to up your child’s brushing game. This kid’s electric toothbrush is $5, ADA approved, and is easy to handle. It doesn’t have the frills an adult brush has but does your child need those? Probably not.

Customer review: “I never would have thought that buying a motorized toothbrush would have my son so motivate to remind me to help him brush his teeth. It’s definitely convenient and very helpful to help a 5-year-old train to brush his teeth. Having Yoshi on it is a plus, and my boy loves Mario, so another win for Dad!”

Aside from brushing away to better oral health, electric toothbrushes have unique capabilities that render them better than manual ones.

“Electric toothbrushes either rotate the bristles or use sonic energy to remove debris, plaque and bacteria so they are washed away,” Dr. Huang explains. “Electric toothbrushes can be much more gentle on teeth and gums compared to the force you’d need to use with a manual toothbrush to get the same results.”

Plus, electric toothbrushes are also great for children who haven’t fully learned how to properly remove all food, or for anyone with mobility issues that would prevent them from brushing their teeth properly, per Dr. Huang.

Dr. Marina Gonchar, DMD and owner of the New Jersey-based practice Skin to Smile also notes that the design makes it easier for people with limited mobility “as it requires less wrist and hand motion.”

First things first — look for an electric toothbrush with a head that will comfortably fit inside your mouth. “Typically, smaller is better so that the toothbrush head can maneuver all around your mouth and in the front, behind and on top of your teeth,” Dr. Huang notes.

She also recommends looking for an electric toothbrush that has extra soft bristles. “The soft bristles in an electric toothbrush strike the right balance of being effective, yet gentle on your teeth and gums so as not to cause irritation,” Dr. Huang adds. “Abrasiveness brushes will strip enamel and cause gum recession.”

DiFoggio likes toothbrushes with timers. She says, “Different electric toothbrushes will provide different benefits depending on the individual’s dental health, such as tooth sensitivity, gum recession, swollen gums. My best advice is to always ask your personal dental provider which toothbrush they feel would best fit your needs.

“I always recommend electric toothbrushes with built-in timers. This beneficial feature tells you how long to brush and some even tell you when to switch quadrants. A normal tooth brushing session should be 2 minutes and you should spend 30 seconds cleaning each of the 4 quadrants in your mouth.”

Gonchar also notes the importance of different brushing modes, which “provide versatile functionality for changing dental needs.”

The general rule of thumb is to replace your toothbrush head every 12 weeks, according to Dr. Huang. And, it’s best to replace your toothbrush head sooner if you’ve been sick or if you notice missing, frayed or loose bristles.

“Both oscillating (rotating) and sonic (vibrating) electric toothbrushes are equally effective,” says DiFoggio. “Electric toothbrushes are capable of making thousands of tiny strokes in just a few seconds, whereas manual toothbrushes are not.  So, if you use an electric toothbrush properly, you should be able to clean your teeth above average.”

This is a question likely everyone wants more clarity about (us included). Luckily, Dr. Huang provides her expert tips.

“The best oral care routine consists of daily flossing, teeth brushing twice daily, removing bacteria from the tongue with a scraper daily and mouth rinsing daily — in this order,” she instructs. “The two most important items are daily flossing and twice-daily brushing.”

And, if you want to add a mouthwash, too, Dr. Huang says to “go for it” (aside from visiting a dentist a least twice a year for a deep clean and/or if you’re experiencing any kind of pain or irritation in your mouth).

It may sound like a silly question but, when your prized tooth scrubber lives on your bathroom counter, it can become easy to leave it at home when traveling — but you don’t have to.

“Separate the toothbrush head from the toothbrush handle when you travel, and place both in a plastic bag (or a travel bag included with many electronic toothbrushes),” Dr. Huang said. “Pack the toothbrush and toothbrush head in your carry-on.”

The 19 best electric toothbrushes, according to dentists

Automatic Toothbrush And, for a pro tip, she recommends fully charging your toothbrush before traveling as it should hold a charge anywhere from one week to one month, depending on the brand.