From whitening power to gum care, here's how to choose the best electric toothbrush
While the American Dental Association noted that electric and manual toothbrushes do a pretty equal job cleaning teeth and removing plaque, there are definitely some perks to going electric. An electric toothbrush can be better at hitting those hard-to-reach spots, which combats tooth decay, gingival inflammation, gum disease, gum recession and bad brushing habits. Also, they make it easier to brush for a longer period of time, ideally for 2 minutes twice a day, which is recommended by the ADA.
But which electric toothbrush to choose? There are a lot on the market, and it partly depends on your personal preference and oral health goals. Do you want to focus on plaque control, oral hygiene or getting whiter teeth? Do you have sensitive gums or teeth? Do you want a toothbrush with more than one brushing mode? Do you want a brush that comes with replacement brush heads or an oscillating toothbrush? How about a rechargeable electric toothbrush? The options are pretty much endless.
Then there are the features to consider: Do you want a smart toothbrush? Are you looking for a timer? (Dentists recommend brushing your teeth for 2 minutes twice a day with a soft-bristle toothbrush head.) Some brushes even have more than one cleaning mode, which also gives them a leg up over a manual brush when it comes to getting spotless chompers and impeccable oral hygiene.
The choices can be bewildering. Before you start shopping for the best electric toothbrush for your dental care, be sure to consider the three C's: Cost, Capabilities, and Convenience.
Cost: Electric toothbrushes can range from $20 to $200+, depending on the bells and whistles that are included. Be sure to review your options and purchase the brush that has the right options for you. A higher end brush may be right for you if it helps maintain your teeth and gums in the long run. However, don't just go by price. And regardless of which brush you choose, don't forget to floss!
Capabilities: Some electric toothbrushes just have a timer to get you brushing for a complete two minutes while others link to an app that specifies how you brushed, where you missed brushing, and what you could do better. There are also teeth whitening and gentle gum modes on various electric brushes. Talk to our dentist to see what capabilities you should look for.
Convenience: The convenience of an electric toothbrush is important too - how long does the brush holds its charge, how often do you need to change the brushhead (do you need automatic brushhead delivery?), and do you want to recharge it or use a battery operated brush. There are so many options from which to choose.
If You Brush Too Hard
Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 6100 is one of the most gentle of all brushes, yet it still feels like your teeth are thoroughly cleaned with each use. Despite having sensitive gums, some people still brush too hard. The Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean actually buzzes at you when you press down too hard with the Sonicare toothbrush -- a gentle nudge to let you know to lighten the pressure. The Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 6100 also has three different modes for different brushing needs: clean, whiten and gum care.
An Easy-to-Manage Electric Toothbrush
Hum by Colgate is a nice overall brush because it's smart, but not too smart. As you are aware, electric toothbrushes can have so many features and techie integrations that they can be difficult to manage -- sometimes you just want to brush your teeth and be done with it, you know?
Best Travel Electric Toothbrush
Quip is everything you need in a travel electric toothbrush. For one thing, Quip is super simple: It has one speed and a 2-minute timer that buzzes every 30 seconds and turns off once time is up. That's it. There's no app to fuss with and Quip is powered by an AAA battery located in the handle (the charge lasts three months). At that point, you replace the brush head with a fresh brush and replace the batteries. The toothbrush holder it comes with also doubles as a protective travel case. The brush itself is not tiny like most other electric toothbrushes, but some people really like a full-size brush head.
Best Electric Toothbrush with a Flosser
Waterpik and other water flossers make flossing incredibly easy and efficient. With hardly any effort and in about 5 minutes, the water flosser can remove food debris from in between my teeth (which are tightly packed) and from underneath a permanent metal retainer, which is something that could take up to 20 minutes to execute the traditional way.
Located in Onalaska, Wisconsin, the dentists and staff at Hulse Dental have been working with patients just like you for over 25 years. Together, the team provides the highest quality care for their patients, whether you are coming in for a routine cleaning, for a crown, an implant or for Invisalign. As a Family dentist and cosmetic dentist, superior care have always been hallmarks of our practice, and we would be honored to care for you as a new patient just as we have our current patients. Check us out online at hulsedental.com, email us at KurtHulseDental@gmail.com, call us at 608.783.1306 or just stop in at 1840 East Main Street, Onalaska 54650. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have. You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram.