Electric toothbrushes are battery-powered brushes that use oscillating or sonic vibrating movements to eliminate plaque, debris, and even bacteria from your mouth. Whether you settle on a budget electric toothbrush or one with all the bells and whistles, most models come with different cleaning modes, pressure sensors, and even timers to help you up your oral health game. Choosing one comes down to budget and your individual needs; maybe you have sensitive teeth or gums and need gentle brushing modes, or perhaps you need something to tackle plaque around braces.
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), both proxy and electric brushes work equally well to clean your teeth. However, a 2019 study published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology suggests that people who use an electric toothbrush may have healthier gums and less tooth decay over time, in comparison to those who use a manual toothbrush. Plus, a powered toothbrush might help you ditch some of your bad brushing habits, like not cleaning for the recommended two minutes—per the ADA—or failing to hit hard-to-reach spots, which could lead to tooth decay, gingival inflammation, gum disease, and gum recession over time.
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The difference between oscillating and sonic electric toothbrushes
When shopping for an electric toothbrush, there are two basic types to consider: oscillating brushes (which rotate or oscillate back-and-forth in a circular motion) and sonic brushes, which vibrate at high frequencies, according to Kami Hoss DDS, MS, co-founder and CEO of The Super Dentists dental practice and author of If Your Mouth Could Talk.
Sonic toothbrushes typically vibrate at 24,000 to 40,000 strokes per minute, with the sonic pulse technology creating a powerful vibration that moves fluids and toothpaste through hard-to-reach places in your mouth (think: between your teeth and along gums). On the other hand, oscillating electric toothbrushes rotate at around 1,300 to 8,800 strokes per minute and use a rotating circular motion to clean each tooth.
While there are studies that claim one to be superior over the other, there's actually little evidence finding that one technology is more effective.The one thing that does seem to be agreed upon? The dentists we spoke to say there are more benefits to using an electric toothbrush than a manual, so if you haven't already, it might be time to make the switch from a classic brush.
The 14 best electric toothbrushes to shop online, according to experts:
- Best Overall Dentist-Recommended: Oral-B Genius X Electric Toothbrush
- Best Sonicare: Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Toothbrush
- Best Oral-B Option: Oral-B Pro 1000 Power Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush Powered by Braun
- Best Battery-Operated: Foreo ISSA 2 Toothbrush
- Best for Plaque Buildup: Philips Sonicare Flexcare Platinum Connected Rechargeable Toothbrush
- Best Budget: Smile Direct Club Electric Toothbrush
- Best for Receding Gums: Rotadent Contour
- Best With Water Flosser: Waterpik Sonic-Fusion 2.0 Professional Electric Toothbrush and Water Flosser Combo
- Best Subscription: Shyn Sonic Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush
- Best for Beginners: Gleem Electric Toothbrush
- Best for Sensitive Teeth: Oral-B iO Series 9 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush
- Best for Travel: Philips One by Sonicare
- Best for Braces: Bruush Electric Toothbrush
- Best for Kids: Firefly Clean N' Protect
How to pick an electric toothbrush for sensitive teeth
If you suffer from sensitive teeth and gums, you're not alone. Although having sensitive teeth is more likely to affect people between the ages of 20 and 40, it can still happen to teenagers and those over 70, according to the Oral Health Foundation. Another fun fact: It's more common in women than men.
Some typical causes of sensitivity are erosion, recession, cavities, gum disease, tooth grinding, whitening, and toothbrush abrasion (translation: brushing too hard), per the Oral Health Foundation. While brushing less might seem like the answer, it's actually even more important to maintain the habit of brushing twice daily to keep the problem from getting worse.
The advantage of electric toothbrushes is that many have a "sensitivity" setting, which provides customized cleaning action for those who need it, says Melissa Seibert, DDS, CEO of the Dental Digest Institute. Electric brushes with AI technology—which give personalized feedback to a connected app via Bluetooth—and pressure sensors are helpful aids that can teach you how to use just the right amount of brushing pressure, explains Dr. Seibert. "Brushes with oscillating-rotating technology are a very effective mechanism for delivering a safe, but effective clean," she adds. And even though many brushes offer a "normal," "whitening," or "sensitive" mode, they're all still accomplishing the removal of plaque, Dr. Seibert notes.
To further accommodate sensitive mouths, you can also look for soft or gentle brush heads for your electric toothbrush. On top of that, use a toothpaste with fluoride or one formulated for sensitivity, and keep up with routine dental visits—and always feel free to utilize your dentist or hygienist with specific questions, Dr. Seibert recommends.
What to consider in an electric toothbrush for receding gums
Have you ever been told by your dentist during a teeth cleaning that you have receding gums—and then wondered what that meant? "Recession is a phenomenon where there is a decrease in the gums (or gingiva) that covers the tooth surface," says Dr. Seibert. While it might not seem like a huge deal, it can eventually lead to exposure of the root surface which may cause cavities, sensitivity, and esthetic concerns for the patient, she adds.
According to Dr. Seibert, the main cause of gum recession is usually periodontal disease, a bacterial gum infection that destroys gum tissue and the supporting bone that holds your teeth in place. But another, possibly lesser-known culprit is excess pressure when brushing your teeth since it can expedite the recession effect.
The best way to prevent (and look out for) signs of gum recession is by maintaining healthy and consistent oral care habits, like brushing and flossing daily and seeing a dentist twice a year—but investing in an electric toothbrush is another smart option. "Electric toothbrushes have largely been proven safe and effective for gums and enamel, and remove more plaque compared to a regular manual toothbrush," says Dr. Seibert. She suggests her patients use a high-quality model equipped with a pressure sensor or instant feedback to help identify if they're using too much or too little pressure when brushing.
Your guide to electric toothbrushes for braces
The great thing about braces is that they give you a beautiful, straight smile. The downside: It's generally much more difficult to thoroughly clean your teeth when you have them, says Dr. Hoss. Although manual and electric toothbrushes can both do a great job if used correctly, electric toothbrushes typically make it easier to clean braces.
There are several brush heads (or bristles) on the market that are specifically designed for braces, according to Dr. Hoss. However, he hasn't found them to be any better than typical bristles, so recommends his patients use a manual brush in conjunction with their electric toothbrush to clean the areas around the braces not easily accessed by the electric brush.
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Whether you wear braces or not, Dr. Hoss advises to only use soft or ultra-soft bristles so you can get a gentle yet thorough clean without the risk of scratching the enamel and causing damage. Keep in mind that softer bristles (such as PBT or soft nylon) lose their effectiveness quicker and need to be swapped more frequently, but it's well worth it since the last thing you want is to have permanent white spots on your teeth—also known as decalcifications, according to Dr. Hoss—after investing in a year or two of braces, he adds.
Just like with manual toothbrushes, you'll want to replace the brush heads on your electric brush every three months when brushing twice daily. However, you'll likely need to change them even more frequently when you have braces, Dr. Hoss points out. (Keep in mind that frayed and worn down bristles are not as effective at removing plaque.)
What to know when choosing a best electric toothbrush for kids
For effective brushing, you can start your child with an electric toothbrush at 3 years old, says certified pediatric dentist Grace Yum, DDS, the former founder and practice owner of Yummy Dental and Orthodontics for Kids in Chicago. "The vibrations break up food debris without requiring a child to use the proper pressure or have the dexterity that a manual toothbrush calls for," she explains. But it's important to choose an electric toothbrush that's made specifically for children's teeth, with softer bristles and a smaller brush head, she adds.
Ready to put some power onto your pearly whites? Try one of these dentist-recommended electric toothbrushes, below.
Plus: Want more expert-approved oral health products? Here are our top-rated whitening products for sensitive teeth and gums, the best water flossers, the best mouthwash for gingivitis, and our ultimate guide to getting whiter te
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