How to choose an electric toothbrush
We independently test the products and technologies that we recommend.
1. Which cleaning technology is the most effective?
The choice of an electric toothbrush begins with the cleaning technology, which comes in 2 types:
- Reciprocating;
- Sound;
Reciprocating toothbrushes
They are also called rotary. They are the most affordable and guarantee good efficiency in daily use. They are based on an electric motor that deflects the head of the nozzle left and right at high speed, providing mechanical treatment of tooth enamel, interdental cavities, and gum massage. Such models are universal and are equipped with basic functions. A distinctive feature is a nozzle with a round head.
Advantages of reciprocating cleaning technology:
- Suitable for adults and children;
- Each tooth is carefully treated.
Disadvantages of reciprocating cleaning technology:
- Not effective enough in the presence of orthodontic structures (brackets, arches, buttons, devices);
- Contraindicated in gum diseases (gingivitis, periodontitis);
- Increased energy consumption of the motor reduces autonomy;
- The cleaning procedure takes longer.
A reciprocating electric toothbrush can be chosen as the first model for children and adults, strengthening gums and eliminating bleeding that can occur when using a regular manual toothbrush. They will help to adapt to the principle of automated tooth brushing and accustom the child to hygienic procedures in a playful way. Often, to increase the effectiveness of interdental cavity treatment, manufacturers resort to additional pulsating movement of the head back and forth, but such models are much more expensive.
Sonic Electric Brushes
They are the most popular and advanced. They create vibrations at a frequency audible to humans (up to 40 thousand/min) and are often equipped with innovative technologies and functions. The sound wave mixes the paste, air and saliva into foam, which penetrates into the smallest cavities and canals, ensuring increased efficiency in the presence of braces, veneers, crowns, not to mention daily cleaning. The vibration created helps to neutralize plaque and tartar, gently affects the enamel and gums. However, there are also restrictions associated with diseases in the oral cavity. A distinctive feature of sonic electric toothbrushes is the oval shape of the head.
Advantages of sonic cleaning technology:
- Effective and safe processing of orthodontic structures;
- Delicate effect on enamel;
- Suitable for adults and children;
- Improved blood circulation and elasticity of gums;
- Low power consumption increases autonomy.
Disadvantages of sonic cleaning technology:
- Contraindicated in diseases of the oral cavity.
Ultrasonic toothbrushes operate at frequencies above 20 kHz, making them effective in removing tartar. Professional dental procedures, particularly oral hygiene, are performed every 6 months using scalers, which also operate on the principle of ultrasonic waves.
In dentistry, ultrasound is used not only for cleaning teeth, but also for removing crowns and inlays, as well as removing unwanted materials from teeth. However, it is important to note that using ultrasonic brushes at home can damage fillings, veneers, and implants due to the destructive effect of ultrasound on filling materials. In this context, sonic brushes designed to remove soft dental plaque are a safer alternative.
2. Selecting a nozzle depending on the purpose
We have already determined that there are oval and round nozzles that relate to a certain cleaning technology, although exceptions are everywhere. In general, round heads require more time to clean each individual tooth, but thoroughly process its entire surface. The oval shape captures 2 teeth at once, but at the same time copes worse with interdental canals.
When choosing an electric brush, it is important to consider the number and purpose of the attachments in the kit, the features of which can be seen in the following table:
| Nozzle type | Purpose | Peculiarities |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Daily cleaning of teeth and gums with normal sensitivity. | They can be round or oval for devices with different cleaning technologies. Usually, medium or high-hardness bristles are used, as well as their combinations. |
| For sensitive teeth | Daily cleaning of teeth with sensitive enamel. Suitable for children. Can be used for minor inflammatory processes in the oral cavity. | Round and oval shapes. The softest bristles or alternative delicate materials are used. |
| Orthodontic | For braces, implants, arches and similar structures. | It can have different designs and materials. |
| For language | To remove plaque from the tongue. | Usually combined with an oval nozzle and is represented by small smooth protrusions on the back of the head. |
In real life, the choice of nozzle comes down to standard or delicate (for sensitive teeth). If regular treatment of orthodontic structures is required, it is better to take a closer look at irrigators with the appropriate functionality.
Another important criterion is the number of attachments. For personal use, one is enough, but for a family, it would be advantageous to take a large set with 4 replaceable accessories. Manufacturers often provide multi-colored rings to easily identify the owner. Before choosing an attachment for a child, it is advisable to consult a dentist, but as a rule, it should be soft bristles for gentle handling of sensitive teeth and gums.
3. Operating modes and features of their application
One toothbrush can operate in different modes, and most often even the most budget model can have several of them. But the practical benefit of such specialized capabilities is questionable, and users usually use only 1 - 2 standard operating algorithms for daily cleaning.
Despite this, when choosing, it is important to study all the operating methods offered by the manufacturer in order to eliminate additional costs for specialized tools in the future. The most popular modes are:
- Daily (standard, clean) : standard intensity for oral cavity treatment;
- Delicate (sensitive) : low speed (frequency) for cleaning teeth and gums with high sensitivity;
- Deep (intensive) : high intensity and longer work cycle;
- Polishing : low speed (frequency) for short-term surface cleaning of enamel;
- Whitening : a combination of several modes or speeds (frequency) of bristle movement to remove stains and lighten enamel using specialized products.
- Gum massage : an optimized algorithm for strengthening gums, eliminating bleeding and neutralizing bacteria in the periodontal area.
4. Functions to improve the efficiency and safety of cleaning teeth and gums
The presence of control functions and technologies to improve the safety of electric toothbrushes is very important for maintaining a healthy oral cavity. Excessive pressure, insufficient or too long cleaning procedure can lead to serious consequences. And the condition of the nozzles also needs to be monitored. Therefore, when choosing, make sure that the electric toothbrush is equipped with advanced control functions:
- Pressure sensor : prevents excessive pressure on the gums and enamel, which leads to damage;
- Timer : makes it easier to maintain the correct interval for brushing the oral cavity and individual areas.
- Power control : provides manual control of the cleaning intensity of the entire oral cavity or a separate area;
- Nozzle wear indicator : control is achieved using colored bristles that lose their color brightness, signaling the need for replacement
5. Battery life
Electric toothbrushes have their own power source, so they are completely autonomous and always at hand. This makes them convenient for travel and business trips, and comfort is also ensured at home.
You should definitely avoid battery-powered models - they can run out of power at any moment. Moreover, over time, purchasing new power sources will cost more than buying a battery-powered brush. We choose a built-in battery and pay attention to the overall operating time.
For reciprocating models, the optimal value is considered to be about 30 minutes. It is not worth considering less, since the declared characteristics may be even less, and charging the battery every few days is a dubious pleasure. There are electric brushes that will provide cleaning for 60 minutes, which corresponds to 30 days of operation (provided that one standard cleaning per day for 2 minutes).
For sonic toothbrushes, the norm is about 60 minutes on one charge. Although it is easy to find models with indicators over 100 minutes. Such devices require less energy for activation, so they stand out for their increased autonomy.
It is worth noting that cordless toothbrushes are equipped with convenient inductive charging stations, which eliminate exposed contacts and allow you to create reliable waterproof designs.
6. Additional features
Manufacturers try to make using a toothbrush comfortable by offering a wide variety of functions. Not everyone needs them, but everyone can use a certain preset:
- Synchronization with a smartphone allows you to control the device remotely, keep statistics on usage, and even set up a personalized cleaning plan when visiting the dentist to improve efficiency and prevent diseases.
- The display provides convenient control over the settings. But it is necessary to take into account that such models will discharge the battery faster.
- The charge indicator will help maintain the battery in normal operating mode. Manufacturers usually install a LED that changes color (green, yellow, red) depending on the battery charge level.
- The memory of the last mode is relevant when using an electric toothbrush by one person. In this case, it is enough to activate the device and start brushing without daily preliminary settings.
7. Practical advice
The choice of an electric toothbrush cannot be reduced to a single algorithm, since everything depends on the individual characteristics of a person.
- If you have absolutely healthy teeth, then sonic models with a standard nozzle and different operating modes can maintain them in the same condition.
- In case of increased sensitivity, it is worth paying attention to the presence of the appropriate mode (delicate, sensitive) and a nozzle with soft bristles. A similar approach is necessary for a children's toothbrush.
- For daily cleaning, most users will find sonic gadgets with a set of attachments of different hardness and purpose suitable to adapt the process to their needs.
- For family use, an advanced electric toothbrush is definitely required, which has all the important modes (daily, delicate, polishing, whitening, massage, deep) and a large set of replaceable attachments.
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