How to choose the best electric toothbrush?

The most common questions that patients ask in the office are which toothbrush to choose and are electric toothbrushes better than classic manual ones? Electric brushes are certainly more effective in maintaining oral hygiene if they are used correctly. With their mechanism, they independently move the brush head at a high number of revolutions per minute (depending on the model and regulation of work from 5,000-35,000 rpm and more), which achieves better efficiency in removing bacteria and deposits from the mouth. They have a smaller head than classic brushes, so they reach all the places where plaque is formed. Brushing your teeth takes a little less time because an electric toothbrush does more work than a classic one. It is enough just to touch the head of the brush to the surface of the teeth at an angle of 45°. As with classic brushes, it is important that the fibers are soft, not too hard, so as not to damage the tooth enamel and gingiva.

When using classic brushes, it often happens that one part of the teeth is brushed longer than other teeth. Electric brushes also have a solution to this problem because they have a built-in timer that signals every 30 seconds with a sound or vibration that you need to change the quadrant of the jaw you are brushing. In this way, you will not skip any part of your teeth and leave them unwashed. Some brushes have a pressure sensor and alert you when you press the brush too hard on your teeth.

Electric brushes are especially recommended for people who wear fixed braces, because due to more thorough cleaning, they reduce the possibility of white spots on the teeth. 

They are especially fun for children. They don’t need to brush their teeth themselves, but just direct the brush, and the timer notifies them when they are done brushing their teeth.

They are also a good choice for the elderly, people with limited mobility and people with arthritis who cannot move their head as much when brushing their teeth, considering that the electric brush cleans the teeth by itself and does not require moving the head.

The disadvantage of electric toothbrushes is that they are much more expensive than classic ones, and finding suitable replacement heads is not always easy (in the sense that not all stores have them on offer). Electric brushes are not practical for traveling because they are larger and have a battery charger. As with any other device, malfunctions are possible, which can contribute to higher costs than a simple replacement of a classic brush.

The best electric brush for you is the one you enjoy the most, and the ratio of investment and gain. In the end, whichever electric toothbrush you choose, the most important thing is daily and proper brushing and regular replacement of the brush head every 3 months.