Brushing your teeth every morning and evening is an essential habit for maintaining good oral hygiene. However, many people brush their teeth too hard or in the wrong direction. Long periods of harsh brushing may cause gums to shrink. Because you have to control the pressure with a normal toothbrush, many people tend to brush their teeth too aggressively as they think this may clean more effectively.

If you use an electric toothbrush, however, all you need to do is simply place it on the surface of your teeth. This reduces wrist movements, and lets the toothbrush clean your teeth gently and without a lot of brushing skill. It is effective in preventing dental disease as well as getting rid of plaque and tartar. Electric toothbrushes are especially suitable for people who tend to brush too hard as this causes damage to the enamel of the teeth. Check out the following shopping guide to find out which electric toothbrush is best for you.

Types and Features of
Electric Toothbrush

1. Rotating

• Rotations per minute: around 8,000-10,000
• How it works: This type uses rotating/oscillating bristles to generate friction against the teeth for a deep clean, they usually come with a round head and can sometimes irritate the gums; some models come with a vibration function for a double cleaning effect
• How to use: Move the toothbrush slowly from one tooth to another to clean
• Advantages: Affordable and cleans each tooth individually
• Disadvantages: Excessive force could cause tooth abrasion

Recommended brands: Oral-B , BRAUN

Hot items: Oral-B iO Series 9 Electric Toothbrush (BK) , Oral-B Pro 4 Electric Toothbrush

2. Sonic

• Rotations per minute: around 18,000-48,000
• How it works: The bristles vibrate at a frequency similar to sonic waves and in an audible range; vibrating at a high speed, they causes tartar and bacteria to come off without irritating the gums, they also produces foam so the bristles can penetrate deep into crevices between the teeth for a better cleaning result
• How to use: Glide the toothbrush back and forth gently on the surface of the teeth
• Advantages: Stronger cleaning effect, less likely to damage gums
• Disadvantages: Generate noise during use and price is higher

Recommended brands: PHILIPS , PANASONIC , FOREO , Mijia

Hot items: Mijia Smart Electric Toothbrush T500 , PHILIPS Sonicare Elite+ Sonic Electric Toothbrush HX3216/01

Shopping Tips

1. Bristle rotation frequency

Generally the higher the frequency, the more powerful the cleaning result, but price is higher.

2. Power supply

Rechargeable or battery type. The rechargeable type comes with a charging port. Consider the space and where you are going to put it before you buy. Generally, this type is larger in size and comes with a thicker and heavier handle. If you travel a lot, get a battery operated toothbrush as it will be more convenient. The battery type is smaller and has a lightweight handle. However, the vibration of this type is weaker; and the brushing pressure and frequency are also lower.

3. Brush head options

Most electric toothbrush heads are replaceable and come in different modes. You can choose a brush head according to your needs such as gum protection, teeth whitening etc. We recommend replacing the brush head every three months. Before you buy an electric toothbrush, consider the price of the actual toothbrush as well as the cost of replacing the brush heads.

4. Other functions

Some electric toothbrushes come with a mobile app that enables you to transfer toothbrush data to your mobile phone. This can help you choose the correct toothbrush position, improve your brushing skills, and ensure you use the optimal pressure and cleaning time so you enjoy the best oral care.

Some models come with a timer. Two minutes is the optimal brushing time recommended by dentists for the average person. The timer can also be adjusted in segments to ensure that each tooth is brushed thoroughly. This also helps you develop good brushing habits.

Some models are equipped with a pressure sensor so if you brush too aggressively, a sound or a light comes on or the toothbrush may simply shutdown as a precautionary measure. Some models are waterproof. This means the entire toothbrush and brush handle are waterproof for easy cleaning.