Electric toothbrushes: the best of 2021, and how to choose

The electric toothbrush is a precious ally for oral cleaning, as long as you know its limits and benefits. Here’s how to find your way around the market

The electric toothbrush is an important ally in personal oral hygiene care, so much so that it is even recommended by the American Dental Association and recognized as a valid tool by the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health. Especially to prevent some common oral diseases such as caries, gingivitis and even periodontitis. And although in general all the products on the market are to be considered safe and of high quality, here are some tips for choose and make the most of electric toothbrushes.

Electric Toothbrush: How Does It Work?

The electric toothbrush uses a motor that moves the bristles for us, allowing mechanical friction to be exercised even where it would be more difficult with a manual counterpart. Effectively eliminates not only food residues but also plaque and tartar, thereby reducing the formation of caries. And since it is battery operated, it is composed of these 3 elements:

• The charging base
• The handle with the operating buttons
• The interchangeable heads

This guarantees a high longevity of the product, and above all an adequate hygiene: when the head becomes old, it is simply replaced without throwing away the entire product.

Exist three variants of electric toothbrush, based on the technology they use:

• Rotating Electric Toothbrushes: They integrate a head that generates a rotary-oscillatory (but sometimes simply circular) motion to mechanically clean teeth and interdental spaces, and often include a command to adjust the rotation speed. They are the cheapest of all.
• Sonic Electric Toothbrushes: This type of product works at much higher frequencies than rotating devices. The heads are in fact capable of carrying out micro-vibrations between 12,000 and 24,000 oscillations per minute. This type of product used to cost a lot more, but technological advancements have made it very affordable.
• Ultrasonic Electric Toothbrushes: It is not just the evolution of sonic technology; it is much more. Generating over 96 million oscillations per minute, in fact, it is practically imperceptible to the human ear. This type of technology lends itself very well to getting where bristles normally fail, helping to annihilate even the batteries responsible for cavities below the gum layer. It tends to cost more than others, but always within a reasonable range depending on the brand.

Electric Toothbrush: Pros & Cons

The advantages of the electric toothbrush over the manual are many:

• Adequate Times: It is scientifically proven that too short a cleansing is ineffective in the long term. Therefore, many models include a timer that automatically calculates the correct washing times.
• Cleaning programs: Many models include different brushing programs differentiated according to the needs (Daily Cleaning, Teeth Whitening, Sensitive Teeth and Gums, Tongue Cleaner, Deep Cleaning etc.)
• Sensore Smart: The more advanced models have head pressure sensors, and additional features such as the Bluetooth connection to the mobile phone that makes brushing your teeth even more effective and even fun. Very useful for the little ones.
• Autonomy: Most models enjoy very long battery life, ranging from 40 minutes to 2 hours on a single charge.

The only drawback is from an environmental point of view. Although in fact an electric toothbrush still lasts longer than a manual one, when the battery runs out it is necessary throw it all away. In other words, it cannot be replaced. Furthermore, as with all dental instruments (such as the dental water jet itself), it is important to properly control without overdoing the brushing power to avoid damage to the enamel and injuries to the gums.

Electric Toothbrush: How to Choose

First, avoid poor quality junk. Given the extreme accessibility of this class of products, better spend a few Euros but be sure to find yourself with a suitable toothbrush. The features to keep an eye on when buying are roughly 3:

1. Head: A round head made entirely of bristles is to be preferred, according to many dentists, to those with rubber or plastic inserts as they are more hygienic in the long run. But it really comes down to personal tastes.
2. Pressure sensor: Almost all models on the market now include a sensor that warns if the user is pressing too hard on the teeth and gums. This prevents damage to the mucous membranes or enamel.
3. Handle: It must be ergonomic and non-slip, practical to handle even with wet hands.
4. Timer: A vibration or an acoustic / visual warning indicates when 2 minutes have passed since the beginning of brushing; is the minimum time for proper cleaning.
5. Advanced Features: Some models include cleaning programs for delicate gums or for cleaning the tongue. In some cases, there is even the 30-second timer, which alerts you when to change the face of the mouth. The colored rings of the heads instead are useful to distinguish your own head from those of other family members.

An additional tip: When choosing a toothbrush, always take a look at the cost of spare parts. Dentists recommend replacing electronic toothbrush heads every 3 months, just like manual toothbrushes. In one year of use, therefore, the heads should be changed 4 times for each user.

Electric Toothbrush: The Best Models 2021

The cheapest

Oral-B Vitality 100

Oral-B Vitality 100 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush, 1 White Handle, 1 Head. To approach this world by spending little.

Excellent Price / Quality Ratio

Fairywill Electric Toothbrush

Fairywill Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush Sonic Toothbrush for Dental Cleaning, Electric Toothbrush Charges 4 Hours. Duration 30 Days with 3 Heads.

With Bluetooth connection

Oral-B Smart 4 4000N

Oral-B Smart 4 4000N Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush, 1 Black Toothbrush Connected with Bluetooth, 2 Replacement Heads.

Chosen by the Editors

Philips Sonicare DiamondClean

Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart HX9901 / 13 Sonic Electric Toothbrush, Connected to the App, with 1 Head and Charging Cup.

Il Non Plus Ultra

Megasonex Ultrasonic Toothbrush

Megasonet, ultrasonic toothbrush set M8, with toothpaste, tongue, 2 spare soft heads. Professional charger and toothpaste included.