For at least one of those brushes, we will use plaque-disclosing tablets to check that all areas of the teeth are getting a proper clean (allowing for a little user error). To check battery life, we also leave the toothbrush running while standing up and time how long it takes for the battery to run down. We then divide this figure by the four minutes per day recommended oral b toothbrush heads by dentists to get an accurate idea of how many weeks and days a single charge should last. When you want to clean your teeth as thoroughly as possible, an Oral-B electric toothbrush can be quite helpful. These rechargeable electric toothbrushes have rotating and vibrating heads to ensure that the toothbrush can lift away plaque and bacteria from your teeth.
This is because the toothbrush is designed with pressure sensor technology that automatically slows down the brush speed when it comes in contact with gums. We found this extremely helpful for all kinds of gum sensitivity, but especially gum recession because it kept our gums safe and comfortable while also adequately cleaning them. Truthfully, we could pretty much sit back and let the toothbrush do the dirty work because it has seven different brushing modes including Daily Clean, Whiten, Gum Care, Super Sensitive, Tongue Clean, and more.
The Oral-B Genius 6000 has Bluetooth connectivity and many of the in-app features of other models. But, especially for travel, we found the real-time light-up pressure guide a great (and instant) way to maintain uniform coverage daily, without needing to access a daily report card. If a simple dental-care routine is your thing, or you’re an electric toothbrush newcomer, the Oral-B Pro 1000 is a great option. Its less-is-more functionality combined with its accessible price point makes it a super place to enter the world of electric brushing. Don’t let the small round brush head fool you — it still managed to clean every part of our mouth because it can easily maneuver its way in and behind teeth, thus removing stubborn plaque and bacteria.
“I recommend [the Arm & Hammer Spinbrush to my patients who want to try power before they commit to a higher-priced brush,” Doniger said. This brush features dual-action technology that the brand says combines a side-to-side bristle movement with a spinning movement. The brush head’s bristles fade in color over time to remind you to replace it, the brand says. You can purchase multiple different types of replacement brush heads for this electric toothbrush, which will typically cost you about $9 for a pack of two. “I like that this electric toothbrush has a circular spinning brush head so I can just hold it over my teeth instead of moving it side to side,” said Select reporter Harry Rabinowitz.
We also consulted experts and caregivers who help others with oral hygiene. I do it, yeah, because I have to, but it’s a time-consuming, uncomfortable process—two minutes standing in front of the mirror can feel like an eternity. The electric toothbrushes in this section weren’t my favorites, but they do have some great qualities worth mentioning. One of these might be the right choice for you so it felt worthwhile to include them here.
While theoretically that might produce a deeper clean, I don’t think it did that for me. The newest offering from Philips’ legendary Sonicare range, this lived up to its predecessors, leaving all of our testers with a thorough, fresh clean. What’s more, the majority also saw a visible reduction in plaque, which should earn some brownie points with the dentist. I also fixed my Genius X but without needing to replace the fuse – just pushing down hard on it whilst the device was activated (main brushing light on) and it suddenly came to life. Not sure what failure mode of a fuse explains this behaviour but worth a go as it saves shorting the fuse or waiting a long time for a replacement part. By following these simple steps, you can easily remove and replace the brush head of your Oral-B Braun toothbrush.
Don’t be put off by the high price, it’s quite literally always on a discount. Oral-B’s entry- and mid-level models, like the Pro 1000 or the Smart 3000, don’t feature a similar streamlined design as Sonicare, and they also look and feel a little more plastic-y. While Sonicare’s toothbrushes have grippy bodies, Oral-B toothbrushes feature ridges to aid in grip, which also take away from the aesthetic. The higher-end Oral-B toothbrushes start to develop a better look, with a design that we argue starts to enter Sonicare territory. We’re talking about toothbrushes here, but design is still important, especially if your toothbrush is displayed out in the open in your bathroom.
Higher-priced Oral-B models don’t have much more to offer than our pick when it comes to overall brushing experience. Investing $50 into the Pro 1000 gets you access to the same range of brush heads as buying the $240 Oral-B Genius 8000, a “smart” brush, for example. Powered brushes typically cost about 10 times as much as manual toothbrushes, and you have to replace the brush heads at the same frequency (every three months), each for about the same cost as a manual brush. He would recommend brushes from dentist-approved brands Oral-B, Phillips and Colgate, but there are some interesting new challenger brands on the market, as you will have seen above.
People with sensitive teeth know all about spending too much time brushing too lightly to avoid tooth and gum pain. The Oral-B iO Series 5’s multiple sensitivity modes and built-in light-up pressure sensor allow you to get the coverage you need in the two-minute timeframe you want. When shopping for an electric toothbrush, you should also consider what accessories it comes with. Travel cases are great spots to keep your toothbrush, whether you’re on the road or just at home.