If you can develop a good routine that covers all your teeth and around the gums, then you arguably don’t need a smart brush. With the Oral-B GENIUS brushing programmes synced to a smartphone positioned in a holder on the mirror, it is easy to achieve the full two minutes, while regulating the pressure and position of brushing to achieve a complete clean. The electric toothbrush performance is guided by the Oral-B app on smartphones, making it a part of an increasingly connected domestic and work lifestyle. I also performed some objective tests to compare how well each brush cleaned, including how well each toothbrush combatted plaque build-up. While I was concerned that these effects would only appear over a long time, Dr. Sonya Krasilnikov of Dental House in New York emphasized that a positive change in brushing habits can quickly make a difference. To test, I coated dentures in a mixture of flour, salt, and water to replicate plaque and sprayed them with Occlude Aerosol Articulation Marking Spray, a tool used by orthodontists, to make the “plaque” show up clearly.
“People with sensitive teeth may find that their teeth are less sensitive when the brush head moves slower or less pressure is applied,” said Messina. “As far as whitening goes, all toothbrushes help remove surface stains when used with a toothpaste because toothpastes contain mild abrasives and detergents for this purpose,” said Messina. 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.
To charge the toothbrush, simply place it on the charging base and plug it into an outlet. It is important to note that it may take up to hours for the battery to fully charge. Once connected, the toothbrush will charge automatically, and you can check if it’s fully charged through the battery indicator light. Our testers will continue using the toothbrushes and reporting their findings over a total of six months. If you do opt for the subscription package, you can get a refill delivery of oral care products and a replacement head every one, two or three months.
The brush handle also shows battery life as a three-bar battery icon at its base. Again, it depends on how you use it, but generally electric toothbrushes last between two and five years. Tips like not leaving your battery charging when full can help expand the life of your brush. The Oral-B Genius 6000 has Bluetooth connectivity and many of the oral b toothbrush heads 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.
While the head pulsates at a speed of 40,000 strokes per minute, the handle doesn’t transmit as much buzz as similar brushes, and it’s comfortable when gripped in the hand. Bitvae also throws in eight heads to keep you covered for up to two years of brushing, while the battery is charged by a USB cable, with a barrel-type plug that slots into a socket on the bottom. Not only do all the toothbrushes look nigh-on identical, but the manufacturers seem to have decided that confusion is good for business, producing several different ranges with different characteristics all at the same time. It’s hard to distinguish between so many similar products, while the boxes and adverts bombard you with pseudo-science and marketing-speak. I spent over three weeks with these eight toothbrushes, conducting daily tests and making notes on their effectiveness and usability.
Over years of testing we’ve concluded that the most expensive models offer no meaningful health benefits over much more moderately priced ones. Manufacturers have blown up the high end with scientific-sounding “features” like cleaning modes and UV lights; nothing proves these extras work, let alone that they are necessary. All an electric toothbrush can really offer is automation of the brushing process by adding a timer and easing some of the physical labor, according to the researchers and dentists we spoke to. If you want to feel like you’ve gotten your teeth professionally cleaned every time you brush, the Genius X is the best electric toothbrush for you.
But compared with our picks’ two years of coverage, the Mode is warrantied for a year. Greater Goods’s Sonic Electric Toothbrush is inexpensive compared to the Philips Sonicare 4100. And though heads are about half the price of those that accompany the Oral-B Pro 1000, we found ourselves needing to replace them in about half the time, virtually negating the long-term savings potential for this brush. Spending over $100 will get you a couple more modes on your brush, a travel case that can charge the brush on the go, and perhaps a pressure sensor that lights up once activated.
Though pricier than manual toothbrushes, think of them as an investment; the better you look after your teeth and gums now, the less likely you are to face costly and invasive dental treatment in the future. Take a look at the results of our best water flossers test too, if you’re looking to boost your regime even further. This electric toothbrush is compatible with many Oral-B brush oral b toothbrush heads heads like the CrossAction, FlossAction, Precision Clean, 3D White, Sensitive Gum Care, Deep Sweep, Dual Clean. This particular Sonicare model has brush heads that are specifically designed to help whiten teeth. Used in conjunction with Philips’ ExpertClean feature that lets you know when you need to adjust your pressure, you’ll be blinding people with your gnashers in no time.
The problem is that the 8000’s enhanced tracking requires dedication and commitment that many are not prepared to give, particularly due to the setup. It is a visual stimulus when you get distracted and in turn, acts as encouragement to brush better and for longer to get the star rating and smiley face at the end of each brushing session. There are quite a few similarities between them, but the Pro 7000 is the slightly more feature-rich and the brush that we would opt for.