There was a time when choosing a toothbrush was a simple task, you went to your local supermarket, picked the one with the nicest colour, and that was it. How things have changed – pay a quick visit to the oral hygiene aisle today and you’ll be faced with a hundred different choices, with everything from rotating oscillating brushes to sonic cleaners and more.
So how do you choose between them and do you really need to spend close to £300 to get a decent toothbrush? The answer of course is never simple, so to help you make an informed decision and find the best electric toothbrush for you and your family, let’s take a closer look at the options available and what benefits they offer.
The different cleaning options available
When it comes to electric toothbrushes, there are four basic options available, the first is a rotating brush that consists of a single circular brush head which rotates one way at high speed. These are typically the cheapest option, but perform much better than a traditional toothbrush if you’re on a budget.
The next step up is an oscillating brush, in which the head spins one way and then the other, to create a scrubbing action. These provide a much deeper clean than a rotating brush, but using this type of head means it is often difficult to clean properly between each of your teeth.
For that you need to choose a sonic brush, here the head vibrates at a very high speed, forcing the toothpaste between the teeth and buffing the surface of the tooth clean. Sonic brushes do an excellent job of breaking down plaque and cleaning between the teeth, but they are also good for removing stubborn stains like red wine.
At the top of the scale there are ultrasonic brushes which send out millions of sound waves per minute, allowing toothpaste to penetrate deep into the teeth and gums, helping to protect enamel and prevent tooth decay. Ultrasonic brushes are as close as you’ll get to a proper dental hygienist clean without the associated cost and inconvenience.
Which one is right for you?
This will depend on your budget and circumstances. For example, ultrasonic brushes provide the best clean but they require charging the most often and are a little bulky compared to rotating oscillating brushes. That makes them unsuitable if you travel. If you find yourself away from home a lot, you may want to consider buying a cheaper oscillating brush for those nights you’re away.
Choosing an electric toothbrush needn’t be hard, start by checking out this electric toothbrush table of reviews. Here you will find a list of the most popular brands such as Oral B, Philips Sonicare and Panasonic, ranked by value, features and more. Use this handy table to choose the type of brush you want, the features you need and the price you’re willing to pay. You’ll also find the best prices on the latest brushes, so you don’t have to pay more than you have to.
Once you’ve found your perfect brush, don’t forget to check out the prices of consumables, some ultrasonic brushes require special toothpaste and brush heads need to be replaced every 3 months. So factor this in to how much it will cost to run your new brush as sometimes these items can be prohibitively expensive, especially if the brush itself offers good value.
Photo by langalex 