The relatively gentle movement is also brilliant for massaging along the gumline. Right off the bat, Sonicare toothbrushes’ elongated head and rows of teeth-cleaning bristles look similar to manual their manual counterparts. Sonicare toothbrushes employ sonic technology (fast vibrations, basically), and the bristles move from side to side.
For people with physical or neurological issues that can complicate oral hygiene, the habit-tracking and coaching support that smart toothbrushes provide can be priceless. “If you brush really well with an [unconnected] toothbrush, you don’t need any of these devices,” said Wolff, who has provided dental care for people with various disabilities for longer than 40 years. The pressure sensor is meant oral b toothbrush heads to alert you when you’re brushing too hard, which experts agree is a bad thing. Some people find sensors that buzz or light up when they apply too much pressure helpful. You’ll know if you tend to brush too hard if your toothbrush bristles flare out in less than three months. Higher-priced Oral-B models don’t have much more to offer than our pick when it comes to overall brushing experience.
Over the past eight years we’ve tested, and in many cases retested, more than three dozen different electric toothbrushes. We assessed what it’s like to use each brush twice daily over several months and—for our picks—years. This involved timing brushing sessions and battery lives, replacing brush heads (every three months, or more frequently as needed), and cleaning the handles and charging stands. To stress-test each brush shortly after unboxing, we dropped it onto a tile floor from chest height and submerged it in water while running for a full two-minute brushing cycle.
Advanced brushing technology helps build healthy brushing habits and promotes naturally cleaner, whiter teeth. Some users may be motivated by a timer or an app oral b toothbrush heads to track brushing, while others may feel overwhelmed by the extra technology. I tested eight total toothbrushes in total, four of which didn’t make the cut.
The IPX7 model features five cleaning modes, a brushing timer and a huge 180-day battery life – perfect for travelling and charger-free trips while maintaining a bright smile – and it’s now just £18.99. Experts recommended choosing electric toothbrushes based on bristle texture—softer is better for your teeth—and adjustable speeds/modes so you can switch settings to fit your teeth and gum types. They also recommended features like timers and pressure sensors to prevent you from brushing too long (or not long enough), and too hard (or, you guessed it, not hard enough). Some brushes have extra features, and I tested all of these to gauge their effectiveness and usability.
One of the best-selling Oral-B toothbrush heads is the iO Ultimate Clean Toothbrush Head. This product gives users a professional clean feel thanks to its advanced bristle technology. It also has a tuft in tuft design that thoroughly cleans even the hard-to-reach areas and surfaces of your mouth. Another electric toothbrush head you should consider is the iO Gentle Clean Toothbrush Head.
We’ve recommended this brush since 2015, and it continues to perform well in long-term testing. In September 2017, the Pro 1000 was among the first five electric toothbrushes to receive the ADA Seal of Acceptance. The Pro 1000 has comfortable-feeling oscillating bristles, a simple one-button interface, and a battery that in our tests lasted on average 11.5 days with twice-daily use. Best of all, you’re not getting overcharged for features like digital monitors, travel cases, or inductive chargers—none of which will actually get your teeth any cleaner than the Pro 1000 can.