Best manual toothbrushes, tried and tested 2024 (2024)

FAQs

Best manual toothbrushes, tried and tested 2024? ›

For the vast majority of people, a soft-bristled toothbrush will be the most comfortable and safest choice. Depending on how vigorously you brush your teeth and the strength of your teeth, medium- and hard-bristled brushes could actually damage the gums, root surface, and protective tooth enamel.

For the vast majority of people, a soft-bristled toothbrush will be the most comfortable and safest choice. Depending on how vigorously you brush your teeth and the strength of your teeth, medium- and hard-bristled brushes could actually damage the gums, root surface, and protective tooth enamel.

Although toothbrushes with medium bristles have been shown to be effective at biofilm removal, the ADA recommends use of a toothbrush with soft bristles because they minimize the risk of gingival abrasion.

If you're looking for a manual toothbrush that has 8 benefits for healthy gums, try using the parodontax Complete Protection Toothbrush. This soft-bristled brush is gentle on your gums and enamel and effectively removes plaque.

As the most gentle electric toothbrush that offered a near-instantaneous brighter smile with each use, the Philips Sonicare 4100 Power Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush is the clear-cut winner among this list. Not only is it fairly priced between $35 and $50 on the market but its quality is second to none.

Oral-B Cross Action Manual Toothbrush

If you prefer to buy your manual toothbrush in your local drugstore or grocery market, Oral-B is a widely accessible brand. A longtime dentist's favorite is the Oral-B Cross Action handed out to new patients in many dental practices.

A clinical study showed that a toothbrush with softer, tapered, cross-angled bristles was more efficacious at plaque removal compared to a toothbrush with standard (medium) bristles [6].

Sonicare's heads are large and flat compared to Oral-B's small round brushes, and they're long-lasting, according to Wellspring Dental dentist Mandy Nebel, who prefers Sonicare over other brands. This specific model — one of two from the brand accepted by the ADA — is a more entry-level Sonicare.

An expensive toothbrush often incorporates state-of-the-art bristle design and motor efficiency. This leads to more effective cleaning and plaque removal than standard models.

Soft-bristled toothbrushes are generally recommended for those with receding gums or gingivitis because they are gentler and less likely to contribute to further recession. However, it's important to note that proper brushing technique is just as crucial as the bristle type.

Is manual toothbrush better for receding gums? ›

Electric toothbrushes offer many advantages over manual toothbrushes when it comes to treating receding gums. It is designed to move in small, circular motions that are much more effective at cleaning plaque and bacteria from the gum line.

For healthier gums, Dr. Vermette recommends finding a brush that has soft bristles to reduce the amount of damage to your gums. Brushes with angled bristles will help you clean better around brackets and wires.

parodontax is Clinically Proven to Help Improve Gum Health

If you're noticing a little bit of blood when you brush, it could be an early sign of gum disease. Learn how parodontax toothpaste can help prevent bleeding gums when used twice daily.

A 2021 meta-analysis of 28 studies provided further evidence that powered toothbrushes seem to have a slight edge over manual ones when it comes to plaque removal.

Dentists agree that overall, electric toothbrushes are superior to manual ones. "Because electric brushes have a rotation, they essentially force the toothpaste in more difficult-to-reach areas, which is where cavities start," says Dr. Creaven.

The Bluetooth connectivity and customizable features on the Oral-B app make the Oral-B io Series 9 toothbrush a strong choice for people with receding gums or who are prone to over-brushing.

From the data of this study, researchers concluded that to maintain good plaque control and improve gingival health, the oscillating rotation electric toothbrush offers clinically relevant advantages compared to the sonic toothbrush, albeit with a small but significant difference.

As a general rule, however, dentists recommend choosing a toothbrush with soft bristles, instead of one considered hard or even medium. If you have sensitive teeth and signs of enamel erosion, your dentist might even suggest a brush with extra-soft bristles.