Dentists Agree: These Toothbrushes Deep Clean Your Teeth in Seconds (2024)

BRUSHING YOUR TEETH doesn’t have to be a chore. We know we have to do it, but with the right tool, it can be easy to get a deep, effective clean. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), both manual and electric toothbrushes can be effective, provided that you brush for the recommended two minutes, twice a day. Many dentists will recommend electric brushes as they can take much of the guesswork–and elbow grease–out of effective brushing, but really it boils down to a personal choice (and budget).

Best Toothbrushes

There are a lot of factors that go into choosing a toothbrush beyond just manual or electric. Do you want bells and whistles? Do you need reminders about replacing your brush (every three months)? Are you conscious of your plastic use and waste? No matter what your priorities are in a toothbrush, we’ve found the right one for you. After testing dozens of models that run the gamut from over the top to streamlined, we found the best toothbrushes to give you a thorough clean—no matter your budget or lifestyle.

What to Consider

Manual vs. Electric

The ADA officially says that both manual and electric brushes can deliver an effective clean, but many dentists recommend an electric brush for the most effective cleaning. What this boils down to for you is that it’s a personal choice. While electric brushes can take some getting used to, these gadgets can also take much of the guesswork out of brushing. However, if you’re used to a manual brush and get a good enough clean from it, there’s no real reason to switch. The biggest thing is to use a brush that you can use effectively, so if your dentist tells you you’re not brushing well enough, ask them for a brush recommendation that could help.

Features

One of the benefits of electric brushes is that they often include features that make effective brushing easier. Many will include sonic technology that allows bristles to move lightning fast and clean quickly, built-in timers to let you know that you’ve brushed long enough, and replacement reminders that tell you when it’s time to change your brush head (every three months or so). Higher end models may also come with AI-assisted apps for your phone that track your brushing and can recommend ways to brush more effectively and prevent you from missing areas of your mouth. These features are great to have because they help take the guess-work out of effective brushing.

Bristles

The ADA recommends soft bristle brushes as a general rule to clean your teeth effectively without damaging your teeth and gums. Many people can tolerate regular bristles, but if you’re not sure what kind you need, either opt for soft or ask your dentist.

Replacement Heads

If you’re using a manual toothbrush, you’ll want to replace your entire brush every three months, according to the ADA. If you use an electric brush, you’ll want to makes sure you can replace the heads and you should do so along the same timeline (three months). Many electric brushes will feature multi-packs of their brush heads and some will even provide subscription plans so you don’t have to remember to reorder.

ADA Seal

The American Dentist Association gives a seal to brushes that they endorse, so when in doubt whether a brush is good or not, look for the ADA seal. If it has one, it’s a safe bet.

How We Selected

To find the best toothbrushes for maintaining oral health, our grooming editors personally tested dozens of electric and manual toothbrush models. We shopped best-selling brands like Oral-B, Philips Sonicare, Waterpik, and more, comparing every feature and spec, from electric motor power and battery life to overall design and cleaning capability.

You can’t argue with convenience, and if you’re looking for a tool that does it all, this is your ticket. Not only does this electric toothbrush clean your teeth as well as many others we tried and include two different brushing modes, but the integrated water flosser makes flossing way easier than doing it the old-fashioned way. The water comes right out of the brush head and three modes allow you to brush, floss or do both at the same time. Keep in mind that you need wall outlet access to use the waterflosser part, but it’s a small price to pay for a deeper clean and more time on your hands.

Fans of manual brushes know that it can be a hassle to throw it out every three months in favor of an entirely brand new one (plus, it’s pretty wasteful). This manual brush solves that problem by allowing you to replace the head without tossing the entire thing. An additional head is included in the package (so you basically get two brushes at first purchase) and both feature cross-action bristles that help to reach deeper into the nooks and crannies of your teeth. Icing on the cake is the convenient magnetic holder that keeps your brush out the gunk on your counter.

Toothbrushes may not seem like they generate a lot of waste, but if you’re throwing it out every three months like you’re supposed to, that accumulates over time. These eco-friendly brushes are made from bamboo, so they’re not only sustainable but they’re biodegradable, too. The bristles are plastic-free as well and are soft and gentle enough to use with sensitive gums. There are no bells and whistles to this straightforward brush, but that’s the point - sometimes you don’t need a ton of extras to get a good clean. Bonus points that they come in a multi-pack so you don’t have to reorder as often.

This straightforward electric toothbrush has features you’d expect like a built-in timer and sonic technology, but what sets it apart are the innovative brush heads that features soft charcoal bristles. The charcoal helps to control bacteria growth on your teeth and gums and can also help remove stains while still being gentle on your teeth and gums. With the long battery life and the included travel case (not to mention the additional brush head), this one is as good a value as we’ve found for an electric toothbrush.