Is an Electric Toothbrush Worth the Investment? (2024)

FAQs

Is an Electric Toothbrush Worth the Investment? ›

Electric toothbrushes are worth the investment because they take the guesswork out of brushing your teeth and do much of the "heavy lifting" for you. Many also provide beneficial tools like a timer, Bluetooth capabilities, alerts to protect your gums if you're brushing too hard, and other helpful features.

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.

The research team found strong evidence that people who use an electric toothbrush generally benefit from healthier gums, less tooth decay and also keep their teeth for longer, compared with those who use a manual toothbrush. “Health experts have been speaking about the benefits of electric toothbrushes for many years.

They found that sonic toothbrushes reduce the signs of periodontal disease and the number of teeth lost. Other studies have concluded that electric toothbrushes are more effective than manual ones at removing plaque, one of the main culprits of cavities and gum disease.

Dr Richard Marques, a private dentist based on London's Harley Street, says: “By now, so much research has gone into them that any electric toothbrush you can buy is better than a manual toothbrush. They either use rotation and oscillation or vibration, and you're able to clean your teeth without scrubbing too hard.”

They are more expensive compared to manual toothbrushes, making them less accessible to everyone. Electric toothbrushes are also fragile and require a lot of care to prevent damage. Although you have to charge them, overcharging, dropping, or damaging the batteries can mean the end of your electric toothbrush.

The Oral Health Foundation did a study that showed electric toothbrushes do make a difference. A decade-long study found a 22% reduction in gum recession and an 18% reduction in tooth decay with electric toothbrush users. Another study resulted in similar findings.

Absolutely! Using an electric toothbrush every day is generally recommended and can be beneficial for maintaining good oral hygiene. The consistent use of an electric toothbrush helps remove plaque effectively, reaches difficult-to-reach areas, and promotes better overall cleaning compared to manual brushing.

The best electric toothbrushes for 2024 are:

Best electric toothbrush overall – Oral-B Pro 3: £43.99, Amazon.co.uk. Best budget electric toothbrush – Philips One: £19.89, Amazon.co.uk. Best sustainable electric toothbrush – Suri electric toothbrush: £80.73, Trysuri.com.

Nearly equal. Oral B works by oscillating and rotating while Sonicare vibrates. Both are equally effective as long as vibrations/oscillations occur at 31,000+ vibrations/oscillations per minute.

Do expensive electric toothbrushes work better? ›

Expensive electric toothbrushes often have more powerful brushing technology, resulting in superior cleaning performance.

However sonic brushes do have one major drawback; they tend to be quite expensive compared to both manual and electric versions making them cost-prohibitive for some users with tighter budgets who still want a quality brush for cleaning their teeth thoroughly each day!

Electric toothbrushes are shown to be better when it comes to plaque removal, gum health, and cavity prevention – all essential parts of oral health. And oral health is more important than you might think; evidence shows that the health of your mouth, gums, and teeth is closely linked to your general health.

A review of studies showed that, in general, electric toothbrushes do decrease more plaque and gingivitis than manual toothbrushes. After three months of use, plaque was reduced by 21 percent and gingivitis by 11 percent. Oscillating (rotating) toothbrushes seem to work better than just vibrating toothbrushes.

manual toothbrush. Studies show that electric toothbrushes do a better job of cleaning your teeth than manual toothbrushes do, which can help prevent cavities and gum disease. But let's back up for a second. Brushing your teeth is all about getting rid of plaque and debris.

On average, you can expect electric toothbrushes to last between three and five years. Most manufacturers offer a warranty on electric toothbrushes, between one and two years, so make sure you hold onto your receipt in the event that it doesn't last for its advertised lifespan.

According to the same Cochrane Review study, electric toothbrushes were found to be more effective when it comes to removing plaque! There was an 11% reduction in plaque at one to three months of use and a 21% reduction in plaque when assessed after three months of use.

More effective cleaning: Oscillating and sonic technology have been proven to be more effective in removing plaque than manual brushes when used properly. This means improved gum health and a reduced risk of gum disease, especially important for children as they establish their oral hygiene habits.