Brushing your teeth seems like a simple enough task.
But without the proper technique and a good toothbrush, you’ll be spending quite a bit of time at the dentist.
So, what makes a ‘good’ toothbrush?
Better yet; what is the best toothbrush you can buy?
Let’s break down the different types of toothbrushes available, compare the top brands, and determine which one overall is the best.
Let’s get started!
This seems like a no-brainer, but it really comes down to what you need in a toothbrush.
For example, you might think that an electric toothbrush is the best for you.
But, you may travel frequently, or don’t want to bother with having to charge your toothbrush every night.
If the battery dies, then you’ve basically got a very expensive manual toothbrush.
Let’s dig deeper into the pros and cons of each style.
Electric toothbrushes are just like manual ones except, they are electric.
They usually have a spinning or vibrating head that works to clean your teeth with less effort.
They can run on either disposable batteries or a rechargeable battery depending on which model you decide to get.
But what benefits do these electric counterparts provide?
Studies have shown that after just three months of use, patients who used electric toothbrushes saw a 21 percent reduction in plaque and an 11 percent reduction in gingivitis.
It’s also important to note that recent studies show that rotating brush heads work slightly better than just the vibrating ones.
How many of us actually pull out a stopwatch and brush for the dentist recommend time of 2 minutes?
If you said yes…congratulations you are among the superhumans of the world!
In all seriousness, having a built-in timer allows us to not have to worry about how long we are brushing.
When the toothbrush stops, we know 2 minutes is up.
Some electric models come with a feature that even splits that 2 minutes up into 4 thirty-second intervals, giving a brief pause in between each.
That way you can brush for 30 seconds (the recommended amount of time) on each section of your teeth.
The coolest thing about electric toothbrushes is that they do most of the ‘brushing’ work for you.
This allows those with arthritis, carpal tunnel, or other disabilities in their hands to be able to get a good brush in without adding any pain.
While there are many benefits to electric toothbrushes, they are on the more expensive side.
Some models can get as high as $250!
With the added benefits of ease of use and extra cleaning power comes a higher price tag.
So what about manual toothbrushes?
While electric toothbrushes bring a lot to the table, there are some benefits to owning and using manual toothbrushes.
Here they are!
No matter where you look, whether it be at a department store or a gas station, chances are you’ll find an aisle containing manual toothbrushes.
The same cannot be said about their electric counterparts.
This comes in handy if you are traveling and forgot to pack a toothbrush.
(For those who travel frequently, you might love number 7 on our best toothbrush list!).
As said before, toothbrush prices can range from $1 all the way up to $250.
Manual toothbrushes are on the lower end of that spectrum.
Whether traveling, replacing a forgotten toothbrush, or trying to save money, as long as you use a proper brushing technique you will be just fine with a manual toothbrush.
Unfortunately, there is a downside to owning and using a manual toothbrush (if you aren’t careful!).
Studies have shown that people using manual toothbrushes can tend to press harder on their teeth, often leading to tooth abrasion.
This can wear away at your enamel, the main source of protection for your teeth.
So be careful when you are brushing and try only using two or three fingers to grip the toothbrush.
This will help to limit the amount of pressure you put on your teeth and reduce the chance of tooth abrasion.
Now that you know the pros and cons of each, it’s time to break down the top 9 best toothbrushes overall.
It’s important to note that your experience may vary with these toothbrushes since everyone’s needs are different.
Here they are:
The Oral-B Pro 1000 is a premier electric toothbrush that is very versatile.
It comes equipped with a rechargeable battery, built-in timer, and highly effective cleaning head.
The CrossAction brush head surrounds each tooth and uses oscillation, rotation, and vibration to break loose any plaque build-up.
Looking for a more specific brush head?
The Pro 1000 is compatible with 9 heads, that each help with flossing, whitening, braces cleaning, and more.
Another great feature that the Pro 1000 is equipped with is a pressure sensor that stops the brush from spinning if too much pressure is applied.
This prevents you from pushing too hard and damaging your gums or enamel.
This model is my favorite for all of the reasons listed above, plus, it comes at a very reasonable price.
This electric toothbrush is available for as low as $40-$50.
The Sonicare 2 Series plaque control electric toothbrush from Philips is designed to fight plaque (go figure!).
On the subject of plaque, it removes up to 7 times the amount of plaque that a manual toothbrush can.
That’s powerful stuff.
The way it does this without adding more pressure on your teeth is by using sonic (sound waves) to drive fluid between teeth.
The 2 Series head is shaped to get this fluid deep in between teeth and remove plaque in normally hard-to-reach-places.
It’s slim and angled brush head allows you to brush your back teeth better.
Sonicare understands that some people may be hesitant to switch from a manual to an electric toothbrush, so they offer what they call an “EasyStart program”.
The EasyStart program starts the intensity of the brush at a really low setting and slowly increases the power of the brush over the first 14 days so that you can get completely used to making the switch from a manual toothbrush.
The Philips Sonicare 2 Series Plaque Control can be purchased for $70.
Breaking out of the norm is the ISSA toothbrush from Foreo.
Just one look at this powerful toothbrush and you can tell that it stands out from the others on this list.
The biggest difference?
The brush head is made of silicone.
Foreo claims that this important factor makes their toothbrush 35 times more hygienic than standard brush bristles.
This allows the head to last longer, only needing to be replaced once a year (vs standard practices of replacing every 3 months).
One battery charge on the ISSA 2 lasts roughly the same amount of time.
Another feature that this unique toothbrush offers is how it brushes your teeth.
Rather than vibrating or oscillating, the head of the ISSA 2 actually pulsates.
This creates “micro sweeps” that clean your teeth and gums safely and effectively, making this one of my favorite toothbrushes for those looking on more of the “high end” of the pricing spectrum.
The Foreo ISSA 2 can be purchased for $169.
The Sonicare DiamondClean Smart by Philips is where high-quality meets cutting edge technology.
Not only does the DiamondClean Smart boast up to 10 times more plaque removal, 7 times healthier gums, and 100% more stain removal, but it also comes equipped with a personal app for further help cleaning your teeth.
This app will coach you through your brushing routine, with sensors that can tell how much time you spent on each section of your teeth (and where you’re missing spots).
The sensors will also alert you if you are pressing too hard on your teeth, ensuring you don’t apply too much pressure, which is great to avoid tooth abrasion.
The best part?
Sonicare’s app can sync with your dental records to show you exactly where your unique problem areas lie in your mouth, so you can give them extra attention.
With 4 modes and 3 intensities it can seem like this toothbrush would be a bit over the top.
However, click on a designated brush head (there are a few to choose from) and your toothbrush will automatically select the proper setting.
You can get all of the latest technology without having to worry about remembering how to use it!
All of this comes with a hefty price tag, but well worth it for the benefits this toothbrush provides.
The Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart can be purchased for $190 (originally $230).
The Oral-B Vitality may not have as many bells and whistles as the DiamondClean, but it is still a great electric toothbrush.
The best part?
You can get your hands on one for only $30.
So, how does a $30 toothbrush stack up against the more expensive models?
This toothbrush comes equipped with the signature oscillating head from Oral-B, which is round in design to help you clean each tooth, one at a time.
The head also rotates to ensure you are getting full coverage cleaning of each tooth.
And, you still have the benefit of the 2 minute timer to make sure you’re cleaning for the proper amount of time.
The best part about this particular brush is that it comes with a Floss Action head that helps you reach deep between teeth for a powerful clean.
The Vitality is an all-around great electric toothbrush, with or without an app!
The low price point makes this powerful toothbrush one to consider.
This toothbrush can be purchased for $30.
The Rotadent Contour is a powerful yet gentle electric toothbrush that can help you maintain a healthy mouth.
From the manufacturer: “Rotadent is more than a toothbrush – it’s a disease-fighting homecare instrument”.
With a round head that allows you to clean tooth by tooth and MicroAccess filaments to help get beneath the gum line, the Contour lives up to the hype.
One of the best features is that the toothbrush comes with it’s very own travel kit meant to bring with you anywhere.
And the brush boasts a super charged 3 week battery life.
The Contour also comes with a 4-year limited warranty should anything happen to it.
This high end toothbrush is only available for purchase through dental professionals.
Talk to your dentist if you wish to purchase one today!
The Quip toothbrush line is the co-invention between designers and dentists.
The result?
A simple, excellent toothbrush that helps clean your teeth effectively and safely.
The 1,200 ultra-soft nylon bristles will help you clean your teeth in a very non-invasive way.
Quip is unique because it offers its customers a subscription plan, which allows you to sign up and receive a new brush head and AAA battery shipped to you directly every 3 months.
Those of you that travel frequently will love this toothbrush.
Why?
Quip comes with a “slim, hygienic travel cover” that includes a suction strip on the back.
This can be attached to a mirror or shower wall to keep your toothbrush away from any germs.
No need to travel with a bulky electric toothbrush or switch between your main toothbrush and a travel toothbrush any longer.
You can purchase a Quip toothbrush starter set for $45 and refills are just $5 every 3 months (other options are available).
Our last two on the best toothbrushes list are manual toothbrushes.
For those that prefer brushing with a manual toothbrush, we recommend you pick between the following two options for the best experience possible.
Typical toothbrushes come with anywhere between 500-1,500 bristles.
The Curaprox?
You’ll love the ULTRA-soft feel of 5,460 filaments gently cleaning your teeth.
For those who are curious, the reason Curaprox calls them ‘filaments’ and not ‘bristles’ is because they are ‘unbelievably fine’, measuring in at just .1 millimeter across.
This toothbrush will help you reach “every nook and cranny” with it’s compact, easy-to-angle head.
You’ll have a super clean gum line when you use the CS5460, as each of the filaments is small enough to brush in between your gums and teeth.
You can purchase the Curaprox CS5460 in a 2-pack for $13.
The Pro-Health All-In-One is an excellent manual toothbrush that can help you remove up to 99% of plaque.
Their patented CrissCross® bristles are “perfectly angled” to help brush your gum line and remove plaque anywhere it builds up.
The Power Tip® bristles can also help you brush those hard-to-reach places that typical manual toothbrushes can’t.
And this toothbrush is very common, meaning you can pick one up at virtually any store!
For an all-around great manual toothbrush, try the Pro-Health All-In-One by Oral-B.
They can be purchased in a 4 pack for $9.
Now that you know what is available it’s time to choose the best toothbrush for you!
Determining what features (electric vs. manual) are the most important and which price point fits your budget will help you find the right one for you.
If you’re hung up on which toothbrush to choose, remember that proper brushing technique is more important than the type of toothbrush (still stuck? Don’t forget you can contact your local dentist for recommendations!).
Here’s to cleaner and healthier teeth!
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