Preparation
Toothbrushes are an essential part of our everyday dental hygiene routine, but if you’re looking for an effective alternative to a manual one, an electric toothbrush is your best bet. It’ll pack a greater punch in helping with better hygiene, thanks to its horsepower and rotating brush.
Unlike manual toothbrushes, explains Dr. Marc Lowenberg, cosmetic dentist at Lowenberg, Lituchy & Kantor in New York City, you aren’t supposed to move the electric toothbrush back and forth since the bristles are already moving. So, how exactly should you use an electric toothbrush? First before using your toothbrush, make sure you have it fully charged as you don’t want it to die mid-brush. When you begin brushing, hold your brush at a 45-degree angle, just like you would a manual toothbrush, says Dr. Lowenberg. “Starting with the outside surfaces of your teeth, gently glide the brush head slowly from tooth to tooth, holding the brush head in place for three to five seconds against each tooth before moving to the next.” You’ll want to make sure to follow along the shape of each tooth and the curve of your gums as well. Repeat this process for the inside surfaces of your tooth, too, and then finish up by taking a few seconds to direct the toothbrush along your gum line. Once you follow these steps, you’ll have pearly white, healthy teeth in no time.
Best Custom Cleaning: Philips Sonicare FlexCare Platinum Connected Rechargeable ToothbrushBest Subscription: Goby White Moonstone Electric ToothbrushMost Convenient: Quip Copper Metal Adult Electric ToothbrushBest for Beginners: Oral-B GENIUS X Electric ToothbrushMost Affordable: Philips One by Sonicare Battery Toothbrush
With so many options available on the market, how do you choose the best one? According to Dr. Lowenberg, you’ll want to look for one with a round-brush head, as it’s smaller and can get into the hard-to-reach areas in the mouth. “The mouth has so much surface area and hard to reach places that having a smaller round head makes it easier to clean more areas in the mouth,” he explains. He also recommends adding a built-in time and soft bristles to your list of electric toothbrush must-haves: “I recommend toothbrushes that have built-in timers that buzz when two minutes are up to ensure the proper amount of time is spent brushing and soft bristles as hard ones can damage your gums and enamel.” Plus, he mentions that soft bristles also make sure all sports are reached and plaque is removed before it turns to tartar.
Ahead, the best electric toothbrushes to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
