Choosing an electric toothbrush over a manual one presupposes it does a better job of cleaning plaque and food debris. Studies show electric toothbrushes in general are more effective than manual brushing because of the ease of use, tendency to spend longer time brushing (most dentists recommend a minimum of two minutes brushing twice a day) and ease of maneuvering. Electric toothbrushes, whatever the design, all seem to accomplish the aforementioned benefits, so choice may just come down to pricing, bells and whistles, objective quality and personal preference.
Step 1
Look over quality comparisons as well as performance reports for popular brushes online or in magazines such as "Consumer Reports." A brand name doesn't mean as much as it once did, so do your homework.
Step 2
If price is no object, the more movement (oscillating, rotating) the better. Look for the most movement of the brush with the best price tag.
Step 3
Hard bristles can actually do damage to gums, so an electric toothbrush with soft bristle options is a definite winner. Choose an electric toothbrush that has the soft-bristle option.
Step 4
Compare prices online with local health and discount stores. But be sure to consider shipping and handling costs of an online purchase when comparing total price.
Step 5
Ask your dentist for a recommendation. She may have ideas on what type of electric toothbrush is best for you based on your dental history, or, she may recommend you stay away from electric toothbrushes altogether.
Tips and Warnings
- If a simple, inexpensive electric toothbrush is your main objective, under $10 in 2009 dollars will get an oscillating toothbrush that will do the job from the Colgate toothpaste people. It doesn't have a rechargeable option, however, so purchasing AA batteries for use during the lifetime of the brush could get expensive. You can also spend over $100 for a toothbrush that gives a timed sound when you have brushed long enough and will even warn when bristles need replacing.
