The pain of painful teeth needs no explanation. With modern sugary diets, even an understandably slightly careless attitude to teeth hygiene can lead to an unhappy time.

An electric toothbrush, used correctly, can work wonders in keeping your teeth, gums and tongue clean. There’s a great deal of variety when it comes to electric toothbrushes and it can be difficult to sift through the marketing claims to find the best one.

This guide will do just that and tell you what to consider when buying an electric toothbrush

How Customizable Is It?

From the most basic electric toothbrush to the one that integrates with your phone, there are features to meet everyone’s needs and preferences. Think about your needs and your budget. If you’re a type of person who needs help brushing your teeth correctly, you might need to make more of an investment. If you’ve got the technique down, you can probably save a little money and choose a no-frills model. Common electric toothbrush features include:

• Timers – Many toothbrushes have a built-in timer to ensure you brush your teeth for the recommended two minutes. Even better, some models have a quad-pace that vibrates every thirty seconds to tell you to move to the next quadrant.
• Varying Speeds – Different speeds achieve different results, from teeth whitening to plaque removal, so a toothbrush with variable speeds can do more.
• Pressure Indicators – Brushing your teeth too hard can damage teeth and gums. Pressure indicators will vibrate or cause the head to stop moving if you’re pushing too hard.
• Pressure Indicators – Brushing your teeth too hard can damage teeth and gums. Pressure indicators will vibrate or cause the head to stop moving if you’re pushing too hard.

Teeth Sensitivity

People with sensitive teeth have to be extra careful when choosing the correct toothbrush, so each brushing session doesn’t end in pain. Oscillating toothbrushes are typically a better pick than sonic toothbrushes because they have slower movements. The quick pace of sonic toothbrushes can sometimes be irritating to those with sensitive teeth.

You’ll also want to pay attention to the brush head, specifically the bristles. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends soft bristles for all types of teeth, but especially for people with sensitive teeth.

Brushing pressure is also important for sensitive teeth. Look for a toothbrush with a pressure sensor to let you know if you’re pressing too hard. Some will vibrate, stop moving or light up to let you know you have to ease off. A toothbrush with a phone app might also help track your brushing progress to see why your teeth might be more sensitive at certain times.

Evaluate Your Brushing Technique

Choosing between a premium and a budget toothbrush can depend on your technique. Besides brushing for two minutes with light pressure, experts recommend brushing at a 45-degree angle towards your gum line using small circular or tooth-wide motions. If you’re confident you’ve got this technique down, a budget model is likely all you need.

Their two-minute timers and quad-pacers will simply help you stay on top of your timing. For those who need a few more reminders about proper brushing techniques and are ready to invest, a premium model with a wide range of features is the way to go.

Opt for Brands With Accessible Replacement Heads

Phillips’ Sonicare and Braun’s Oral-B are the most recognizable electric toothbrush brands on the market. Their dominance and longevity in the industry have allowed them to develop a wide library of brush heads along with easy-to-find replacements. Since toothbrush bristles wear out after 3 to 4 months of use, having accessible replacements is an important consideration.

Battery Powered vs. Charger

Electric toothbrushes typically get their power one of two ways, batteries or a charging station that plugs into the wall. Both types tend to work equally well, and the type you choose depends on your preference. Battery-powered toothbrushes tend to be more portable, but you do have to remember to change the batteries.

Toothbrushes with charging stations don’t need to be plugged in all the time, but it’s important to find out how long the toothbrush can last on a single charge. Times typically vary between one and three weeks.

Warranty and Return Policy

Consider this if you’re investing in an electric toothbrush with a hefty price tag. You’ll want to ensure your purchase is protected. Most toothbrushes come with a 2-year limited warranty. That generally means that manufacturing defects are covered under warranty, but damage from regular use isn’t. Make sure you inspect your toothbrush when you first get it so no issues slip through the cracks.

It’s also important to make sure the toothbrush you purchase has a return policy. Many can be returned within a 30-day window, but be sure to check and see if there are any restrictions. Some companies also offer some sort of money-back guarantee with longer windows, but it may be difficult to take advantage of these. Either way, keep your receipt until you know you’re fully satisfied.

Are Cheap Electric Toothbrushes as Good as More Expensive Ones?

The great news about today’s electric toothbrush industry is that brushes these days are more powerful and easier to afford than ever before. However, more expensive models often come with added attachments and special features like a tongue cleaner. But you can still use your cheaper brush for cleaning off your tongue, what with many models offering strong massage features.

Some more expensive electric toothbrushes come with more advanced features. These include Bluetooth sensors that link to a program to let you know how you’re brushing. Those options are optimal, and in some cases, excessive.

You shouldn’t assume that cheaper brushes are weaker than more expensive ones either. The standard of 40,000 vibrations or pulses per minute has become commonplace in today’s electric toothbrush industry.

Why You Should Buy an Electric Toothbrush

Here are some of the reasons why you should get an electric toothbrush:

Brushing Movement

When using an electric toothbrush, you don’t need to press or scrub hard. You just need to guide the brush to produce the required brushing action. Guide the head gently from tooth to tooth. It’s good to consider the contours of your gums and the shape of your teeth when cleaning.

Brushing Modes

Electric toothbrushes offer precise brushing modes, unlike the manual toothbrushes. You can find a brush that offers deep cleaning, daily cleaning, massage, tongue cleaning, and whitening. Each model allows the user to switch from one mode to another.

Clean and Polish

Dental cleaning involves the removal of tartar deposits and plaque. Electric toothbrushes are very effective in doing this.

Comfortable for Children and Physically Disabled

Electric toothbrushes are the best for kids and the physically challenged since they’re very easy to use. You should use the recommended toothbrush for each group. You should also be careful because the strong vibrations can destroy your kid’s gums since they’re susceptible.

Gum Care

Electric toothbrush provides sufficient care for your gums. If you don’t take care of your gums, they can develop inflammation that may destroy the bone and gum tissue that supports your teeth. Having an effective toothbrush ensures your gums are well protected.

Choice of the Brush Head

The effectiveness of electric toothbrushes depends on the design of the brush head. Electric toothbrushes allow you to choose between small, medium, and big brushing heads.

Keep on Smiling

It’s very important to take care of your oral health. If you don’t clean your teeth thoroughly, you might be susceptible to a lot of health problems. Buying a good quality electric toothbrush should be one of your priorities to maintain good oral health. By diligent and effective use, you can greatly reduce your pain and dental bills in the future!