Is An Electric Toothbrush Good For Your Teeth?

Electric Toothbrush

The best electric toothbrushes aren’t just powerful — they also come with tons of extra features, like Bluetooth connectivity and built-in LED whitening lights. But do all those bells and whistles actually help you maintain the healthiest mouth possible? We talked to a dentist and an oral hygiene expert to find out.

Both experts agree that while the best electric toothbrush are effective in removing plaque and other bacterial build-up from teeth and gums, both manual and powered brushing are still necessary to ensure good dental health. The key to brushing correctly, whether with a manual or an electric brush, is using light pressure and gently brushing all surfaces of the teeth and gums. It’s important to not apply too much force, as brushing too hard can wear away at tooth enamel and cause receding gums.

Fortunately, most modern electric brushes have sensors that will let you know if you’re applying too much pressure. These will usually make a noise or stop moving to warn you that you’re brushing too aggressively, which can save your tooth enamel from damage. Some even offer a “gentle” or “soft” mode that applies less pressure to the bristles than other modes. This can be helpful for people who tend to brush too aggressively, as well as for children or elderly users who may have dexterity issues.

Is An Electric Toothbrush Good For Your Teeth?

Another great thing about many electric toothbrushes is that they offer multiple brushing modes, like clean, white, polish and sensitive. This can be helpful for people with sensitive teeth or gums, and some also have a sensitivity setting that can make the bristles vibrate or move at a lower speed than other modes. Some brushes even have a whitening setting that can be used in conjunction with a special whitening toothpaste.

However, it’s important to remember that no matter which brush you choose, the most important thing is not the type of toothbrush you use but how you brush. Brushing for the recommended two minutes twice a day is essential to maintain good oral hygiene and reduce your risk of developing periodontal disease and other serious dental problems down the road. Some brushes come with a timer that will let you know when it’s time to move to the next quadrant of your mouth, which can be helpful for people who have trouble keeping track of time or are easily distracted while brushing.

While electric brushes aren’t as expensive as they once were, it’s important to keep in mind that you will have to purchase replacement heads for them on a regular basis, which can add up over time. Plus, electric brushes often require more electricity than manual toothbrushes, which can increase your electric bill. For this reason, you should try to buy a toothbrush that’s within your budget and only opt for the extra features that you will actually use. Olivia Lipski covers and reviews the latest gadgets and gear in tech, travel, fitness, home and more for GH. She is an experienced product tester who recently led the categorical lab and consumer testing for GH’s electric toothbrush review.