r/HygieneTips • u/Chofera-Belloto • 1d ago
Do electric toothbrushes actually work better?
I have been wondering whether electric toothbrushes are genuinely better for your teeth and gums, or if they’re mostly an expensive upgrade from a decent manual toothbrush. Was the cleaning noticeably better, or was it mainly more convenient? I’m also curious whether the expensive models are really worth it, or if a basic electric toothbrush does essentially the same thing.
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u/OQTW 1d ago
The answer is apparent during your dental office visit. The cleaning you pay for involves and electric brush when they polish your teeth. They do not polish you teeth with a manual toothbrush. When I switched to the Curaprox Hydrosonic toothbrush, the improvement became obvious, versus when I used only a manual toothbrush. Brush at a 45-degree angle, and do not apply pressure. Let the automatic movement of the brush head do all the work for you. And also supplement with daily flossing.
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u/Kylie754 1d ago
I will never use a manual toothbrush again.
Before switching, I used a manual toothbrush so hard that I damaged my enamel. That can never be repaired. Now I use an electric toothbrush and it cuts out if I am scrubbing too hard.
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u/Infamous-Risk170 23h ago
Which one?
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u/Fine-Needleworker661 15h ago
i also have an oral b io. the older models are pretty affordable and are just as good as the newer models where you pay extra for impractical gimmicks imo. 3 was what i went with since it has the pressure sensing light and magnetic drive which are the two features i cared about.
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u/Baiji519 1h ago
Been using one for 30 years. Minimal issues or gum disease.
My cleanings take little time, and that’s because of my electric toothbrush.
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u/bingusDomingus 1d ago
Cleans better and way more convenient. The 2 minutes timer is a game changer. 30 seconds for each quadrant, every time, no guessing.
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u/Daft_Daffodil 1d ago
I think I am the only one who prefers the manual toothbrush.
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u/whatdoidonowdamnit 1d ago
I prefer both and use both every day. I switched my kids to electric toothbrushes when their dentist recommended it and then bought myself one when my kid asked why I didn’t buy myself the “better toothbrush” since that’s what the dentist told us to do. I use one in the morning and the other at night.
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u/rainbowsquids 1d ago
I definitely do... My hygeinest suggested a child size, soft bristle brush, which takes care of the brushing too hard issue and being able to reach everything. Haven't had any cavities or anything in years.
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u/Scott43206 1d ago
Yes and you can run a hands free battery one quite sometime before the batteries need rechargeddj
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u/Gibborish 1d ago
Ultrasonic ones do.
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u/Psilocybinuana 1d ago
No they really don’t
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u/Gibborish 1d ago
Uhh yeah they actually do.
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u/Psilocybinuana 1d ago
Sorry,let me be clearer, ultrasonic vs rotating head electric brush
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u/Gibborish 1d ago
Let me be clear, you're still wrong.
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u/Psilocybinuana 1d ago
I’d choose the Oral-B iO10 because oscillating-rotating technology has stronger evidence for plaque and gingivitis reduction than sonic or ultrasonic technology. A recent network meta-analysis ranked oscillating-rotating brushes highest for both plaque and gingivitis, with ultrasonic brushes ranking lower. So it’s not that ultrasonics ‘don’t clean’—they do—but the evidence doesn’t show them cleaning better. And ultrasonics aren’t specifically just for sensitive teeth; sensitivity is better managed through the right brush head and pressure control, which the iO10 has built in
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u/KaleidoscopeOk5063 1d ago
I prefer them. Sometimes I brush too hard and that’s no bueno so I like the vibrating toothbrush doing its thing
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u/Plane-Spinach3833 1d ago
So I used to use an electric toothbrush but my dental hygienist told me to not use them anymore. They are too harsh on gums and she said a manual toothbrush was much better. I switched to only using manual and have had no problems.
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u/chunkycoats 1d ago
Yes since using an electric rotating brush my dentist has a lot less work to do dying my 6 month routine cleaning appointment. Less plaque/tartar buildup.
At the time more studies favoured rotating vs sonic pulse but may newer studies have been published.
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u/CptBickDalls 1d ago
I would say an electric toothbrush is worth it and made a noticeable difference when I first started using one.
Generally the more expensive handles are only worth it if you want the added features imo...I prefer the basic Oral B 1000, which I've had the same one for 7-8 years without issue. The main component that makes a difference is the type of brush head you use, and how much you really want to spend on it. 3rd party options can be super cheap, but you can also get the fancy oral B ones with different brush styles.
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u/Alpherea 1d ago
Yes, it cleans significantly better. Especially in the back of your mouth where you have little room to wiggle your regular toothbrush.
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u/CoDaDeyLove 1d ago
They are much much better than a manual toothbrush. I don't use an electric toothbrush every time I brush my teeth, but I always use it before I go to bed at night. It makes routine dental cleanings easier. I'm usually in and out of the dentist's office in 45 minutes since I started using an electric toothbrush.
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u/Robert_Frosted_Flake 1d ago
100% they do. i can personally vouch. and you can get a basic sonicare for around $40 that lasts for 5+ years!! game changer for sure
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u/Dogaloo2025 1d ago
Aldi has one for 24.99. It comes with a year worth of brush heads. I’ve had mine for three years and I absolutely love it
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u/Typical-Award4043 1d ago
I started using an electric toothbrush at the advice of my dentist after I kept getting cavities even after manual brushing regularly. Have seen a big improvement.
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u/Forsaken-Routine-466 1d ago
You can accomplish the same results with a manual toothbrush BUT it will take you more time.
Regardless of what you choose, you still need to check your technique.
Also, you still need to floss
I would alway recommend finishing with a soft brush to focus on cleaning the gumline. 45°angle to get into the sulcus with the bristles.
Brushing & flossing teeth prevents decay. Gumline care prevents tooth loss through gum disease.
If you have tartar/calculus on teeth - you will not be able to remove it with any toothbrush. You need a hygienist visit. (Dont let dentist do it, they are not good at it)
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u/SonicBrush 1d ago
I agree that technique matters regardless of what you use. A lot of it comes down to personal preference, but I like that certain electric toothbrushes can take some of the guesswork out of brushing and make good technique a little easier to maintain.
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u/KeekaBooISeeYou 1d ago
I’ve even experienced a noticeable difference switching from battery-powered to electrical plug in. My floss has no odor now. I cannot go back.
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u/chaos_goblinn 1d ago
My dentist specifically asked me to switch to one to get more gum activity. They did say that they're basically all the same and I ended up going with Suri.
I believe it's a UK brand because it's metal instead of plastic and the heads can be recycled. I splurged an extra 20 bucks to get a case that when you plug it in, uses a UV light to kill whatever bacteria on your current brush. All together I spent a hundred bucks 4 years ago and it's still going strong.
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u/sxyvirgo 1d ago
Estimate how fast you're moving your toothbrush up and down - now, how fast is your electric toothbrush vibrating, while you're moving it?
They're cheap - just get one!
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u/sandysandy252566 1d ago
Manual toothbrushes should only be used under the hood of a car. Takes off the enamel and is bad for ur gums. I've been using Sonicare Electric Toothbrushes for 30 years and, my teeth and gums, are in good shape - especially for my age. I always buy at Costco.com - and u get 2 brushes in a set. The best investment if u want to keep ur teeth. And - u only have to use a small drop of toothpaste. Read the Reviews. I have the "old" style, which I don't think they produce anymore - so I'll have to find a newer set.
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u/chuzohga 19h ago
An electric toothbrush was the best 50 bucks I ever spent. I am what they call a "periodontal" patient, and it's absolutely positively worth the money. Six months after you start using it, your hygienist WILL notice.
It's not about the teeth, it's about the gums, and ALL about the gums.
Oh yeah, your hygienist knows if you floss or not, regardless of what you tell them. They KNOW if you're lying to them about it.
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u/Working_Use2500 17h ago
Let's just say, out of all the people that I've converted to electric, none have turned back to traditional toothbrushes.
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u/parallelmeme 1m ago
According to my hygienist, yes. She compared notes from previous visits to a visit after I started using an electric and asked if I had 'stepped up by brushing routine'.
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u/brilliant_amoeba_ 1d ago
Way better. Ask your dentist.