Electric Toothbrushes: Are They Worth It?

The biggest decision you used to make when buying a toothbrush was soft, medium, or hard bristles. Now there are dozens of types of brushes, from simple to pricier electric versions.

Are power brushes worth the extra cash?

Manual vs. Electric

Regular toothbrushes get the job done when you use them the right way, says Kimberly Harms, DDS, a spokeswoman for the American Dental Association. The problem is many of us don’t use them for the recommended 2 minutes, or get to every tooth.

That’s when a little extra power may come in handy.

An electric one can cover a larger area faster, so you clean more surfaces in the same amount of time. When you brush by hand, you make about 300 strokes per minute. Compare that with the thousands -- in some cases tens of thousands -- of strokes per minute a power one makes.

Pros

Power toothbrushes are better at cleaning your teeth than manual ones. One recent study showed people who used them had less plaque and gum disease.

“Electric toothbrushes are helpful for certain people, such as those who have trouble using their hands,” says Eugene Antenucci, DDS, a clinical assistant professor at New York University College of Dentistry.

Other people they can help include:

Children: Kids may think that electric ones are more fun and easier to use.

People with braces: These brushes can clean in and around the metal parts.

Lazy brushers: If your dentist thinks you’re not removing enough plaque with a manual toothbrush, he may suggest an electronic one.

Cons

Mostly, the cost. Regular toothbrushes usually cost a few dollars, while you can spend $100 or more on an electric one. Brush heads for power gadgets need to be replaced as often as old-school brushes, too. The extra expense can add up.

“They may also lead to a false sense of accomplishment,” Antenucci says. “You may feel like you’re brushing better because you spent $60 on an electric toothbrush, even though you’re not.”

The power ones are also bigger and bulkier, which makes them harder to stash in your purse or suitcase.

What Are the Different Types?

There are a few categories of electric toothbrushes. The main difference is how the brush moves:

Rotary: The head moves in a circular motion at 3,000 to 7,500 strokes per minute. A toothbrush where the head alternates directions is called rotation oscillation.

Sonic: These use a side-to-side motion at a speed at about 10 times that of a rotary brush -- about 31,000 brush strokes per minute.

Ultrasonic: The fast side-to-side motion creates vibrations that dislodge plaque.

Ionic: The brush head doesn’t move. A low electric current in the bristles attracts plaque.

Which type is best? Right now, there isn’t enough research to say for sure.

How Much Should You Spend?

Disposable battery-operated brushes cost about $6 to $15, while rechargeable electric versions range from $40 to more than $150.

Some versions come with travel cases and built-in sensors that signal when you’re brushing too hard. Others have built-in timers that beep every 30 seconds for 2 minutes to let you know it’s time to move on to a different part of your mouth.

High-tech versions have Bluetooth technology that sends data on your brushing habits to your phone.

“Like with a car, you pay extra for the bells and whistles,” Antenucci says.

No matter which kind you choose, look for the American Dental Association’s seal on the package. This means the toothbrush has been reviewed to make sure that it’s safe and effective.

“At the end of the day, how you use that toothbrush is more important than the toothbrush itself,” Harms says. “Make sure you’re brushing with soft bristles and a fluoride toothpaste for 2 minutes, twice a day.”