Do electric Toothbrushes really make a difference?

[Cindy1802]

Are they worth it?

I've always looked after my teeth - never had a filling, never miss brushing my teeth. However as I'm getting older my teeth are definitely discolouring, and thinking about what I can do to increase the care I give them.

Would an electric toothbrush be worth the investment? Are they really that much better than normal Toothbrushes?

[starrynight21]

I believe they are far better than a normal brush. Don't expect them to change your tooth colour or anything like that , but they do make your teeth cleaner than you've ever had before. I've used one for years and hate being without it - they are that good. Buy one and try it for yourself, I'm sure you'll love it.

[ItsBeenOneWeek]

Used properly, yea.

[UnravellingTheWorld]

100%. Sometimes I forget to charge mine and have to do it manually, and my teeth just don't feel clean. I'd never go back to a manual brush.

[VerbenaGirl]

Absolutely. I could never go back now. They feel and look so much cleaner.

[Roselilly36]

Without a doubt a better clean. You don’t have to spend a fortune either, I have the Oral B 3500 pro, cost about £40, really excellent electric toothbrush.

[AutieAdult]

I find it much easier and recommended by hygienist (not selling them at the surgery).

[avocadotofu]

I definitely think so.

[AndrexPuppy]

According to my dental hygienist, yes. Unless you have a really excellent manual toothbrush technique and are strict with doing it for long enough (not just a quick scrub around) then they do give better results and improve your all round oral health.

The electric brushes have timed cycles with interval vibrations to remind you to move on to the next section of your mouth (so all areas are being covered), many also have pressure sensors to let you know when you’re pressing too hard and brush head renewal reminders.

Obviously, manual toothbrushes have their place but apparently they are not as effective.

[bibbityboppityboo]

100%!

I thought my teeth felt clean using a manual but then I swapped to an oral B electric and oh my goodness it was completely different. They feel so clean now!!

Combine an electric toothbrush with a water flosser and you can get that squeaky clean feeling like you've just been to the hygienist.

[Malarandras]

Yes. My dentist told me if you use a manual you may as well not bother brushing - I suspect he was being a bit OTT with that comment, but a good electric toothbrush is much better.

[Cindy1802]

Thanks all, quite a unanimous response! Any recommendations? Probably looking for mid price range... i.e. Happy to spend more than the bare minimum but not wanting to break the bank.

[Blossomandbee]

Not for me, I find them very harsh and the only time I've had tooth problems was when I used an electric toothbrush.
I use a soft manual brush and have never even needed a filling. The dentist who said they're the same as not brushing is talking absolute rubbish.

[GeorgesMarvelousCalpol]

I bought one for half price in the Christmas sales, it was about €30 and I find it good. My dentist recommends a "sonic" brush as the best, but they were over €100 and way out of my price range! She says they are better for keeping your teeth white (or white-ish, in my case!)
No idea if that true, I'm happy with my mid price one.
😁

[GracePalmer33]

They're great. I hate using a normal toothbrush if mine is ever out of charge or I forget to take it away with me- I don't even feel like I've brushed my teeth so the electric one obviously gets them 1000x cleaner!

[GracePalmer33]

Look up "Ordo". I think they're around £40 and they're great. It's what I'm using right now. They sell them online on their own website but also in sainsburys, Superdrug and a few other places.

[Bluevelvetsofa]

I should imagine dentists know what they’re talking about and if they recommend them, it makes sense. I can’t see how a soft manual brush will do a thorough clean.

[Willmafrockfit]

well you are meant to brush gently so i dont see how a soft brush is so wrong

[hattie43]

I went to the hygienist Fri and she recommended a Braun IO , vary in price but she really rated them .

[bonfirebash]

I have this one and like it

of the day: Oral-B Genius Electric Toothbrush with AI, Gifts For Women / Men, Fathers Day Gifts, App Connected Handle, 3 Toothbrush Heads & Travel Case, 5 Modes, Teeth Whitening, 2 Pin UK Plug, 8000 amzn.eu/d/dRC7YcG?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[KitchenSinkLlama]

I always have used a sonicare.

My hygenist and dentist don't make much money from me 😉

[shakeitoffsis]

I'm a specialised dental nurse. The toothbrush makes no difference it is how the user uses it that is the difference.

[Growlybear83]

My hygienist is adamant that I should use an electric toothbrush but my dentist, in the same practice, says it doesn't matter provided you brush properly. I bought an electric toothbrush a few months ago - my husband uses it all the time but I hate it with a passion. The vibration makes me feel like my head's going to fall off 😆😆

[Always4Brenner]

Love mine I brought my first 26 years ago as a birthday present to myself. Always use oral b I won’t pay 100s though.

[ChaliceAlice]

@shakeitoffsis

I'm a specialised dental nurse. The toothbrush makes no difference it is how the user uses it that is the difference.

I would agree with this. I don't think the op is doing too badly with a manual brush if she has no fillings.

[AndrexPuppy]

I really like Philips sonicare brushes. I’ve had the basic ones and the more gadgety ones with multiple programmes. All are have been good, reliable brushes that did a good job. I get sensory issues with manual brushes (the heads are too big), so I like the smaller heads on electric brushes.

I tried an oral B once but it felt rattly in my mouth, the sonic motion of the Philips feels much smoother to me than the mid-range oral B I used. To be fair, that was probably 15 years ago now, so they may well have moved on a bit now and have a smoother action.

If you do decide on Sonicare, they are often half price on Amazon and in John Lewis.