Dentist says I should get an electric toothbrush. Should I? Which one?

[sheoaouhra]

I've never had one before. I've never seen the point. Now I am advised to get one, but is it really any better than manual? and also there is so much choice! I don't need one that flashes and beeps - what do I need?

Any advice gratefully recieved

Avoid the io range. We have 2 and the battery storage is utter shite. Sometimes they'll work, other times they can't be arsed. So fucking expensive.

Sonicare brush and Water flosser here 👍

OP

Just one thing, you can actually share an electric tooth brush with family (if you have one) the actual toothbrush doesn't go in your mouth just the head so people in a family have their own head (you can usually put a coloured ring on)

Why are you asking the opinion of mumsnet over your qualified dentist?

Every dentist I have ever seen has said that electric toothbrushes are better.

I think dentists know a thing or two about teeth.

I’m a dentist. I used to use Sonicare but got an IO free and prefer that now. Agree the battery life is a pain though.

I have oral B IO and my dental health has definitely improved, when I go to the dentist now I have no plaque or anything.

Are they more effective?
My teeth are looked after by one of the best dental schools in the country I’ve repeatedly being told that the research says they are technically not more effective, the only advantage is that most people brush for longer thus making them more effective but you can have the same results with a normal tooth brush.
They do say flossing and using those little brushes that go between teeth at least once a day ideally twice has proven to be very effective. (I should just add I don’t that and do have an electric tooth brush!.

I've had an oral B and a Phillips, and I much prefer the Phillips. I prefer the action it makes and also it feels less harsh/juddery on the teeth and gums, whilst cleaning very effectively.

If you say so.😂

we are a converted family and have been through both Phillips and Braun over the past 5 years. dentist always compliments how good the kids teeth are.

Don’t go for the cheaper brauns as they have grooves around the rubber that get ganky no matter how much you rinse them and the clean is more mechanical/less thorough than the io/sonic brushes. There are always offers, I’ve just bought a dual pack of i08s for £120 each, my sonic is older but was on a comparable offer at the time. husbands io is 3 yrs old and battery is still solid

i got a tesco one, reduced
surely they must all be the same,
i am in no hurry to go up a brand

I've got an old sonicare that has lasted for years and I now use bamboo heads on it. Teeth feel v clean

I need a new one too so I am interested in this thread

I can tell you all which one not to get and that’s Ordo. Good at the beginning but overall very poor. My dentist has been selling them for a year - he’s finding that a lot of his patients are needing more fillings as the Ordos are just so crap. He has stopped selling them now.

I loved mine at first so I was saddened to hear they were shite - I had my suspicions as my teeth felt odd. Then I needed my first two fillings in over 20 years!