We didn’t come to this decision lightly – after all, a good toothbrush is the key to keeping your pearly whites in good condition. But like so many things, there are a lot of options. Should you be using a manual toothbrush or go for an electric one? Do you have sensitive teeth and need something with softer bristles? Do you have receding gums?
Before you buy, you need to know exactly what your needs are and what your budget is so you can look at the right products for you. If you are in the market for an electric toothbrush, we have tried to help you with your search for the best one.
- Oral-B is the #1 Toothbrush brand used by dentists worldwide, based on surveys of a representative worldwide sample of dentists’ usage carried out for P&G continuously
- Oral-B Pro 100 has a waterproof handle, charging station, travel case, and a CrossAction Midnight Black brush head
- Comes with a CrossAction brush head with perfectly angled bristles to get deep in between teeth and remove plaque".
- 2 Minute Timer: Helps you brush the dentist recommended 2 minutes
- Rechargeable Battery: Lasts up to 8 days (2min, 2X/day)
How We Picked
As I looked over the toothbrushes and what was out there, my mind was blown. I had never thought there could be so much to a toothbrush. But in a way, it does not surprise me that so much technology could be packed into such a small package.
We reviewed choice.com.au, amazon.com.au, and shavershop.com.au to help make sure we were getting toothbrushes that were top quality and available here in Australia.
What to Look For
Electric toothbrushes have quite a few doodads to them – sometimes a feature may seem great, but in the end, it turns out that it’s a marketing trick. That said, below are some that we think are important.
Two-Minute Timer
You will never hear a dentist say that you should brush your teeth for any less than at least two minutes. Instead of standing a watching the clock as you brush or setting a timer on a device, why not just use the timer on your toothbrush? A built-in timer makes it easy to know when you have hit the magic number for a good cleaning.
Replacement Brush Heads
Every manufacture of electric toothbrushes recommends replacing the brush head when the bristles have become worn out. That means you will need to replace your toothbrush head every 3-4 months.
So ideally, you should buy an electric toothbrush that allows you to replace just the head and not the whole toothbrush. This is pretty standard, but you might want to research the cost of a replacement head, so you can factor them into your budget (since you will need to buy them pretty regularly).
Also, having a toothbrush that allows you to change heads means you can get a better cleaning when you switch the head you use. For example, if you want to work on whitening your teeth or get some enhanced plaque removal, you just have to switch the head to a special type, even though your toothbrush may actually have only one cleaning mode.
Storage for Brush Heads
This is not an essential feature, but it is nice to have if the charging stand has a place to keep spare brush heads. That way, if you are a family that shares the same brush handle, your bathroom does not get cluttered.
Good Size Charger
The important thing to remember about toothbrushes is that it’s normally not about how much battery life your toothbrush has, but rather about the size of the charger. You do not want a charger that is going to be heavy when you travel or take up too much room on your sink at home. Look for a charger that is light and small.
Cleaning Modes
This feature is more of a personal preference than a must-have. You may want to have a toothbrush that offers more than one cleaning mode so it will suit your needs or the needs of all family members if you share the same brush handle.
There is no evidence that a different cleaning mode changes the quality of your cleaning. But if you have someone in the household with sensitive teeth, it could make all the difference for them.
Cleaning Action
It does not matter how many cleaning modes your toothbrush has if you do not like the way it moves to clean your teeth.
- Rotate – a circle of bristles on the toothbrush may rotate, or a few individual bristles.
- Pulsate – the head itself moves backward and forwards to help get rid of plaque.
- Oscillate – small, round heads rotate one direction and then another. These can be good for those with sensitive teeth, but they tend to be a bit louder.
- Sonic – the head will vibrate at high speeds and frequency to get rid of the plaque. This can feel extremely ticklish.
Charge Indicator
If you regularly unplug your charger, frequently travel, or just leave your toothbrush off the charger altogether, you will want a charge indicator. The charge indicator will help you know when your toothbrush is low and needs to recharge.
Travel Container
This is nice to have when you travel, so all the pieces of your toothbrush do not get lost in the crevices of your luggage. A travel container will keep all the bits and bobs of your toothbrush where they belong and protect your toothbrush to boot. It will also help keep everything clean and hygienic.
Australia’s Best Electric Toothbrush: Oral-B PRO 100 Cross action
The Oral-B PRO 100 Crossaction toothbrush has one cleaning mode with crisscross bristles that help remove the plaque. It also has a built-in timer that alerts you when you have brushed for the recommended 2 minutes.
The rechargeable battery will last you up to 8 days so long as you keep to the recommended two minutes, two times per day. The replacement heads are affordable.
The one downside to this toothbrush is that some feel the motor is a little underpowered.
Runner Up: Philips Sonicare 2 Series
The Philips Sonicare 2 Series toothbrush has a battery that can last up to two weeks between charges. The bristles move in a sonic movement to help you remove plaque. This toothbrush is safe to use with orthodontics, implants, and veneers.
The toothbrush will adjust the power level during the first 14 uses so that you are able to get used to it gradually and make the adjustment from a manual brush smoothly. The slim, angled head allows you better access to your back teeth.
There is a built-in timer to notify you when you have brushed two minutes each time you brush. It also has a charge indicator, so you know when you need to put it on the charger.
Other Options
Oral-B Vitality Sensitive Clean
This toothbrush is great for sensitive teeth. The head has extra soft bristles so that they do not bother you as you are brushing. It has a built-in two minute timer, so you do not brush longer than needed.
The head cleans with oscillating and rotating action for a really good cleaning each time. The Oral-B Vitality Sensitive Clean does not come with a travel case.
Philips DiamondClean 9000
The Philips DiamondClean toothbrush looks great, and is ideal for those who travel a lot. The toothbrush comes with a travel case and a USB charger, so it is light, and you do not lose any parts. It also has a charger glass for use on the go or at home. It looks like regular glass but can charge your toothbrush.
The DiamondClean toothbrush has five different cleaning modes; clean, white, sensitive, gum care, and deep clean. This makes it great if you want just one brush handle for the family and just switch out the head for each person.
Philips 5 Series Gum Health Sonic
The Philips 5 Series Gum Health Sonic toothbrush is a good choice for anyone who has problems with their gums. The toothbrush has six 6 different intensity settings so you can choose how gently the toothbrush cleans your teeth.
The toothbrush uses sonic cleaning action to fluid between your teeth to clean them. It also is safe to use with orthodontics and veneers. It has a built-in two minute timer to help you know when you are done brushing. It also has a quadpacer interval timer so you can make sure to clean each part of your mouth equally.
Spend More and Get More?
Do you really get more if you spend a little more on a toothbrush? It depends on if you feel you really need the fancy extras. In reality, there is little evidence that the really nice add-ons enhance the cleaning you get with your toothbrush, and they can really hike the price of your pick.
Pressure Sensor
Pressing harder when brushing does not mean you are getting a better cleaning. Pressing too hard can actually damage your gums and tooth enamel. A pressure sensor will warn you if you are pressing too hard by beeping, vibrating, or even turning off the toothbrush.
This may be helpful, and we’re aware that some dentists recommend it, but it is not a necessary feature. With regular visits to a dentist you should know whether you’re brushing in the right way. Plus, if your bristles are wearing out or spreading out before the head is three months old, then you are pressing too hard.
Bluetooth Connectivity and Apps
Is there a right way or wrong way to brush your teeth? Yep. Is there a way to find out what you are doing wrong and how to correct it? Again, yes. Some toothbrushes come with Bluetooth connectivity and apps to help coach you on how to brush your teeth.
The app might have a position sensor and track how long you brush each area of your mouth. Or it might tell you that you are pressing too hard. If you love that type of information, then this feature might be worthwhile. But honestly, most of us learned to brush correctly at a young age. So you could probably save yourself that cash by just asking your dentist for some tips.
Premium Storage Case and Charger
A premium storage case might have room for every little piece that comes with your toothbrush or be made from high-quality material. The charger may be able to charge not only your toothbrush, but it could also have a USB port or a spot for your smartphone to stand. These things are nice, but definitely not required.
Quad Pacer
All a quad pacer does is tell you when you have spent 30 seconds in one area of your mouth. This is useful to ensure you’re getting even coverage, though there’s no proof that brushing your teeth one small part at a time gives you a better cleaning.
Better Battery
If you buy a toothbrush with a better battery, you might get one that can go longer between charges. However, unless you plan on going off-grid for quite a while, having a longer battery life is not really necessary.
The Bottom Line
Not all toothbrushes are the same – you will find that there are some where you do not like the feel of the cleaning action, or how noisy it is. You need to decide what you need from your toothbrush and if there are any extra add-ons that you must have – and of course, you should ask your dentist if you have any specific requirements or concerns.
But, if you need a toothbrush that will do the job with one cleaning mode and cross-action to clean your teeth, then the Oral-B PRO 100 Crossaction is the one for you.
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