Now that we’ve reviewed the most popular electric toothbrushes out there, let’s go over the basics of these machines. We’ll talk about how they work, the pros and cons of electric versus manual toothbrushes, and discuss a few other basic things you’ll need to know to get the most out of your new brush.

How Do Electric Toothbrushes Work?

Like all electrical devices, electric toothbrushes have a small electric motor inside. This motor consists of a magnetic rod that sits in the middle of a wound copper coil. When an electrical current runs through the coil, the rod spins and turns a gear.

The real genius of an electric toothbrush lies in converting the motor’s circular motion into the oscillating motion of the head. A simple gear connection would just make the head spin in circles, which isn’t as good at loosening up plaque as an oscillating motion. The real genius of an electric toothbrush lies in converting the motor’s circular motion into the oscillating motion of the head. A simple gear connection would just make the head spin in circles, which isn’t as good at loosening up plaque as an oscillating motion.

If you look inside a disposable brush head, you’ll see a gear that connects to a small cam. When the gear spins, the cam moves back and forth, creating those familiar vibrations If you look inside a disposable brush head, you’ll see a gear that connects to a small cam. When the gear spins, the cam moves back and forth, creating those familiar vibrations

What Makes Sonic Toothbrushes Special?

Sonic toothbrushes are specially-designed electric toothbrushes that run much faster than a standard brush – typically 31,000 strokes per minute or more. The head on a sonic brush feels looser than a standard brush, because it is.

Standard brush heads lock in place on the handle, and the only thing that actually moves is the very tip with the brushes on it. On a sonic brush, the entire head vibrates back and forth.

This complex, rapid motion is what gives sonic toothbrushes their name. By moving this quickly, the bristles produce tons of tiny bubbles, similar to an ultrasonic cleaner. According to a 2004 study by British researchers, these bubbles aren’t agitated enough to actually collapse and generate a true ultrasonic cleaning effect. Basically, a sonic toothbrush is a really fast electric toothbrush that makes little bubbles that tickle your gums.

Note that sonic toothbrushes are not the same as ultrasonic toothbrushes. We haven’t reviewed any true ultrasonic brushes because they’re much more expensive, and are really a specialty market. To qualify as ultrasonic, the FDA requires a brush to vibrate at least 192 million times per minute. At these speeds, the brushes create cavitation, a physical process where water bubbles collapse under pressure and generate enough impact to remove plaque and other debris from your teeth Note that sonic toothbrushes are not the same as ultrasonic toothbrushes. We haven’t reviewed any true ultrasonic brushes because they’re much more expensive, and are really a specialty market. To qualify as ultrasonic, the FDA requires a brush to vibrate at least 192 million times per minute. At these speeds, the brushes create cavitation, a physical process where water bubbles collapse under pressure and generate enough impact to remove plaque and other debris from your teeth

What Are The Pros And Cons of Electric Toothbrushes?

Learn how to properly brush your teeth with an electric toothbrush here:

If you’ve read this far, you’ve probably already decided to buy an electric toothbrush. Nonetheless, there are still some things you know. If you’re still on the fence, hopefully this helps you make a more informed decision.



The Benefits of Electric Toothbrushes



They’re better at removing plaque. A 2014 study by Cochrane showed that electric toothbrushes reduced plaque by 24 percent compared to a manual toothbrush. The same study also showed an 11 percent lower rate of gingivitis among electric toothbrush users. Nobody likes plaque, and it’s pretty clear that electric brushes are better on this front.





A 2014 study by Cochrane showed that electric toothbrushes reduced plaque by 24 percent compared to a manual toothbrush. The same study also showed an 11 percent lower rate of gingivitis among electric toothbrush users. Nobody likes plaque, and it’s pretty clear that electric brushes are better on this front. They’re easier to use . For people who are physically abled, using a manual toothbrush is easy enough to do at six in the morning when you’re half awake. For people with arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, Parkinson’s Disease or developmental disabilities, it can be difficult or impossible to use a manual brush properly. Electric brushes have larger handles, so they’re easier to hold. They also don’t require any vigorous scrubbing, so they’re gentler on your knuckles and tendons.





. For people who are physically abled, using a manual toothbrush is easy enough to do at six in the morning when you’re half awake. For people with arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, Parkinson’s Disease or developmental disabilities, it can be difficult or impossible to use a manual brush properly. Electric brushes have larger handles, so they’re easier to hold. They also don’t require any vigorous scrubbing, so they’re gentler on your knuckles and tendons. They improve your concentration . According to a 2015 study published by the National Institutes of Health, people who use electric brushes tend to focus more on brushing their teeth than people with manual brushes. The same study showed that these users enjoyed brushing their teeth more than manual brushers. It goes without saying that you’ll do a better job of anything if you’re having fun and concentrating on it, and the same goes for brushing your teeth.





. According to a 2015 study published by the National Institutes of Health, people who use electric brushes tend to focus more on brushing their teeth than people with manual brushes. The same study showed that these users enjoyed brushing their teeth more than manual brushers. It goes without saying that you’ll do a better job of anything if you’re having fun and concentrating on it, and the same goes for brushing your teeth. They’re better at cleaning around braces . Braces and other orthodontic work can make it hard to brush well. They have all kinds of angles and wires that get in the way, and the simple side-to-side or up-and-down motion of a manual brush can leave a lot of debris in your mouth, leading to bad breath or even cavities. The oscillating motion of an electric brush is better at getting into all the crevices between your brace wires, so you’ll have cleaner teeth and better breath.





. Braces and other orthodontic work can make it hard to brush well. They have all kinds of angles and wires that get in the way, and the simple side-to-side or up-and-down motion of a manual brush can leave a lot of debris in your mouth, leading to bad breath or even cavities. The oscillating motion of an electric brush is better at getting into all the crevices between your brace wires, so you’ll have cleaner teeth and better breath. They’re gentler on your gums. Remember how electric brushes are better at preventing gingivitis? A big part of this is the fact that they’re very gentle along the gum line, so you’re not going to miss spots while you’re avoiding your gums. Kids love them. Electric toothbrushes are fun to use. If you’re having trouble getting your kid to brush their teeth regularly, an electric brush might encourage them. Are looking for a special toothbrush for your toddler or for your kid. The Disadvantages of Electric Toothbrushes



They cost more. To begin with, you need to buy the basic unit. This can range from tens of dollars to hundreds, depending on how fancy you want to get. After that, you’ll still need to buy replacement heads, which cost about five times as much as replacing a manual brush.





To begin with, you need to buy the basic unit. This can range from tens of dollars to hundreds, depending on how fancy you want to get. After that, you’ll still need to buy replacement heads, which cost about five times as much as replacing a manual brush. They’re harder to travel with. If you’re taking a weekend trip to your mom’s house, it’s easy enough to just toss your electric brush your toiletry bag. But if you’re taking a long trip, you’ll also need to bring the charging station. If you’re going overseas, you’ll also need to buy a power adapter to plug it in. In these cases, a manual brush is a lot more convenient.





If you’re taking a weekend trip to your mom’s house, it’s easy enough to just toss your electric brush your toiletry bag. But if you’re taking a long trip, you’ll also need to bring the charging station. If you’re going overseas, you’ll also need to buy a power adapter to plug it in. In these cases, a manual brush is a lot more convenient. ​They’re harder to replace. Let’s say your manual toothbrush breaks or gets dropped somewhere gross. You can just buy a new one at any grocery store, convenience store, drug store, gas station, bodega, etc. Everyone sells them. Now let’s say the same thing happens to your electric brush head. You’ll need to go to a specific store to replace it, or buy one online. This isn’t a big deal for planned replacements, but it can be a headache in an emergency.

Great! What Else Do I Need To Know?

Now that we know how electric toothbrushes work, and what their strengths and weaknesses are, let’s take a look at what you can do to get the best performance possible from your brush.

Before you make the switch from a manual toothbrush to an electric toothbrush there are a few things that you should probably know.

How Often Should I Replace My Brush?

Over time, toothbrushes wear down. Some bristles get pulled out. Others get frayed or lose their stiffness. These loose, frayed bristles can harbor bacteria, and significantly reduce the effectiveness of your brush. To avoid this, the American Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush every three months.

This is true whether you’re using a manual brush or an electric one, but rather than replacing the whole toothbrush you are able to just replace the head of the toothbrush.

What Kind of Head Should I Use?

Medium or soft bristles are ideal for most people. They’re powerful enough to scrub away plaque without irritating your gums too much. If you have very sensitive gums or are recovering from oral surgery, it can be a good idea to use an extra-soft brush for maximum comfort.



For kids, it’s a good idea to use a smaller brush head, just like you’d give your kid a child-sized manual brush instead of an adult-sized one. They’re available in a variety of sizes and styles, for ages ranging from toddlers to tweens.

What Special Features Should I Look Out For?

When you’re buying a brush, there are some extra features that can make all the difference in the world. Here are a few of them:

Timers and pacers. Brushes with integrated timers help you make sure you’re brushing your teeth enough without over brushing. Many of these timers include pacers, which beep or pulse when it’s time to switch from one quadrant of your mouth to another.





Brushes with integrated timers help you make sure you’re brushing your teeth enough without over brushing. Many of these timers include pacers, which beep or pulse when it’s time to switch from one quadrant of your mouth to another. Brush sanitizers. A wet toothbrush sitting in a warm bathroom can be a harbor for all kinds of nasty bugs. To combat this, some electric toothbrush charging stations include a brush sanitizer.





A wet toothbrush sitting in a warm bathroom can be a harbor for all kinds of nasty bugs. To combat this, some electric toothbrush charging stations include a brush sanitizer. Different power modes. Maybe you want to brush aggressively on the biting surface of your molars, but brush more gently along your gums or on your tongue. Many electric brushes have different power settings to fine-tune your experience.





Maybe you want to brush aggressively on the biting surface of your molars, but brush more gently along your gums or on your tongue. Many electric brushes have different power settings to fine-tune your experience. Ease of travel. If you travel a lot, look for a brush that has a long battery life and comes with a travel case. With some brushes, you can go on the road for a week without having to plug your toothbrush in.

Conclusion