Are Electric Toothbrushes Actually Better For You? Dental Experts Give It to Us Straight (2024)

How you care for your teeth says a lot about how you care for the rest of your body. But seriously, oral health has a direct impact on your overall health. For instance, certain strains of bacteria in your mouth can wreak havoc on your gut if you swallow them—which goes to show how important it is to have a good toothbrush.

“The acid in your stomach kills most bacteria. However, certain bacteria can withstand the acidic environment,” says Fatima Khan, DMD, a Houston-based dentist and co-founder of Riven Oral Care. "Those strains may pass through the stomach and go to the intestines and colon, causing gut inflammation and dysbiosis.”

Poor oral health may also harm your heart. Research suggests there’s a connection between periodontitis, or gum disease, and increased risk of cardiovascular disease.In extreme cases, dental complications can be life-threatening, Dr. Khan says. “A dental infection can cause bacteria to spread from the oral cavity through the bloodstream to the brain and, in the worst-case scenario, lead to a brain abscess or meningitis."

The good news is that most of these issues can be avoided by regularly brushing your teeth. But are you better off with an electric toothbrush, or is your disposable one just as powerful at scrubbing away bacteria?

Are Electric Toothbrushes Actually Better For You?

While determining the best toothbrush for you should be a conversation you have with your dentist, experts say an electric toothbrush is often their top recommendation, says Lauren Becker, DDS, a NYC-based dentist.“Electric toothbrushes are more efficient at removing plaque than manual toothbrushes."

Not to mention, they do most of the work for you. Because electric toothbrushes have oscillating, rotating, and pulsating capabilities, the brush head does all the motions your teeth need for proper cleaning, says Dr. Khan.

An electric toothbrush may be easier to use. This is especially true if you have limited dexterity or a disability, says Patricia Lucido, LDH, an Indiana-based dental hygienist.If you have a frayed toothbrush, you may especially benefit from an electric toothbrush.

“The oscillating motion or ultrasonic vibration is less aggressive than some people's manual technique,” Lucido says. If you switch from a manual toothbrush to an electric one, apply light pressure when brushing to prevent your enamel from wearing down and your gums from receding. “Some electric toothbrushes come with pressure sensors to alert you if you are brushing too hard,” says James Younan, DMD, MPH, an Arizona-based dentist.

An electric toothbrush can encourage you to brush your pearly whites for longer. Most have built-in timers, usually lasting about two minutes. Choose a smaller brush head so it’s easier to maneuver to the back of your mouth to clean your molars.

As far as whitening your teeth goes, an electric toothbrush likely won’t solve that any better than a manual one. Instead, talk to your dentist about teeth whitening kits, strips, and professional services.

Are They Worth the Investment?

This is ultimately up to you to decide. However, experts agree that an electric toothbrush is worth the upfront cost, which can cost anywhere from $30 to $300.

Consider it an investment in your long-term oral health says Dr. Younan. “One cavity will cost you roughly $150 to fill."

Imagine you had two or even three cavities to fill at once because a manual toothbrush didn’t scrub off all the plaque.

Downsides of Electric Toothbrushes

Apart from the cost, caring for your electric toothbrush will take a little extra thought, says Dr. Becker. “Something I like to remind my patients of is that, after they’re sick, it’s helpful to change out the toothbrush head. Even if the bristles aren’t frayed, germs can be passed from the mouth to the toothbrush, which could ultimately delay your recovery time.”

An electric toothbrush isn’t a magic bullet, meaning it doesn’t replace floss, a water flosser, or a tongue scraper. “Flossing plays a pivotal role in preventing cavities often found between teeth where brush bristles can't reach,” Dr. Younan says. “Also, 90% of the bacteria that causes bad breath is on the tongue, so using a tongue scraper is a must if you want to stay social.”

Electric toothbrushes can also be hard to travel with, as they need to be charged to work. Some people may not like the vibration or feeling of an electric toothbrush, which could cause your investment to collect dust. They’re also generally messy. “The ultrasonic or oscillating motion can cause saliva and toothpaste to splatter,” says Lucido.

What To Look For in an Electric Toothbrush

There are two types of electric toothbrushes to choose from—oscillating and sonic.Select a toothbrush that fits your unique needs, says Lucido. “An oscillating brush is usually round and rotates in a back-and-forth motion and physically ‘sweeps’ the plaque and debris off the tooth,” she explains. "Sonic brushes often have a rectangular head that uses vibrations to flush away plaque and debris."

Lucido explains that Sonic brushes are a bit more thorough because they reach deep between and around the teeth.Meanwhile, some electric toothbrushes are more high-tech than others. “There are simple ones that just clean teeth to ones that have timers, pressure controls, the ability to sanitize and synchronize to your phone to chart your brushing,” Lucido says. But it comes down to personal preference—you don’t necessarily need all these features.

Dr. Becker recommends choosing an electric toothbrush with a small charger. “Top-of-the-line toothbrushes can hold a charge for many days at a time, so you can tuck away the charger when it's not in use,” she says.

Dr. Khan suggests choosing an electric toothbrush from brands like Oral-B and Philips Sonicare. Regardless, purchase a brush with the American Dental Association (ADA) seal. Dr. Younan, a representative of a U-shaped electric toothbrush called Autobrush, says these uniquely shaped brushes may offer a deeper cleaning than traditional brushes.

Ultimately, your efforts are more important than the brush you choose. “Your oral health is in your hands,” says Dr. Younan. “The dentist is there to help you, but it’s a team effort.”

Want our advice? These are our two top choices for electric toothbrushes that we've put to the test.