Style meets ease-of-use for an exceptional value with this nifty travel case and USB-C charger in pleather!
For an affordable electric toothbrush that delivers on its promise, the Mode is our go-to pick. Equipped with an intuitive smartphone app and four quadrant timers that provide customized brushing sessions, plus an indicator to notify when you are brushing too hard, it delivers outstanding performance.
1. Brushing time
To maintain good dental health and reduce gum disease, experts suggest brushing for two minutes twice each day for two minutes each time. A built-in timer on an electric toothbrush makes this goal more attainable.
However, brushing too vigorously can wear down the enamel on your teeth and cause them to be sensitive to hot or cold temperatures. Furthermore, excessive brushing could cause your gums to recede as a result.
The best electric toothbrushes come equipped with pressure sensors that notify users when they are brushing too hard, such as Oral-B’s iO Series 9 model with its light-up pressure indicator that flashes green if brushing at an appropriate level and red when applying too much force. In addition, this device features both quadrant and two minute timers to help ensure proper use.
2. Brushing pressure
Most people believe they must apply significant pressure in order to successfully clean their teeth, however this type of force weakens tooth enamel and gums, potentially even leading to their receding.
Brushing gently removes most food debris and plaque buildup. According to Stepka, brushing lightly should feel like it is moving freely across your teeth without overwhelming them with its force.
An electric toothbrush’s rotating or vibrating action takes most of the work off your shoulders, meaning all you have to do is hold it gently against your teeth. This makes them far superior to manual brushes which require greater force for brushing. Also look out for models equipped with pressure sensors which warn when too much force is being applied; these are especially beneficial if your gums or teeth are sensitive.
3. Brushing mode
Choose a model with multiple brushing modes for optimal results; each mode offers its own power and intensity settings, and some may be gentler than others, making this an excellent solution for patients with sensitive teeth.
Brushing modes are typically indicated with color indicators. These may be light-up rings around the base of a brush that glow from blue through green and red when too much pressure has been applied by its user.
Some models feature an app designed to track and promote better brushing habits. This can be an especially helpful option for patients recovering from gum disease as it helps them improve their technique and habits to help prevent future issues. These apps also can monitor areas in your mouth that may have gone untouched.
4. Battery life
An electric toothbrush’s battery may drain quickly with regular use, so it’s crucial that its charge remains full before beginning use – otherwise you risk damaging its inner circuitry by operating while its charge drops too low.
Some brushes utilize rechargeable batteries that can be replenished using a charging dock; others utilize replaceable AA batteries that must be regularly updated or switched out for new ones.
Some brushes feature features to promote good brushing habits, like built-in timers that beep every 30 seconds for two minutes or a screen that displays how long you have been brushing for. Others come equipped with pressure sensors to detect excessive force in brushing; and there are even smart brushes which connect with apps to track brushing data.
5. Design
Not only should battery life, value and durability be taken into consideration when choosing an electric toothbrush; prices typically range from $40-400 with many offering features such as sleek travel cases, app connectivity and multiple chargers.
Electric toothbrushes produce waste during their lifecycle (Ng). Extraction of plastics used results in greenhouse gas emission while leaching processes must take place for printed circuit boards and rechargeable batteries; all this waste must be properly recycled if sustainable practices are to be maintained.
However, most experts we consulted recommended seeking out electric toothbrushes equipped with two-minute timers that beep or vibrate every 30 seconds to indicate it’s time to switch quadrants. Some more expensive models also boast Bluetooth technology for sending brushing data directly to smartphone applications.