What is the Best Electric Toothbrush in the UK? Reviews, Cost and More

Looking for the best electric toothbrush for your needs can be overwhelming with so many options and features to choose from. But don't worry, we've got you covered.

In this comprehensive review, we've compared the top electric toothbrushes in the UK for 2023, and answered the following questions:

• What are the best electric toothbrushes in the UK for 2023?
• How do leading brands like Oral-B and Philips Sonicare compare?
• Are there any lesser-known brands worth considering?
• What do electric toothbrush reviews say?
• Which electric toothbrush do dentists recommend?

Our top picks for the best electric toothbrush 2023 are the Oral B iO and the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart, but keep reading to find out which is the best toothbrush for your needs.

This review will help you navigate the market, whether you're looking for a high-tech model with Bluetooth and AI, a budget-friendly option, or the perfect toothbrush to address a specific issue like sensitive teeth or gum disease.

We'll also explain how to use an electric toothbrush properly – because technology can only help if you've got your oral hygiene basics right. And we have some general advice for maintaining your toothbrush and getting the most out of it.

Note that this article focuses on the best electric toothbrushes in the UK for adults and teens. We have a separate guide to electric toothbrushes for kids if you're interested.

Best electric toothbrush reviews 2023

Let's start with reviewing and comparing some of the best electric toothbrushes available in the UK. You'll find reviews of all the top brands including Oral-B, Philips Sonicare and Colgate, as well as some you may not be so familiar with.

We'll cover a range of brushes to suit different budgets and needs, so whether you're after a cheaper electric toothbrush or one with more advanced features, you'll find a good match here.

Braun Oral-B

Braun Oral-B electric toothbrushes have heads that are small and either circular or oval in shape. This is the leading brand that uses rotating-oscillating technology, and some models also offer pulsing heads for deeper cleaning. Oral-B is widely recommended by dentists in the UK, so whichever of their brushes you choose you can be quite confident it is doing a good job.

Different types of brush heads are designed for whitening, sensitive gums, and use with braces. There is even a compatible brush head made with recyclable plastic and charcoal fibre. Oral-B toothbrush heads are some of the most affordable when it comes to replacing them. This is an important consideration when you think about the long-term cost of owning an electric toothbrush.

The video below shows how to brush with an Oral-B oscillating toothbrush.

Oral-B offers a wide range of brushes, with basic models like the Vitality Plus often available for under £20 on Amazon. Mid-range models like the SmartSeries 6500 come with Bluetooth connectivity, and the most advanced is the AI-equipped iO9 brush which can precisely track how well you are brushing each tooth.

By connecting to the Oral-B App you can receive real-time brushing guidance to ensure you're reaching every part of your mouth. Your dentist can even adjust your brushing plan if there are certain teeth or areas you need to focus on.

The cheapest Oral-B electric toothbrush with a pressure sensor is the Pro 2000. Part of the brush lights up if you are putting too much pressure on your teeth. Oral-B's more premium models don't just light up but actually slow down the brushing speed if you are brushing too hard.

You also get a handy travel case from which you can charge your smartphone as well as your toothbrush.

All in all, whether you want a budget electric toothbrush or a more premium brush loaded with features, Oral-B probably has one to suit you. We have a separate article dedicated to the best Oral-B toothbrushes in the UK, which has a lot more detail about each one. For now, here's a summary of our top electric toothbrushes from Oral-B:

• Best high-tech brush: iO9 (full Oral-B iO review here)
• Next-best for tech on a lower budget: Genius X
• Best on a budget: Vitality Plus or Pro 2000 (with pressure sensor)
• Best for families: SmartSeries 6500 Double Pack (2 handles, storage for 4 heads)
• Best travel toothbrush: Pro 2 2500 (standard case) or Genius range (USB charging case)
• Best for sensitive teeth: Smart 5 5000
• Best for forming good habits: SmartSeries 6500

Philips Sonicare

Now onto the other name that dominates the UK market. The Philips Sonicare electric toothbrush range also offers a large number of options. All Sonicare toothbrushes use patented sonic technology with a side-to-side brushing motion.

At the basic end of the scale, you can pick up a no-frills Sonicare EasyClean which has one brushing mode, a timer, and not much else.

At the other end of the scale, you can fork out for a DiamondClean Smart (not to be confused with plain old DiamondClean). This top-of-the-range toothbrush with three built-in sensors and Bluetooth connectivity tracks every movement of your brushing and tells you if you've missed a bit or you're using the wrong technique – a bit like a personal oral hygienist.

It also comes with four different brush heads which you can use for plaque removal, whitening your teeth, gum care and tongue care. Each head has a microchip so the brush automatically knows which settings to use for each one (this does add to the cost of replacements, though).

To charge the toothbrush, you place it in a stylish glass rather than a traditional holder. It also comes with a travel case that allows USB charging.

Many reviews of the Sonicare DiamondClean Smart state that the app has helped the user learn how to brush their teeth properly. However, some users experienced technical problems with the app or found it gimmicky – and without that, it's really no different to much cheaper models.

There are numerous options with varying levels of smart technology and other features in between these two models. The ProtectiveClean 6100 range, for example, comes with three different cleaning modes, three intensities, a case, and a range of colours, including pink. It's not a Bluetooth toothbrush, although it does have an alert that tells you when it's time to switch to a new brush head.

Overall, when you compare Oral-B vs Sonicare, you'll find better value from Oral-B.

Read our Sonic toothbrush reviews page for a more in-depth look at these electric toothbrushes and some similar alternatives.

Oclean electric toothbrush range

If you like the idea of a smart electric toothbrush but don't like the price tag of the Genius X or DiamondClean Smart, the good news is there is another option. The Oclean range of electric toothbrushes has something for everyone. Check out our reviews of the Oclean X Pro Elite and the Oclean Flow below, or read our Oclean X10 review.

Oclean X Pro Elite

The Oclean X Pro Elite includes advanced technology at an affordable price. It is a smart toothbrush that has not only app connectivity, but also a touchscreen display that works even when your hands are wet.

This toothbrush, along with some of the other newer Oclean models, includes noise reduction technology, making it noticeably quieter than other electric toothbrushes.

Its built-in gyroscope tracks the angle and motion of the brush so it can tell you which areas need more attention. And the cool features don't stop there. You get to set your brushing intensity on a scale of 1-32, so you really have a lot of control over the strength.

In addition, there are four brushing modes: Clean, Sensitive, Massage and White. On the app, you can follow one of the 20 brushing plans to help you achieve your goals (better gum health, whiter teeth, etc.).

A 3.5-hour charge gives 35 days of battery life, and while you're not using it as a charger, the base can be wall-mounted to keep your brush out of the way. All in all, it's a pretty cool toothbrush at a very reasonable price. If you're willing to take a chance on an unfamiliar brand, you might be pleasantly surprised with the Oclean X Pro Elite.

Oclean Flow

If you are looking for a budget toothbrush that is simple with no-fuss yet still professional-looking, take a look at the Oclean Flow. While it is a cheaper electric toothbrush, it includes noise-reducing technology making it quieter than many other toothbrushes.

This electric toothbrush has an elegant design that comes in blue or white. It has five modes: Morning, Night, Standard Cleaning, Whitening and Gentle, as well as a 2-minute timer and 30-second brushing reminder.

Unlike some of Oclean's other toothbrushes, the USB-C charging port is in the base of the brush, rather than a charging stand. The 2.5-hour charge can last up to 180 days, even with its 38000 RPM motor cleaning power.

If you are interested in learning more about Oclean full range of electric toothbrushes, read our full review here. And, if you're ready to buy an Oclean toothbrush, you can use code Dentaly10 for 10% off your order.

SmileTime Sonic Smile Electric Toothbrush

The Sonic Smile Electric Toothbrush from SmileTime is another choice for people who want to start an oral care routine but don't want to spend a lot of money. Designed with the latest sonic technology, it will clean your teeth gently and thoroughly, removing plaque buildup and discolouration.

The Sonic Smile Electric Toothbrush has only one button power and mode selection and a 2-minute smart timer so you know how long to brush. Its DuPont Bristles gently massage your gums as you brush, making it a good choice for sensitive teeth.

Key features:

• 5 modes: Clean, white, polish, soft and sensitive
• Smart timer: 2-minute brushing
• Battery life: Up to one month
• Bristles: DuPont Bristles, which gently massage gums and whiten teeth as they polish
• Brush Strokes: 40,000 strokes/min
• Easy to use: One button power and mode selection

You can subscribe to automatically receive replacement heads for your SmileTime Sonic Smile Electric Toothbrush every 3 months and save 10% off the retail price.

Colgate

Colgate electric toothbrushes come in a range of price points with different features. All use a side-to-side style head for sonic cleaning.

Their most advanced brush, the Colgate Hum, is a lightweight toothbrush with a slimline design in three different colours: purple, teal and blue. It is a smart electric toothbrush that has app connectivity which gives you real-time feedback as you're brushing.

This toothbrush uses smart sensors to know where the brush is being held in the mouth and adjust the brushing speed and cleaning action accordingly. These settings can also be adjusted manually depending on your cleaning goals.

One common gripe mentioned in user reviews is that the cleaning power isn't as good as Oral-B or Sonicare brushes, but for this price, it is a good value toothbrush.

At a lower price point is the Colgate ProClinical 250 toothbrush, which comes in black, white or pink. It has only one power level which delivers 25,500 sonic strokes per minute.

The 2-minute timer and 30-second pacer help you brush well, and the travel cap is handy for keeping it clean on the go. If you're after a simple, lightweight brush then this could be a good choice. Colgate also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee if you're not happy with the product for any reason.

FOREO ISSA

Swedish company FOREO is a relatively new player in the market, having been founded in 2013. The company launched its ISSA sonic toothbrush in 2014 as a revolutionary alternative to the technology that had been around for decades.

The ISSA combines soft silicone bristles with sonic pulse technology to create a clean that is effective on plaque but soft on gums. The original brush consists of 100% silicone bristles, while the newer ISSA 3 version (pictured) incorporates a core of PBT polymer bristles that scrub the surface of the teeth.

The materials used in this toothbrush head are resistant to bacteria, making it a more hygienic alternative to traditional nylon heads.

Other useful features of the FOREO ISSA include:

• Waterproof design
• Built-in timer
• 8 vibration speeds
• Optional tongue cleaner attachment
• USB chargeable (no charging dock)
• 1 charge lasts up to 365 uses
• 4 vibrant colour options
• Comes with a 2-year limited warranty and 10-year quality guarantee

Reviews of this product are polarised. On the one hand, many people claim it is the best electric toothbrush for sensitive gums since the silicone material makes it almost impossible to exert too much pressure. This also helps protect tooth enamel from erosion due to over-enthusiastic brushing.

On the other hand, several people report having had reliability issues – either with the brush losing its charge or the bristles falling apart. Some people also comment that the large brush head is hard to get used to, especially if you have a small mouth.

The team at Dentaly.org tried and tested this toothbrush and you can read our full review of the FOREO ISSA toothbrush here.

FOREO's range of toothbrushes is certainly not the cheapest you'll find. However, if other toothbrushes make your gums hurt, you're worried about bacteria building up on your toothbrush, or you just want to try something completely different, it might be worth the investment.

It comes with a 2-year warranty and a 10-year quality guarantee, which should cover any problems with reliability.

If you are already considering buying a FOREO ISSA toothbrush you can get 10% off for a limited time by clicking below!

The following ISSA electric toothbrush review compares it to two other styles of brush. The reviewer concludes that the head is a little too large to effectively clean all her teeth. Perhaps she should try the ISSA Play, a smaller version of the Hybrid powered by AAA batteries.

Why use an electric toothbrush?

Let's be clear on this from the outset: if you can't be bothered to brush your teeth properly, it doesn't matter how much you spend on a fancy toothbrush, you're still likely to end up with dental problems like tooth decay or gingivitis (gum disease).

Common issues that affect oral hygiene

• Not brushing
• Not brushing for long enough (2 minutes is recommended)
• Limited dexterity which affects brushing movement
• Not focusing on cleaning each area properly
• Brushing too hard (which damages gums and exposes tooth roots)
• Using toothpaste that doesn't contain enamel-protecting fluoride
• Rinsing after brushing (which washes away the fluoride in your toothpaste)
• Not replacing your toothbrush or toothbrush head often enough
• Not cleaning between teeth with floss or an interdental brush

Electric powered brushes can help with some – but not all – of these problems.

If you have arthritis or some other condition that limits your movement, you will almost certainly benefit from a toothbrush that does most of the hard work while you just hold it against each tooth. But other features can help anyone brush their teeth better.

For instance, most models come with a timer that tells you when your two minutes is up. A quadpacer signals every 30 seconds so you can brush each quadrant of your mouth evenly. Pressure sensors will alert you if you're brushing too hard and need to ease off a little. You can even get an app for your toothbrush which reminds you to brush and guides you around your mouth.

The best electric toothbrushes on the market now are Bluetooth-connected to track your brushing habits, and some even use AI to show you exactly which bits you're missing. But even the cheapest electric toothbrush can help you improve on manual brushing, so there's no need to spend a fortune if you don't have a big budget.

Electric vs. manual

Electric or manual toothbrush? Although the quality of your oral hygiene is largely down to how you brush, not what you brush with, it seems that electric brushes do offer certain benefits.

But how is an electric toothbrush better? Well, a recent study published by the International Journal of Dental Hygiene found that power toothbrushes remove more plaque than manual toothbrushes, particularly those with an oscillating-rotating powered toothbrush head.

A study published in 2014 by health researcher Cochrane found that patients who used a powered brush experienced a 21% reduction in plaque after three months, compared with those who continued to use a manual brush. There was also an 11% reduction in gum inflammation (gingivitis) after this time.

More recently, a 2019 study from the Oral Health Foundation which gathered data over an 11-year period found that people who use powered toothbrushes:

• Have less tooth decay
• Have healthier gums
• Keep their natural teeth for longer

Almost half (49%) of British adults already use an electric toothbrush, the main reason being for more effective cleaning. For those who haven't made the switch, it's often the cost that's putting them off. But with the cheapest electric toothbrushes costing around £20, owning one is getting more affordable.

The advice from the NHS is that it doesn't matter what type of brush you use as long as you brush twice a day, clean every surface of each tooth, and use fluoride toothpaste. However, they also note that if you do choose an electric brush, one with a rotating or oscillating head may be more effective.

Our guide to the best manual toothbrushes for adults has our top picks for manual brushes if you want to know more about those as well.

Benefits of electric toothbrushes

To summarise, any of these electric toothbrush features may help you maintain better oral health:

• Easier access to hard-to-reach teeth
• Better brushing motion for people with limited dexterity
• A timer and quadpacer to make sure you're brushing for the appropriate amount of time in each area of your mouth
• A pressure sensor to alert you when brushing too hard
• An app to track your progress and motivate you
• A smart toothbrush with technology to show exactly where you're missing
• Different brush heads for cleaning braces, sensitive teeth, etc.

Parts of an electric toothbrush

Before we get into the details of choosing the best toothbrush for you, let's take a quick look at some of the parts of an electric toothbrush that you need to know about.

Electric toothbrush charger

A very important part of the electric toothbrush is the charger – that's what gives it power! There are two main ways to charge a toothbrush: either with a charging cable that plugs directly into the unit (like a USB charger) or with an inductive charging base that the toothbrush connects with.

Charging time varies between models, as does the duration of the charge. Your toothbrush should feature a charging light to show when it's fully charged.

If you lose or damage your electric toothbrush charger, it's easy to buy a replacement online. Just be sure to buy one that fits your brand of toothbrush – they all look similar but are slightly different shapes.

You can also buy a battery-powered toothbrush like the Colgate 360. These take AA or AAA batteries and don't need to be charged like an electric toothbrush. But, as we explain in more detail further down, battery toothbrushes are neither economical nor eco-friendly.

Electric toothbrush plug adaptor

It's common for electric toothbrush chargers in the UK to come with a two-pin plug. This is fine if you have a two-pin shaver socket in your bathroom, but if not you'll need to use a plug adaptor that converts to a standard three-pin socket. Fortunately, this type of electric toothbrush adaptor is widely available.

Alternatively, you can buy a charger that's already fitted with a three-pin plug to avoid needing that extra bit of hardware.

If you choose a USB-charging toothbrush, you won't need to worry about buying an adaptor.

Electric toothbrush heads

Electric toothbrush heads – the parts that contain the bristles – get worn out just like regular toothbrush heads. With the exception of some battery-powered brushes, the head can easily be removed and replaced.

They often have some kind of wear indicator so you can see when it's time to replace them, and some advanced brush models will tell you when it's time to switch to a new one.

One benefit of changeable heads is that you don't need to buy a different brush for each member of your family; you can simply swap the heads around depending on who is using it. Some manufacturers make different types of electric toothbrush heads that suit different purposes such as cleaning with braces, brushing sensitive teeth, or teeth whitening.

Further down you will find more information about the different types of toothbrush heads, including oscillating and ultrasonic.

Electric toothbrush holder

In most cases, the charger functions as a holder for the toothbrush itself. However, if you don't keep your charger in the bathroom you may want to buy a separate electric toothbrush holder. If several family members use different heads on the same toothbrush handle, it can be especially useful to have a holder to keep all the parts clean and organised.

This Corneria toothbrush holder has enough space for a couple of tubes of toothpaste, an electric toothbrush, and up to four toothbrush heads or manual brushes. If you're short on space, you can also buy holders that attach directly to your bathroom mirror.

How to choose an electric toothbrush

Don't assume that a cheap electric toothbrush will do a worse job of cleaning your teeth than an expensive one. Some technology may help achieve a deeper clean, but other features are only worth paying for if you'll actually benefit from them.

It's important you take the time to work out which features you really need and which are just nice to have – otherwise, you could end up paying well over the odds for your electric brush.

Battery-powered vs. rechargeable

The cheapest electric toothbrush you'll find is probably a battery-powered one that takes regular AA or AAA batteries. These are essentially the same as manual brushes, but with a vibrating or rotating head. Although these may still offer some benefits over manual brushes, they don't compare to rechargeable models in terms of the power and features they offer.

A popular battery-operated toothbrush is the Colgate 360, which claims to remove four times more bacteria than the leading battery toothbrush (e.g. the Oral-B Pulsar). It looks more like an electric toothbrush than a manual one, but with one big downside: the heads are not replaceable. If you're changing to a new toothbrush every 3 months as dentists recommend (or even sooner if the bristles get worn out), and paying £8-9 each time, the cost will soon add up to more than a budget electric toothbrush.

From a sustainability point of view, it's also better to buy a rechargeable brush rather than throwing away the whole unit – including batteries – every few months.

In contrast, the Oral-B Pro Expert battery toothbrush uses the same replacement heads as other Oral-B electric brushes, so it's a better choice if you prefer battery-operated over rechargeable for some reason.

Battery-powered brushes might be a good option for kids who need some extra motivation to brush. However, if you're looking for an electric-powered toothbrush to take your oral hygiene to the next level, it's worth investing in a rechargeable model which should last a good few years.

Know your oscillating from your ultrasonic

When you start to research rechargeable electric toothbrushes, one of the first things you'll notice is the variety of different heads available. Different manufacturers use different technologies in their brushes, each one promising a better clean than the next.

Independent research on this matter is limited but tends to favour rotating-oscillating types. In the end, it may just come down to choosing the one that you find most comfortable.

Here is a quick explanation of some different terms you might come across regarding toothbrush heads:

• Rotating: The bristles turn, either as one whole circle or in individual clusters. Brush heads are usually quite small and are designed to clean one tooth at a time.
• Rotating-oscillating: Rather than spinning round and round in one direction, oscillating brushes rotate one way and then back again very quickly – as many as 8,000 times a minute.
• Counter-rotating: The head contains 6-10 tufts of bristles, each one spinning in the opposite direction to its neighbour. This style was considered revolutionary in the 90s but has since been overtaken by newer technology.
• Pulsing: The head moves back and forth against teeth to help dislodge plaque, even between teeth where the bristles can't reach. This is often paired with rotating-oscillating heads to deliver a more thorough clean.
• Side-to-side vibrating: Rather than rotating, the head moves from side to side very quickly to vibrate against teeth with an ultra-fast brushing motion. These are usually shaped like ‘normal' toothbrush heads.
• Dual-head: The head has two parts; one which oscillates and one which vibrates from side to side.
• Sonic: The brush moves at such a speed that the movements are audible. Most mainstream electric toothbrushes use sonic technology in some way, producing anywhere from 10,000 to 60,000 movements per minute. The high-speed vibrations can also push fluid between teeth to achieve interdental cleaning – this is known as a “non-contact brushing effect”.
• Ultrasonic: Ultrasonic waves, rather than physical vibrations, break down plaque. These brushes have around 1.5 million movements per second but are not widely available to purchase in the UK. Most which are advertised as ‘ultrasonic' are falsely labelled, with the exception of a few like Emmi-Dent and Megasonex. Check the vibration speed to be sure.

Two of the biggest brands on the market are the Braun Oral-B and Philips Sonicare toothbrushes. Most Oral-B brushes have a rotating-oscillating head (like the one pictured above), while most Sonicare brushes look more like a regular manual toothbrush. This is one of the biggest things that sets the two brands apart, and also one of the things that makes many people stick to one brand or the other.

Other features – useful or gimmicks?

As we mentioned above, a timer and pressure sensor will both help with proper brushing. Some brushes signal halfway through the two minutes while others signal four times. They might automatically shut off after two or three minutes so you don't brush for too long.

You'll also find brushes that feature:

• Different cleaning modes and vibration speeds
• Different brush head attachments (brushes for whitening, flossing, etc.)
• Bluetooth connectivity (to connect to a mobile app)
• AI (artificial intelligence) technology
• Phone holder
• Lock button
• LED display
• An all-in-one unit with a water flosser and toothbrush

The Snow LED toothbrush takes it a step further by employing an LED light while you brush, for extra whitening action. Snow has been more popular in the US, where it's topping our lists, but you can now get it in the UK too. Find out more about the Snow LED toothbrush.

Travel electric toothbrushes

If you travel frequently you may appreciate a brush with special features that make it easy to carry and use wherever you go.

Decide which of the following features you'd find useful for your travel electric toothbrush:

• A lid to cover the head to keep it clean
• A compact design
• A travel case to protect the whole brush (and prevent your toothbrush from accidentally switching on in your luggage)
• A longer-lasting battery so you don't need to carry a charger while away
• A USB charger which is less bulky than an induction charger
• A USB charging case – a travel toothbrush case which doubles up as a charging dock

Many mid-to-high-end electric toothbrushes come with a travel case as standard, so you don't necessarily need to buy a separate travel electric toothbrush. Just keep in mind the above features when making a decision.

And by the way, if you're wondering whether it's alright to take an electric toothbrush in your hand luggage when you fly, the answer is yes. Although each country and airline has slightly different rules on what's allowed, an electric toothbrush should be fine to carry on. The only cause for concern maybe if it starts vibrating in your bag – but investing in a simple travel case will prevent this.

Oclean Air 2 (best travel toothbrush for under £50)

If you are looking for an affordable travel electric toothbrush, take a look at the Oclean Air 2. It is a light and portable electric toothbrush that comes with its own specialised charging travel case. It may just be a simple toothbrush without a smart touchscreen, or app connectivity, but it does have the benefit of noise-reducing technology.

Even though it is a quiet toothbrush it still has the benefit of 40,000RPM of cleaning power, as well as fast charging and long battery life. The battery only takes 2.5 hours to charge and can last up to 40 days.

Another perk of this toothbrush is that it comes in four different colours including, pink rose, purple iris, white tulip and eucalyptus leaf.

If you're looking for a small and lightweight travel toothbrush that looks good without all the frills of smart technology then this could be the travel toothbrush for you. If this sounds like the toothbrush for you, remember you use code Dentaly10 for 10% off your order.

Best electric toothbrushes UK: Summary

It's really up to you to decide whether these features are useful additions to your tooth-brushing routine.

In the short video below, a dental hygienist explains why she recommends an electric toothbrush, and the features she herself finds useful:

We've talked about a lot of toothbrushes here! Here's a summary of some of the best electric toothbrushes in the UK to suit different budgets:

Conclusion

Remember, you don't need to spend a fortune to get cleaner teeth. Even with a manual toothbrush and good brushing techniques, you can keep your teeth clean and help prevent future dental problems.

However, there are many affordable electric brushes, available both online and in high street shops like Boots, for people who want that bit more motivation to brush well. 

Oral-B arguably offers the best overall value in terms of price and functionality, with a wide range of brushes to suit most budgets and needs. The Oclean X Pro Elite smart toothbrush also gives great value for money and you can use code Dentaly10 for 10% off your order.

The ISSA toothbrush range from FOREO brings a completely different approach with more hygienic materials, but some people have been disappointed by reliability issues.

If you have a big budget and you love technology, the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart and Oral-B iO are both worth considering, but the iO seems to have the edge in terms of how well it uses the technology.

We also have a guide comparing Oral-B and Sonicare electric toothbrushes, which has even more information on how to choose between these brands.

And finally, if you're looking for a natural alternative, but you still want the extra cleaning oomph of an electric brush, you can check out our guide to bamboo electric toothbrushes.

Failure to look after your teeth now may mean you need expensive dental care later in life – dentures or tooth implants, for instance. So, even a pricier toothbrush could be worth the investment if it helps you improve your oral hygiene.

FAQs

How do you use an electric toothbrush?

The idea is that a powered toothbrush does most of the brushing work for you. There is no need for a scrubbing motion; simply hold the brush gently to each tooth for a few seconds before moving along.

How do you clean an electric toothbrush?

Running your toothbrush head under water after you've finished brushing will go some way towards removing grime. You can also wipe down the whole unit every few days.

Can you use an electric toothbrush with braces?

Yes! Braces create lots of extra places for food to get stuck, and an electric toothbrush can make the job of cleaning them much easier. Take care to avoid the hard brush head hitting your braces.

What's the best electric toothbrush for receding gums?

Using an electric toothbrush, especially ones with soft bristles and a special gum care brushing mode, will help train you to brush in a way that's gentler, but still effective.

What's the best electric toothbrush for sensitive teeth?

If you suffer from sensitive teeth, you'll probably benefit from a toothbrush that has multiple speed modes. If you find the ‘full power' mode too much, you can turn it down a notch.

Can you take an electric toothbrush in hand luggage?

Although very few airlines publish specific guidelines on this, the short answer is ‘yes'. You shouldn't have any trouble at all taking your powered brush in your carry-on luggage.