For those new to the world of electric toothbrushes, choosing from the thousands of options available can be difficult. Never has there been such an extensive and complicated range of makes and models to choose from, with all the weird and wonderful features in the world. In fact, we’re even reaching the kind of stage where ‘helpful’ guides on how to choose an electric toothbrush are themselves becoming bewilderingly complicated.
The more advanced toothbrush technology becomes, the more you find yourself wondering how on earth you will ever make the right choice. Especially given the way in which every manufacturer would like you to think that every one of their products is the best money can buy.
Clearly this isn’t the case, but still…it’s standard to be told as such.
Which is precisely why we thought we’d put together the simplest, most straightforward and most concise guide to buying an electric toothbrush you are likely to come across. If you are having trouble choosing an electric toothbrush, you’ll find absolutely everything you need right here. Rather than getting bogged down with the inconsequential, we’ve instead focused on what really matters. Which, when boiled down to the basics, isn’t nearly as much as you might expect.
So instead of going around in circles or perhaps not even knowing where to start, narrow your search in accordance with the following and you should find the whole thing so much easier:
- Brand
First and foremost, there’s a lot to be said for choosing a brush from a reputable brand. Oral-B, Philips, Colgate and so on – there are certain companies that are known for producing products of consistently outstanding quality. When you buy from a brand like these, you typically do not have to worry about the quality of your chosen device. Of course, specifications vary wildly, but you are at least guaranteed a certain amount of quality and value for money by buying a branded brush. As such, you may as well immediately discard any options that come from the kinds of brands you’ve never heard of. Regardless of how cheap they may be, it represents a risk that just isn’t worth taking. - Brush Head
While there are thousands of different shapes and specifications available when it comes to brush heads, there’s really only one thing you need to bear in mind. Which is that dentists in their surgeries use brushes with round heads. What makes round brush heads superior is the way in which they are capable of getting to every corner of the mouth, far more effectively than a standard square brush. Some people prefer square brushes and there’s nothing to say they cannot do a good job. Nevertheless, if you are looking to clean your teeth to a professional standard, you may as well take a leaf from the book of the professionals. That being, choose a brush with a round head. - Replacement Heads
You can also narrow things down by deciding on the extent to which you need replacement heads. In some instances, electric toothbrush heads are fixed and therefore the whole device is considered disposable. In others, replacement heads are available in one or two specifications. And then there are those brushes for which you can buy literally dozens of different types of heads, making one device suitable to be shared by the whole family. Given that all this has no real bearing on cleaning capabilities whatsoever, it all comes down to personal preference. You might also want to check the costs of replacement heads before buying a brush – some being exponentially more expensive than others. - Battery or Rechargeable
After this, you can immediately eliminate half the electric toothbrush market by deciding how you want your brush to be powered. Some are powered by built-in rechargeable batteries, while others operate by way of standard AA or AAA batteries. Contrary to popular belief, neither option is necessarily ‘better’ than the other. While a rechargeable brush may be more convenient and cost-effective at home, battery brushes are great for taking on the go with a few spare batteries to go the distance. Think about how, when and where you intend to use your brush, in order to make this decision a relatively simple one. - Features and Settings
Ask yourself – what is your primary intention and priority for your electric toothbrush? Are you simply looking for something to take care of everyday cleaning? Are you looking for a brush that is ideal for sensitive teeth? Perhaps you are primarily interested in whitening? As soon as you can establish your own personal priorities, you’ll find it easy to select an electric toothbrush. Just as some have no features or settings besides everyday cleaning, others may have half a dozen cleaning modes to suit unique requirements. Again, it’s not to say that any brush is necessarily better or worse than any other. It all comes down to your own personal requirements and priorities. - Bluetooth
A quick consideration that’s worth factoring in along the way, some of the more advanced electric toothbrushes on the market these days feature Bluetooth. However, the only function of Bluetooth connectivity is to link your electric toothbrush with your smartphone, in order to monitor and record your brushing activities. If this isn’t something you are interested in, you don’t need to pay a higher price for a Bluetooth brush. - Price
Last but not least, given the fact that it’s perfectly possible to pick up a quality electric toothbrush for almost any price these days, you may as well set your own budget. Whether it’s £20, £120 or £200+, you are still going to be able to pick up the kind of brush that gets the job done brilliantly. Establishing how much you are willing to spend ahead of time can be a great way of cutting down the options available to you. Just be sure to note however that overspending doesn’t necessarily guarantee better results. Always check out as many reviews and recommendations as necessary, or speak to your dentist before making your final decision.
