Should I get a sonic or electric toothbrush?

get a sonic or electric toothbrush

The electric toothbrush is a dental hygiene essential, but not all are created equal. And while many people choose a standard rotating brush, there are more advanced options like sonic toothbrushes that can give you an even deeper clean, especially on your back teeth. These brushes vibrate in a sweeping motion instead of the circular rotating action of a traditional toothbrush, creating fluid dynamics that help break up and dislodge plaque and other debris.

A sonic toothbrush can also have an added benefit in that it encourages your saliva to become more of a cleaning agent by interacting with water molecules in your mouth. This helps break down food particles and dislodge plaque that can be harder to remove with a manual brush.

While best sonic toothbrush are more expensive than rotary ones, the higher price tag is usually worth it for people who want an extra level of cleanliness or prefer the sweeping motion that these brushes offer. The Philips Sonicare 4100 is one of the best sonic toothbrushes you can buy for your home, earning a spot on our list thanks to its sleek design and additional features that make it easy to use.

Should I get a sonic or electric toothbrush?

For example, it has a built-in two-minute timer that vibrates every half minute to let you know when the brushing session is over. And if you accidentally press too hard, it warns you by flashing a red light. Plus, it’s ADA-accepted, which means you can feel confident that it is effective at cleaning your teeth.

The pricier Brightline Sonic 5-Mode, which also earned a spot on our list, has a more detailed brushing experience with different intensity settings for gum care, sensitive and whitening, among others. It also has LED indicators to show you which setting you’re on, and it comes with five different replacement brush heads so you can experiment until you find the right fit for your mouth.

Another option is the Oral-B Genius 9600, which was the highest-scoring brush in our tests and has a few extras like an app to monitor your progress. It was the most expensive brush in our lineup, though, and its advanced technological aspects sometimes felt like a barrier to basic daily use.

And if you’re just looking for a solid basic electric toothbrush that doesn’t have a bunch of bells and whistles, the Oral-B Pro-Sys VarioSonic is a good choice. It’s affordable, easy to use and offers several different modes that you can switch between to find the right one for your mouth. It also has a ADA-approved rechargeable battery and a long charge life. Just be sure to avoid a sawing motion while using it; this can cause damage and leave stains on your teeth. The softer heads it comes with are less likely to scratch your enamel and are better for removing plaque and bacteria. It also includes a three-month money-back guarantee, which is nice to have.