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The best electric toothbrushes for clean teeth and healthy gums – tried and tested
Click any picture for more By
Abigail Buchanan
15 October 2021 • 11:40am
Advertisement It may not be the most exciting of purchases, but an electric toothbrush that
cleans properly and thoroughly could make a tangible difference to your
general health.
That ’s no exaggeration: research published in 2016 found that good dental
hygiene could slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s, and that gum disease
can speed up mental decline.
Dentists recommend brushing with an electric toothbrush over a manual
model. Dr Richard Marques, who is based on London’s Harley Street, says:
“ When the technology was less advanced, it was possible to clean as well with a
manual toothbrush, but now so much research has gone into them that any More stories
electric toothbrush is better than a manual toothbrush. They either use
rotation and oscillation or vibration, and you’re able to clean your teeth
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without scrubbing too hard.”
Many of the premium models on the market offer extra features such as
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different cleaning modes, pressure sensors and timers to upgrade your oral
hygiene. The only off-putting factor can be the price tag – while the price
varies hugely by model and brand, for obvious reasons, electric toothbrushes
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cost a hundred times more than a manual brush you could pick up at the
supermarket. But Marques says you don’t have to splash the cash to get good
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results: “There’s no ‘minimum spend’ we’d recommend, it really depends on the
extra features you want.” The best wake-up light alarm clocks, tested
He would recommend brushes from dentist-approved brands Oral-B, Phillips
and Colgate, but there are some interesting new challenger brands on the The best dehumidifiers to keep damp and mould
market, as you’ll see below. It's worth noting that many electric toothbrushes at bay
are sold with two-pronged power plugs. With shaving sockets something of an
ancient relic in the UK, it's worth checking if you need an adaptor before
buying.
I tested the best electric toothbrushes based on cleaning power, design,
features, and battery life. Here’s what I found…
The best electric toothbrushes
1. Spotlight Oral Care Sonic electric toothbrush
£110, LookFantastic
Why we like it: It checks off style, performance and value for money in one
Click the picture for more
I expected a lot from this brand, which was founded by two cosmetic dentists,
and the Spotlight Oral Care Sonic Toothbrush more than delivered.
I had never imagined that an electric toothbrush could be a stylish accessory,
but this one has a smooth, ergonomic design that ’s a minimalist ’s dream. One
brushed silver button switches it off and on, and toggles between three
brushing modes: ‘Sensitive,’ ‘Clean,’ and ‘ White.’ Other toothbrushes offer more
speed settings, but I found this to be more than enough (and less confusing). It
uses Sonic technology that moves bristles side-to-side at a rate of up to 48,000
reps per minute.
The reason I love this toothbrush so much is the intuitive design coupled with
the fact that I can feel the deep-cleaning effects (the closest I’ve got to a
hygienist-standard clean at home). Even though it cleans powerfully, it doesn’t
feel too harsh on my gums. It also has a remarkably long-lasting battery – I
started by testing it daily for four weeks and only had to charge it once in that
time. It ’s definitely won a permanent place in my bathroom cabinet.
Maybe it ’s because it ’s a bright white toothbrush (although it does come in
black, or the prerequisite rose gold) or because the founders have such very
white teeth, but the whole brand’s emphasis does seem to be on whitening. This
toothbrush excels there, too, gently but efficiently removing surface stains.
The brush heads come in three sizes, and the toothbrush also comes with a
premium-looking travel case. As a fun extra, you can personalise it with your
name. There are very few cons – if I were to find one, and this really is nit-
picking, it would be that the button is very sensitive and can inadvertently turn
on, especially when travelling. However, that ’s not enough to detract from its
all-round performance. As close to a perfect ten as you can get.