Toothbrush

Brushing your teeth for 2 minutes, twice a day, is the most effective step you can take for oral health. That’s true whether you use a powered brush or a manual one—and you need to make sure to brush correctly, for long enough, applying the right amount of pressure. Regular brushing helps eliminate the bacteria that cause plaque—the sticky, germy film that builds up on teeth and leads to cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease. What Are the Biggest Brushing Mistakes People Make? Most people don’t brush their teeth for long enough, averaging about 45 seconds a session, instead of the full 2 minutes. And many press too hard while brushing, which can damage gums and tooth enamel over time. Are There Any Steps You Can Skip If You’re in a Rush? It’s okay to occasionally skip a brushing because it takes about 24 hours for plaque and bacteria to form on your teeth. But you should try to brush twice a day, and floss once. You There is some research that indicates powered brushes might do a slightly better job of warding off gingivitis and gum disease. And an electric brush can help some people remove plaque more effectively, especially for those who don’t have the dexterity to reach every surface of their teeth, as may be the case with young kids or older adults with arthritis. However, pushing too hard with a powered brush can wear away dentin—which can also happen with a manual brush. Whether your brush is manual or electric, the American Dental Association recommends changing yo...

CNET/Caroline Igo I personally tested each electric toothbrush on this list and compared each against one another. During each trial period, I took into account design, functionality, price, brush size, travel ability, speed settings, modes and available technology. Overall, my experience brushing with each toothbrush once in the morning and once at night for as long as a week determined what products made this list. The Oral-B Pro 1000 electric toothbrush is a powerful and functional product with a lower price tag that really stands out. It has just one daily cleaning mode and a 2-minute timer that signals you to move mouth quadrants every 30 seconds. I tested the Oral-B Pro 1000 for a week, and it was my favorite product due to its simplicity and impressive cleaning abilities. I hardly had to scrub or brush my teeth on my own, the fast spinning bristles did most of the work for me. It easily gilded it across my teeth. The smaller brush head also helped me to get those hard-to-reach places. While it is not as high-tech as the Philips Sonicare or iO Series, it gets the job done. Its brush head was the only one I tested that actually spun, mimicking a powerful dentist's tool. On top of that, the Oral-B Pro 1000 is The Oral-B Pro has the most affordable brush head replacements on this list. The Oral-B iO electric toothbrush wooed us at This Oral-B electric toothbrush is similar to other Oral-B brushes, except the bristles on this brush felt softer than the Oral-B Pro 1000. T...

Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. The 6 best toothbrushes for healthy teeth, according to dentists A good toothbrush helps reduce plaque build-up and avoid future problems like cavities and gum disease. While Small design nuances — like different shaped handles and stiffness of the bristles — among toothbrush brands can also help you better access those pesky back teeth that seem to always get cavities or reach below the gum line to clear plaque out. I talked to five dentists for insight into what Learn more about The best toothbrushes in 2023 Best overall: Tom's of Maine Soft Toothbrush - Tom's of Maine Soft Toothbrush has a small brush head, soft bristles, and a uniquely curved handle that lets you better access every tooth, all at an affordable price. Best for kids: Nimby - Nimby Kids Toothbrush has a fatter, easy-to-hold handle; soft, long bristles ideal for gum health; and comes in a four-pack for easy replacement. Best for an extra-thorough clean: Colgate 360 - The Colgate 360 offers a more aggressive cleaning with varying bristles, a tongue scrubber, and grips on the handle so you can clean and polish every corner of your mouth. Best luxe: Oral B Clic - Oral B Clic is less wasteful with ...