Maintaining your dental hygiene is essential for preventing painful and costly conditions such as gum disease and cavities. One of the best ways to keep your teeth and gums healthy is to brush daily to remove plaque and bacteria that accumulate over time. Both electric and manual toothbrushes offer distinct benefits and features, and the right choice depends on your lifestyle and personal preferences. Manual toothbrushes are convenient for travel, as they are easily packed and replaced, while many electric toothbrushes include built-in functions like timers and various cleaning modes. To help you choose, we consulted dentists to find out which toothbrushes they use themselves. Below are their top recommendations.
1. Oral-B Genius 6000 Electric Toothbrush
Dr. Aierress Davis, a dentist in Augusta, Georgia, recommends the Oral-B Genius series for its price and essential features. Although her preferred model is discontinued, a similar version is available. She highlights the pressure indicator, which turns red and slows the brush speed if you brush too hard, helping to prevent gum recession and trauma. Davis also appreciates replaceable brush heads, which should be changed every three months. Her favorite is the Cross Action heads. Price: $199 at Amazon.
2. Colgate Extra Clean Soft Toothbrushes (6-Pack)
Dr. Joke Alesh, a Rhode Island-based dentist, prefers Colgate's soft-bristled manual toothbrush. She buys the low-cost six-pack in bulk to change her toothbrush monthly. Alesh emphasizes that bristle condition is crucial; flattened, worn bristles do not effectively remove plaque. She notes that with expensive electric brush heads, she might not replace them as often. Price: $5 at Amazon.
3. Oral-B iO Series 9 Electric Toothbrush
Dr. Angela Abernathy, a dentist at New York City's Boutique Smiles, uses the Oral-B iO Series 9. She values its pressure control technology, which stops or stalls the brush to prevent damage. The brush features a light that turns red for too much pressure, blue for too little, and green for just right. It also has a two-minute timer and a companion app for tracking brushing habits over time. Price: $250 at Amazon and Walmart.
4. Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Toothbrush
Dr. Joyce Kahng, a dentist in Orange County, California, favors this Philips model with three intensity levels and five cleaning modes: clean, white+, deep clean+, gum health, and tongue care. She appreciates the pressure sensor that buzzes when she exerts too much pressure, protecting enamel from over-aggressive brushing. Price: $280 at Amazon.
5. Oral-B iO Series 8 Electric Toothbrush
Florida dentist Dr. Jordan Brown chooses the Oral-B iO Series 8, which includes a super sensitive pressure setting. He uses the app for live tracking of his brushing, a built-in pressure sensor, and a timer. Price: $235 at Amazon.
6. Cocofloss Cocobrush Manual Toothbrush
For travel, Dr. Joyce Kahng uses the super soft-bristled Cocobrush by Cocofloss. It has an angled brush head for hard-to-reach areas and features multilayered wispy bristles that clean along the gum line effectively. Kahng keeps it in her travel bag to avoid charging an electric toothbrush on the go. Price: $10 at Target; dental care set $38 at Nordstrom.
This article was originally published on HuffPost.
