How often should I replace an electric toothbrush head?

You don’t have to replace the whole electric toothbrush. Instead, just replace the brush head every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles become bent or frayed.

How do I clean an electric toothbrush?

Rinse your electric toothbrush after use under running water while the handle is still on. Then detach the brush head and clean both parts separately. Air dry the brush and reassemble.

Can I use an electric toothbrush with braces?

Electric toothbrushes are perfectly safe if you have braces. In fact, because of their superior cleaning, electric toothbrushes may actually be more effective than manual brushes for people with braces.

Are there disadvantages of using an electric toothbrush?

There are a few disadvantages to an electric toothbrush, including cost and a potential learning curve if you want to take advantage of all its features. An electric toothbrush also requires a charger and a power source.

Can I bring an electric toothbrush on a plane?

According to the TSA, you can bring an electric toothbrush when you travel by plane. However, they make a note that electric toothbrushes should be packed in carry-on bags, not checked bags.

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Electric vs. Manual Toothbrushes: Which Is Better?

06-19-2025

Trying to decide between an electric toothbrush and a manual one? If you want the easiest and most effective way to care for your teeth, it’s worth doing some research. Why? Because unlike a manual brush, an electric one does the work effectively for you. In this article, we’ll walk you through the difference between electric and manual toothbrushes and why going electric might be the smarter choice.

Key Takeaways

Electric toothbrushes offer several benefits over manual toothbrushes. They provide superior plaque removal.
Some electric toothbrushes have advanced technology features including oscillating/rotating bristles, built-in timers, pressure sensors, and Bluetooth technology.
Electric toothbrushes are suitable for all, and they make brushing easier and more thorough, promoting better oral health outcomes.

Electric Toothbrush vs. Manual: Differences

Manual and electric toothbrushes are both designed to clean your teeth, but they work in different ways. These differences can impact your oral health. Let’s take a look.

Manual Toothbrush

A manual toothbrush is often made with a plastic handle and soft bristles. To use it, just add toothpaste and start brushing.

With a manual toothbrush, you control all the movement, guiding the brush across every surface of your teeth to remove plaque and food.

Manual toothbrushes are lightweight, easy for travel, and simple to replace.

Electric Toothbrush

An electric toothbrush is a more advanced option that moves the bristles for you. They remove plaque and food more effectively than manual brushing. You still guide the brush, but it handles most of the work, helping you achieve an optimal cleaning.

What Are the Benefits of an Electric Toothbrush?

Now that you know the differences between an electric toothbrush vs. manual, let’s dive into the benefits of an electric toothbrush.

Superior Plaque Removal

Simply stated, rechargeable electric toothbrushes (or "power" toothbrushes) provide superior plaque removal compared to regular manual toothbrushes.

Ease of Use

While you need to follow a proper technique as recommended by your dentist for effective plaque removal with a regular manual toothbrush, electric toothbrushes provide the cleaning action for you. All you have to do is guide the brush along the surfaces of your teeth.

Once people get the hang of it, many find this method of brushing easier. Likewise, people with arthritis or other similar conditions may find using an electric toothbrush easier.

Electric toothbrushes may help kids brush their teeth more effectively but be sure to check the age recommendations on an electric toothbrush before letting your child use it.

Technology and Features

Generally rich in technology and features, some electric toothbrushes can enable you to improve your brushing habits. Most come with convenient features, such as a brush head or toothbrush holder, bathroom counter storage units, and travel toothbrush chargers.

Hi-tech features may include:

Brushing modes for specific needs, such as sensitive teeth, whitening benefits, or gum-massaging action
Pressure sensors to signal when you’re brushing too hard and help you protect your gums
Timers to help you keep track of how long you’re brushing each quadrant of your mouth
Digital reminders to replace your brush head
Bluetooth® connectivity to help track brushing progress and improve how you brush
Unique tracking technology that guides you in real time to ensure you cover every area

How to Use an Electric Toothbrush

To use your electric toothbrush, make sure it’s fully charged. Next, you’ll want to wet the brush head and apply your toothpaste.

Once you’re ready to start brushing, angle the brush head next to your gum line at 45 degrees, and hold the brush against each tooth in turn, gently moving across all your teeth. There’s no need to scrub or use a lot of pressure since the toothbrush is doing the cleaning for you.

Finally, brush your tongue, rinse your mouth, and remove the brush head to rinse it.

How Long to Brush with an Electric Toothbrush

Most people underestimate the amount of time they should brush. With a manual toothbrush, it's easy to lose track of time. Dental professionals recommend brushing for at least two minutes, twice a day. Each quadrant of your mouth gets 30 seconds of brush time.

Oral-B electric toothbrushes include two-minute timers that take you through this routine, ensuring you get a complete clean every time you brush.

Smile Bright with Oral-B

Now that you understand the differences between an electric toothbrush vs. a manual toothbrush and all the benefits of going electric, it’s time to level up your brushing game.

At Oral-B, our electric toothbrushes are dentist-inspired and remove 100% more plaque than manual toothbrushes. With their replaceable round brush heads, which hug your teeth to clean every surface area more effectively, Oral-B is the number one dentist-recommended toothbrush brand worldwide.

As we continue to innovate and introduce new technologies at Oral-B, we always keep one goal in mind: Make it easy for you to get your best clean every time you brush.

FAQs

How often should I replace an electric toothbrush head?
You don’t have to replace the whole electric toothbrush. Instead, just replace the brush head every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles become bent or frayed.
How do I clean an electric toothbrush?
Rinse your electric toothbrush after use under running water while the handle is still on. Then detach the brush head and clean both parts separately. Air dry the brush and reassemble.
Can I use an electric toothbrush with braces?
Electric toothbrushes are perfectly safe if you have braces. In fact, because of their superior cleaning, electric toothbrushes may actually be more effective than manual brushes for people with braces.
Are there disadvantages of using an electric toothbrush?
There are a few disadvantages to an electric toothbrush, including cost and a potential learning curve if you want to take advantage of all its features. An electric toothbrush also requires a charger and a power source.
Can I bring an electric toothbrush on a plane?
According to the TSA, you can bring an electric toothbrush when you travel by plane. However, they make a note that electric toothbrushes should be packed in carry-on bags, not checked bags.

References

About the Author

Dr. Monika Negi is a qualified Oral and Maxillofacial Pathologist with over five years of clinical and academic experience and over two years in P&G Research and Development. A Commonwealth Scholar, she holds a Master of Science in Global Health & Management from the University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom, and a Master of Dental Surgery and Bachelor of Dental Surgery from H.P. University, India. At Procter & Gamble, Monika plays a pivotal role in the Global Oral Care R&D within the Global Professional & Scientific Relations team. Leveraging her clinical expertise and academic rigor, she drives the scientific advancement of Global Oral Care products, ensuring they are clinically validated, and aligned with industry-leading standards. Monika is also responsible for all technical and scientific training for the Global Professional and Scientific Relations team. Her contributions have enhanced product credibility and fortified P&G’s commitment to evidence-based innovation. Monika has been partnering with the team at Oral-B by fact-checking and reviewing our blogs on dental health. You can find a list of the blogs Monika has approved below:

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