Electric Toothbrushes: Expert and User Reviews

Our AssessmentFifteen staffers at ConsumerReports.org test 10 electric toothbrushes for a week. Each toothbrush is evaluated for comfort, convenience, ease of use and overall plaque removal. Editors say that the more expensive brushes tend to perform better, but comfort levels vary with each brand. Some models may require an adjustment period to get used to using them.

Our AssessmentThis clinical study with 98 subjects compares plaque removal of the Oral-B Triumph (renamed the ProfessionalCare SmartSeries 4000) and the Sonicare Elite 7300. After one brushing, the Oral-B Triumph removes more plaque than the Sonicare brush. This study is sponsored by the Procter & Gamble Co., makers of Oral-B toothbrushes, however.

Our AssessmentIn this study, the Oral-B Triumph with SmartGuide was found to significantly improve brushing technique over the Triumph alone without the SmartGuide. Subjects got a more thorough cleaning and were more likely to use appropriate force with the SmartGuide as opposed to without it.

Our AssessmentIn this video review, seven electric toothbrushes are tested by consumers and dentist Denis Vu. Few details of the test are provided. We do not know which toothbrushes are tested, in what way they are tested or how many people participate in the testing. The top-rated brush is the Sonicare FlexCare. One tester likes the two different speeds, and Vu likes the small brush head and accompanying UV sanitizer for the toothbrush head. Vu also praises the Oral-B Vitality, which he calls the best basic option.

Our AssessmentSubjects of this clinical trial were randomly selected to brush with either a manual toothbrush or the Oral-B Vitality with Precision Clean brush head. Plaque was assessed both before and after brushing. Both toothbrushes significantly reduced plaque, but the Oral-B Vitality removed 28.8 percent more plaque from the whole mouth than the manual toothbrush. The study only examines the results after a single brushing, and it isn't clear how many subjects participated.

Our AssessmentThis review of the Oral-B Triumph focuses on the brushing feedback shown on the LCD display. Erik Sofge calls this brush "the best, smartest toothbrush I've ever used," but he does not offer any details regarding how the brush feels in use or how well it cleans his teeth.

Our AssessmentIn this detailed review, anonymous reviewer "Petew," a self-described "fan of electric toothbrushes," reviews the Oral-B Triumph with SmartGuide. He says the "Triumph felt much better than the cheaper devices I had been using." He does not think that the brushing feedback provided by the SmartGuide technology is useful. The Sonicare Flexcare is also reviewed in another article at this website, but it is said to be louder than the Oral-B and to produce an uncomfortable tingling sensation.

Our AssessmentIn this housekeeping blog, the writer reviews the Oral-B Pulsonic toothbrush. She says, "This toothbrush gets pretty close to delivering that overwhelming feeling of clean" obtained at the dentist's office. No other toothbrushes are mentioned in this review.

Our AssessmentTammy Davenport, About.com's former guide to dental care, explains the ins and outs of brushing your teeth and reviews three electric toothbrushes: the Oral-B Vitality, Sonicare Advance 4700 and Sonicare IntelliClean. Although Davenport has personally used all three brushes, she doesn't say which is best. In fact, all three are highly recommended with no mention of any negative aspects. Only the Oral-B Vitality is still available, so these reviews are old. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)

Our AssessmentMany of the power toothbrushes at Drugstore.com get near-perfect ratings, but most are only reviewed a handful of times. The Sonicare FlexCare Plus with Sanitizer isn't reviewed as often but earns a near perfect 5-star rating from about 100 users.

Our AssessmentMost of the electric toothbrushes reviewed at Target.com receive above-average ratings, but most are reviewed only a few times. A Sonicare Essence and Oral-B ProfessionalCare 1000 receive high ratings from 20 or more reviewers.

Our AssessmentResearch from the Cochrane Oral Health Group repudiates earlier data that electric toothbrushes are no more effective in reducing plaque than manual toothbrushes. The tests show that powered toothbrushes with a rotation oscillation action are more effective than manual toothbrushes in reducing plaque and gingivitis. Other types of powered toothbrushes produced less consistent reductions in plaque and gingivitis than manual brushes. Forty-two trials involving 3,855 participants and more than 25 powered and manual toothbrushes provide data. Brushes with a rotation-oscillation action removed plaque and reduced gingivitis more effectively (by 11 percent and 6 percent) than manual brushes in the short term, and reduced gingivitis scores by 17 percent in studies over three months.