Electric Toothbrush (ETB)

I recommend electric toothbrushes (ETB) for all ages, and specifically the rechargeable ones: Sonicare or Oral-B (adult and kids models, click here).

ETB are much more efficient removing bacteria from your teeth:

  • significant risk reduction for cavities and gum disease,
  • protect expensive dental treatment you’ve had,
  • if you have braces an ETB is an absolute necessity,
  • far easier to keep keep the hard-to-access areas of your mouth clean.

The number of strokes / oscillations an ETB makes is nearly 100 times more than manually brushing (two months worth of manual brushing in 2 minutes).

The kids models have larger, grippier (it’s a real word!) handles. They also have kid-friendly power modes vs their adult models.

The adult models also have available charger travel cases that protect the ETB and can charge them on the go, although the ETB typically hold their charge for up to 2 weeks.

A super important tip about using an ETB is that unlike manual brushing you don’t actually brush with it – you drag it. That’s right. Angled slightly towards the gumline, drag the brush head slowly along, same inside and out, and chewing surfaces. “Let the tech do the work”, and the results of your efforts are phenomenal.

The Oral-B toothbrush head is smaller and excellent for people with a narrow arch.

One ETB handle can serve one couple, each having their own toothbrush head.

Downsides of using generic/“dupe” replacement heads instead of the brand-name ones:

  • Fit & retention can be off: looser click-on / slide-on fit, wobble, or heads that pop off more easily – especially on oscillating-rotating handles.
  • Bristle quality is more variable: inconsistent filament diameter / tip rounding → can feel harsher, splay sooner, or be less effective at plaque removal.
  • Wear pattern can be worse: bristles may deform faster, so you end up replacing them more often (sometimes erasing the savings).
  • Gum safety isn’t as predictable: rougher filament ends, stiffer tufts, or sharp trim edges can irritate gingiva.
  • Cleaning performance may differ: head geometry (tuft layout, angulation, rubber cup/“polisher” design, interdental reach) isn’t always equivalent even if it looks similar.
  • Material/adhesive durability: cheaper glues and plastics can mean tufts shedding, water intrusion, or parts separating over time.
  • Hygiene/quality control uncertainty: packaging and manufacturing standards vary widely; some come with little transparency about materials, testing, or batch controls.
  • Brush “smart” features may not work: on some systems the head has an ID chip / marker for mode recommendations, replacement reminders, or pressure feedback – generics may not be recognized.
  • Warranty/support gray area: the handle warranty usually isn’t voided just because you used a third-party head, but if a head damages the drive shaft or causes failure, support can get contentious.
  • Counterfeits are common online: even “brand name” listings can be fake; you can end up with worse-than-generic quality at brand pricing.

ETB are for all ages

Manual Brushing

Many brushing methods are known. What matters most is how effective a method removes plaque (bacteria) from teeth.

Many brushing methods are known. What matters most is how effective a method removes plaque (bacteria or biofilm) from teeth.

most widely used technique (American Dental Association)

brushing

  • Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums.
  • Gently move the brush back and forth in short (tooth-wide) strokes.
  • Brush the outer surfaces, the inner surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
  • To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several up-and-down strokes.

Normal brushing CANNOT damage teeth or gums, click here.

How to tell when you’re done brushing: be sure to always brush until you teeth are completely smooth (see about dry-brushing, click here).

Other Methods

Other methods exist (below), they are simply not as effective at removing plaque where your brush can reach. Many of the older methods were used for anecdotal reasons, such as the notion that brushing side-to-side could damage the teeth and/or gums (it CANNOT, click here to see more about this). Another idea that served as the basis for a particular method involved the belief that brushing “stimulated” the gums. It doesn’t, but that was what was taught. It is very simple to evaluate the effectiveness of brushing by using disclosing solution to stain where plaque is present.

  • Horizontal Reciprocating Motion
    • horizontal scrub brushing technique
  • Vibratory Motion
    • Bass (sulcular) brushing technique
    • Stillman’s brushing technique
    • Charters brushing technique
  • Vertical Sweeping Motion
    • Modified Bass brushing technique
    • Modified Stillman’s brushing technique
    • Leonard brushing technique
    • Hirchfield’s brushing technique
    • Smith-Bell (physiologic) brushing technique
  • Rotary Motion
    • Fones brushing technique (probably one the first methods taught by the dental profession, especially in the US. Dr. Fones founded the first Dental Hygienists course in the US, and his technique was the standard method used for many years, it is often called the Circular method)