Do you suffer from sensitive teeth? If so, your dentist may have recommended that you use a special toothpaste to help alleviate that sensitivity. However, you may not know what other dental hygiene tools can be used effectively without causing you pain.
Which toothbrush should you use? Could an electric toothbrush work, even with sensitive teeth? We’ll cover all that and help you find the best electric toothbrushes for sensitive teeth.
Importance of Dental Hygiene: Beyond the Mouth
In recent years, science has found that our dental health is more important than we originally thought. Well aware of the repercussions of not properly cleaning our teeth (cavities, gum disease, etc.), dentistry as we know it has been around for decades upon decades.
The dental health benefits that mean keeping your teeth intact are very well known but the correlations between dental health and the health of many other parts of the body are astounding. A healthy mouth may mean a healthier you.
Studies show that people with gum disease are at a much higher risk of diabetes and heart disease.
- Removes up to 2x more plaque than a manual toothbrush. Includes 1 e Series brush head 9standard)
- Patented sonic technology: Dynamic fluid action helps clean between teeth and along the gumline
- 2 minute timer helps ensure recommended brushing time
- Bluetooth communication between brush and smartphone provides real-time feedback on brushing habits, helping you achieve...
- Floss Action round brush head with micropulse bristles for a superior and interdental clean vs a regular manual toothbrush
- 3D cleaning action oscillates, rotates, and pulsates to break up plaque and remove more plaque along the gumline than a...
- Improved technology delivers more consistent battery performance
- Soft, rubberized ergonomic handle
- Can be used with: precision clean, floss action, deep sweep, dual clean, pro-white, sensitive gum care, interproximal, and...
- The most loved electric toothbrush brand by Americans and their dentists
- Removes 100% more plaque than a manual toothbrush in hard to reach areas. Includes 2 DiamondClean brush heads
- Whitens teeth in just 1 week, Healther gums in only 2 weeks
- Real time feedback with the Oral B app focuses brushing on your most important areas, tracks habits over time, motivates with...
- Made of different high tech materials like silicon. Cross Action round brush head with perfectly angled bristles for a...
- Clinically proven superior 3D cleaning oscillates, rotates and pulsates to break up and remove up to 100 percentage more...
The Evolution of Toothbrushes
Toothbrushes as we know them today have been around since the 1930s, but they’ve changed a bit over the years. The size and shape of the brush head have evolved to fit into our mouths better, for one thing. This allows for more thorough cleaning. The bristles have also become gentler.
Then came the advent of the electric toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes use the same principles behind the average disposable toothbrush, plus motion and vibration to get teeth cleaner. Not only do they get your chompers cleaner, they also do it in less time and with less effort on your part.
Obviously, an electric toothbrush can help you to keep your teeth cleaner. What if your toothbrush hurts to use due to sensitivity, though? An electric toothbrush might be even more uncomfortable, especially if you’re using the wrong one.
Different Types of Toothbrushes
I’m going to cover the four types of toothbrushes widely available on the market today so you can see the difference. We’ll be focusing on electric toothbrushes for the remainder of this article, but it’s important that you consider what type of brush is best for you.
Manual disposable brushes are just basic toothbrushes. They don’t have any fancy electronics and are manually operated only. These brushes are cost effective at just a few bucks a piece. They can be used for about a season and then should be thrown out.
Disposable electric toothbrushes are meant to be used for a few months and then thrown away, as well. However, they vibrate or have a moving brush head to aid in the cleaning of teeth. These types of brushes are usually fairly inexpensive, costing between $5 and $15 for the most part.
Electric toothbrushes with removable brush heads are usually sold as a ‘system’. The handle is often a rechargeable unit that allows for a longer life than disposable electric brushes, with brush heads that you can change out as necessary.
Sonic toothbrushes use very fast, but small vibration to help remove food particles from your teeth. This type of brush is the same as an electric brush, only they utilize a specific sonic vibration technology.
What Causes Sensitivity
Sensitivity is often caused by receding gums. When the gums pull up, they expose dentin, which is a more sensitive part of the teeth. It can also be caused by tooth decay, wearing of the enamel, or gum disease.
Several of the causes of tooth sensitivity can be alleviated with great dental hygiene that is both thorough and gentle. The right electric toothbrush can oftentimes be the key to better dental care at home.
Electric Toothbrushes for Sensitivity
Whether you’re looking at a disposable-style electric toothbrush or considering the long-term investment of a replaceable brush-head system, you’ll want to find one that works well even for sensitive teeth and gums.
Sonic brushes fit the bill for sensitive teeth. They utilize gentle vibration that doesn’t harm the teeth but still does a great job ridding your mouth of bacteria and food particles.
Important Notes, Warnings
Sometimes, electric toothbrushes can cause pain in people with sensitive teeth and gums and can further wear down tooth enamel. If that’s the case, discontinue use of electric brushes and switch to a very soft manual brush. Using a toothpaste made for sensitive teeth may also help.
No matter which kind of brush you’re using, brushing your teeth should be a daily occurrence. Depending on your dentist’s recommendations, brush twice a day or after each meal. Flossing, though a controversial subject at the moment, should occur once a day. Visit your dentist for regular checkups.
Picking the Best Electric Toothbrush for You
First off, it’s important to note the vast difference in prices amongst these toothbrushes. Your first consideration should be your budget. While not all electric toothbrushes are created equal, one you can afford is obviously a must.
Next, decide whether a disposable brush or a replaceable brush-head toothbrush is right for you. Convenience and your stance on environmental issues may affect this decision. If you’re a first-time electric toothbrush user, a disposable may be the best option, being less of a financial commitment.
Third, consider the state of your mouth. Which brush-head shape best allows you to brush all of your teeth well? Which is most comfortable? Which bristles feel best? These are all important factors, particularly if you’re considering making a long-term investment.
Other factors to consider are the shape and size of the handle and how well it fits your hand. Also, look at the battery life and how quick it recharges (if it does recharge). You may also ask your friends and family for their picks.
We’ll now check out some of our picks for the best electric toothbrushes for sensitive teeth. Use the information offered here to choose the right one for you!
Philips
Phillips Sonicare Essence This brush combines value and superior oral care in a nicely wrapped, low-priced bundle. It is rechargeable, so no batteries to change, and the brush head is replaceable.
Oral-B
Oral B Pro 5000 Smart Series This rechargeable electric toothbrush offers those with sensitive teeth lots of options, all in the form of a long-term investment in oral hygiene. It combines several different motions to provide a quick, easy, and gentle clean.
Oral-B
Oral B Pro-Health Precision This toothbrush from Oral B is kind of like the poor cousin of their rechargeable versions. As a battery operated device, what it lacks in durability and longevity it makes up for in sheer value. It provides a basic option for those looking for a better-than-manual but gentle clean.
Philips
Phillips Sonicare DiamondClean This one might be just what the dentist ordered. While one of the highest-priced electric toothbrushes on the market, this brush is also one of the most beloved. Sonic technology provides a gentle clean perfect for sensitive teeth.
Oral-B
Oral B Black Pro 7000 A more advanced version of the Pro 5000 Smart Series above, this electric toothbrush uses high tech features to offer a unique cleaning experience. Now, to discover if the increased price and new-fangled features justify the higher cost.
our #1 rated
Pros
Incredible value
Can use with several types of brush head
Comes equipped with two minute timer
2 weeks on one charge
Angled neck is ergonomic
Simple charger base
EasyStart increases power over several uses
Cons
No display
Handle design allows for buildup of gunk
No ability to adjust power
No settings to customize clean
Lacks advanced features
our #2 rated
Pros
Bluetooth connectivity gives insight into brushing habits
Brush-heads are easily replaced
Rotates, pulses, and oscillates
Round brush accommodates most users
Pressure sensor helps to brush gently
Floss Action helps clean between teeth
Several types of replacement brush-head available
Cons
High price
Bright lights while charging may disturb sleep
App is complicated, hard to use
App is only available for one user
Heavy for some users
our #3 rated
Pros
Can be used with several different brush-heads
Very inexpensive comparatively
Ergonomic handle
Lightweight
Improved battery performance
Battery can be replaced
Easy transport, no need to take charger
Cons
Uses AAA batteries that require special disposal
Some users have had water leak into mechanics
Battery cover breaks easily
Doesn’t last as long as more expensive versions
Low power, vibration
our #4 rated
Pros
Several brushing modes for the perfect fit
Includes USB charger, can charge from computer
31,000 brush strokes per minute
“Quadpacer” timer helps you brush whole mouth
Unique charging glass
Quality materials, handle feel
Cons
Comes with only medium brush heads
Can’t tell when battery is getting lower
Battery known to stop charging, get hot
High cost new brush heads
our #5 rated
Pros
Includes all features in 5000 series
Additional ‘tongue cleaning mode’
Sleeker appearance
Rechargeable battery
Uses various movements to provide custom clean
Cons
High cost
Excessive tech features, Bluetooth ineffective
Long charging times
Not good for travel outside US, charger incompatible
Short battery life
In Summary
Our pick for the best electric toothbrushes for sensitive teeth is, without a doubt, the Soniccare Essence. The value is absolutely unbeatable when combined with a great, gentle clean. However, if you can’t handle the idea of the upkeep and cleaning, it’s not the brush for you.
I hope our guide has helped you learn about the features that mean the most to you and select a brush that meets your needs.
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