Choosing the right toothbrush for braces can be overwhelming, so here’s a list of the most recommended types from an orthodontist! Cleaning braces can be tricky, but there are several ways to ensure every nook and cranny is kept clean. Your toothbrush for braces should have bristles that are firm enough to get in between brackets but soft enough not to scratch your gums or wear down the enamel. However, bristles that are too soft don’t work well with braces because they can’t penetrate them easily.
Electric toothbrushes are often praised for their efficiency and ease of use. They provide consistent brushing motions, beneficial for braces, as the oscillating or vibrating heads reach around brackets and wires effectively. Electric toothbrushes also have built-in timers, ensuring you brush for the recommended two minutes. This thorough cleaning is crucial to avoid plaque buildup with braces.
Buying Guide for Electric Toothbrushes for Braces
When considering what kind of toothbrush to use with braces, it is important to take into account the special needs of braces-wearers. Some orthodontic specialists recommend using a soft-bristled brush to prevent damage to the brackets and wires. Electric toothbrushes can also be effective in thoroughly cleaning around the braces. Ultimately, the best toothbrush for braces is one that allows for gentle yet thorough cleaning to maintain good oral hygiene throughout the orthodontic treatment process.
- Bristle Type: Look for a toothbrush with soft or extra-soft bristles to avoid damaging your gums or teeth.
- Head Size: Choose a toothbrush with a small head to easily reach all areas of your mouth, especially around your brackets and wires.
- Electric vs. Manual: Both electric and manual toothbrushes can be effective, but electric toothbrushes may be more beneficial for patients with braces due to their ability to remove plaque and food particles more efficiently.
- Pressure Sensor: It is important to not apply too much pressure on the braces. Therefore, electric toothbrushes with pressure sensors are a good choice because these sensors will stop the electric toothbrush from rotating or vibrating if too much pressure is applied to the teeth. This can help protect your braces and your teeth from being damaged.
- Timer: Many electric toothbrushes come with a built-in timer that will stop the brush after two minutes. This is an excellent feature to look for because it helps you brush your teeth for the recommended amount of time (generally two minutes per section).
- Ergonomic Handle: Choose an electric toothbrush with an ergonomic handle, which means it is easy to grip and does not feel heavy. This will make it easier for you to hold the electric toothbrush in your hand and brush your teeth.
An electric toothbrush is better for braces than a manual brush as it’s likely to lift food debris more gently and more effectively. If you have braces, you should look for a brush head with medium firm bristles. But what’s most important is that you use an electric toothbrush with a pressure sensor.
Top Recommended Electric Toothbrushes for Braces
1. Oral-B iO Series 9
The Oral-B iO9 is our top pick for braces due to its advanced features tailored for orthodontic care. When it comes to getting the best clean possible, the Oral-B iO series delivers on every aspect—it combines powerful, yet gentle micro-vibrations with our unique dentist-inspired brush head for a professional clean feeling every day. With up to 7 smart modes to choose from and real-time coaching, your teeth will get an optimal clean, even when wearing braces. Plus, when brushing with the Oral-B app, you can achieve your specific oral care goals through different journeys, like the Ortho Care Journey for braces. It’s more difficult to clean hard-to-reach areas and along the gum line when wearing braces. However, the oscillating-rotating power of Oral-B® Electric Toothbrushes does the work for you and removes 100% more plaque than manual toothbrushes.
Pros:
- Advanced pressure sensor with visual feedback (green light for correct pressure).
- Multiple brushing modes, including a dedicated Ortho Care mode.
- App connectivity for real-time brushing guidance.
- Small, round brush head ideal for cleaning around brackets.
Cons:
- Expensive, with a retail price around $225.
- Replacement brush heads are costly (approximately $15 each).
- Louder than some sonic toothbrushes.
2. Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 6100
The Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 6100 is a top choice. This electric toothbrush offers different brushing modes, a pressure sensor, and a compact head. Their electric toothbrushes use sonic technology to create dynamic fluid action, which helps to clean hard-to-reach areas around braces. Philips Sonicare toothbrushes are often recommended by orthodontists due to their ability to improve gum health and reduce plaque buildup.
Pros:
- Sonic technology delivers up to 31,000 strokes per minute for deep cleaning.
- Three brushing modes (Clean, White, Gum Care) for customized care.
- Pressure sensor protects braces and gums.
- Long battery life (up to two weeks).
Cons:
- Larger brush head may be less maneuverable for some users.
- Replacement heads are expensive (around $10-$15 each).
- No app connectivity for brushing feedback.
3. Oral-B Pro 1000
The Oral-B Pro 1000 rechargeable toothbrush is your ticket to a world of dental nirvana! This powerful little toothbrush features ultrasonic technology that breaks up and removes plaque and bacteria like nothing else. Plus, the handle is shaped to provide a sturdy grip, even when your hands are wet. This toothbrush also has one cleaning mode plus a pressure sensor that protects gum tissue. While it’s not specifically designed for orthodontics, users with braces give it high marks for its deep-cleaning power.
Pros:
- Affordable, typically priced around $50.
- Built-in two-minute timer with quadrant pacing.
- Pressure sensor to prevent over-brushing.
- Compatible with multiple brush heads, including orthodontic-specific ones.
Cons:
- Only one cleaning mode.
- Louder than sonic toothbrushes.
- No smart features or app connectivity.
Comparison Table
| Model | Price | Brush Head Type | Pressure Sensor | Timer | Battery Life | Smart Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral-B iO Series 9 | $225 | Small, round | Yes (visual) | Yes (2-min with quadrant) | 2 weeks | App, Ortho Care mode |
| Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 6100 | $130 | Oval, compact | Yes | Yes (2-min) | 2 weeks | None |
| Oral-B Pro 1000 | $50 | Small, round | Yes | Yes (2-min with quadrant) | 1 week | None |
In-Depth Analysis and Insights
Electric toothbrushes utilize rotating movements, oscillating technology, or sonic vibrations to effectively remove bacteria, plaque, and food particles. While a manual toothbrush can get the job done, many popular electric toothbrushes offer features such as pressure sensors and even facial recognition. According to a 2023 review published in the Dentistry Journal, children and teenagers with braces can reduce their plaque index score by 13.9% when they switch to an electric toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes may also improve brushing time. Today’s electric toothbrushes come with built-in timers or alerts to encourage brushing for the full recommended two minutes. They also offer plenty of additional features, such as different brushing modes and interchangeable brush heads. This means that you can tailor your brushing experience according to your oral care needs, such as orthodontic appliances or gum health concerns.
For braces, oscillating-rotating brushes like those from Oral-B are often preferred because their small, round heads can maneuver around brackets and wires more effectively than larger sonic heads. Sonic brushes, like Philips Sonicare, excel at creating fluid dynamics to dislodge debris, which is particularly useful for gum health. However, their larger heads may be less precise for some users. The choice between oscillating and sonic depends on personal preference and mouth size. If you have a smaller mouth, Oral-B’s compact heads may be more comfortable.
While it might seem like overkill for some, I appreciated the Oral-B’s smart features; you can sync your toothbrush to the Oral-B app on your phone, which will guide you through your brushing session. When brushing, I found it very useful to be guided through each quadrant of my mouth and to see (via the 3D tracking feature) which surfaces and sections of my mouth weren’t brushed enough. With this app, you can either watch in real time or review your brushing later. On a busy morning, I find that I don’t always have the patience to truly focus on brushing my teeth properly, so this kept me in check, and you might have a similar experience.
However, paying too much attention to the app can backfire if it distracts too much attention. For those who prefer simplicity, the Oral-B Pro 1000 offers excellent value without the bells and whistles. It’s a simple electric toothbrush with a small brush head to fit where you need it to go. These have been shown to remove plaque 99% more effectively than some of the other toothbrushes out there. It’s a simple brush that will feel like you cleaned your teeth and braces professionally every single time.
Real-World User Experiences
The Hydrosonic Pro is the most medical looking toothbrush on this list, made by Swiss brand Curaprox. Its parent brand, Curaden, makes premium products for dental students and professionals. You’d be justified in expecting a medical-grade clean. Inside the box are three types of heads: one designed for power, one for sensitive gums and single heads with a small concentrated circle of bristles for gumline and tooth-by-tooth cleaning. Anyone with braces, bracket retainers or implants should find this head particularly useful; I managed to get a really precise clean between my teeth, leaving me with a feeling that almost replicated the aftermath of seeing an oral hygienist.
Burst Pro Sonic is a popular electric toothbrush on Amazon. It has just over 7,000 reviews with an average rating of 4.5 stars out of 5. However, I was very disappointed with the feel of this brush. While the bristles are very soft, it has a piece of silicone in the middle of the brush head that I assume is used to scrap plaque and stuck-on food (the website doesn’t explain). This tiny piece felt too strange on my teeth. I think I could let this unfortunate design slide if the brush came in at a good price, but the Burst Pro Sonic retails for a little over $50.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you use an electric toothbrush with braces?
Yes, you absolutely can use an electric toothbrush if you have braces. Electric toothbrushes can even be the most effective way for folks with braces to clean their teeth (and the braces). If you have braces and are shopping for an electric toothbrush, opt for a brush head with soft bristles. Changing the brush head on an electric toothbrush every three to four months is what most dentists recommend. You can change it sooner if the brush head looks worn out or has fraying bristles.
Which is better for braces: sonic or oscillating toothbrushes?
There is a seemingly endless array of electric toothbrushes to pick from, but they generally fall into two categories: sonic and oscillating. The best toothbrush is the one you’ll use twice a day. You can buy the most highly rated toothbrush around, but if it feels weird in your mouth or hurts your gums, you might not want to use it. Ada S. Cooper, a dentist and consumer adviser spokesperson for the American Dental Association, told me that both styles are effective in reducing plaque, according to recent studies. She notes that you should talk to a dentist about which one will work best for you, and she says to look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
How often should I replace the brush head?
Experts recommend changing your toothbrush head every three months. Some toothbrushes remind you when it’s time. Electric toothbrushes come with at least one head, and replacements vary in price from $1-2 to $15 or more.
Should I use a specific cleaning mode for braces?
Most electric toothbrushes come with a variety of cleaning modes. This allows you to personalize your brushing experience and target specific areas or concerns. For example, if you are prone to plaque build-up on your gum line, you can use the ‘gum care’ mode on your electric toothbrush. For braces, modes like Oral-B’s Pro-Clean or Ortho Care are ideal as they focus on thorough plaque removal around brackets.
How do I clean my electric toothbrush?
You should clean an electric toothbrush at least once a week. This can be done by soaking it in either antibacterial mouthwash or a hydrogen peroxide solution (one teaspoon of peroxide mixed with one cup of water). After every use, rinse the stem and brush to ensure you prevent toothpaste build-up around the area where the head attaches to the base.
Conclusion
Choosing the best electric toothbrush for braces involves balancing advanced features with practicality. The Oral-B iO Series 9 stands out for its smart features and orthodontic-specific modes, making it ideal for tech-savvy users. The Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 6100 offers powerful sonic cleaning and gum care, while the Oral-B Pro 1000 provides excellent value for budget-conscious buyers. By prioritizing soft bristles, a small head, and a pressure sensor, you can ensure your braces stay clean and your oral health remains top-notch. For more information on maintaining oral hygiene with braces, check out the American Dental Association.