A 2014 study compared electric toothbrushes to manual toothbrushes and concluded that power toothbrushes offer more benefits for the health of your teeth and gums. Electric toothbrushes are excellent at removing plaque and tartar and they can also be very helpful if you have a medical problem that makes it difficult to brush thoroughly. Therefore, if you haven't shifted from a manual to an electric toothbrush, you should upgrade to enjoy myriad benefits. Here are a few tips to help you select the right power toothbrush for your needs.

1. Identify a Suitable Cleaning Mode

Various power toothbrushes offer different modes, which include gum care, whitening, sensitive and pro-clean. For instance, Oral-B has up to six different cleaning modes. Therefore, first identify your needs, and then choose a toothbrush that offers the cleaning modes that suit your needs. A dentist can help you figure out if you have any specific teeth cleaning needs.

2. Rotating/Oscillating Over Sonic

When buying a powered toothbrush, you will have to choose between the ones that have a rotating head or the others that use vibrations. A 2013 study compared the two and concluded that rotating power toothbrushes are more effective than sonic power toothbrushes. They are also better at removing plaque and minimising gum swelling.

3. Costs

Apart from the cost of purchasing the brush, it's also important to consider the cost of replacing toothbrush heads. Different brands have different prices for replacement heads. In some cases, the initial price of the brush might be cheaper, but the replacement heads could be relatively expensive. Therefore, conduct a little research to find out which brands offer the best prices for their replacement heads.

4. Check The Toothbrush Heads

There are many different kinds of brush heads: for instance, angled, compact and full-size. Most power toothbrushes offer a wide range of compatible brush heads. Therefore, before buying the toothbrush, check the different types of toothbrush heads to see if they fit your needs. You would also want to choose the toothbrush with a brush head that fits your mouth and allows you to reach all your teeth.

5. Interval Pacers and Timers

According to dentists, you should brush your teeth twice a day for a minimum of two minutes each time. Electric toothbrushes, therefore, have an automatic two-minute timer that alerts you once you brush for the two minutes. Also, they have an interval 'pacer' that helps you to clean every part of the mouth with equal thoroughness.

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