Terrific Toothbrushes
The Good Housekeeping Research Institute rounded up a variety of the latest manual and automatic brushes and evaluated them for ease of use, comfort and performance.
Taking care of your teeth starts with a good brushing. But does it matter what type of toothbrush you use? To find out, the Good Housekeeping Research Institute rounded up a variety of the latest manual and automatic brushes and evaluated them for ease of use, comfort and performance. The Good Housekeeping Research Institute also worked with Dr. Marc Beshar, a New York City dentist who has been practicing for 25 years, and Dr. Robert Davidson, the chairman of the department of periodontics at NYU’s College of Dentistry. Here, your top toothbrush questions answered.
“Should I buy an automatic or manual toothbrush?”
Both manual and electric toothbrushes will clean your teeth. But some types are better for certain people. If you’re elderly, disabled or at risk for tooth decay or periodontal disease, you should buy an electric model. Although pricey, electric brushes usually last longer than manual models and often have a timer to help you brush your teeth for a solid two minutes. Manual toothbrushes are a lot less expensive but can still do a great job cleaning your teeth. These brushes are great for people with a “low to moderate” risk of tooth decay or periodontal disease.
“Which brand should I buy?”
To find the best new toothbrushes, the Good Housekeeping Research Institute rounded up a variety of the latest manual and automatic brushes and evaluated ease of use, comfort and performance. A panel of volunteers used them over a three-day period, brushing for at least two minutes. The results:
Manual Brushes
The latest manual toothbrushes look like they’re from outer space with their wild colors and weird shapes. But our Good Housekeeping Research Institute testers loved how the uneven bristles got into those hard-to-reach nooks and crannies. Out of five brushes, testers preferred these four – all for different reasons: The Oral-B CrossAction Vitalizer ($3.99; available at mass merchandisers) won raves for its multi-angled bristles and “good scrubbing action.” It was also the overall favorite. On the Colgate 360° ($2.99; available at mass merchandisers), you’ll find cool features like a rubberized thumb grip and circular bristles. Said one tester: “The criss-cross bristles were great on my sensitive teeth.” To help you get at your molars, the Mentadent Smile Replenishing brush ($3.99; available at mass merchandisers) has a curved neck. Testers raved about the “firm handle, soft bristles, wide brush and nicely angled bristles.” The Reach Fresh & Clean ($3.49; available at mass merchandisers) has a special scrubber for cleaning your tongue. Testers also liked the shape of the head and the comfortable handle.
Automatic Brushes
The Good Housekeeping Research Institute found both of the electric brushes they tested to be very good performers. But each had cool – and unusual – features that wowed the testers. The Oral-B Sonic Complete ($120; available at mass merchandisers) has three modes of operation, so you can vary the intensity for brushing your teeth and taking care of your gums. The Crest Sonicare IntelliClean System ($139.99; available at mass merchandisers) has toothpaste built right into the brush so you don’t have to fumble with the toothpaste cap. And it was very easy to refill the toothpaste container.
“What’s the best way to brush?”
* Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums. Then brush in a slow, circular motion for two to three minutes. But be careful not to brush too hard or too long – you could damage your gums.
* Don’t forget to brush your tongue and the insides of your cheeks to remove bacteria.
* Use soft bristles only. The medium or hard ones can cause gum problems.
* Keep in mind that brushing is important – but just as important is flossing. To prevent gum disease, floss once a day.
* Replace your manual toothbrush once every three to four months, or when the bristles are frayed and worn instead of upright.