We all have different dental hygiene needs and the manufacturers of electric toothbrushes recognize this fact; that’s why their brushes often include multiple modes that address different oral hygiene needs. In most cases, the higher the price of the brush the more options it comes with. At one end of the spectrum you’ll find cheap brushes with only one brushing mode, and that’s “on”; at the other end of the spectrum you’ll find brushes with several different modes for all occasions.
Being able to choose between different modes is a nice feature to have, but it’s not essential. Let’s face it, if you brush with an old-fashioned manual toothbrush there are no modes to choose from; you simply brush your teeth. The same is true with cheaper electric toothbrushes that simply have an on-off switch. But if you’re willing to pay a little extra money, it’s certainly nice to have the choice.
Basic Models
As we’ve already indicated above, basic electric toothbrushes don’t have different modes. They come with a simple on-off switch and that’s it. Their main advantage is that they still offer greater plaque removal capability than a manual brush and they’re helpful if you have issues with your grip due to arthritis or some other painful affliction.
If you’re looking for a little more choice in an electric toothbrush and you’re willing to spend more than $100, there are a lot of different options to choose from. That’s a lot of money to spend on a toothbrush, though, and that’s why a lot of people are perfectly happy to go with a basic electric toothbrush that can usually be found for under $30. If budget is your main concern then by all means go with one of these basic models, but if you’ve got sensitive teeth or sore gums you may want to consider paying a little more for your brush.
Intermediate Level Brushes
At a price point of between $75 and $100 you’ll find a few more options. Quite often brushes in this price range will include a normal mode, which is suitable for most people that don’t have any kind of dental issues, and an alternative mode for sensitive teeth. If you want to switch to an electric toothbrush, but you’ve always been afraid to do so because of issues with sensitivity, then you are going to have to pay a little more for your brush.
How the sensitive mode on an electric toothbrush works is pretty straightforward – basically the brush just slows down. The same is true whether you’re looking at purchasing a sonic toothbrush or an oscillating toothbrush. Either technology has thousands of brushstrokes per minute, and by slowing that process down, the brush becomes less irritating on sensitive teeth.