Which Electric Toothbrush Is Better? Sonicare or Oral B? (2024)

FAQs

Do dentists recommend Oral-B or sonicare? ›

Sonicare's heads are large and flat compared to Oral-B's small round brushes, and they're long-lasting, according to Wellspring Dental dentist Mandy Nebel, who prefers Sonicare over other brands. This specific model — one of two from the brand accepted by the ADA — is a more entry-level Sonicare.

As the most gentle electric toothbrush that offered a near-instantaneous brighter smile with each use, the Philips Sonicare 4100 Power Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush is the clear-cut winner among this list. Not only is it fairly priced between $35 and $50 on the market but its quality is second to none.

Series vs. Philips Sonicare

The award-winning Oral-B iO Series Electric Toothbrush is clinically proven to remove more plaque vs. Phillips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart toothbrush. Oral-B is the first electric toothbrush brand to be accepted by the American Dental Association for effectiveness and safety.

For a little less money, Oral-B's iO Series 9 also features an impressive suite of capabilities worth considering. While it had slightly lower performance and satisfaction scores than Sonicare, it's still a great option when you want a high-tech model while saving a few dollars.

Elizabeth Graves, registered dental hygienist and founder of Take Home Smile, a dental health education company, also recommends everyone use a soft-bristled toothbrush when brushing. "Medium and hard bristles will wear away at the gum line and lead to recession and tooth sensitivity," explains Graves.

From the data of this study, researchers concluded that to maintain good plaque control and improve gingival health, the oscillating rotation electric toothbrush offers clinically relevant advantages compared to the sonic toothbrush, albeit with a small but significant difference.

The Oral-B iO Gentle Care Brush Head is also a great go-to when it comes ensuring a gentler clean for teeth and gums. From Oral-B, the #1 dentist-recommended toothbrush brand.

Number of brush strokes per minute (BPM)

The higher the BPM, the more effective the toothbrush will be at removing plaque and bacteria. Most oscillating-rotating toothbrushes have a BPM of around 1,300 to 8,800, while sonic toothbrushes have a BPM of 24,000 to 30,000 or more.

It removes up to 4 times more plaque than a manual toothbrush! There are 31,000 brush strokes per minute. We love how the Sonicare prevents stain on teeth! When using a Sonicare consistently, it improves the health of your gums which reduces inflammation.

Is Sonicare better for gums? ›

Gum health has been known to improve after just two weeks of using a Sonicare electric toothbrush. That means inflammation and bleeding lessens in two weeks. The Sonicare is non-abrasive when used appropriately so there is less erosion to the tooth enamel. Healthy gums and less plaque means whiter teeth.

One potential downside to sonic toothbrushes is that they can be too noisy for some people.

"Sonic toothbrushes or electric toothbrushes are proven to be a smarter way to brush your teeth, while causing less recession and trauma to the gums," says Dr. Creaven. "The better your oral care routine is, the less treatment you'll end up needing."

The average lifespan of an Oral-B electric toothbrush and its charger is approximately 3-5 years, depending on the model and the whether the toothbrush has been used as intended.

I recommend the Oral B electric toothbrushes to most of my clients as they're great for most people. But for personal preference I use the Phillips Sonicare and I don't really know why I prefer it, I just do.

The Ordo Sonic+ Toothbrush, designed and approved by dentists, is a high-quality and stylishly designed electric toothbrush that offers a deeper, bespoke cleaning experience.

We frequently get asked which Sonicare toothbrush is best for gum recession. This is our recommendation. This Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 5100 allows you to change intensities to allow you to brush with less intensity if your gums are feeling sensitive. It also alerts you if you're brushing too hard by pulsing.