An electric toothbrush, also known as a power toothbrush or a powered toothbrush, uses an electric motor to provide automatic bristle motions. Unlike a regular manual toothbrush, where the user provides the brushing motion, an electric toothbrush does the work through its powered bristle movements. Based on their bristle action, there are three main types of electric toothbrushes:
Oscillating-Rotating Toothbrushes: These have small circular brush heads that rotate back and forth to clean each tooth effectively. Some models combine this rotating action with vibrating and pulsing motions to help dislodge more plaque.
Sonic Toothbrushes: These feature vibrating toothbrush heads that move the bristles side-to-side at high speeds, typically producing an audible humming sound. Modern sonic electric toothbrushes can reach frequencies of up to 50,000 movements per minute or more.
- Ultrasonic Toothbrushes: Instead of relying solely on physical bristle motions, ultrasonic toothbrushes use high-frequency vibrations called ultrasound to remove plaque and food debris. These vibrations occur at frequencies beyond human hearing, ranging from 20 kHz up to 10 MHz, equating to over 1.2 billion movements per minute. Many models also include sonic vibrations for extra cleaning power.
Each type of electric toothbrush offers unique advantages, with oscillating-rotating and sonic models being more common in consumer markets, while ultrasonic toothbrushes are typically found in professional dental settings. They are available as both battery-powered toothbrushes and toothbrushes with rechargeable batteries and chargers, allowing for convenient use at home or while travelling.