This blog has been reviewed and approved by Dr Robert Lee, a dental professional of 35 years
Learn the Difference Between Battery-Operated and Electric Toothbrushes
With so many toothbrush types available on the market, it's often difficult to select the right toothbrush for your own needs. First, let's distinguish between battery-powered and electric toothbrushes.
What is a Battery-Operated Toothbrush?
A battery-powered toothbrush (also known as a "battery powered toothbrush" or a "battery-operated toothbrush") uses a disposable battery to vibrate or pulsate as you brush. While similar in design and cost to regular manual toothbrushes, battery electric toothbrushes have just enough vibration to provide additional cleaning action.
In addition to those of manual toothbrushes, features include:
What is a Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush?
Rechargeable electric toothbrushes differ among the kind of cleaning technology they use, such as the revolutionary cleaning power of iO technology.
Electric toothbrushes are known for delivering a more complete clean as they remove 100% more plaque than a manual toothbrush.
A rechargeable electric toothbrush, also known as a "power toothbrush" is the kind you plug into the wall to recharge, keeping the handle and replacing the brush head every three months.
Generally, far richer in technology and features than their battery-powered counterparts, electric toothbrushes provide many oral health benefits. Some can even enable you to improve your brushing habits and deliver a more optimal clean.
Several electric toothbrushes feature:
Numerous brushing modes specialized for sensitive teeth, whitening benefits or gum-massaging action.
Pressure Sensors to signal when you’re brushing too hard.
Timers to help you keep track of how long you’re brushing each quadrant of your mouth.
Digital reminders to replace your brush head.
Multiple brush head compatibility so you can choose which kind of bristle design you prefer.
Most electric toothbrushes also come with features for added convenience, like a brush head or toothbrush holder, bathroom counter storage units and travel toothbrush chargers.
Revolutionary iO Technology
Oral-B’s most innovative line of electric toothbrushes, the iO Series, comes with even more benefits to help you achieve that amazing clean you’re looking for.
The series combines Oral-B’s iconic dentist-inspired round brush head with powerful, but gentle micro-vibrations for a professional clean feeling every day.
Energy is transferred from the iO’s exclusive, smooth magnetic drive system directly to the bristle tips for a clean that’s both thorough and gentle on teeth and gums. With up to 7 Smart Modes to choose from and innovative tracking technology, you’ll get a personalized clean that covers all areas of the mouth along with individual tooth surfaces.
Some Oral-B iO Electric Toothbrushes models may also feature:
Smart Pressure Sensor to better protect gums.
A charging travel case to charge both your brush and phone.
Bluetooth connectivity to improve brushing habits.
Interactive display to visually communicate mode setting, brushing timer, and more.
Battery Operated Toothbrush vs. Rechargeable Electric Toothbrushes
Besides what's discussed above, other factors that might affect your decision include:
The need to modify brushing technique: Proper brushing technique varies when using different kinds of toothbrushes. Battery-powered toothbrushes require you to provide all or most of the brushing action, moving the brush back and forth along all sides of your teeth and gumline. In contrast, rechargeable electric toothbrushes provide the cleaning action while you need only guide it along all surfaces. Once they get the hang of it, many people find this method of brushing easier.
The level of value in terms of features and benefits: Rechargeable electric toothbrushes tend to offer more health benefits and features than battery powered or manual toothbrushes for improved oral health.
The ability to “test drive” an electric toothbrush: It’s understandable to want to test out a rechargeable electric toothbrush before buying a high-tech one for the first time. While your dental professional is the best person to ask for a recommendation, you may also consider some affordable, entry tier options. They’re ideal for people who are curious about giving an electric toothbrush a try but want a taste of what it’s like first.
