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Brian T. Luong, DMD, is an orthodontist at Anaheim Hills Orthodontics and Santa Ana Orthodontics, and is the primary dentist at Become Aligners.
Gum recession occurs when the gum tissue around the teeth begins to fall away, exposing more of the tooth or its roots. Several factors can contribute to its development, including poor oral hygiene, excessive brushing, periodontal disease, and aging. The first sign of gum recession is often tooth sensitivity and elongation.
Choosing the wrong toothbrush can expose the cementum covering the root surface, says Dr. Kyle Gernhofer, co-founder and CEO of dental software company DenScore. When this happens, teeth are more likely to wear down to the gum line and cause discomfort, says Dr. Gernhoff.
You can prevent gum recession by practicing good oral hygiene, brushing techniques, and using a soft-bristled toothbrush. These softer bristles are gentle on your gums while still effectively removing plaque and bacteria. There are thousands of toothbrushes on the market to choose from, and we spoke to dental experts and tested 45 popular models to find the best toothbrush for gum care.
As a senior business editor at Health magazine who battles gum recession, I know how important it is to use the right toothbrush to protect sensitive gum tissue. I use Philips ProtectiveClean 6100. Not only is it our best overall product, but it is also the one recommended by my periodontist.
My problem is that I brush my teeth too hard, and she recently gave me some tips that have helped me: I say, “I’m going to massage my gums instead of telling myself, “I’m going to brush my teeth.” The massage is gentler than brushing or padding, so I won’t press harder. This wording also reminds me to pay attention to my gums and gum line, which are the source of most dental problems such as gingivitis.
Every expert I spoke to recommended using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Both manual and electric toothbrushes work well as long as you don’t use too much force. That’s why I like electric brushes with sensors that tell you if you’re brushing too hard. And don’t forget to “massage” your gum line at a 45-degree angle.
Philips ProtectiveClean 6100 combines unrivaled performance with advanced features such as three intensity settings and three cleaning modes (Clean, White and Gum Care) to combat sticky plaque. Its pressure sensor technology pulses as you press harder, protecting your teeth and gums from over-brushing. Plus, the brushes automatically sync with each smart brush head and tell you when to replace them.
During testing, we particularly liked its quick installation and ease of movement across teeth and gums. The stylish design and travel case mean it will stay at home and is ideal for travel. This model also comes with a two-minute timer to help you brush your teeth for the amount of time recommended by your dentist. Although the manufacturer claims a two-week battery life, our battery remained fully charged after a month of daily use.
This choice is recommended by dentist Calvin Eastwood, DMD, of Summerbrook Dental in Fort Worth, Texas.
This is a more expensive model and may not be suitable for buyers on a budget. Replacement brush heads cost $18 for a pack of two, and experts recommend replacing them every three months to prevent bacterial growth and damage to the bristles. Additionally, the pen itself is not compatible with all Sonicare attachments.
Combining functionality and technology, the Oral-B Genius X Limited is a powerful model that adapts to your style and brushing habits. Its Bluetooth feature paired with your smartphone provides real-time feedback on your brushing habits to prevent further gum recession and sensitivity. The built-in timer and pressure sensor ensure you brush for the recommended time without putting harmful pressure on your delicate gums—a red light indicates you’re pressing too hard.
This model has six modes that you can easily switch between at the touch of a button. We like the rounded brush head that pulses to loosen plaque and vibrates to dislodge it, but the brush isn’t overly aggressive like some models. Our teeth feel much cleaner than a traditional manual toothbrush, and we love the non-slip handle that keeps it moist.
You must have a compatible smartphone and download the app to take full advantage of its technology features. You can still use a regular electric toothbrush without connecting to an app, but you’ll miss out on valuable data and reviews, which will increase the cost. Additionally, two CrossAction replacement heads are available for $25.
Like the Genius X Limited, the Oral-B iO Series 5 uses Bluetooth technology to connect to your smartphone for personalized feedback as you brush your teeth. The small round brush head can reach hard-to-reach areas that larger brush heads have difficulty reaching. There are five cleaning modes available (Daily Clean, Power Mode, Whitening, Sensitive and Super Sensitive) depending on your sensitivity, gum health and dental health. Individual cleaning. experience. Cleaning preferences.
We loved seeing Oral-B’s helpful tips in the app, from showing us our brushing behavior to personalized feedback on areas we might have missed. During testing, we were shocked at how smooth our teeth felt after regular use. We also appreciate the charging stand, which keeps the brush upright when not in use.
Dr. Eastwood recommends the Oral-B iO model to improve your brushing technique and prevent gum damage.
If you are not interested in app connectivity and real-time feedback, this is not the best option as these features will increase the price. Although the battery does not charge as quickly as the updated iO models, storing it on the charging base ensures optimal charge.
Oral-B iO Series 9 is a premium electric toothbrush with enhanced features and stylish design. This is one of the newest Oral-B models that uses artificial intelligence to provide 3D tracking to track and monitor your brushing habits. While it offers some of the same features as the iO Series 5, it also expands its functionality with two additional cleaning modes (Gum Care and Tongue Cleaning).
Other updated features include a color display on the handle, an updated magnetic charging base to keep the brush in place, and faster charging. The app is also more user-friendly and provides more detailed information about your brushing habits. When you study a map of 16 areas of your mouth, AI technology detects areas that need extra attention to help you achieve a healthy smile.
Since this is the most expensive model on our list, it won’t be for everyone. A smartphone and app are also required to access all features. You should read this manual in its entirety to take full advantage of its features.
Although the Sonicare 4100 series is less expensive, it comes with features typically found in higher-end models. From a protective pressure sensor to a four-hour timer that ensures every area of your teeth is cleaned evenly, this brush has everything you need without any of the tech extras.
Our batteries come fully charged straight out of the box and last three weeks or more on a single charge. The handle vibrates when you brush too hard, and an indicator light indicates when you need to replace the brush head. Although it lacks Bluetooth, its capabilities and accessibility outweigh the need to connect to apps.
While the 4100 series provides satisfactory cleaning results, it may not satisfy tech-savvy users who crave advanced features such as real-time feedback on their cleaning habits. The toothbrush also lacks various cleaning modes and a travel case.
Sonicare ExpertClean 7300 allows you to achieve a level of cleaning comparable to that of dental care at home. It combines gentle cleaning with smart features to make the investment truly worthwhile. This toothbrush features a pressure sensor and three modes (Clean, Gum Health, and Deep Clean+) to meet your cleaning needs. Its technology delivers up to 31,000 brushes per minute for optimal deep cleaning, removing plaque without irritating your gums.
Sonicare has a range of brush heads, and this version automatically syncs, adjusting the mode and intensity depending on the brush head you connect. The Bluetooth app tracks your progress and gives tips to improve your technique. We appreciate the small brush head, which fits into hard-to-reach areas and makes it easy to navigate braces, crowns, and other dental work.
The app’s many features and settings can be overwhelming, so it may take some getting used to. It’s also a little louder than we expected.
Water irrigators are a great addition to your grooming routine as they help remove plaque and debris from tight crevices, especially braces where using traditional floss can be difficult. Waterpik Complete Care 9.0 combines a powerful waterpik and electric toothbrush into a charging base, freeing up counter space and power outlet use.
Includes a sonic toothbrush with 31,000 brushings per minute, a 10-stage irrigation head, a 90-second water reservoir, and additional floss attachments. The toothbrush has three modes (cleaning, whitening and massage) and a two-minute timer with a 30-second pedometer. We were pleased to find that the cleanliness of our teeth and gums improved significantly after switching from manual flossing to flossing. When you’re not using your toothbrush and water flosser, you can store and charge them on the same stand.
Water irrigators are noisy and messy, so it’s best to use them over a sink. People with sensitive gums should start with a lower pressure and gradually increase the pressure as needed. Unlike other models, this model does not have an app and a pressure sensor.
What we love about the Oral-B iO Series electric toothbrush is its premium travel case, which can hold the handle and up to two brush heads while you’re on the go. Its interactive color display makes it easy to switch between modes and intensity settings, so you can quickly adjust them as needed.
iO Series 8 has six smart modes, including a sensitive mode and an ultra-sensitive mode, suitable for people with delicate gums. Like the Oral-B Series 9, it uses artificial intelligence to track and display your brushing progress in the Oral-B app. However, the Series 8 model lacks some features, such as a tongue cleaning mode and a larger area tracking map. If you’re not worried about AI capabilities, it’s a worthy and more affordable alternative than its streamlined counterparts.
AI zone tracking categorizes brushing areas into 6 zones, compared to 16 zones on the Series 9. To access this feature, you’ll need to create an Oral-B account and download the app. The toothbrush cannot be charged if it is placed in the charging case.
The Smart Limited Electric Toothbrush is easy to use and ready to use right out of the box. This is a good choice for those who prefer a simple electric toothbrush that comes with everything you need, but without complicated instructions. Although it’s compatible with the Oral-B app, it’s very easy to use without it—you can skip the technology and focus on the basics.
Some of our favorite features of this toothbrush during testing were its ergonomic handle and ease of switching between five brushing modes. You can switch settings without removing it from your mouth. It’s compatible with seven Oral-B brush heads (sold separately), ranging from gentle to deep clean. This model also comes with a pressure sensor that slows down the brush’s brushing and alerts you if you’re brushing too hard.
The motion sensor that tracks the movement of the brush is not as advanced or accurate as some other models. It’s also more expensive if you don’t plan to use the app’s features.
The Voom Sonic Pro 5 Rechargeable Electronic Toothbrush has the same features and performance as many high-end toothbrushes, but at a lower price. It has five brushing modes, an impressive eight-week battery life, and a two-minute timer that pulses every 30 seconds so you know when to switch sectors while brushing.
Compared to the more expensive Oral-B model, we were shocked by the power of the brush. It’s also waterproof, compact, and available in five colors. The soft bristles won’t hurt your gums, and the backlit handle makes it easy to see which mode you’re in. A pack of four replacement heads costs around $10, making it an economical option without sacrificing any of our favorite features.
This stripped-down model lacks app connectivity, pressure sensors, or a travel case, which can be a deal-breaker for advanced brushes.
To find the best toothbrush for gum care, we personally tested 45 of the best toothbrushes on the market (including every product on this list) at home to see how they performed. We also spoke to dental experts who recommended features like soft bristles and pressure sensors to avoid further damage.
Ease of use: Is setup difficult or intuitive and how important is it to follow the instructions carefully?
Design: for example, whether the handle is too thick, too thin or just the right size, whether the brush head fits the size of our mouth, and whether it is easy to switch between settings while brushing our teeth.
Features: Does the brush have a built-in timer, multiple cleaning settings and battery life?
Features: Does the brush have special features such as app integration, a brushing timer, or sensors and alerts for brushing force.
Quality: How your teeth feel after brushing and whether the electric toothbrush does the majority of its job.
We’ve documented our experience and any noticeable differences (good and bad) compared to previous toothbrushes we’ve used. Finally, we averaged the scores for each attribute to obtain an overall score for comparison. We’ve narrowed down the final recommended models from 45 to the top 10.
We spoke to dentists and oral health experts to find out the key factors to consider when choosing a toothbrush to care for your gums. Our team played a key role in the testing and review process, providing valuable information and feedback on the best toothbrush options to protect delicate gum tissue. Among our experts:
Lindsay Modglin is a nurse and journalist with experience in healthcare procurement. Her articles on health and business have appeared in Forbes, Insider, Verywell, Parents, Healthline and other global publications. Her goal is to help readers make actionable and informed decisions about the products and services they use to improve their lives.
Post time: Jun-14-2024