Sonic or electric toothbrush – which one is the best, what to choose?

Brushing our teeth is as obvious to us as eating breakfast. It is a basic hygienic activity that keeps the oral cavity in good condition. Teeth cleaning can be performed with the use of ordinary hand brushes or technologically advanced electric toothbrushes. The latter are becoming more and more popular and are recommended by specialists. We divide these types of brushes into electric ones with a small round head and sonic ones. How are these two devices different? What is their principle of operation? Is it better to choose a model with a round head or a sonic one?

How does a sonic toothbrush work?

The head of such a brush has an oblong, streamlined shape similar to that of manual toothbrushes. It moves from side to side with a frequency of 31 thousand. per minute, which is far more than manual brushing movements, which is why it is able to remove more plaque than a manual toothbrush. Additionally, a cloud of bubbles generated by the action of a sound wave in a mixture of saliva and toothpaste carries the paste ingredients to hard-to-reach places, effectively cleaning the intercostal spaces.

The result of all these activities is breaking the plaque, removing discoloration and deposits from the enamel surface, as well as thorough cleaning even in hard-to-reach places. This effect cannot be achieved with a manual brush – the human hand is not able to make such quick and specific movements.

It should be remembered that when using a sonic toothbrush it is recommended to use an additional hand movement – sweeping as with a manual toothbrush. The vibrating side-to-side movement of the brush head initially scatters the plaque. In order to effectively remove the sediment, it must be mechanically wiped off.

How does an electric toothbrush with a small round head work?

The round head of the electric toothbrush makes 3D movements, thanks to which it easily reaches all parts of the teeth. The brush fibers carefully cover each tooth individually, so even the rear, larger teeth will not be able to resist the power of this device. The head movement used here effectively breaks down and at the same time sweeps away plaque and plaque from the teeth.

The brush is also effective in cleaning the space between your teeth. After turning it on, also, as in the previously described sonic brush, we will hear sounds, and in the mixture of saliva and toothpaste we will observe a cloud of bubbles. Electric toothbrushes with round heads can work in 2D or 3D technology. What does it mean? 2D models perform oscillating-rotational movements, while 3D oscillating-rotating-pulsating. The 2D brush head moves right and left once 45 degrees. In addition, the fibers also vibrate and make plaque easier to remove.

On the other hand, 3D brushes, i.e. oscillating-rotating-pulsating brushes, in addition to the two above-mentioned functions, can also pulsate (move forward and backward).

This combination of movements will significantly reduce tartar build-up and reduce the number of related visits to the dentist’s office. Regular use of an electric toothbrush with a round head eliminates excess plaque on a regular basis. The devices of the most famous brands in 3D technology generate from 20 thousand. up to 48 thousand pulsating movements per minute. In contrast, 2D models operate with a frequency of up to 10,5 thousand. oscillation-rotation per minute.

Sonic toothbrush or with a round head?

All battery-powered brushes perform significantly more cleaning movements than a manual toothbrush, and are safe and comfortable to use. However, there are also aspects that make them different. It is primarily the shape of the head, the way it is moved and the technique of its use that is of the greatest importance. The first thing that catches the eye is, of course, the type of head.

Remember that the shape of the head is important in the fight against plaque. Electric toothbrushes with a round head adjust to the shape of each tooth and easily reach the space between the teeth. Their shape is similar to professional dental tools. On the other hand, the head in sonic brushes is deceptively similar to that in manual toothbrushes. Its elongated shape rests on several teeth at the same time.

Find out more: Brush test: sonic or electric with a round head?

However, the head itself is not everything, what also matters is the technology used, i.e. the way in which the head moves.

Both sonic brushes and those with a round head emit sounds and create a cloud of bubbles in the mixture of saliva and paste. In both types, the most effective source of cleaning energy is the action of the fibers directly on the cleaned tooth surface. The greatest difference between them is the shape of the head, the way it adheres to the tooth surface and the type of movements it makes.

In a sonic toothbrush we have a rectangular head that covers more than one tooth and vibrates from side to side. When using this type of brush, an additional hand movement should be performed – sweeping, similar to a manual toothbrush.

In electric toothbrushes with a round head, the fibers cover each tooth separately, also reaching the spaces between the teeth. In 3D technology, the pulsating movement breaks the bacterial plaque, and the oscillating-rotational sweeps it working along the gum line, which ensures its delicacy and safety for these tissues. The use technique is very simple – no unnecessary movements. It is enough to put the tip gently to the tooth, wait about 1,5 seconds. next to each of its surfaces and it’s ready!

More precise adherence to each tooth separately, gentle and effective work of the fibers contributes to perfect results. As shown by many clinical studies, the small round head of electric toothbrushes removes more bacterial plaque and is more effective in reducing gingival bleeding than sonic variants.

Do you want to buy an electric toothbrush but are not sure what to look for when shopping? See the guide: “Electric toothbrush – how to choose the best one? Guide”

The best sonic and electric toothbrushes with a round head

Among the electric toothbrushes in 3D technology, Oral-B Genius 10000N Orchid Purple is recommended. This model features the first Oral-B smart brushing system with the latest gum protection technology. The toothbrush has a built-in pressure control that helps you judge how tightly you press the head and the index head when you brush your teeth too intensely. If we accidentally miss an area in the mouth, the device will inform us about it thanks to the additional position detection function.

This is a revolutionary technology used by Oral-B. This model also gently whitens the teeth. It has been equipped with 6 brushing modes (including PRO Clean, whitening, gum care and gentle cleaning) and a battery that works on a single charge for more than 2 weeks.

If you’re interested in sonic models, let’s take a closer look at the Oral-B Pulsonic Slim Luxe 4200. This device provides healthier gums in just 4 weeks!

The elongated head moves at a speed of 31 thousand. movements per minute, removes deposits and surface discoloration. We can choose from 3 modes of operation – daily cleaning, gentle cleaning and whitening. The sonic brush is small, so it fits comfortably in your hand and you can easily take it with you on a trip. Its advantage is its incredible lightness.

Still hesitating? Are you not sure which Oral-B toothbrush is best for you? Find out more: Ranking of Oral-B sonic toothbrushes.

How to brush your teeth with a sonic or electric toothbrush?

Both types of toothbrush clean teeth more thoroughly than a manual toothbrush. However, the principle of the movement of their heads is different, so the method of use will not be the same. If we decide to use an electric toothbrush with a round head, when washing, simply put the head with the toothpaste on each subsequent tooth. We don’t have to make any other move. When we clean one tooth, move the head to the next one and hold it down for a moment. We start washing from the outer surfaces, and then move on to the inner and chewing surfaces.

During washing, the sonic brush must be slowly moved over the surface of the teeth at an angle of 45 degrees. At the same time, it is worth making a gentle sweeping motion to increase the cleaning efficiency. This method of brushing is similar to using a regular manual toothbrush. For this reason, sonic brushes are often recommended to people who are just getting used to electric models.

Regardless of which model you choose for yourself, remember to always brush your teeth for about two minutes and at least twice a day (morning and evening before going to bed). After brushing, rinse the head thoroughly with water and let it dry. Let’s not forget to charge the device regularly. The best models can operate on a single charge for up to 2 weeks. Let’s check the manual to see what it looks like with our toothbrush.

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