Understanding the different types of toothbrushes

You probably know you're supposed to brush your teeth twice a day. If you do the full two minutes each time, it comes out to nearly a half-hour a week! With all this time spent brushing, it's worth getting a toothbrush you enjoy using that benefits your oral health.

What we think of as the modern toothbrush (a stick with nylon bristles) was invented in 1938. The basic design and mechanism still do the trick, but today, there are actually several different types of toothbrushes.

What are they, and what (or who) are they for? Keep scrolling to find out.

Manual toothbrushes

First, we have manual toothbrushes. This type of toothbrush isn't powered by a battery, and it doesn't have any moving parts — it's just a handle with bristles at the end.

If you know how to work it, the American Dental Association says a manual toothbrush can be just as effective at removing plaque as the electric variety.

Advantages of Manual Toothbrushes

Manual toothbrushes are simple and easy to use. And since they don't require a battery and never need to be recharged, they're conveniently portable.

Generally speaking, this type of toothbrush is more affordable than powered brushes. Also, you can throw it out after three or four months and use any new one you choose rather than having to buy a compatible replacement head.

Best uses for manual toothbrushes

Traditional toothbrushes can be good for travel if you'd rather not pack a charger or worry about the battery of an electric brush dying. They can also be good for kids learning to brush their teeth or brushing a baby's teeth while they're still growing in.

Electric toothbrushes

Then you've got electric toothbrushes. These battery-powered tools call on high-frequency vibrations or rotating heads to move the toothbrush bristles so they efficiently clean and polish your teeth.

Benefits of electric toothbrushes

Research has shown that electric toothbrushes do a better job removing plaque and preventing gingivitis than their manual counterparts.

Powered toothbrushes might also make it easier to effectively deep-clean your teeth, especially for those with limited dexterity (hand mobility). Many have integrated timers that let you know when the recommended two minutes are up. And some — like quip — pulse every 30 seconds, telling you when to move the next area of your mouth.

Types of electric toothbrushes: sonic vs. oscillating

The two main types of electric toothbrushes are sonic toothbrushes and oscillating toothbrushes:

• Sonic. Sonic toothbrushes vibrate the bristles to provide more effective teeth cleaning than simply moving a brush back and forth by hand. Sometimes called hybrid brushes, this type of toothbrush is convenient because it can be used both manually and with its electric capabilities. If your toothbrush was out of charge, you could still use it like a traditional manual toothbrush.

• Oscillating. Oscillating toothbrushes usually have smaller round heads that spin or rotate back and forth. This type of toothbrush has been shown to be better than manual brushing for getting rid of plaque and keeping gum disease at bay.

Our blog has tips on how to use an electric toothbrush.

Specialty Toothbrushes

There are also specialty toothbrushes to meet different needs and preferences:

• Toothbrushes for sensitive teeth. Whether manual or electric, toothbrushes for sensitive teeth tend to have soft bristles that won't poke, scratch, or irritate the gums. Some powered models have a gentler "sensitive" mode.

• Orthodontic toothbrushes for braces. Interdental toothbrushes look like tiny bottle cleaners. They're meant to clean between the teeth and within the metal brackets of braces.

• Eco-friendly and sustainable toothbrush options. You can also find eco-friendly designs made of biodegradable materials (like bamboo toothbrushes) or antimicrobial options that may not need to be replaced as often, like silicone.

Choosing the right toothbrush for your oral care needs

With so many different types of toothbrushes available, how do you choose the right one for your needs? Consider your:

• Oral health needs. If you were recently told by your dentist to step up your oral hygiene habits, an electric toothbrush is a wise choice. Or you may want to consider an interdental brush or a small, round brush head if you have braces.

• Age: A regular manual toothbrush might be best for children still learning how to properly brush their teeth, and an electric toothbrush with a small, soft toothbrush head is ideal for older kids. Powered toothbrushes are good for most adults.

• Preferences: Think about your personal preferences too. For instance, some people find that using an electric toothbrush makes twice-a-day brushing more enjoyable.

Where to buy your ideal toothbrush

In the market for a new toothbrush? quip has what you need. Our collection of electric toothbrushes includes hybrid sonic toothbrushes, oscillating toothbrushes, and kids toothbrushes.

And don't forget replacement heads! We (and the ADA) recommend swapping yours out every three months. Explore quip’s selection of powered toothbrushes and other oral care products!

Establish good oral hygiene with the right toothbrush for you. Make teeth cleaning fun for your whole family by getting them the right brush and bristle type. 

Sources:

Library of Congress. (2024). Who invented the toothbrush and when was it invented?. Science Reference Section.

American Dental Association (ADA). (2022). Toothbrushes.

Jain Y. (2013). A comparison of the efficacy of powered and manual toothbrushes in controlling plaque and gingivitis: a clinical study. Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dentistry, 5, 3–9. doi.org/10.2147/CCIDE.S40656

Cleveland Clinic. (2023). Here's Why You Should Be Using an Electric Toothbrush. Health Essentials.

Favrel S, et al. (2020). Efficacy of a Hybrid Toothbrush versus Comparative Manual Toothbrush for Plaque Removal - Randomized In-Use Study. Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dentistry, 12, 241–250. doi.org/10.2147/CCIDE.S257411

Robinson PG, et al. (2005). Manual versus powered toothbrushing for oral health. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, (2), CD002281. doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD002281.pub2

Rebane I, et al. (2023). Microbial growth and adhesion of Escherichia coli in elastomeric silicone foams with commonly used additives. Sci Rep 13, 8541 (2023). doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-35239-9