Best Oral-B Electric Toothbrushes in the UK

You know about the importance of brushing teeth, don’t you? But what do you know about the toothbrush you are using? Let’s have a quick look at some facts you might not have known about.

The Evolution of Toothbrushes

In 3500 BC Babylonians and Egyptians used chewing sticks from the Salvadora Persica tree branches for teeth brushing. Also, they used boar bristles that were attached to a bamboo handle.
In 1600 BC Chinese used to chew sticks made of roots and plant limbs. They beat one end of the stick into soft fibres to scrub teeth. By the way, these chewing sticks are used by some people up to now.
In 1498 Europeans started travelling to China for toothbrushes made of hog bristles and bamboo.
In 1780 William Addis of Clerkenwald introduced the first toothbrush made from swine fibres and cattle bone that was mass-produced in Europe.
In 1885 toothbrushes were mass-produced in America by the Florence Manufacturing Company.
In 1938 bristles made of pig innards were replaced by nylon ones.
In 1960 the first electric toothbrush called Broxodent was introduced to the US by the Squibb Company.

The original electric toothbrushes had to be plugged into a wall outlet. Today’s modern electric brushes come with rechargeable batteries and can be used multiple times before they need to be recharged. Over the years, many new brands have appeared and now there are dozens of brands producing and marketing electric toothbrushes.

5 Facts About Toothbrushes

Reinast, a German toothbrush company has created the world's most expensive electric toothbrush, which costs $ 4,000! This luxurious toothbrush is made from titanium with replaceable bristle heads and an antibacterial coating. Due to the strong titanium corpus, this brush lasts for life. The company also provides their clients with a lifetime supply of replaceable bristle heads free of charge.

Americans throw away approximately 25,000 tons of toothbrushes per year. Recently, manufacturers have started to produce toothbrushes from recyclable materials to minimise waste.

Originally, the bristles were made of animal hair. Modern toothbrushes are made of nylon or a nylon-polyester blend. We have been using toothbrushes for thousands of years, but only in recent decades toothbrushes have evolved to the stage where they can offer real protection against tooth decay.

Regardless of so many brands available, there are 2 types of electric toothbrushes: sonic and electric. Electric toothbrushes replicate hand motions and they can produce from 3000 to 7500 motions per minute. The bristles on electric brushes either move forth and back or rotate. Sonic toothbrushes are a type of electric ones, yet they are much faster. Actually, these toothbrushes can deliver up to 40,000 strokes per minute, which makes them very effective at removing plaque.

If you had a cold or another contagious illness, you should dispose of your old toothbrush immediately in order to avoid exposing yourself to bacteria and possible infection.

Electric vs. Manual Toothbrushes

The study conducted in 2003 showed that electric toothbrushes are better at reducing plaque buildup and the risk of gingivitis, compared to brushing the regular way. Though, according to the same study, both manual and electric toothbrushes are equally effective if used properly. Besides, electric toothbrushes are great for people with dexterity problems. For example, arthritis sufferers may find it easier to use than a regular one.

Q: What are the benefits of electric toothbrushes compared to manual ones?

A: Not that many, in fact. Both manual and electric toothbrushes are effective at brushing teeth. The cases in which we'd definitely recommend giving preference to e-brushes are if you have some serious teeth condition requiring gentle cleaning, you wear some dental hardware that needs careful treatment, or you simply prefer electric solutions over manual toothbrushes. Another advantage of electric toothbrushes is that they are more effective at removing plaque than manual ones, which makes them a solid choice for those seeking an effective means to improve their personal dental care.

Q: What does the red light on my toothbrush mean?

A: Many Oral-B toothbrushes include a pressure sensor which lights up when a user applies too much pressure on the teeth. If it constantly lights up, perhaps some toothpaste got stuck around the metal pin which connects to the brush head. Try to rinse the handle and pin thoroughly under warm water. Another case when the indicator might start flashing red is when the battery level drops low and it’s time to recharge the toothbrush.

Q: How do I know if my toothbrush is charging?

A: The Oral-B toothbrushes come without a charging indicator, which complicates this process a bit. So the best way to check whether the brush is charging or not is to pick it up from the charging station after 30 minutes of it being charged and turn it on. If it's been charged, you'll know it from the first strokes. If not, you will need to put it back on the base for more charging. Remember that you should charge the brush only when it's turned off otherwise the charging process won't begin.

Q: How often should I change my electric toothbrush to ensure the maximum effectiveness?

A: It depends on how often you use the brush, really. Visually, though, all is simple. Since all Oral-B toothbrushes have blue indicator bristles, when they start to fade in colour, it means you need to replace the brush head. This is one of the most reliable methods of determining whether or not the brush head you use is old enough to be replaced.

Q: How can I reset the timer?

A: If the brush has been off for 30 seconds or so, you should reset the timer. If you turn the timer off before the 2 minutes are over and then turn it on again within the next 30 seconds, it will continue from where you left it off.

Q: What toothbrush bristles should I choose?

A: Most dentists recommend using a brush with medium or soft bristles, as they are gentler on the gums and more effective in removing plaque due to their flexibility. The brush design doesn’t influence its effectiveness, so you may choose the one you like.

Q: What is the proper brushing technique?

A: Hold the brush angled at 45 ° to the tooth to allow the bristles to reach under the gumline. Jiggle the brush head gently with a short, vibrating motion, and then move to the next area. After that, scrub the chewing surfaces.

Try to brush teeth gently to prevent your gums from scratching and damaging. Brush the tops of molars, inner and outer surfaces of your teeth. Don’t forget to clean your tongue and cheeks to freshen your breath and remove bacteria.

Q: What are the most common mistakes people make when brushing teeth?

A: Many people brush their teeth too fast and often miss some spots in the back of their mouth where plaque may remain. It’s the most common brushing mistake, as plaque germs may cause cavities and gum diseases.