As you'd expect, shoving a high-powered stream of pressurised water in your mouth and have disastrous consequences if you're not thoroughly prepared for the initial experience, so allow us to help you get used to the process. In all situations, we'd recommend filling the tank with fresh water from the tap. Some models have soluble fresheners that can be added to the water, or even UV cleansing lights but you should always begin with clean, fresh water. We asked Dr Praveen Sharma, a scientific advisor to the British Dental Association and specialist in restorative dentistry if dentists advise using a water flosser for teeth. He says: 'As a dentist, the preference would be for mechanical cleaning in between teeth with interdental brushes, where the anatomy allows. The timer worked well, though switching settings mid-brush could be smoother. Battery life impressed us—charged once, and it's been over a month with a single charge. We appreciate the absence of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or an app—it keeps brushing simple and effective. The technology & features vary from brush to brush, and often indicative of the price point. While more inexpensive models may have one brushing mode and a two-minute timer, higher-end models can be outfitted with everything from facial recognition to pressure sensors and Bluetooth connectivity. The narrative on flossing and how regularly you ought to be doing it has been conflicting, but pretty much any dentist worth their jar of lollipops agrees that some form of daily interdental brushing or flossing is essential. Especially if you want to avoid any future dental work because of gum disease, gingivitis and sensitive teeth.

Ease of Use: From the moment we open the box, we're noting how easy the toothbrushes are to set up and whether the settings are intuitive to use. Products with simpler assembly and out-of-the-box operation score higher than more complicated models. Waterpik advice says to do this by filling the water reservoir with one to two tablespoons of white vinegar mixed with warm water and running this through the water flosser. Battery life We fully charge each water flosser and run it on its highest setting until the battery drains. We time how long it takes for the battery to drain. According to Dr. Schlenoff, if used properly, both manual and electric toothbrushes can be effective. He says it's really a matter of personal preference. While they can both do a good job cleaning your teeth, an electric toothbrush comes with smart technology like pressure sensors, facial recognition, and brushing timers. If those features are appealing to you, you may prefer an electric toothbrush.Considering the fair price, especially in comparison to similar products without the water flosser, we believed it offered great value. It's particularly beneficial for those with sensitive gums or gaps between their teeth. Despite its loud noise when in use, the Waterpik Complete Care 9.0 is a compelling choice, with minor improvements such as quieter operation and more effective tongue cleaning nubs to enhance the experience. The Oral-B Genius 9600 electric toothbrush stands out as the epitome of excellence among Oral-B's offerings, combining advanced features, efficient cleaning modes, and thoughtful accessories for an exceptional dental care experience. The color "white" on the ring, indicating gentler pressure, is actually blue, potentially causing confusion or misunderstanding for users. Post-brushing, our teeth felt exceptionally clean, akin to a dental visit. Given the brand's reputation and the toothbrush's settings and intensities, this toothbrush is a great fit for those looking for a thorough and effective clean.

It only took us a few moments to grasp how to operate the Oral-B Genius 9600 Electric Toothbrush. While a bit heavier than some others we tested, it wasn't bothersome. The variety of cleaning modes delighted us. Switching between regular, light brushing, whitening, and tongue settings was easy—just press the down arrow and the handle lights up with the correct mode. Despite not finding a pressure sensor, we didn't miss it much as we could switch to a gentler mode if needed. Bluetooth connectivity is available, but we didn't find it necessary as all the features worked fine without it. Starting with an affordable price tag, the Voom Sonic Pro 5 Rechargeable Electronic Toothbrush offers much more than expected in terms of features and effectiveness. We found the setup of the Voom Sonic Pro 5 Rechargeable Electronic Toothbrush to be remarkably easy and intuitive. While most settings were self-explanatory, we referred to the manual to grasp each function thoroughly. The handle was the perfect width, offering comfortable handling. Although the brush head seemed initially small, it worked well, and switching between settings was simple despite occasional accidental changes. We found the setup of the Oral-B iO Series 5 toothbrush to be straightforward, but understanding the light-up buttons required reading the instructions, especially for first-time electric toothbrush users. The built-in timer with 30-second alerts and a 2-minute indicator worked well, though the toothbrush didn't auto-stop at 2 minutes as expected. The battery life indicator and pressure sensor were valuable features. The toothbrush can connect to a Bluetooth app, providing extra functionalities like a timer, ring color customization, and an AI display to monitor brushing. The most important thing to remember when using a water flosser is to always place the classic jet tip inside your mouth before turning it on to avoid any splash-related incidents in the bathroom.With over five years’ experience in beauty and health journalism, Florence has written for ELLE, Women’s Fitness, Sister Magazine, National Geographic Traveller and many more, with a strong sustainability angle thread through much of her work. To further accommodate sensitive mouths, you can also look for soft or gentle brush heads. Dr. Seibert also recommends using a toothpaste or fluoride or one that has been formulated for sensitive teeth. The Oral-B iO Series 5 toothbrush is an excellent choice for sensitive teeth, thanks to its specialized sensitivity modes and gentle brushing experience. The toothbrush offers multiple settings (sensitive, extra sensitive, intense, polish) and various intensity levels. Initially, we thought the toothbrush might be too thin, but it was just right for reaching all areas comfortably, and the brush head size suited our needs. Design, Functionality, and Features: Through every brushing session, we're paying attention to how easy the brushes are to hold and maneuver around our mouths. We note the size of the brush heads and how well they fit and get into all the crevices of our teeth and gums and whether they're comfortable or too stiff and firm. We go through all the settings, evaluating how helpful they are and whether they add or distract from the brushing experience. We use the built-in timers, note battery life indicators, and assess the "extras" it comes with (such as additional brushheads, chargers, travel cases, stands, and more). If the toothbrush connects to an app, we logged in, used it, and judged how helpful and/or clunky it was to navigate. The Oral-B Genius 9600 Electric Toothbrush is slightly heavier than some other toothbrush models, which might be a minor concern for individuals seeking a lighter toothbrush.

Cordless vs. countertop: If you're looking for versatility and portability, opt for a handheld, cordless water flosser. Most cordless flossers can be used in the shower, minimizing mess. If you have the counter space, consider a corded countertop model as they have greater water capacity and more pressure settings. They’re also easier on the hands — since most of their weight rests on the counter, all you have to lift is a lightweight wand. Electric toothbrushes are battery-powered brushes that use oscillating or sonic vibrating movements to remove plaque build-up, debris and bacteria. Most modern models feature two-minute timers, multiple cleaning modes and pressure sensors to ensure you aren't brushing too hard. How we test electric toothbrushes Experts recommend changing your brush heads every three to four months. That's because bristles start to wear out and become more abrasive on your gums. To date we've tested over 40 electric toothbrushes to find the best ones on the market, doing three distinct tests with Oral-B, Sonicare, and a broader range of brands including Quip, Waterpik, Colgate, and more. Since we started testing electric toothbrushes, we've spent over 3,472 hours brushing our teeth with electric toothbrushes in the Lab (under the expert guidance of Dr. Marc Schlenoff, Vice President of Clinical Development at Tend) and at home. This is what we look for when we're testing each electric toothbrush.

Tips for using a water flosser

When you travel a lot, there’s nothing more annoying than forgetting your toothbrush because you left it charging in a hotel somewhere. But good news – instead of needing cables, this smart gadget charges inside its travel case. Earning top marks across the board for its mess-free deep cleaning, ease of use and quietness, the Philips Sonicare water flosser aced our test, earning 96% in overall satisfaction among our consumer testers. One tester described it as their "all-time favorite" product throughout 20 years of using water flossers. Changing settings mid-brush requires stopping the brush, interrupting the flow of the brushing experience. The hum by Colgate stands out as the ultimate toothbrush for kids, revolutionizing their brushing experience and turning it into an enjoyable, stress-free routine.