Intro

Oral health is about more than just a pretty smile; it's also connected to your overall health and well-being.

In this episode, senior staff writer and toothbrush fanatic Nancy Redd explains how to brush properly, whether a manual or electric toothbrush is right for you, and how to find the best toothbrush for your family, no matter the budget. She shares surprising tips about oral hygiene and how to get kids excited about taking care of their teeth.

And don’t forget to check out our video guide on how to properly brush your teeth.

This episode covers: 

• Why oral hygiene is so important: Brushing for 2 minutes is key to a healthy mouth. Poor oral hygiene can affect your overall health.
• Electric vs. manual: A manual toothbrush is just as effective as an electric one if you brush for a full two minutes. The benefit of an electric toothbrush is its built-in timer, which ensures you brush long enough.
• Two types of electric toothbrushes: The top-rated Oral-B and Sonicare models differ in how they clean. Oral-B toothbrushes use an oscillating motion (a spinning, round head), while Sonicare models use a vibrating motion (a brush-shaped head that moves back and forth). If one is uncomfortable, try the other.
• Gentle toothbrushes: For a more gentle clean, consider a kid's electric toothbrush. They have a softer, smaller head and a milder vibration that's more comfortable for sensitive teeth and gums.
• Water flossers: If you have trouble flossing, a water flosser can be a great alternative. It uses a pressurized stream of water to blast away gunk from your teeth.

Products we recommend: 

• The best oscillating electric toothbrush: Oral-B Pro 1000
• A quieter, vibrating brush with more expensive refills: Philips Sonicare 4100
• The best kids electric toothbrush (also good for adults with sensitive teeth): Philips Sonicare for Kids Design a Pet Edition
• The best countertop water flosser: Waterpik Ion
• The best cordless water flosser: Philips Sonicare Power Flosser 3000 Cordless

Additional reading:

• The 2 Best Electric Toothbrushes of 2025
• The 2 Best Electric Toothbrushes for Kids in 2025
• Why You Should Avoid Knockoff Oral-B and Philips Sonicare Brush Heads
• The 3 Best Water Flossers of 2025

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The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.

Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast