Fun does not brush teeth actually. But if you have a root treatment behind you, the procedure is quite pleasant. If then still comfortable technology assists - the better! Electric toothbrushes are now found in many German bathrooms . But which models clean thoroughly and gently? Does it have to be a toothbrush or a rotary brush? The answer is the test, for which six electric toothbrushes were compared in the laboratory and the hard plaster insert.
Huge price differences
Precisely because inadequate or bad dental care can have so painful and extremely expensive consequences, many customers pay for expensive models with many extras up to 200 euros - is still cheaper than a new bridge. But does a 10 Euro brush from the discounter really bad? Especially since it is not done with the purchase of the electric toothbrush: Who has worn the supplied brush heads after a few months, has to buy new - and they are partially expensive. In addition, electric toothbrushes do not have a very long life, because although technically quite possible, their batteries can not be changed. After a few years, the electricity store is over, and a new brush has to come. Sometimes water gets in the way of time and the electronics lame. After the warranty expires. Especially with more expensive brushes beyond 100 euros annoying.
Brushing teeth with medical assistance
In order to test the equipment, the cleaning effect, the technique and the handling of the toothbrushes, the company was cooperated with the renowned Stuttgart institute IPI. Part of the elaborate test course was a test with 20 subjects and medical support. For an additional, independent assessment of the results, expert advice was obtained from Dr. Katy Düsterhöft. The doctor works at the MVZ Dentologicum in Hamburg, the largest dental care center for oral-maxillofacial surgery in northern Germany.
Rotation or sound?
Electric toothbrushes are available in two versions:
- Rotary brush: It is also known as an electric round head toothbrush and pivots its round brushhead back and forth about 4400 times per minute. On some models, the brush head also pulsates backwards and forwards, in the test, the two Braun Oral-B models.
- Sonic toothbrush: This variant is even more rapid, because it works with 15,000 to 40,000 vibrations per minute. The term "sonic toothbrush" is, however, misleading, since, of course, not the sound cleans, but the associated vibration of the oval brushhead.
Danger to the gums
Does one of these variants better brush the teeth? No! As the results of the test show, Braun's rotation test winner follows a Philips toothbrush with virtually identical cleaning effects. However, some people are better off with a rotary brush. In addition, the individual cleaning behavior plays a role: With a round head brush you have to clean each tooth individually. Toothbrushes clean their heads with a larger surface at a time - this can be useful for people who are devoted to a little less dedication to tooth hygiene.
Bristly?
The quality of the bristles is more important than the drive technology of the device. And here, the institute IPI found clear differences: Only well-rounded bristles as in the test winner clean the teeth thoroughly and gently - but sharp-edged or broken tips can injure the gums.
The toothbrush as a gadget
The differences in equipment are less significant in words. All test candidates have a timer which reports the end of the two-minute cleaning work. A pressure sensor can also be helpful; In the test field, however, only the two devices from Braun warn if the brush head presses too hard and so stresses the gum. If you do not have to look at the money, you can expand your collection of smart gadgets with an electric toothbrush, which sparks data to the smartphone.
Expensive after the purchase
But do not be impressed by a brush trio or quartet that comes with the toothbrush. Please pay attention to the price of the replacement brush heads instead, because there are clear differences: the standard brush heads for Braun and Panasonic devices cost 5 euros each, Philips even requires 7.50 euros - who changes the attachment every two months In 45 euros for new brushes! The devices of the big drugstore markets show that it is more favorable. At Müller, a brush costs 2 euros, while Rossmann even costs only 1.60 euros.
Power consumption and battery life
The electricity consumption of electric toothbrushes, on the other hand, The recharge times of the test candidates fluctuate extremely but in practice it does not matter whether the device with a load now 50 minutes or nearly 4 hours of cleaning - after 2 minutes is eh end. What about charging time? The testers have tested whether 5 minutes of charging time for a cleaning process - but only the Philips and Panasonic models.
Tip: Because the battery does not change, you should take care of it, ie: Leave the newly purchased brush in the charger until the battery is fully charged. After that, the toothbrush should be returned to the charger only when the battery is almost empty. Repeat this procedure approximately once a month, otherwise you can put the toothbrush on the charger after each cleaning.
Break for the electric brush
Do not clean your teeth completely. "I recommend that you always brush your hands with your hand, so you do not forget it," advises dentist Dr. Katy Düsterhöft. "This way you do not forget your motor skills and you can just put the normal toothbrush back on your holiday, for example.
Conclusion: Electric toothbrushes in the test
None of the tested electric toothbrushes is a fault. After choosing a functional principle - rotation or sound brush - one finds among the models in the places 1 to 4 only devices with good or even very good cleaning effect. The test winner Oral-B Genius 9000 from Braun is however with an MSRP of 299.99 euros extremely expensive. At the other end of the spectrum is around € 25 the winner of Müller's prize, but its cleaning effect is only "satisfactory". Between these two price extremes you will find three good models between 40 and 100 euros. Annoying: The battery can not be exchanged with any of the toothbrushes tested. In the event of a defect after expiry of the warranty, only the dustbin remains. Here the industry should improve!