Favourite toothbrush for braces

[angelina]

My apologies if this has been done to death, I did a search but couldn't find much using the search function.

What is your favourite toothbrush for use when you have braces, can be manual, electric...or otherwise?

I felt my hygiene declined when I was using my electric oral B. I don't know why, they just didn't seem as clean and I found cleaning my tongue difficult. I'm back to using a manual brush but I have receding gums on a couple of teeth thanks to overzealous brushing so I actually wouldn't mind having a go with another electric toothbrush with a pressure sensor to force me to not brush too hard....can this be reversed?

I have done some research and last night and narrowed it down to sonic are flexcare platinum, I also like the look of the diamond clean but it's more expensive. Does anyone have and like (or hate) this toothbrush?

Thanks in advance

[EWUgal15]

I have a Sonicare Flexcare something or other. It's available as a two pack at Costco and basically one step down from the Diamond. I love it. I started using my Sonicare before I got braces and loved it then too.

[BamaBraces]

I'm also interested in what everyone thinks of electric toothbrushes. My regular dentist highly recommends them and said I would love one with braces. Prior to braces I was using one of the battery spin brushes but didn't feel it cleaned as good as a manual brush with braces. I asked my orthodontist and he seemed to think manual brushes made cleaning easier for most clients.

I am pondering paying for extra cleanings throughout the year over what insurance covers because ortho office did scare me a bit showing pics of braces that came off clients that didn't brush well.

[EWUgal15]

My orthodontist and oral surgeon both recommend Sonicare brushes. The orthodontist also recommended spending 2 minutes per arch, brushing at a downward angle from the top of brackets, an upward angle from the bottom of brackets and then straight on the front of brackets. Doing that, my mouth feels super clean and I've been cavity free for my entire braces treatment. I have gotten compliments from my orthodontist and regular dentist about how clean I keep my teeth. I recommend Sonicare based on that and how clean my teeth feel after a brushing.

[ItsFreyja]

I'm a big fan of my ultrasonic-style electric toothbrush. (It's Waterpik brand, but I can't believe there are big differences among the brands.) It does an awesome job cleaning at the gumline just by holding the toothbrush there! I think a Spinbrush-type brush might not be the best choice for braces since there's not really enough room for the head to rotate freely up by the gumline. And the danger with manual brushing is that it's easy to just scrub at the brackets and miss a ton of plaque at the gumline. With the sonic brush, since you don't have to worry about making little circles, it's easier to hit all the right spots.

[angelina]

I am pondering paying for extra cleanings throughout the year over what insurance covers because ortho office did scare me a bit showing pics of braces that came off clients that didn't brush well.

I'm seeing the hygienist every 3 months now. This braces bizzo is very expensive, and not just the orthodontist!

I have a Sonicare Flexcare something or other. It's available as a two pack at Costco and basically one step down from the Diamond. I love it. I started using my Sonicare before I got braces and loved it then too.

Do you think the diamond is any better? I had a look at it and it looks very fancy but I'm not sure I'd use the extra settings. I could request one for Christmas from my dear husband but I think it's a good $70+ AUD more than the flexcare.

My orthodontist and oral surgeon both recommend Sonicare brushes. The orthodontist also recommended spending 2 minutes per arch, brushing at a downward angle from the top of brackets, an upward angle from the bottom of brackets and then straight on the front of brackets. Doing that, my mouth feels super clean and I've been cavity free for my entire braces treatment. I have gotten compliments from my orthodontist and regular dentist about how clean I keep my teeth. I recommend Sonicare based on that and how clean my teeth feel after a brushing.

I'm a big fan of my ultrasonic-style electric toothbrush. (It's Waterpik brand, but I can't believe there are big differences among the brands.) It does an awesome job cleaning at the gumline just by holding the toothbrush there! I think a Spinbrush-type brush might not be the best choice for braces since there's not really enough room for the head to rotate freely up by the gumline. And the danger with manual brushing is that it's easy to just scrub at the brackets and miss a ton of plaque at the gumline. With the sonic brush, since you don't have to worry about making little circles, it's easier to hit all the right spots.

Alright I think I'm convinced on a sonic! Thanks everyone amazing how much handy info is on this forum. Being Down Under we don't even really know what water piks or sonic toothbrushes are, and I thought my teeth were pretty white and clean. I'm going to be the Queen of dental hygiene.

[EWUgal15]

I think the only difference between the Flexcare and Diamondclean is the RPM (for lack of a better term). I wouldn't say that it's worthy paying more when the Flexcare does everything the diamond clean does.

[daveq]

Sonicare here too. Does a great job around the brackets and wire. Have had the braces for just over a year and use the Sonicare 2-3 times a day. Just had a cleaning at my dentist yesterday and they complimented me on my teeth and gums. That never happened before the Sonicare and the braces.

[NeilH]

I have used a Sonicare Diamond electric toothbrush for a couple of years and think it is absolutely fantastic. My teeth have never been so clean and I'm so looking forward to using it once my braces come off. I generally don't use the various settings and stick to the 'clean' mode which does a first class job. I like the USB charging case that it comes with as well as the charging glass which is a bit different. I have a couple of minor gripes in that they do not make a small head in black, only the standard size and the charge doesn't last very long (but in recent days I have been talking to the aftercare team and they will hopefully resolve the charging issue). So overall, it's worth the money and the moment this one reaches the end of its life, I will be buying another one.

[metalliKa]

I had a Braun (Oral B) electric toothbrush, forgot what series, that died on me. Loved it and I was sad but I never got to getting a new one so for now I'm manually brushing my teeth. I suppose as long as you're brushing well, it doesn't matter what equipment you use. One of these days, maybe I'll talk myself into getting another electric toothbrush.

[EWUgal15]

I have used a Sonicare Diamond electric toothbrush for a couple of years and think it is absolutely fantastic. My teeth have never been so clean and I'm so looking forward to using it once my braces come off. I generally don't use the various settings and stick to the 'clean' mode which does a first class job. I like the USB charging case that it comes with as well as the charging glass which is a bit different. I have a couple of minor gripes in that they do not make a small head in black, only the standard size and the charge doesn't last very long (but in recent days I have been talking to the aftercare team and they will hopefully resolve the charging issue). So overall, it's worth the money and the moment this one reaches the end of its life, I will be buying another one.

You can find the smaller size brush heads on Amazon. I think they come in a two pack. The super cool thing is that if you're an Amazon Prime member, you can set up a subscription for the brush heads you want/need and they will ship and charge automatically. It's really cool. I've also seen them on the manufacturer (actual name was flagged a spam) website.

[angelina]

I just used my new sonicare platinum for the first time with the small head and oh my I love it. I didn't even feel this good after using my waterpik for the first time. I'm a total convert!