Sonic vs rotating toothbrushes: Which is better? (2024)

Sonic vs rotating toothbrushes: Which is better? (1)

If you’ve tried to buy an electric toothbrush at any point in the last few years, you’ll know there are lots (and we mean lots) of different varieties. From charging stations and in-built timers to artificial intelligence, connected apps, and wall mounts, the amount of gimmicks attached to the best electric toothbrushes is many and varied.

However, before you make your selection, the main choice you need to know about is the kind of brushing action you want: rotating or sonic. What do these key terms mean, what’s the difference between them, and which is better for fighting off tooth decay and gum disease? We’ll break it all down below.

What do “sonic” and “rotating” actually mean?

Sonic vs rotating toothbrushes: Which is better? (2)

A sonic toothbrush uses vibrations to move the bristles in two directions, side-to-side or up-and-down, to remove plaque and clean more efficiently than a manual toothbrush. A sonic toothbrush vibrates at a high frequency, but still only moves in one dimension.

A rotating toothbrush, on the other hand, might still vibrate, but the bristles move back and forth in a circular motion. You’ve probably seen those characteristic circular heads on many electric toothbrushes. These brushes can still vibrate in addition to the circular motion of the brush head, depending on the model.

It's really that simple. Sonic equals side-to-side, rotating or oscillating equals circular movements.

Sonic vs rotating vs manual toothbrush: Which is better?

Sonic vs rotating toothbrushes: Which is better? (3)

Both sonic and rotating toothbrushes offer benefits over a manual toothbrush, including improved plaque removal, according to a meta-analysis of studies published before 2021. Plaque is a sticky film over your teeth which is a hub for bacteria, which eventually cause all kinds of problems including gum disease. Therefore, an improvement in plaque removal means better dental hygiene overall.

A more powerful handset will mean stronger vibrations and a higher rate of brush strokes. The average person brushes their teeth with a manual brush at a pace of around 300 brush strokes per minute, according to Oral-B. Powered brushes can operate at a rate of around 40,000 brush strokes per minute, although these are a lot smaller, less forceful strokes.

But what about rotating vs sonic? According to a research paper published in the International Journal of Dental Hygiene which analyzed 38 comparison studies, there was an overall “small but significant difference” in favor of the oscillating or rotating brush versus the high-frequency sonic variety. There are some gaps here (for example, the analysis study doesn’t say which handsets were used) but according to this particular analysis of the available research, you want to opt for oscillating over side-to-side movement.

However, an upgrade from a manual toothbrush to a sonic toothbrush is still an upgrade; the top oscillating toothbrushes tend to be more expensive than sonic toothbrushes, as the more complicated motion requires different motors. If you’re still rocking the manual brush, a sonic brush will still be a significant upgrade for you, but if you’ve been using a cheap sonic brush for a while, consider a rotating one to take your oral hygiene to the next level.

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Sonic vs rotating toothbrushes: Which is better? (4)

Matt Evans

Fitness, Wellness, and Wearables Editor

Matt is TechRadar's expert on all things fitness, wellness and wearable tech. A former staffer at Men's Health, he holds a Master's Degree in journalism from Cardiff and has written for brands like Runner's World, Women's Health, Men's Fitness, LiveScience and Fit&Well on everything fitness tech, exercise, nutrition and mental wellbeing.

Matt's a keen runner, ex-kickboxer, not averse to the odd yoga flow, and insists everyone should stretch every morning. When he’s not training or writing about health and fitness, he can be found reading doorstop-thick fantasy books with lots of fictional maps in them.

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Sonic vs rotating toothbrushes: Which is better? (2024)

FAQs

Sonic vs rotating toothbrushes: Which is better? ›

But what about rotating vs sonic? According to a research paper published in the International Journal of Dental Hygiene which analyzed 38 comparison studies, there was an overall “small but significant difference” in favor of the oscillating or rotating brush versus the high-frequency sonic variety.

What is the downside of a sonic toothbrush? ›

However sonic brushes do have one major drawback; they tend to be quite expensive compared to both manual and electric versions making them cost-prohibitive for some users with tighter budgets who still want a quality brush for cleaning their teeth thoroughly each day!

What is the difference between Sonic and Spinbrush? ›

Regular electric toothbrushes have rotating heads that can spin several thousand times per minute, but sonic toothbrushes spin tens of thousands of times per minute, which can give you a cleaner smile in a shorter period of time.

Are sonic toothbrushes really better? ›

Studies have even shown that sonic toothbrushes still provide superior plaque removal even when they are held up to 4mm away from the tooth's surface! Obviously, users should brush in full contact with their teeth, but this is a testament to how effectively people can clean their teeth with this technology.

Are spin brushes good for your teeth? ›

Using a spinbrush on your teeth is a great first step to having a healthy mouth but there are other precautions you can take. Going for your routine dental cleaning every six months is vital to maintaining good oral health. It's important to have a professional go in and remove plaque and buildup.

Which is better sonic or rotating toothbrushes? ›

Electric rotating-oscillating toothbrushes come with lower power than sonic toothbrushes, but due to the rotating head you can find them quite powerful in removing the plaque off your teeth. Sonic toothbrushes, on the other hand, are considered much more effective thanks to the high level of vibrations they provide.

Do dentists recommend oral B or sonicare? ›

Sonicare's heads are large and flat compared to Oral-B's small round brushes, and they're long-lasting, according to Wellspring Dental dentist Mandy Nebel, who prefers Sonicare over other brands. This specific model — one of two from the brand accepted by the ADA — is a more entry-level Sonicare.

Do you still brush with a sonic toothbrush? ›

Sonic toothbrushes deliver impressive results, making you feel as if you have just left the dentist's office, but it doesn't mean that you need to brush your teeth less often. You still need to brush twice a day if you want to keep your smile healthy.

What are the benefits of a sonic brush? ›

A sonic toothbrush has been linked to several advantages including naturally whiter teeth, superior plaque removal, healthier gums, gentler brushing, helps stimulate saliva (great for dry mouth sufferers) and great for anyone with braces or dental implants as it cleans those hard to reach places.

Do vibrating toothbrushes work better? ›

The article explains that the rapid vibration of the toothbrush may help move fluid around the teeth, dislodging from hard-to-reach areas, such as between the teeth and along the gumline. This may make it easier to keep your mouth clean and healthy.

What is the best rated electric toothbrush on the market? ›

The quick list
  • Best overall. Oral-B Genius X. View at Amazon. ...
  • Best budget. Bitvae R2 Rotating Electric toothbrush. View at Amazon. ...
  • Best all-rounder. Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9000. View at Walmart. ...
  • Best compatibility. Oral-B Pro 1000. ...
  • Best combo. Waterpik Complete Care 9.0. ...
  • Best for sensitive teeth. Oclean X Pro Elite.
May 21, 2024

How many years does a Sonicare last? ›

On average, you can expect electric toothbrushes to last between three and five years.

Can a sonic toothbrush remove tartar? ›

The video clip shown below is a high amplitude sonic toothbrush vibrating at 30,000 vibrations per minute in a glass of water. High tip-speed (amplitude) sonic toothbrushes remove more tartar and plaque beyond the tips of the toothbrush bristles by a process called dynamic brushing.

What are the benefits of a rotating toothbrush? ›

Oscillating-rotating: This kind of toothbrush has a small, round brush head that oscillates back and forth in a circular motion to help remove plaque. A smaller brush head can be very good for cleaning the hard-to-reach areas of your mouth.

What is the healthiest way to brush your teeth? ›

Gently move the brush back and forth in short (tooth-wide) strokes. Brush the outer surfaces, the inner surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth. To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several up-and-down strokes.

Should you use a Spinbrush everyday? ›

Use Sparingly: Limit your usage of facial cleansing brushes to no more than once a day. Excessive usage can disrupt the skin's balance and exacerbate oil production. Consider incorporating the brush into your skincare routine 1-2 times per week for optimal results.

Do I need to floss if I use a sonic toothbrush? ›

Do I need to floss if I use an electric toothbrush? Yes, you still need to floss even if you use an electric toothbrush. But a sonic toothbrush does clean all the deep surfaces that are hard to reach, which makes it better for oral care than a manual toothbrush.

Is a sonic toothbrush better than oral b? ›

Oral-B is better for beginners (and kids)

Sonicare heads are a little more difficult to maneuver in the mouth. Though they're built to feel like “regular” toothbrushes, the longer heads can take some getting used to when navigating across your teeth.

Do sonic toothbrushes clean between teeth? ›

The high-frequency brush movements ensure that both your toothpaste and oxygen reach those little spaces between your teeth that can be hard to get to. This technique ensures your teeth are receiving the best clean possible with the sonic doing all the work for you.

Can sonic toothbrush damage fillings? ›

Because of the vibrational motion of bristle heads on an oscillating toothbrush, it's possible to chip fillings with an oscillating electric brush. Please keep in mind that this is very uncommon. For the most part, these toothbrushes are safe to use.

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