You should change your toothbrush every three months or at the latest when the bristles start to bend outwards. With classic plastic brushes, a lot of waste is created over time. Alternative products made from bamboo, wood or Bio-plastic with an interchangeable head provide a solution. However, electric toothbrushes provide the best dental hygiene. One Study from Great Britain However, in 2020, electric toothbrushes were found to have a worse ecological balance than conventional manual toothbrushes. This is a dilemma for people who rely on sustainable products in their daily tooth brushing routine. Fortunately, a lot has happened in the market since the study was published.
What are the advantages of an electric toothbrush?
There is no more convenient way to clean your teeth than with an e-tooth brush. And not a more hygienic one either. Small rotating brush heads reach even tiny gaps in the tooth surface and between the teeth. They also protect the gums, which reduces injuries. Electronic sonic toothbrushes represent a further development: Instead of an electric motor, they work with sound energy in the high frequency range. With 30.000 movements per minute, they work ten times faster than an electric toothbrush and a hundred times faster than a manual toothbrush. The gums react to the changing pressure changes of the sound and are supplied more intensively thanks to cell activation. In addition, the toothpaste foam also reaches hard-to-reach places in the mouth - the result is less bacteria, plaque and gum inflammation.
The benefits of an electric toothbrush
- Easy to use
- Better cleaning performance
- High comfort
- Gentle cleaning method
- Less plastic waste
What to look for when buying an electronic toothbrush
• Recyclable brush heads: If you are environmentally conscious when it comes to oral hygiene, you should use toothbrushes made from recyclable or biodegradable materials. This also applies to brush heads. In addition to those made from plastic, some manufacturers now also offer replaceable heads made from bamboo.
• Quality battery: The battery is the heart of every electric toothbrush and determines its lifespan. When buying, make sure that the toothbrush has a lithium-ion battery (Li-Ion). They are more robust and durable than nickel-metal batteries (Ni-Mh). For comparison: While weak batteries run out after just 100 minutes, lithium-ion batteries only need to be charged after more than 300 minutes.
• Proper disposal: If an electric toothbrush has served its purpose, it can be taken to a recycling center. Since 2016, shops, online and mail order companies that sell electric toothbrushes have also been obliged to take back used products. An alternative is the Terracyclye Recycling program.
The best electric toothbrushes at a glance
These electric toothbrushes performed particularly well in terms of sustainability:
- Oral-B iO Series
- Suri
- Philips Sonicare
- Happybrush
- Boombrush
- GUM Smart One
- Wonderbrush Pro
1. Oral-B iO Series
In the last test by Stiftung Warentest, two Oral B toothbrushes received a "good" rating. The Oral B iO10 Cosmic Black and the Oral-B iO4 not only impress with their good tooth cleaning, but also with their durability. In contrast to conventional electric toothbrushes, the batteries in these two models can be replaced. This means: longer durability and no premature disposal.
Headquarters: Cincinnati, USA
Battery life: up to two weeks
Price: Oral B iO10 Cosmic Black from approx. 350 euros; Oral B iO4 from approx. 104 euros
Where to buy: amazon.de, mediamart.com, otto.de
Source & Copyright by Oral-B
3. Philips Sonicare
The Sonicare 9400 sonic toothbrush impressed Stiftung Warentest and the consumer magazine Öko-Test equally. An app that matches the toothbrush is intended to encourage users to stick to their brushing times and also to think about hard-to-reach places in the mouth.
Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Battery life: up to two weeks
Price: Philips Sonicare 9000 from around 160 euros, Philips Sonicare 9400 from around 220 euros
Where to buy: amazon.de, mediamarkt.de, philips.com
Source & Copyright by Philips
4. Happybrush
The Happybrush Vibe 3 is the product of a start-up from southern Germany. In addition to a high-quality lithium-ion battery, the environmentally friendly e-toothbrush impresses with very good cleaning performance and, according to the provider, is made from 100 percent recycled material. As the only vegan sonic toothbrush on the market, the Vibe 3 doesn't have to hide from the big brands.
Headquarters: Munich, Germany
Battery charging time: 104 Minutes
Price: Happybrush Vibe 3 from around 85 euros
Where to buy: happybrush.de
Source & Copyright by Happybrush
5. Boom Brush
The manufacturer is so confident in its electric toothbrush that it claims: "Your last toothbrush ever". The E-model also received a "good" rating from Stiftung Warentest. It impresses with 40.000 vibrations per second, more than many others. A tongue scraper is integrated into the brush head for an absolute feeling of freshness. A timer and 5 different cleaning positions also improve the tooth-brushing experience.
Headquarters: Rotterdam, Netherlands
Battery life: up to 90 days
Price: about 80 Euro
Where to buy: amazon.de, boombrush.com
Source & Copyright by Boombrush
6. GUM Smart One
If you don't want to spend too much money, the "GUM Smart One" is just the thing for you. Stiftung Warentest gave this model a rating of 2,1 (good). In addition to the capabilities of a normal toothbrush, the "Smart One" impresses with an app that analyzes individual brushing behavior. Motion sensors and a smart light ring provide feedback and improve individual brushing technique, so that you will infect everyone with your radiant smile.
Headquarters: Vienna, Austria
Battery life: up to 6 weeks
Price: from € 80
Where to buy: amazon.de, playbrush.com
Source & Copyright by GUM
6. Wonderbrush Pro:
With its four programs and three intensity levels, brushing your teeth is child's play. This sustainable toothbrush also promises a sparkling white smile with 40.000 revolutions per minute. In fact, the manufacturer even promises that you can use the E-model in the shower if you get stressed and have little time. Another plus point: the brush heads are made of 90% renewable materials and are therefore kind to the environment.
Headquarters: Dortmund, Germany
Battery life: up to 60 days
Price: about 70 Euro
Where to buy: wondersmile.eu
Source & Copyright by Wondersmile
