The Wirecutter Show

Episode: Should You Switch to an Electric Toothbrush?

Date: September 3, 2025
Hosts: Christine Cyr Clisset, Caira Blackwell, Rosie Guerin
Featured Guest: Nancy Redd (Wirecutter Senior Staff Writer, health expert, author)

Episode Overview

This episode of The Wirecutter Show dives into the debate: Is it worth switching from a manual to an electric toothbrush? The hosts—Christine, Caira, and Rosie—welcome health journalist Nancy Redd, who has spent six years rigorously testing scores of toothbrushes for Wirecutter and writing on oral health for her book The Real Body Manual. The panel discusses oral hygiene basics, the real benefits (and limits) of electric brushes, technique tips, brand recommendations, and strategies to make toothbrushing (for adults and kids) more effective and less of a chore.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Oral Health: Why It Matters

• Oral health affects the whole body: “Teeth and oral hygiene in general are really deeply connected to your mind, overall health and self esteem. Gum hygiene can actually be directly related to dementia and heart health…a lot of this drama can be mitigated by oral health.” — Nancy Redd [05:29]
• Bacteria and infection risk: Bacteria from poor gum health can enter the bloodstream, impacting other organs [06:05].

2. Manual vs. Electric Toothbrushes

• Any brush is better than none: “As long as you're brushing, I don't care if you're brushing with a twig, a stick, a manual or electric toothbrush, as long as you're brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes, you're golden.” — Nancy Redd [07:17]
• Electric pros: Electric toothbrushes make proper brushing easier for most people, thanks to built-in timers and more consistent movement [09:29]. Manual brushes are just as effective, but people tend to under-brush with them—most only go for 45 seconds, well short of the recommended two minutes [09:29].
  • “We recommend electric toothbrushes only with a two minute timer, especially a quadrant timer…that enables you to really be thoroughly…” — Nancy Redd [09:29]
• Manual can work—but discipline is needed: If you sing "Happy Birthday" for each quadrant to time yourself, a manual brush is fine [11:11].

3. Technique is Everything

• Don’t use them the same way!
  • “Do not use a manual toothbrush in the same way that you use an electric toothbrush. If you use an electric toothbrush like you use a manual toothbrush, you're gonna have a bad time, you're gonna have some gum recession." — Nancy Redd [12:34]
  • Let the motion of the electric toothbrush do the work; don’t scrub as with a manual.
• Fun timing methods: Caira uses the Fresh Prince theme song as her brushing timer—one verse per row of teeth [12:12].

4. Product Testing & Recommendations

• Thorough testing approach: Nancy and her team test durability (drop/water tests), comfort/noise, and effectiveness. Includes feedback from kids and adult testers [07:17].
• Top picks:
  • Oral B Pro 1000 (oscillates, round and round)
  • Philips Sonicare 4100 (vibrates back and forth, “quieter, a more elegant experience”)
  • Heads are interchangeable within Sonicare products [14:16]-[16:13].
• For sensitive mouths: A kid’s toothbrush (e.g. Sonicare Design a Pet, with soft, rubberized head) can be a better fit for those needing delicate care [16:13].

5. Price vs. Performance

• Spending more equals “elegance, not function.” The $40-50 Wirecutter picks are just as effective as $200+ models; pricier ones are about looks and maybe app integration [19:05].
  • “Not only are our picks great, they are as effective as the toothbrushes that are hundreds of dollars more.” — Nancy Redd [19:17]

6. For Kids: Tips & Techniques

• Start young, but with care: Ages 3+ for electric brushes; make sure the experience isn’t painful [17:39].
• Let kids choose: Picking out their own brush can make them feel invested in brushing [25:46]-[27:58].
• Education/fear can help: “I think it's very valuable to show kids YouTube videos of cavities…Then if there's reticence, say, well, remember the video? Which would you prefer to spend two minutes now or to spend two hours at the dentist?” — Nancy Redd [26:42]
• Personalize and normalize: “This is like, like big person underwear. You got your toothbrush, you got your panties, and you're just riding off into this adult life, starting now.” — Nancy Redd [27:58]

7. Supporting Tools for Oral Hygiene

• Flossing is essential: Water flossers are great for those who struggle with string floss; “Are you all flossers?” — Nancy [21:39]
• Water flosser tips:
  • Can be messy—try using it in the shower [23:32].
  • Replace water flossers once a year in humid bathrooms to avoid mold [23:57].
• Routine order: Ideally, floss first, then brush; but, “just do it”—order matters less than actually doing it [24:28].

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On oral hygiene as self-care:
  • “Oral health is key…teeth and oral hygiene…are really deeply connected to your mind, overall health, and self-esteem.” — Nancy Redd [05:29]
• On two-minute brushing feeling longer:
  • “If you do use a manual toothbrush, the big trick is to try to sing the happy birthday song for each quadrant…But our brains are just not equipped for this. Electric toothbrushes are a godsend for people who, you know, tend to have a difficult time keeping track of time.” — Nancy Redd [11:11]
• On brands and vibes:
  • “Many people are vibrators only…there’s a vastly different experience [between Oral B and Sonicare].” — Nancy Redd [14:19]
• On price vs. value:
  • “The only thing you're going to get different with a more expensive toothbrush is beauty, elegance, and also occasionally an app.” — Nancy Redd [19:17]
• On water flossers:
  • “A water flosser essentially is, again, like a power washer for your gums and teeth.” — Nancy Redd [22:11]

Important Timestamps

• 05:29: Nancy on why oral health matters (systemic connections)
• 07:17: How Nancy tests toothbrushes (methods & philosophy)
• 09:29: Why electric toothbrushes are helpful for most people (timers, technique)
• 11:11: Tricks to hit the two-minute mark (singing for timing)
• 12:34: Common mistakes when using electric brushes
• 14:16: Detailed Oral B vs. Sonicare comparison
• 16:13: Options for sensitive mouths
• 19:05: Discussion on expensive vs. affordable electric toothbrushes
• 21:39: Flossing & the merits of water flossers
• 23:32: Water flosser mess–use it in the shower
• 25:46: Getting kids to participate in brushing, effectiveness of “fear tactics”
• 28:17: Lightning round myths (e.g., soft bristles, brushing frequency, contagious cavities)

Final Takeaways & Tips

• Technique > Tool: Consistent, thorough brushing (two minutes, twice a day) matters more than the type of brush.
• Electric is easier for most but not essential. Try both, see what feels best, and focus on timing and gentleness.
• Choose the “vibe” you like: Oscillating (Oral B) or vibrating (Sonicare)—pick whichever feels better in your mouth.
• Flossing is non-negotiable: Consider a water flosser if string floss isn’t happening; shower use keeps mess at bay.
• For kids: Involve them in picking brushes, educate (sometimes scare) them, and emphasize routine early.

Hosts’ Closing Reflections

• Christine: “If I'm taking one thing away from this episode, it's that just brush for two minutes.” [30:44]
• Caira: “I think my takeaway is that I'm probably gonna try and get a water flosser again...and I'm gonna try a kid's toothbrush.” [31:03]
• Rosie: “Trying to impress upon [my toddlers]…how important [oral health] is and setting up that foundation for later in life is a gift.” [31:44]
• Nancy's encouraging sendoff: “You just love your teeth and love yourself.” [30:21]

For more: Check the show notes for links to Nancy’s picks and technique videos.