Best Electric Toothbrush for Receding Gums (My Thoughts)
Dentist Tested and Reviewed
If you have receding gums, you know how important it is to care for them.
The right electric toothbrush can help prevent further damage and promote gum health.
This article will introduce you to the best electric toothbrush for receding gums in 2024.
As an experienced dentist with years of experience, I’ve tested and evaluated 300+ dental products. I strive to find the best products for achieving excellent oral hygiene, so let’s take a closer look at the Best Electric Toothbrush for Receding Gums from a dentist’s perspective.
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Buying Guide
- Best Overall: Oral-B iO Series 9 Electric Toothbrush
- Best Pressure Sensor: Philips Sonicare 6100 Electric Toothbrush
- Best Value: BURST Sonic Electric Toothbrush
- Best Features: Aquasonic Black Series Electric Toothbrush
- Best Sensitivity: PRO-SYS VarioSonic Sensitive Electric Toothbrush
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What Are Receding Gums?
If you have noticed that your teeth look longer than usual or feel more sensitive, you may be experiencing receding gums.
Receding gums occur when the gum tissue surrounding and supporting your teeth pulls back, exposing more of your tooth or even the root of your tooth.
This can create gaps between your teeth and gums, making it easier for bacteria to build up and cause tooth decay or gum disease.
Common Causes
- Periodontal Disease: A bacterial infection that damages gums and bone, potentially leading to tooth loss if not treated.
- Gingivitis: The first stage of gum disease, causing gum inflammation and bleeding.
- Brushing Too Hard: Aggressive brushing or hard bristles can wear down enamel and cause gum recession.
- Genetics: Some individuals are genetically more susceptible to gum disease and receding gums.
- Hormonal Changes: Women may face gum recession during pregnancy, menopause, or other hormonal shifts.
- Tobacco Use: Smoking or using tobacco products heightens the risk of gum disease and receding gums.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, gum recession is a common dental problem, with approximately 88% of people over the age of 65 having gum recession on one or more teeth.
Signs & Symptoms of Receding Gums
- Longer-looking teeth
- Tooth Sensitivity
- Gaps between teeth
- Bleeding or swollen gums
- Bad breath
- Pain when chewing
If you notice any of these symptoms, seeing a dentist as soon as possible is essential. Your dentist can help determine the cause of your receding gums and recommend the best treatment options.
Best Electric Toothbrush for Receding Gums
If you have sensitive gums or are experiencing gum recession, investing in an electric toothbrush that can clean your teeth effectively without causing further damage is essential. Here are some of the best electric toothbrushes for receding gums:
1. Best Overall | Oral-B iO Series 9 Electric Toothbrush
The Oral-B iO Series Rechargeable Toothbrush combines powerful, but gentle micro-vibrations with Oral-B's unique dentist-inspired round brush head design for a professional clean feeling every day.
The Smart Pressure Sensor helps to keep you from brushing too hard to protect your gums and enamel.
3D Teeth Tracking and AI Recognition use an interactive color display to help guide you to your best clean for all areas of the mouth. A 2-minute quadrant timer comes built-in that pulsates every 30 seconds, ensuring a complete clean.
The frictionless, smooth magnetic drive system transfers energy to the bristle tips for a clean that wows. Replace your Oral-B iO Series Replacement Brush Heads every 3 months for best results.
Dentist Review
The Oral-B iO Series 9 Electric Toothbrush is a top-of-the-line toothbrush that uses micro-vibrations and artificial intelligence to remove plaque and bacteria from your teeth and gums.
It has a unique round brush head that can reach every corner of your mouth, and it comes with 4 brush heads so you can replace them as needed. The toothbrush also has a charging base that can charge the toothbrush in just three hours.
Check out these Oral-B Sensitive Gum Care Electric Toothbrush Replacement Brush Heads!
Pros
Cons
2. Best Pressure Sensor | Philips Sonicare 6100 Electric Toothbrush
Gentle yet effective to whiten teeth in just 1 week vs. a manual toothbrush
Protect your teeth with a pressure sensor that gently pulses to alert you when you're brushing too hard
Always know when to replace your brush head for an effective clean with the brush head replacement reminder
Personalize your brushing experience with 3 intensities and 3 modes: Clean, White and Gum Care
2-minute timer with QuadPacer helps ensure Dental Professional recommended brushing time and a consistent clean throughout your mouth
Dentist Review
The Philips Sonicare 6100 Electric Toothbrush uses sonic technology to gently clean your teeth and gums. It has 3 intensity settings, so you can adjust the speed of the brush to suit your needs.
The toothbrush also has a pressure sensor that alerts you if you’re brushing too hard, which can cause gum recession. In addition, the Sonicare 6100 comes with a travel case and a charging base.
Pros
Cons
3. Best Value | BURST Sonic Electric Toothbrush
33,000 sonic vibrations/minute delivers an incredible but gentle clean.
BURST reduces gum bleeding (gingivitis) up to 3x more than a manual toothbrush.*
Tapered multi-length charcoal black bristles to remove plaque without damaging your gums.
Use BURST for up to a month on a single charge.
Dentist Review
I personally use the BURST Sonic Electric Toothbrush because it features feathered charcoal-infused bristles that are gentle on my gums. In addition, it has 3 brushing modes and a two-minute timer to ensure you brush for the recommended time.
The toothbrush also has a long battery life, a charging base, and a travel case. Lastly, you can subscribe to their replacement brush head service, which automatically sends you a new brush head every 3 months.
Check out our BURST Sonic Electric Toothbrush hands-on full review!
Pros
Cons
4. Best Features | Aquasonic Black Series Electric Toothbrush
An incredibly powerful 40,000 VPM motor delivers a complete and thoroughly clean - but the black series goes beyond just cleaning your teeth.
Use Whiten mode to dissolve surface stains towards the end of your brushing sessions. Massage mode delivers vibrating micro-bursts into gum tissue to improve circulation and tissue function. Whiter teeth and healthier gums mean a more beautiful smile.
Dentist Review
The Aquasonic Black Series Electric Toothbrush has 4 brushing modes and 8 brush heads, so you can choose the one that works best for you. In addition, it features an industry-leading 40,000 vibration/minute motor.
The toothbrush features an American Dental Association seal of approval and has a two-minute timer with a 30-second interval timer to ensure you brush your teeth evenly. In addition, it comes with a charging base and a travel case.
Check out our Aquasonic Black Series Electric Toothbrush hands-on full review!
Pros
Cons
5. Best Sensitivity | PRO-SYS VarioSonic Sensitive Electric Toothbrush
The PRO-SYS VarioSonic power toothbrush allows you to customize your brushing experience for a dentist-like clean at home.
Combining 5 different soft brush heads and 5 different cleaning modes allows 25 possible intensities- making it the right power brush for any periodontal conditional.
Experience the freedom to choose the ideal level of cleaning power and dynamic brush head articulation every time.
Try the V105 Feather soft brush head for sensitive teeth, the V200M brush head for healthy teeth and gums and the other three in between to best fit your needs.
Dentist Review
The PRO-SYS VarioSonic Sensitive Electric Toothbrush has soft bristles that are gentle on your gums. It has 5 brushing modes and 4 replacement toothbrush heads.
In addition, it features a two-minute timer to ensure you brush for the recommended time. The toothbrush also has a long battery life for extended use.
A high-quality electric toothbrush can help you maintain good oral hygiene and healthier gums. Consider what unique features and materials are important to you, and choose a toothbrush that suits your needs. With the right toothbrush, you can keep your teeth and gums healthy as you age.
Pros
Cons
Best Manual Toothbrush for Receding Gums
If you prefer a manual toothbrush, consider a brush with soft bristles and a small head that can reach all areas of the mouth.
It’s also important to use gentle circular motions when brushing and to avoid applying too much pressure, which can further damage the gums.
1. Best Overall | Dr. Collins PERIO Supersoft Toothbrush
Dr. Collins is “bringing smiles to life.” They offer multiple oral care products, including toothbrushes, floss, toothpaste, and whitening products.
The PERIO Toothbrush is their #1 product and features polyester bristles to minimize bacterial growth. The bristles are treated with a patented tapering technique and are less porous than ordinary nylon bristles.
Their slim and supersoft finish allows further bristle penetration between teeth and gums. In addition, their PERIO line includes PERIO Floss and other periodontal disease-focused products.
Dentist Review
The Dr. Collins toothbrush has an adequate handle size and grips to limit slipping. The curved end of the handle allows you to rock the toothbrush around hard-to-reach areas.
It’s comfortable to hold and very lightweight as well. The oval-shaped brush head is wider in the middle to wrap around taller teeth.
The feathered polyester bristles are incredibly comfortable on the gums and slide easily between the teeth. There is a wide range of bristle densities between the toothbrushes being reviewed.
Dr. Collins has the right amount of bristles to flex around teeth without collapsing easily. The cleaning effectiveness was excellent, and it was enjoyable to use.
Check out our Dr. Collins PERIO Supersoft Toothbrush hands-on full review!
2. Runner-Up | Oral-B Gum Care Compact Extra Soft Toothbrush
The Oral B Gum Care Extra-Soft Compact Head Toothbrush improves your gum health with ultra-soft bristles, which gently clean along the gumline and multilevel bristles clean deep between teeth. It has a compact head for superior reach to your back teeth.
The ultra-soft bristles are five times more gentle than a regular soft toothbrush and are perfect for those with sensitive teeth and gums.
Dentist Review
Oral-B designed a great toothbrush with multiple tufts of soft bristles. Its tiny brush head was comfortable around hard-to-reach areas.
The handle was extremely comfortable to grip and eliminated unnecessary rotation or slipping. The multi-level bristles are a unique design feature that helps clean away plaque between the teeth.
Check out our Oral-B Gum Care Compact Extra Soft Toothbrush!
3. Runner-Up | 4-Pieces Soft Micro-Nano Extra Soft Toothbrush
4-Pieces is a popular e-commerce product line with an impressive 20,000 extra soft micro-nano bristles.
This toothbrush features a sleek brush handle and a small brush head to clean hard-to-reach areas. Also, it has multi-level bristles to clean deep within the grooves of the teeth.
Dentist Review
It’s easy to forget you’re even brushing your teeth when using this toothbrush. 4-Pieces are incredibly soft and gentle on the teeth and gums. The staggered bristle height was effective around the gum line to fit between the teeth.
The 20,000 ultra-soft bristles packed tightly into this small brush head deserve kudos! Also, the tongue and cheek cleaner was a great addition to remove odor-causing bacteria.
Check out our 4-Pieces Soft Micro-Nano Extra Soft Toothbrush!
My Experience & Expertise
As an experienced dentist, I have seen firsthand the importance of using the right toothbrush for oral health.
Using an electric toothbrush can be a game-changer for receding gums. Not only do they provide a more thorough clean, but they can also help prevent further gum recession.
Over the years, I have tried and tested various electric toothbrushes to find the best ones for my patients with receding gums. Regardless of which electric toothbrush you choose, there are some tips to keep in mind when brushing with receding gums.
Recommendations
- Use a soft-bristled brush to avoid further irritation to your gums.
- Brush gently, using circular motions rather than back-and-forth scrubbing.
- Be sure to brush along the gumline to remove plaque buildup.
- Consider using a toothpaste specifically formulated for sensitive teeth and gums.
Need a second opinion? We can help! Learn more. Knowledge is power when cultivating healthy dental habits. The more informed you are, the better positioned you’ll be to prevent avoidable and potentially costly dental procedures for you and your family. Watch for future blog posts, where we’ll continue sharing important information, product reviews and practical advice!
About the Author
Dr. Matthew Hannan, also known as “Dr. Advocate,” is a board-certified dentist on a mission to provide accurate dental patient education. He attended Baylor University before completing dental school at UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry. He now lives in Arizona with his beautiful wife and 4 kids. Dr. Hannan believes everyone should access easy-to-read dental resources with relevant, up-to-date dental research and insight to improve their oral health.
Connect with Dr. Hannan!
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