Top 6 Best Everyday Manual Toothbrush 2023
Dentist Tested and Reviewed | Time to Read: 9 mins
By: Dr. Advocate
Updated: March 30, 2023
Toothbrushes have significantly evolved from a simple toothbrush with uniform bristles to a rechargeable one that pairs with your phone. Brushing habits are essential to promote healthy teeth and gums and prevent tooth decay.
Healthy gums and bones are the foundation for stable teeth. Periodontal disease occurs when bacteria localize deep below the gum line leading to gum inflammation and bone loss. This process is irreversible, so it’s essential to prevent this from occurring or arresting the disease process before tooth loss occurs.
Related: Learn more about Periodontal DiseaseEffects of Periodontal Disease
- Gum recession
- Irreversible bone loss
- Tooth sensitivity
- Bad breath
- Inflamed gums
- Teeth mobility
- Tooth loss
- Increased bacteria
- Correlation with systemic health issues
Gum disease becomes more prevalent as we age. As a result, oral health care companies have designed specialized everyday toothbrushes to eliminate gum disease-causing bacteria while minimizing gum recession and tooth irritation. When bone loss occurs, the gum tissue follows, exposing a hypersensitive area of enamel or cementum along the root surface. These standard toothbrushes are beneficial to patients in their fight against periodontal disease and prevent tooth decay.
From a dentist’s perspective, let’s look at the Top 6 Best Everyday Toothbrush.
Tested and Reviewed
- Best Overall: GUM Deep Clean Toothbrush
- Best Budget: Colgate 360 Whole Mouth Clean Toothbrush
- Best Bristles: Colgate 360 Advanced Toothbrush
- Best Travel: Oral-B Clic Manual Toothbrush
- Best Gum Care: Oral-B Pro-Flex Expert Clean Toothbrush
- Best Sensitivity: Oral-B Bacterial Blast Toothbrush
Evaluation Criteria
We highlight each product’s unique, advertised benefits, identify their pros and cons and score each one from 1 to 5 based on four categories. The everyday manual toothbrush with the highest score is crowned the overall champion; however, we’ll also give suggested patient benefits for each product. Prices listed are subject to change.
- Effectiveness: Is the toothbrush effective at removing plaque? Did the brush head design translate to improved results?
- Comfort: Were the bristles comfortable on the gums and teeth? Was the brush head comfortable to use? Is the toothbrush comfortable to grip?
- Features: What features are unique to toothbrushes? Are the features effective and do they translate to improved oral hygiene?
- Likeability: Is the toothbrush likeable and enjoyable to use?
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1. GUM Deep Clean Toothbrush
GUM understands that “healthy gums lead to a healthy life.” GUM is most well-known for its floss picks; however, they have a solid line of toothbrushes. GUM Deep Clean features a quad grip handle to fit more comfortably in your hand while brushing.
Highlights
- Soft-feathered bristles
- Quad-grip handle
- Bristles clean deep
Results
Effectiveness: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Comfort: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Features ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Likeability: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Total: 20/20
Best for patients with sensitive teeth or gums.
What we like
The GUM toothbrush features a highly innovative and comfortable four-surface handle. The brush head has a great size with an adequate amount of bristles. The bristles are incredibly soft and are feathered at the tip to slide below the gum line. Also, the bristles are much taller than other toothbrushes allowing them to stretch further around each tooth.
What we don’t
This toothbrush has many great qualities; however, a cheek and tongue cleaner would have topped it off.
2. Colgate 360 Whole Mouth Clean Toothbrush
Colgate seeks to develop products that promote healthy smiles. They’ve been in the oral health care industry for over 145 years and offer a range of oral care products. Sustainability is also important to them as they recently created a first-of-its-kind recyclable toothpaste tube.
Colgate 360 Whole Mouth Clean Toothbrush seeks to prevent tooth decay and remove oral bacteria.
Highlights
- Soft bristles
- “Reduces 151% more bacteria”
- 25% recycled plastic
- Polishing cups help remove stains
- Cheek and tongue cleaner
Results
Effectiveness: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭒
Comfort: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭒
Features ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭒
Likeability: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭒
Total: 16/20
Best for patients seeking whole mouth clean and stain removal.
What we like
Colgate designed a comfortable, lightweight toothbrush with many strategically placed bristles. There was no slipping, and the tongue cleaner was effective. Also, the brush head is wide to wrap around all surfaces of the teeth effectively. The bristles are slightly feathered to slide below the gum tissue, and the tip of the brush head has extended bristles to clean behind the back teeth.
What we don’t
The bristles are comfortable; however, we would have appreciated more of them within the brush head. Also, the brush head size may be too large for individuals with small mouths.
3. Colgate 360 Advanced Toothbrush
Colgate seeks to develop products that promote healthy smiles. They’ve been in the oral health care industry for over 145 years and offer a range of oral care products. Sustainability is also important to them as they recently created a first-of-its-kind recyclable toothpaste tube.
Highlights
- Innovative cheek and tongue cleaner
- 4 zone bacteria removing action
- Multi-action soft bristle design
Results
Effectiveness: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Comfort: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭒
Features ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Likeability: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭒
Total: 18/20
Best for patients seeking maximum cleaning coverage and effective tongue cleaner.
What we like
The intricate bristle placement is something you can’t miss. The bristle tufts are uniformly placed to remove bacteria on all four sides of the tooth. Also, the cheek and tongue cleaner is the best we’ve seen. In addition, the toothbrush is lightweight and comfortable to grip when brushing. Lastly, the brush head is broad in the middle portion to provide full coverage cleanability.
What we don’t
Although the bristles are labeled soft, they are stiff and less pliable than other competitors. Also, the brush head is on the larger side and may be less suitable for individuals with smaller mouths.
4. Oral-B Clic Manual Toothbrush
Oral-B was founded in 1949 by a periodontist and his wife to create a safer and more effective toothbrush. The brand “trusted by dentists and consumers worldwide” offers many products to meet your unique oral care needs. Oral-B is most well known for its electric toothbrush line; however, they have several manual and battery-powered toothbrushes.
They strategically place bristles on various aspects of the brush head to clean different areas of the tooth. Oral-B Clic is their first manual toothbrush with replacement brush heads. The replaceable brush heads “use up to 60% less plastic over two years,” and it’s more expensive than the other toothbrushes.
Highlights
- Unique CLICfit mechanism
- Replaceable brush head included
- Magnetic toothbrush holder
- CrissCross bristle technology
- Premium metalized materials
Results
Effectiveness: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Comfort: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭒
Features ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Likeability: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Total: 19/20
Best for patients desiring a stylish replaceable brush-head toothbrush.
What we like
This is anything but your everyday toothbrush. The premium metal materials are solid, durable, and sleek. It feels more like a high-end fountain pen than a toothbrush. The replaceable brush heads are innovative for a manual toothbrush and will reduce waste. Also, the bristles are soft and uniformly placed in a crisscross pattern, effective at removing plaque, and highly desirable. Oddly enough, the metal was comfortable if it bumped opposing teeth or adjacent gum tissue. Lastly, the brush head was a perfect size and adequate for all individuals.
What we don’t
We would have desired a tongue cleaner and feathered bristles. Also, the grip was insufficient to prevent the toothbrush from slipping or rotating during use. The Clic was also approximately four to six times more expensive than the other toothbrushes reviewed.
5. Oral-B Pro-Flex Expert Clean Toothbrush
The Oral-B Pro-Flex Expert Clean is uniquely designed to flex with your teeth, and the brush head is split to allow each side to pivot separately. This design feature allows the bristles to clean at a greater angle than standard toothbrushes.
Highlights
- Soft bristles
- Gentle on gums
- “Improved oral health in 2 weeks”
- Individual flexing sides
- “Removes 93% of plaque”
- Sides adjust to teeth
Results
Effectiveness: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Comfort: ⭑⭑⭑⭒⭒
Features ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭒
Likeability: ⭑⭑⭑⭒⭒
Total: 15/20
Best for patients that have multiple missing teeth to flex around open spaces.
What we like
This innovative toothbrush effectively cleans away plaque with its two-flex design. The handle is comfortable to hold and lightweight. The tip of the brush head is taller than the other bristles to clean away plaque in the back of the mouth.
What we don’t
Although the toothbrush was effective, we would have desired feathered bristles to slide below the gum line. Also, the bristles seemed more medium than soft, in our opinion.
6. Oral-B Bacteria Blast Toothbrush
Oral-B Bacteria Blast fights plaque bacteria and features color-changing indicators. The bristles change from green to yellow when it’s time to replace them. If your toothbrush is not equipped with this technology, it’s recommended to replace it every three months for an effective clean.
Highlights
- Soft multi-level bristles
- Color-changing indicators
- Comfortable grip
Results
Effectiveness: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭒
Comfort: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Features ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭒
Likeability: ⭑⭑⭑⭒⭒
Total: 16/20
Best for patients desiring color-changing bristles.
What we like
Oral-B developed a great overall toothbrush. It was comfortable to use and effective at cleaning the teeth. The bristles were soft and uniformly placed for a superior clean. In addition, the color-changing indicator bristles are an excellent reminder to replace the toothbrush every three months.
What we don’t
We would have desired a tongue and cheek cleaner. Also, the bristle density was inadequate, leading to over-flexing of the bristles.
Overall Champion: GUM Deep Clean Toothbrush*
GUM understands that “healthy gums lead to a healthy life.” GUM is most well-known for its floss picks; however, they have a solid line of toothbrushes. GUM Deep Clean features a quad grip handle to fit more comfortably in your hand while brushing.
Final Thoughts
GUM Deep Clean Toothbrush blew us, or rather, brushed us all away. This toothbrush stole the show with its highly desirable handle grip, super soft feather bristles, and lengthened bristles. It’s easy to sense the high-quality clean while using.
We can’t get enough of the re-designed toothbrush handle as well. Oral-B Clic was desirable and reminded us of a high-dollar fountain pen with its weightedness. Also, the replaceable brush heads are great at cutting down excess waste. Colgate 360 Advanced placed third to round out the top 3. Each of the top 6 toothbrushes tested offered unique design features that were enjoyable to try.
Final Rankings
- GUM Deep Clean Toothbrush 20/20
- Oral-B Clic Manual Toothbrush 19/20
- Colgate 360 Advanced Toothbrush 18/20
- Colgate 360 Whole Mouth Clean Toothbrush 16/20
- Oral-B Bacteria Blast Toothbrush 16/20
- Oral-B Pro-Flex Expert Clean Toothbrush 15/20
* My Dental Advocate product reviews are based on individual experience and your results with the products may vary.
The more you know, the more healthy habits you can develop, saving you and your family from avoidable and potentially expensive dental procedures. Talk to your dental professional for more suggestions on improving oral health and check back for more blog posts and relevant information. Please share this site and let us know what else you’d like to know!