Good oral hygiene is important for your overall health, regardless of age. However, due to various issues related to advanced age, seniors may find it even more difficult to keep up with a daily oral care routine.
Mental and physical conditions, like arthritis, can make regular brushing and flossing of teeth more challenging than it normally are. As such, it is important for caregivers to find ways of ensuring that seniors keep their oral hygiene in check.
Using an electric toothbrush can significantly simplify the task of brushing teeth. In fact, according to research findings, electric toothbrushes can remove a significantly higher percentage of plaque than regular manual toothbrushes.
Read below for a list of some of the best electric toothbrushes for seniors and some practical tips on making brushing teeth easier for aging adults.
Why Might Seniors Need A Special Toothbrush?
As previously stated, it might be harder for seniors to maintain a strict oral hygiene regimen for several reasons.
For starters, they may forget to brush their teeth or be unable to use a toothbrush due to various mental conditions such as dementia.
Furthermore, physical conditions, such as arthritis and weak joints, may make brushing teeth regularly painful.
To overcome these challenges, seniors need a special toothbrush, and electric toothbrushes are usually a better option.
What Features Are Important For Electric Toothbrushes For Seniors & Elderly?
Here’s what you need to look for when shopping for an electric toothbrush for an older adult.
Soft Bristles
When shopping around, you will find products with different types of bristles. Soft bristles are a must for seniors with overly soft teeth and gums. These bristles are gentle on gums that are prone to bleeding due to a medical condition or medication.
Ergonomic Handle
If your elderly loved one has weak, painful, or arthritic hands, using a regular toothbrush might be challenging. In such cases, it is best to get a product that comes with an ergonomic handle. By eliminating or minimizing any discomfort associated with handling and using toothbrushes, seniors are more likely to brush their teeth regularly.
Buttons Vs. Switches
Big responsive buttons are a great alternative to switches in electric toothbrushes. Large buttons make the work of activating and deactivating the toothbrush, as well as cycling through different settings, a breeze – especially for seniors with arthritic hands.
Ease Of Use
While all electric toothbrushes are designed for the most convenient use, some are easier to use than others. When shopping around, it is recommended that you look for something that is generally easy to use. The best product should have simple controls that are not confusing to the user.
Maintenance
To ensure the best oral hygiene, it is essential that you properly clean and maintain your electric toothbrush. While some products come with a convenient self-cleaning and drying feature, others require the user to follow detailed cleaning processes every now and then to keep them clean and hygienic. Furthermore, replacing the brush heads on the best electric toothbrush should be easy and effortless.
What Are The Best Electric Toothbrushes For Seniors & Elderly?
The SymplBrush
Brush your teeth too softly, and you won’t be able to clear out all the plaque; apply too much pressure and risk hurting your gums! Fortunately, you can avoid both scenarios and get the best cleaning results each time with SymplBrush. This unique-looking electric toothbrush is designed to give users a new and improved oral hygiene experience.
I was a bit skeptical when I first saw this unique electric toothbrush. So, the team over at SymplBrush sent me one to use. I used it – and only it – for a week for the 30 seconds per use as they recommend. It was a bit awkward initially, and there was some learning curve in fitting the brush in my mouth properly. But, I got the hang of it after 2 or 3 uses and was impressed with how well it worked – especially on the hard-to-reach molars in the back. I still use it daily!
The SymplBrush electric toothbrush set includes a SymplPaste tube, two different sizes of their patented cradle and bristles, and a handpiece.
If your elderly loved one has been struggling with using traditional toothbrushes to clean their teeth, perhaps it’s time to move on to something new. The SymplBrush combines 20 pairs worth of traditional brushes of nylon bristles in a patented design that promises to clean all your teeth without missing anything. This product has an ergonomic handle for easy and comfortable handling and use.
Pros:
- Comes with two patented flexible nylon cradles that fit any mouth
- Comprehensive teeth cleaning results in just 30 seconds
- Users can use both manual and electric mode
- Long-lasting battery that can go for between 60 and 90 days on a single charge
Cons:
- Cleaning the cradle and bristles requires more work
- Does not come with a carrying case
Triple Bristle Original Sonic Toothbrush
If you are looking for an electric toothbrush that is made to meet the specific needs of older users, then the Triple Bristle Max is definitely worth considering. The design and features of this product are inspired by feedback collected from users! The toothbrush, which comes with a one-of-a-kind triple-sided brush, can leave you with a clean and sparkling smile.
A great product for seniors, including those suffering from arthritis, this toothbrush comes with a new ergonomic handle that is lightweight and easy to hold. Its soft charcoal-infused nylon bristles are designed to be gentle on gums and sensitive teeth. In addition to properly cleaning natural teeth, this product can also be used on veneers, braces, crowns, and implants.
Pros:
- Tongue cleaner included
- Holds charge for up to a month
- Waterproof construction
- Comes with a 2-minute smart timer
- Four cleaning modes to ensure the best teeth-cleaning results
Cons:
- Extra replacement heads not included
TAO Clean Umma Diamond Sonic Toothbrush
The TAO Clean Sonic Toothbrush is designed to help users upgrade their daily oral routine. On top of cleaning your teeth effectively, this product also comes with an advanced docking station that cleans the toothbrush when not in use.
The package includes a hygienically sealed toothbrush head, handle, docking station, power cable, and charger.
The TAO Clean Sonic uses 40,000 brush strokes every minute for the cleanest teeth. To make sure that you brush your teeth for no less than 2 minutes – as recommended by dentists – this product comes with a 2-minute timer. To remind the user to move to another spot after every 30 seconds, the toothbrush comes with an automatic pause feature.
The product’s lightweight design and ergonomic handle make for easy handling by seniors, including those with weak or arthritic hands.
Pros:
- The compact patented docking station that cleans, charges, and dries your toothbrush when not in use
- Dual speed settings – Sensitive Clean And Super Clean
- 2-year manufacturer warranty cover
- Simple cleaning and maintenance thanks to the UV-C self-cleaning feature
Cons:
- Some users have reported quality issues when it comes to the construction and durability of this product.
hum by Colgate Smart Battery Toothbrush Kit
If you have been looking for the perfect electric toothbrush with smart capabilities, this is definitely your best option. This smart electric toothbrush helps you clean your teeth while using your smartphone to manage and monitor your oral hygiene. Designed to ensure utmost portability, this product is powered by 2 AAA batteries.
The hum by Colgate case contains two electric toothbrush heads, one handle, a carrying case, and 2 AAA batteries.
This product makes the task of maintaining your oral health as simple and effortless as possible. Thanks to its smart capabilities, users can connect it to their smartphone and use it to manage their oral hygiene while earning points and rewards. You can even get Amazon Alexa to automatically order a new brush head through the Smart Reordering feature. This way, you will always have a fresh new brush head whenever needed.
This product comes with an ergonomic handle to ensure comfortable handling by users who may be suffering from pain or discomfort in their hand or finger joints. If your elderly loved one loves to travel, you will be happy to know that this product is designed to be highly travel-friendly. It is powered by 2 AAA batteries which can be easily bought just about anywhere. Furthermore, a carrying case makes traveling with this product much easier.
Pros:
- Enjoy a cleaner mouth with this product’s connected smart features
- Highly portable
- Comes with an extra brush head
- The battery-powered product that eliminates the need for a power cord
- Comes with two powerful sonic vibration modes as well as a 2-minute timer
Cons:
- AAA batteries must be replaced when depleted
- Setting up the smart features makes initial use a bit more complicated
Oral Care Club by Dr Jim Ellis
Designed to remove up to 5 times more plaque than manual toothbrushes, the electronic toothbrush from Dr. Jim Ellis offers the most thorough cleaning you can possibly achieve at home. This product comes with angled bristles that oscillate 40,000 times per minute.
To provide the most effective teeth cleaning experience at home, this product comes with three-speed settings that massage, oscillate, and pulsate. The 2-minute automatic timer and the 30-second quadrant timer will help ensure that your elderly loved one does not forget to brush any part of their mouth for the recommended duration.
This product also comes with a large and ergonomic handle that facilitates easy and comfortable handling by seniors, including those suffering from arthritic hands.
Pros:
- Comes with two bonus electric toothbrush heads
- 3-speed settings
- 2-year manufacturer guarantee
- Affordable price
Cons:
- Doesn’t come with a self-cleaning feature
Tips For Making Toothbrushes Easier To Use For Older Adults
To make it easier for seniors to use toothbrushes, you can:
- Try switching to an electric toothbrush for effortless brushing of your teeth.
- For users with arthritic, weak, or painful hands or joints, try to enlarge the handle by wrapping tape or a bandage or sponge around it. Alternatively, you can push the handle through a foam or rubber ball.
- Look for specially designed toothbrushes and toothpaste dispensers.
Conclusion
Regular and effective brushing of your teeth is important in safeguarding your oral health. Due to several physical and mental factors, aging adults may find it harder to maintain a strict oral hygiene routine. Fortunately, electric toothbrushes not only make the task of brushing teeth easier and effortless by automating the bristle strokes but also come with a variety of useful additional features.
With the above information in mind, you should be able to pick out an electric toothbrush that meets the exact needs of your elderly loved one; and, with it, ensure that they stick to a healthy oral hygiene routine.
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