Electric toothbrushes

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My dentist keeps recommending I use an electric toothbrush so I bought one and tried it but I can't stand the sensations, it sets off my sensory processing disorder really badly. Does anyone have any recommendations for one that's autism/SPD friendly? Or should I just stick to a regular toothbrush and my dentist complaining?

I can't stand them either, but my dentist doesn't complain about my brushing... Did you get taught to make circles while brushing? I find this works much btr than only going back and forth. That and keeping up with regular dentist visits has sufficed overall. I've had issues, but dental health is also linked to genetics. Sometimes one can't help having bad (needing more care to stay healthy) teeth.

If it does not work for you go back to a manual one. Electric ones tend to clean teeth slightly better because they vibrate or move faster etc, but at the end of the day, as long as you can keep your teeth relatively clean, your teeth should (In theory) remain healthy.

In my mind I am recalling electric tooth brushes and electric razors were blamed for causing earthquakes, as they vibrate ones teeth or face and the vibratoins are transferred to the ground.... Ok, I did happen to see this on "Last Of The Summer Wine" so it was a humourus look at life...

I suggest using it gradually, maybe just once a day or every other day to start. You may get used to the sensations so it doesn't bother you as much. I just started using one a few months ago. I also started out by holding it lightly against my teeth but I think not everyone can do that.

I bought one that had an inch wide circular brush to it but I found it far too big for my mouth to use, so I didn't use it, let alone trying to get toothpaste to sit on the brush head without it flying across the room! I found it in one of those budget shops.

I think the idea of introducing it slowly is a good one, I will test it and see if it helps me desensitise to it. I’ve never had problems with holes in my teeth but my gums are very sensitive and unfortunately gum disease is a genetic thing in my family - my grandmother lost all her teeth in her forties because her gums wouldn’t stop bleeding. So even though I brush thoroughly with a normal toothbrush it doesn’t seem to be enough.

I've used one for years, a Sonicare. I credit that, my homemade toothpaste and flossing daily as the reasons for my healthy teeth and gums.

It was intense at the beginning, but I stuck with it. I am very careful not to touch the part that isn't the bristles to my teeth because it's hard plastic and the jarring sensation is almost too much to take.

Try sticking with it for a month and see how you feel.

Yes, I know the sensations are bothersome but so is trying to eat with missing teeth!

Had one when I was young. I didn't mind the sensation and it kinda felt funny.


My main complaint was that I'm not very gentle with handling electronics.
The water keeps coming in and the battery's bothersome if it went dead and have to replace it. I'd stick to manual for convenience's sake.

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I don’t mind mine. I kinda like it. But I’m having the hardest time with my son. He doesn’t like any sort of toothbrush. He mainly just swishes the toothbrush inside his mouth in the hopes the teeth will get clean...

So I normally have to go and help him re-do it, meaning, I do it for him. But that’s a source of meltdowns because of the frustration of having to redo it and the sensory overload.

I’m also open to suggestions......

I’ve used electric toothbrushes for years. I started to because I found the chubbier handle easier to hold onto than the traditional skinny toothbrush style. I’ve used two makes, first the Oral-B brand and now the SonicCare brand. The Oral B has a round brush head that fits nicely over your molars. The Sonic brand is the usual brush shape. The Oral B brush head spins and the Sonic one pulses. I much prefer the Oral B feel. I find the pulses of the Sonic one irritating. When it finally fails me I will switch back. I only tried the Sonic one because a woman I know with very problematic gums was told by her dentist that it was better and it did help her. My dental hygienist said to use a water pick to clean along the gum lines and I find it works. It cleans between the teeth really well too.

Same, so I gave up on trying to use one. Even a regular one caused me bad sensory issues as a child and then I was forced to use an electric one... no wonder I never wanted to brush my teeth. These days I can handle regular ones just fine and have decided to stick with those even when the dentist complains. I have enough sensory problems as it is... though I might try the electric brush again when the other sensory problems in my life lessen.

I bought my Oral B when it was on sale. Black Friday.

I've been using electric toothbrush for years, and couldn't be more content with it. Smaller, easier, more effective.
The first few times I thought it really tickled, but I got used it quickly. I'd hate to not have one. I also like the timer so I have an idea of when I should be about done. I don't follow it slavicly of course, it's just a good indicator.


Integrating it slowly into your daily hygiene seems like a good idea though if it causes you problems. Slow and easy is usually the best way to deal with such things.

Yeah: Phillips Sonicare here too.
Felt ‘weird’ at first but I’ve managed to adjust: I now find the manual toothbrush causes sensory issues (I tend to overenthusiasm with speed and pressure, the electric motor hum changes pitch if I press to hard: helpful)
Tried using the electric to get gack of my tongue once, and that set off my gag reflex from just the tip of my tongue!
Small heads are a must for them though.
But if it’s not for you then I wouldn’t worry about it.
I can’t be doing with floss: painful and hard to control, so I don’t do it.

I have a Sonicare Diamond Clean and I love it. It has different settings with different pressure sensitivities and speeds to suit different cleaning needs. I personally find the gum care and sensitive settings the most helpful - these also don't tend to set off my SPD as they are slower and more gentle.

In the past I have used an Oral B Pro and I hated it - it was really rough on my teeth and gums. It only had one setting which was very harsh on my SPD and my dentist did not recommend this one as it often caused gum damage and the round brush head is not that effective.