Smart toothbrushes explained: How technology can help oral health

How does a smart electric toothbrush work?

Smart toothbrushes use a range of features to help you brush more effectively. Typically, you’ll use a smart toothbrush with an app, where you can view personalised insights, track your brushing habits, and receive feedback to help improve your dental hygiene over time.

The Philips Sonicare Next-Generation DiamondClean 9900 Prestige and the Philips Sonicare Next-Generation DiamondClean 9000, for instance, both connect to the Philips Sonicare App. This allows you to take full advantage of their range of smart features, including:

• Smart pressure feedback: Brush with the right amount of pressure using built-in sensor technology. If you start brushing too hard, our Next-Generation DiamondClean brushes alert you in real-time, helping you adjust your technique and protect your teeth and gums ahead of your next brush.
• Smart coverage tracking: Give every area of your mouth the attention it needs with smart coverage feedback. As you brush, the light ring tracks your progress in real-time, showing which areas still need attention. You can then use the app’s post-brushing feedback to see where you brushed well and where needs a little more attention.

You’ll also benefit from SmartIQ technology, which automatically adjusts the intensity of your Sonicare Next-Generation DiamondClean smart brush to suit your brushing pressure. This is ideal for those who struggle with overbrushing or aren’t confident that all brushing surfaces have been covered, taking the pressure off your shoulders.

With clever built-in technology and durable, ergonomic design, it’s easy to see why Philips is the No. 1 sonic toothbrush brand recommended by dentists globally*.

What are the benefits of using a smart brush?

Smart toothbrushes can take some of the guesswork out of everyday oral hygiene. By offering real-time guidance and personalised feedback, they can help you understand how you brush, where you might need to improve, and how to build better habits for a more thorough clean.

Here are just some of the benefits you can expect when using the Philips Sonicare Next-Generation DiamondClean range of smart toothbrushes:

• Follow oral care recommendations: The built-in smart timer makes it easier to brush for the dentist-recommended 2 minutes, helping you stay consistent with your routine.¹ If you tend to cut brushing short or lose track of time, this simple feature can make a noticeable difference.
• Spot missed areas: Smart coverage feedback helps you see which parts of your mouth may still need attention, so you can go back and clean areas you might otherwise miss. This can help remove food, bacteria, and plaque from more of your mouth.
• Improve your technique: Real-time coaching and personalised feedback help you refine the way you brush over time. From adjusting your pressure to focusing on better coverage, the brush gives you practical guidance tailored to your brushing habits.

The end result? The Philips Sonicare Next-Generation DiamondClean 9900 Prestige and the Philips Sonicare Next-Generation DiamondClean 9000 can help remove up to 20x more plaque** and support up to 15x healthier gums***, making them a worthwhile upgrade for anyone looking to take a more guided approach to oral care.

Who can benefit from a smart toothbrush?

Smart electric toothbrushes are made for everyone. With easy-to-use features and constant guidance, they’re an accessible brushing tool that helps you keep your teeth clean - simple!

That being said, some specific users can benefit most from upgrading to a smart brush:

• People who want to improve oral care: Whether you want whiter teeth or are considering your long-term dental health, a smart brush can help you achieve your oral care goals. Use the guided features to make sure you’re brushing at the right pressure and properly cleaning all of your teeth.
• People with braces: Use a smart toothbrush to keep an eye on your brushing pressure, protecting your braces from brushing too hard. A sonic toothbrush also supports better plaque removal; a factor that’s important when trying to clean around wires and brackets.²
• People with sensitive teeth: Overbrushing wears away enamel and increases tooth sensitivity.³ With smart pressure feedback, you can monitor how hard you’re brushing in real-time, protecting your enamel while still giving your teeth a thorough clean.
• People with oral health concerns: If you struggle with dental issues like gingivitis or gum recession, a smart toothbrush with an app can help you brush with confidence. Ensure you’re using the right pressure and technique and make the most of the built-in feedback to continue improving your dental hygiene.

Smart toothbrush FAQs

Are smart toothbrushes better than regular toothbrushes?

Smart toothbrushes like the Next-Generation DiamondClean range can make it easier to maintain good brushing habits by providing real-time guidance and personalised feedback. However, the best toothbrush is ultimately the one you use correctly and consistently twice a day.

Do smart toothbrushes really improve brushing?

For many people, yes. Features such as brushing timers, pressure sensors, and coverage tracking can help users brush for the recommended two minutes and avoid common brushing mistakes like overbrushing and missed spots.

Do I need to use the app with a smart toothbrush?

Not necessarily. Most smart toothbrushes can still be used as standard electric toothbrushes without opening the app. However, using the app may unlock additional features, personalised insights, and brushing guidance.

A smart toothbrush can make it easier to build better brushing habits, without adding extra effort to your routine. With real-time feedback on pressure and coverage, it helps you brush with more confidence, knowing you’re being gentle on your teeth and gums while giving every area the attention it needs. For a complete oral care routine, use a Philips Sonicare Next-Generation DiamondClean smart toothbrush alongside flossing and regular dental check-ups.

*Based on a study of over 2600 dental professionals (dentists and hygienists) conducted in the United States, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom in 2023-2024.

**vs. manual toothbrush

***in Clean Mode vs a manual toothbrush in 6 weeks

Sources

¹How to Keep Your Teeth Clean, NHS

²Efficacy of Sonic Versus Manual Toothbrushing After Professional Mechanical Plaque Removal: A 6‐Month Randomized Clinical Trial, NIH

³The Impact of Toothbrushing on Oral Health, Gingival Recession, and Tooth Wear—A Narrative Review, NIH