If you're buying an electric toothbrush, you will definitely want to consider getting one with a pressure sensor. We explain why in the sections below, but first of all here's a list of those that do come with a pressure sensor.
Oral-B brushes with a pressure sensor
In the Oral-B range, most brushes come with a sensor, including the brush we recommend as the best Oral-B electric toothbrush, the Oral-B Pro 2 2000.
The Oral-B toothbrush pressure sensor is designed to illuminate when too much pressure is applied, as shown in the image below.
The sound of the brush motor will change slightly.
This makes it really easy to tell if you are brushing too hard, because you have both the visual (red light) and audible (change in sound) alerts to help notify you.
Whilst this approach remains on the vast majority of brushes, with the introduction of the iO though, comes a slight rethinking and working of the pressure sensor.
Dubbed the 'smart pressure sensor', this sensor will light up red when too much pressure is applied. However, it will also shine a green light when the correct pressure is being applied.
The correct pressure is an indicator that you are using just enough force in conjunction with the brush head movements to clean away plaque.
Therefore you actually want a green light to be emitted from the LED ring when brushing.
The red light still highlights excessive pressure.
With this new design, the sound of the brush motor does not change, so you have only a visual alert.
Here is a full list of Oral-B brushes that come with a pressure sensor. Click on one of the brushes below to see our review and buying options for that brush.
- Smart 1
- Pro 1500
- Pro 2 2000
- Pro 3000
- Smart 4 4000
- Smart 5 5000
- Smart 7 7000
- Genius 8000
- Genius 9000
- Genius AI
- iO Series 3
- Lights up to show insufficient, correct and incorrect pressure.
- iO Series 4
- Lights up to show insufficient, correct and incorrect pressure.
- iO Series 5
- Lights up to show insufficient, correct and incorrect pressure.
- iO Series 6
- Lights up to show insufficient, correct and incorrect pressure.
- iO Series 7
- Lights up to show insufficient, correct and incorrect pressure.
- iO Series 8
- Lights up to show insufficient, correct and incorrect pressure.
- iO Series 9
- Lights up to show insufficient, correct and incorrect pressure.
Sonicare brushes with a pressure sensor
Fewer Sonicare models come with a pressure sensor, and on those that do, it isn't always as visible as on Oral-B models.
The brush that we recommend as the best overall Sonicare electric toothbrush, the Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4300, does include one, and we've also included a list below of others that include one.
Below is a list of Sonicare brushes that do come with a pressure sensor. Click on one of the brushes below to see our review and buying options for that brush.
- 3100 Series
- The handle vibrates and a small LED on the handle (not that visible) lights up.
- ProtectiveClean 4300
- The handle vibrates and a small LED on the handle (not that visible) lights up.
- ProtectiveClean 4500
- The handle vibrates and a small LED on the handle (not that visible) lights up.
- ProtectiveClean 5100
- The handle vibrates and a small LED on the handle (not that visible) lights up.
- ExpertClean 7300
- The handle vibrates and a small LED on the handle (not that visible) lights up. The smartphone app shows on screen, if used at the same time.
- DiamondClean 9000
- The handle vibrates and a small LED on the handle (not that visible) lights up. The smartphone app shows on screen, if used at the same time.
- DiamondClean Smart
- The handle vibrates. The visible light ring at the bottom of the brush handle is lit with a purple light. The smartphone app shows on screen, if used at the same time.
- 9900 Prestige
- The handle vibrates. The visible light ring at the bottom of the brush handle is lit with a purple light. The smartphone app shows on screen, if used at the same time.
What is a pressure sensor and why is it important?
A pressure sensor, with respect to electric toothbrushes, are small components inside the brush handle that detect when you are applying too much force during your brushing routine. When it detects the use of excessive pressure, the brush will in turn do something. What it does depends on the model.
The following video I created, explains and demonstrates this a little more.
Pressure sensors have been available on select Oral-B electric toothbrushes for quite a few years now, but it continues to be added to newer models and Philips Sonicare are adding it to many of their brushes also.
It is a really useful, especially for first time users of an electric toothbrush and is in part why we recommend having in our electric toothbrush buyer's guide post.
The bristles should skim the teeth
The bristles of the brush should skim the tooth surfaces to sweep away, bacteria, food debris and plaque. Hard and aggressive brushing will not normally help, hence the pressure sensor to alert you to these instances where you do apply too much force.
Professor Peter Heasman of Newcastle University says “You could actually be harming your gums and possibly teeth” - BBC
Whilst Jay W. Friedman remarks “Too much pressure and too frequent brushing can abrade enamel, or the root if the gum has receded.” This abrasion, he says, can cause teeth to become hypersensitive to hot and/or cold” - Consumer Reports
What happens when I brush too hard?
The effects on your teeth and gums may not be instant. It depends on how much pressure, for how long and your mouth as to how your body will react.
Needless to say a brush head that is moving at a reduced speed is not as effective as cleaning and if it is fighting against the pressure it can be rubbing against the tooth and gum rather than the desired skimming, which can only cause potential damage to the teeth, wearing away the enamel.
Exactly what happens to your toothbrush when you brush too hard depends on the brand and model of brush you have.
The most basic electric toothbrushes do not have a pressure sensor and do nothing, so if you are brushing too hard, you could be doing damage.
Some basic brushes do have a pressure sensor that when activated will reduce the amount of power delivered to the brush head in order to reduce the chances of ongoing damage to the teeth and gums. If the excess force is removed, the motor will power back up to a fuller speed and perform as normal. This change can happen within split seconds.
More advanced models will not only reduce the motor power but will alert the user by switching on a light on the brush, quite often a red warning light found at the top of the brush handle. This comes on as soon as too much pressure is detected. It remains on until such time as the pressure is reduced.
The most advanced will change the motor speed, illuminate a warning light whilst also sending a message to your smartphone application which is tracking your tooth cleaning. These Bluetooth enabled brushes will often log the amount of time too much pressure was applied for and use it as a way of coaching you to achieve better oral health.
In all instances, if you listen you will hear the brush motor change when you apply too much pressure. Perhaps try it briefly just to get yourself used to the different sound of the motor. You will then subconsciously recognise if you brush too hard and stop because you may not only hear the motor straining but subject to your model will likely get some form of alert.
Do I get an audible warning?
To date I have only come across 1 toothbrush, the Shyn brush (available in the USA) that offers a true audible warning like a beep.
Oral-B models do change the sound when activated, there is a different pitch from the motor or the brush.
Will I learn to stop brushing too hard?
Yes, you should do.
Brushing your teeth should be relatively effortless. When using an electric brush, let it do the work, you just move it to the correct position, as highlighted in our article how to clean your teeth.
Normally, if you are finding you are brushing too hard and have a brush that alerts you, then within a few days you can usually break that bad practice. For some it may take longer, it's just a case of learning and reacting.
Often within a few weeks you will learn how much pressure you need to apply, and the feature could be considered redundant after this time.
Can I get an add-on pressure sensor for my brush if it doesn't have one?
No. This is built into the brush at the time of manufacture. There is no way to add one on.
