Good oral health practices may have been a lower priority for many this past year, with regular check-ups and cleanings being postponed or cancelled. But there are many reasons to consider stepping up your oral hygiene routine, and luckily there are tools to help you get a professional clean feeling right from home. Your oral health has a huge impact on your general health, says Jo-Anne Jones, 2021 Dentistry Today Continuing Education Leader. It’s something that we should be even more mindful of in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Oral health has never mattered more in my opinion,” says Jones.

If you’re still using a manual toothbrush, it’s time for an upgrade to the Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean. “A single two-minute brushing with a Sonicare toothbrush is equal to one month of brushing with a manual toothbrush,” says Jones. “There is such a significant benefit to using a rechargeable toothbrush.” From plaque removal to whiter teeth and the many benefits in between, here are 4 reasons to switch to a rechargeable toothbrush.

1. Customization is key

The Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean has three cleaning modes (Clean, White and Gum Care), and three intensities (low, medium and high), so you can customize the type of clean you want. Clean mode is standard for a superior cleaning similar to what you’d received at a dental office. White mode is ideal for removing surface stains and is proven to whiten teeth in just one week, while Gum Care mode adds an extra minute of reduced-power brushing (for three minutes in total), so you can gently massage your gums for healthier gums in just 2 weeks

2. More power for a better clean

The Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean is proven to remove up to 7 times more plaque than a manual toothbrush, and plaque as we know, is one of the leading causes of gum disease. This inflammatory disease is one of the most common dental problems adults face (bad breath could be a warning sign!) and interestingly, research shows a connection between it and other inflammatory diseases such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and heart disease, says Jones.

With a speed of up to 62,000 brush strokes per minute, Sonicare’s unique Sonic technology is really miles ahead of what you can do with a manual toothbrush. Your wrist is probably tired just thinking about brushing that fast! In addition to all those brush strokes, the advanced technology also pulses water between teeth, making it easier for the brush strokes to simultaneously break up plaque and sweep it away.

3. Not too soft, not too hard

For anyone concerned that a rechargeable toothbrush might be too powerful for their gums, they needn’t worry. In fact, you’re more likely to brush too aggressively with a manual toothbrush than a rechargeable one, says Jones.

The Sonicare ProtectiveClean ensures a gentle, but effective clean with customized brush heads and intensity levels, as well as a built-in Pressure Sensor. While you might not notice how hard you’re brushing, your rechargeable toothbrush certainly will, and it’ll let you know with a pulsing sound that reminds you to ease off on the pressure.

When you’re brushing according to the Sonicare Pressure Sensor, the toothbrush is actually gliding along the teeth and gum tissues, says Jones. This gentle on the gums feature is key because it is important to brush the gum tissue as well. “Most people don’t and really just focus on the tooth structure,” says Jones. The 45 degree angle of the Sonicare brush head overlaps onto the gum tissue so you’ll naturally get that cleaning, along with helpful reminders on pressure.

4. Just the right amount of time

A thorough brushing should take two to three minutes, but how many people are really meeting that recommendation? According to the Academy of General Dentistry, the average person spends just 45 to 70 seconds brushing their teeth per day. That’s not even close to the recommended two minutes, twice per day experts say is needed for good oral health.

The Sonicare ProtectiveClean is equipped with a QuadPacer that lets you know when you’ve spent just the right amount of time cleaning each part of your mouth (think: 30 seconds per quadrant), while a SmarTimer tells you once you’ve brushed for the recommended two minutes.

When using a manual toothbrush, it’s not uncommon for people to spend less time brushing their back teeth, or even skip them altogether. A rechargeable toothbrush helps ensure your mouth gets equal attention, which is essential for good oral health as gum disease most often occurs in hard-to-reach areas such as the back of the mouth, says Jones.

Practicing good oral hygiene is an easy way to support your overall well-being, and the number one thing you can do to combat gum disease is to brush and floss daily between regular professional visits, says Jones. Make sure you’ve got the best tool for the job with Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean.