Is an electric toothbrush better than manual? For most people, yes in practice. A manual brush can clean well, but an electric brush makes a thorough clean easier to repeat twice a day, every day. This guide looks at the Pro-Pulse smart sonic toothbrush, Oradent's previous model, how it compares with a manual brush, and what changed with PulseONE.
Pro-Pulse is still available while stock lasts, so if you own one or are considering one, everything here applies to you.
Electric vs manual: where the difference comes from
A manual toothbrush depends entirely on you. The angle, the movement, the pressure and the time all come from your hand, and most of us rush, press too hard or favour the teeth we can see.
An electric toothbrush takes over the movement. You place the head and guide it slowly, and the brush does the rest. That changes a few things:
- Consistency. The brush moves the same way every session, whether you are wide awake or half asleep.
- A lighter touch. There is no need to scrub, which is gentle on gums and enamel.
- Easier technique. Holding a slim head at the gumline and gliding is simpler than mastering manual brushing motions.
A manual brush used carefully for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste still does a good job. The advantage of an electric brush is that it makes doing that every day less dependent on effort.
How the Pro-Pulse compares with a manual brush
Pro-Pulse is a sonic toothbrush, which means its head moves side to side at high speed rather than relying on your hand. Here is what it offers compared with a manual brush:
- Sonic cleaning action that creates the brushing movement for you.
- Three modes, so you can choose a gentler or stronger feel.
- Up to 30 days of battery on a charge, using a USB magnetic charging base.
- IPX7 water resistance, so it can be rinsed under the tap.
Pro-Pulse heads fit Pro-Pulse only. Replace them about every three months, or sooner if the bristles splay.
How to use a Pro-Pulse correctly
- Apply a pea sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
- Place the brush on your teeth before switching on, with the bristles angled at about 45 degrees towards the gumline.
- Let the brush do the work. Glide slowly from tooth to tooth rather than scrubbing.
- Spend about 30 seconds on each quarter of your mouth, for two minutes in total.
- Spit without a heavy rinse, then rinse the head and stand the brush upright to dry.
The same technique works for any sonic brush. If you are new to it, start on the gentlest mode for the first week.
What changed with PulseONE
PulseONE is the current Oradent brush and replaces Pro-Pulse. It keeps the sonic approach and three modes, and improves the parts you notice every day:
- Battery: from up to 30 days on Pro-Pulse to 45 days on one charge, approximately six weeks, from any USB-C cable.
- Charging: USB-C instead of a magnetic base, so there is no charging base to pack. The port is sealed under a cap.
- Body: a 71 g brushed aluminium body in Platinum, Rose or Graphite.
- Storage: the Oradent WallMount and a slim travel case come in the box.
- Pacing: SmartSense Brushing technology gives a two minute timer with a short buzz every 30 seconds to move to the next quarter of your mouth.
PulseONE heads fit PulseONE only, and Pro-Pulse heads do not fit PulseONE. See every difference side by side on our compare page, or read the full Pro-Pulse vs PulseONE story.
Questions
Is the Pro-Pulse still available?
Yes, while stock lasts. Pro-Pulse is the previous model, and PulseONE is the current Oradent sonic toothbrush.
Do Pro-Pulse heads fit PulseONE?
No. Pro-Pulse heads fit Pro-Pulse only, and PulseONE heads fit PulseONE only. If you upgrade, you will need PulseONE Heads, which come in a 2-pack for A$29.
Is it hard to switch from a manual brush to an electric one?
Most people adjust within a week. The main change is to stop scrubbing and simply guide the brush, letting it create the movement.
Is an electric toothbrush worth it if I already brush well?
If you already brush gently for two full minutes twice a day, you are doing the most important things. An electric brush makes that routine easier to keep, especially on busy or tired days.
Moving from manual or Pro-Pulse to PulseONE
Whether you are leaving a manual brush behind or upgrading from Pro-Pulse, PulseONE brings SonicSweep technology at 38,000 movements a minute, SmartSense pacing and 45 days on one charge, approximately six weeks, from any USB-C cable. It is A$228, Designed in Australia, with a 12 month warranty and our 7 day smile guarantee.
Explore the PulseONE sonic toothbrush.
