What are the cleaning modes?

  1. Daily Clean
  2. Gum Care (Also referred to as Massage)
  3. Sensitive
  4. Whitening
  5. Pro Clean (Previously Deep Clean)
  6. Tongue Cleaner

woman brushing teeth

What does each cleaning mode do?

  • Daily Clean

    • This is the standard mode for daily mouth cleaning.
    • The cleaning cycle lasts for 2 minutes, 30 seconds for each quadrant.
    • Each Pro series brush has a timer built in which will give an audible tone via a pause in the brushing at 30 second intervals and then at the end of the 2 minute cycle.
    • Up to 10,500 oscillations and up to 48,000 pulsations (subject to model – see power delivery)
    • Using the Cross Action, Floss Action, TriZone or Precision Clean brush heads are suitable for this cleaning mode.
  • Gum Care

    • Suitable for those with sore or inflamed and even bleeding gums. It offers a gentle massage of gums to stimulate blood flow and strengthen and nurture the gum tissue.
    • The cleaning cycle lasts for 2 minutes, 30 seconds for each quadrant.
    • Each Pro series brush has a timer built in which will give an audible tone via a pause in the brushing at 30 second intervals and then at the end of the 2 minute cycle.
    • 2,600-10,500 oscillations and 12,000-48,000 pulsations (subject to model – see power delivery).
    • Using the Cross Action, Floss Action, TriZone or Precision Clean brush heads are suitable for this cleaning mode.
  • Sensitive (Also known as Massage)

    • A gentle, yet thorough cleaning for sensitive areas of the mouth, this mode is also recommended by some dentists as a better option than the Daily Clean as it is not so powerful.
    • The cleaning cycle lasts for 2 minutes, 30 seconds for each quadrant.
    • Each Pro series brush has a timer built in which will give an audible tone via a pause in the brushing at 30 second intervals and then at the end of the 2 minute cycle.
    • 6,500 oscillations and 30,000 pulsations.
    • Using the Sensitive brush head is most suitable for this cleaning mode.
  • Whitening

    • Aims to polish teeth to give that dentist clean look and feel for brighter teeth.
    • Suitable as on occasional or everyday cleaning mode.
    • The cleaning cycle lasts for 2 minutes and 20 seconds normally.
    • The first 2 minutes are for completing the normal cleaning and the additional 20 seconds for focusing on the front teeth.
    • Each Pro series brush has a timer built in which will give an audible tone via a pause in the brushing at 30 second intervals and then at the end of the 2 minute and 20 second cycle.
    • With the Pro 6000 and 6500 brushes you can extend this even further to focus on the front and backs of the rear teeth.
    • 6,100-10,500 oscillations and 28,000-48,000 pulsations (subject to model – see power delivery).
    • Using the 3D White brush head is most suitable for this cleaning mode.
  • Pro Clean (Previously Deep Clean)

    • This is cleaning mode is the same as the Daily Clean but pre-programmed to last for longer.
    • The cleaning cycle lasts for 3 minutes, 45 seconds for each quadrant compared to the standard 2 minute clean and 30 second intervals.
    • Each Pro series brush has a timer built in which will give an audible tone via a pause in the brushing at 45 second intervals and then at the end of the 3 minute cycle.
    • 8,800 – 10,500 oscillations and up to 48,000 pulsations (subject to model – see power delivery).
    • Using the Cross Action, Floss Action, TriZone or Precision Clean brush heads are suitable for this cleaning mode.
  • Tongue Cleaner

    • Used for cleaning the tongue or inside of the cheeks.
    • More gentle than a conventional cleaning mode.
    • Suitable for daily or occasional use.
    • The cleaning lasts for 20 seconds.
    • 7,300 oscillations and 33,000 pulsations
    • Using the Sensitive brush head is advisable for this mode.

Power Delivery

Unfortunately to make things just a little more confusing different brushes within the Oral-B range deliver a different amount of oscillations (side to side movements) and pulsations to the brush head.

As you progress through the Oral-B range, it is the more premium brushes that deliver the most power and the larger number of oscillations and pulsations.

The power differences are as follows:

  • Vitality – 7,800 oscillations range of brushes
    • The most basic Oral-B power toothbrush. Essentially a bridge from a manual to a power brush, so this may be a good choice for people new to electric toothbrushes.
  • Pro 600 – 8,800 oscillations and 20,0000 pulsations
    • This is the bridge between using a gentle power toothbrush to the standard power brushes.
  • Pro 2000 and up – 8,800 oscillations and 40,000 pulsations
    • The first standard full power electric toothbrush in the Oral-B range
  • Genius 8000/9000 – 10,5000 oscillations and 48,000 pulsations
    • The most powerful and capable brushes in the Oral-B range.

As a result of the different power settings of the brushes, the maximum number of oscillations and pulsations does vary. This does make some difference to the clean, but not a massive difference, so do not be too concerned about having to have the most powerful. Just cleaning your teeth regularly is a big step forward in ensuring healthy teeth.

Do I need to use special brush heads?

There are specialised brush heads some of which are designed and suited for particular cleaning modes.

You can use the standard cross action for all cleaning modes, but the 3D White brush head is more effective when used with the Whitening mode.

The choice is of course yours but it is advised to use the appropriate head to gain the maximum effect from each cleaning mode.

Cleaning mode icons

Whilst the different cleaning modes vary between brushes all are accessed via the power button or by pressing the cleaning mode button on each brush.

Some brushes have a Smart Wireless Guide included and on this an icon is displayed to identify the cleaning mode in use.

Whilst some seem obvious others are not. The following image shows what the icons will look like on the smart wireless guide.

Do be aware that the Massage mode is is also known as gum care mode.

Source: Oral-B cleaning modes explained – Electric Teeth

Another website also has good explanations and evaluations:

https://www.animated-teeth.com/electric_toothbrushes/oral-b-brushing-modes.htm#brushing.modes

and they picked the best electric toothbrush set:

https://www.animated-teeth.com/electric_toothbrushes/oral-b-best-electric-toothbrushes.htm

In summary, the criteria include: has brushing pressure sensor, quadrant timer (4x 30 seconds with vibration), 3D movement (rotating with pulsating), strong power (up to 40000 pulses per minute), no abundant “smart” features (like Bluetooth or communication to apps), and 3 modes (Daily Clean, Sensitive, Gum Care) are enough. Result: they picked the Oral-B Pro 3000 (around 100$).

Less expensive model is Oral-B Pro 900 Sensi Ultrathin (compared to Pro 3000: less power (up to 20000 pulses per minute), around 45 EUR in Germany.

Oral-B cleaning modes explained – Electric Toothbrush
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