In a dental-themed episode, the BBC Radio 4 podcast Sliced Bread tackles the question of whether getting an electric brush might save trips to the dentist in future. And would a more expensive brush really clean teeth better than a cheaper one? Here are some of the findings:

1 The electric toothbrush market is dominated by two players – Oral-B and Philips – and they both use different technology. Oral-B's electric toothbrushes oscillate. They have small circular heads that rotate back and forth at about 70 times a second. Philips's brushes use vibrations. The bristles on the head move side to side at very high speeds – around 250 times a second.

2 These technologies might feel different, but they create the same results. The two systems do provide a physically different experience. But Damien Walmsley, Professor of Restorative Dentistry at Birmingham University, believes there isn’t much difference in the results.

3 Prices can be high – but expensive doesn’t mean a better clean. Consumer watchdog Which? have rated electric toothbrushes on factors like ease of use, battery life and how much plaque was removed. A Philips brush costing £125 was top rated. In second place was another Philips brush that cost close to £290. However, in third place was a Superdrug brush costing just £30. In fact, in terms of plaque removal, this budget option surpasses models that cost more than five times as much.

4 You need to consider whether AI and apps are a help or a hindrance. The top-end brushes boast features including apps that give you feedback on your brushing technique. The extra snazzy app features are things that you will decide are important or not, and whether you’re prepared to pay extra.

5 Manual toothbrushes can be just as effective at removing plaque. Professor Walmsley reports on what scientific literature says about manual versus electric: “… there's very little difference between the two. The evidence tends to show that there’s a little bit more benefit towards the powered toothbrushes, but it's minimal and it's down to how you use it.”

Listen to the full programme, Sliced Bread: Electric Toothbrushes (& Water Flossers) at:
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0017k9b