It can be a challenge to maneuver a toothbrush around your back teeth, and it’s even more tricky to ensure you actually brush all of those hard-to-reach teeth thoroughly. That’s why an electric toothbrush, which uses thousands more brush strokes per minute than a manual one, might be the right fit for you.

When you no longer have to focus on brushing back and forth and up and down, you can concentrate more on making sure you reach every side of each tooth in your mouth. Additional reasons to use an electric toothbrush include some of the features available, like sonic technology, which helps disrupt the growth of bacteria beneath the gumline.

There are also electric toothbrushes with built-in timers to ensure you spend a full two minutes brushing your teeth as the dentist recommends. These rechargeable toothbrushes make it easier to brush longer since they do the work for you.

The two main categories of electric toothbrushes are rotation oscillation toothbrushes and sonic toothbrushes. A rotating electric toothbrush has a small head that is easy to navigate around your teeth, which excels at reducing plaque. And, a sonic brush helps fight bacteria all throughout your mouth, even below the gum line. If you’re not sure which is better for your oral health, you can always ask the advice of your dentist.

No matter which type of rechargeable toothbrush you have, it is recommended to put on a new electric toothbrush replacement head on a regular basis to help maintain peak performance. Look out for splaying bristles as an indicator that you need a new toothbrush head, or consider your electric toothbrush manufacturer’s recommendations.

With any brushing routine, you will want to incorporate flossing as well. If you have particularly crowded teeth, you might also benefit from a water flosser, which can effectively clean between tight spaces. And, similar to the electric toothbrush, water flossers can be more gentle on sensitive gums and provide a more thorough teeth cleaning experience.