Top 10 Oral B Toothbrush Heads for Superior Oral Care in 2024

These are my recommendations for the Best Oral B Toothbrush Heads 2024.

It can be confusing finding the best toothbrush heads when there are so many available. As a dentist I have simplified picking the best one depending on your specific dental needs.

I’ve also written articles on the best electric toothbrush for kids if you need to find the best brush for your little ones. Additionally, we recently tested the new kid on the block, the SURI electric toothbrush which has great battery life and sustainable credentials, well worth checking out.

Are electric toothbrushes better?

As a professional, I think all adult patients should be using an electric toothbrush. I can often tell when someone is using one within seconds of looking at their teeth at a check up.

They clean your teeth and gums better than a manual toothbrush, and are well worth the cost in keeping your mouth healthy.

The main thing a toothbrush should do is remove plaque from your teeth and gums. The more effectively you can clean away the bacteria, the healthier your teeth and gums will be. Electric toothbrushes remove way more plaque than a manual brush.

Why are toothbrush heads important?

There are many different heads available and the all work slightly differently. If comfort is a priority, using one with softer bristles will cause less irritation to your gums. There are also specialised brushes for whitening and sensitivity.

In addition to this, areas with missing teeth and spaces in between teeth are difficult to clean around, and wearing fixed braces can also cause oral hygiene challenges. Heads with smaller bristles are available to help with these situations.

Check out the best brush heads we’ve tested below.

Compatibility (Make sure the brush heads fit YOUR brush)

The Oral B range has become a little bit more extensive. They used to have vitality and pro and genius, which all had the same heads. Oral B have now released a premium brush called the iO which has different (and more expensive) replacement brush heads.

Make sure you check and double check before buying that you’re getting the right ones. There’s nothing more frustrating than buying ones that don’t fit your brush.

Oral B genius, vitality and pro brush heads fit over the thin metal shaft, and are smaller and rounder.

iO Brush heads are more oval in shape, wider, and fit over the a plastic nozzle.

Should I go for cheaper heads?

The cost of brush heads can really add up if you give a young family who all need heads every 3 months.

Thankfully some companies have sprung up which make cheaper compatible heads, They work well and are of good quality, but maybe aren’t as robust as the Oral B ones. If you use them carefully, they may save you money in the long term.

How we scored the brush heads

We used plaque disclosing tablets to independently verify the cleaning effectiveness of each brush. My wife and I both tried the various brush heads using our ‘professional’ technique for two minutes to see how much plaque was cleaned away. We then gave each one a score out of 10 for plaque removal.

(We didn’t include all the images. No one wants to see 20 photos of purple and then clean(ish) teeth)

Our Top picks – At a glance

Best Oral B Toothbrush Heads Overall – Oral-B Pro Cross Action Electric Toothbrush Head

Best Value Oral B Toothbrush Heads – Voguish Replacement Brush Heads Compatible with Oral B

Best Oral B Toothbrush Heads for Sensitive Teeth – Oral-B Pro Sensitive Clean Electric Toothbrush Head

Best Oral B Toothbrush Heads for Small Mouths – Oral-B Pro Kids Electric Toothbrush Head

Best Oral B Toothbrush Heads for Braces – Oral-B Ortho Care Essentials Electric Toothbrush Head

Best Oral B Toothbrush Heads for Whitening – Oral-B Pro 3D White Electric Toothbrush Head

Best Oral B Toothbrush Heads for Healthy Gums – Oral-B Interspace Electric Toothbrush Head

Best Recyclable Oral B Toothbrush heads – The Little Eco Company Recyclable Oral-B Compatible Toothbrush Head Set

Best iO Toothbrush Heads – Oral-B iO Ultimate Clean Electric Toothbrush Head

Best Value iO Toothbrush Heads – CREMODUL Toothbrush Heads Compatible with Oral B iO

1) Best Oral B Toothbrush Heads Overall

Oral-B Pro Cross Action Electric Toothbrush Head

Why our dentists recommend this brush head:

This is a great all rounder. It fits snugly on the brush, feels great to use, and removes plaque efficiently and effectively. The heads last longer than non-branded competitors, the full three months.

The bristles are angled at 16 degrees to get all the way around all the tooth, and into the gums.

Just make sure you leave the brush on the tooth surface for long enough. Remember with any Oral B brush, don’t move the brush in a back and forth motion like a traditional brush, just place it on each surface of the tooth for around 3-5 seconds and let the oscillating-rotating mechanism do its work.

When used properly, this brush head greatly reduces chance of decay and gum problems, saving you from pain and potentially expensive dentist bills.

2) Best Value Oral B Toothbrush Heads

Voguish Replacement Brush Heads Compatible with Oral B

Why our dentists recommend this brush head:

If you’re looking for a more cost effective solution to replacing brush heads you could do worse than get a pack of these heads from Voguish. They’re not quite as robust as the branded ones, but still provide a good clean. It also had rounded end of bristles and is compatible with all the oral b brushes except the iO series.

Disadvantages of going cheaper? I did find is the pressure sensor on my brush being overly sensitive, meaning you’re getting more of the red light indicator flashing. The heads are slightly bigger, and the bristles are a little tougher, which may not be ideal if you have sensitive gums.

3) Best Oral B Toothbrush Heads for Sensitive Teeth

Oral-B Pro Sensitive Clean Electric Toothbrush Head

Why our dentists recommend this brush head:

You want a good clean but find electric toothbrushing hurts your gums. This is a great brush head for a gentle but effective clean. The bristles are softer, thinner and more tightly packed, which makes them less likely to traumatise your gingivae.

4) Best Oral B Toothbrush Heads for Small Mouths

Oral-B Pro Kids Electric Toothbrush Head

Why our dentists recommend this brush head:

When it comes to kids, durability of the toothbrush head is of upmost importance. My kids had the habit of biting/chewing their brush heads while brushing. Once the bristles are splayed they’re much less effective.

The smaller brush head design caters perfectly to little mouths, and even for adults a smaller head can get into more places, so as long as you don’t mind the Disney/Frozen designs they can work pretty well for parents too.

The brush heads ensure a thorough and comfortable clean. They’re pretty durable but training your children to brush properly will work out much more cost effective in the long term.

5) Best Oral B Toothbrush Heads for Braces

Oral-B Ortho Care Essentials Electric Toothbrush Head

Why our dentists recommend this brush head:

As a dentist who wears braces, I found this pack to be perfect for my needs. It has two head which are specifically designed to clean around brackets and wires, as will as a small interspace brush which comprises of the little bristle heads, perfect for getting under wires and between teeth.

I often use these just after I’ve eaten, as it effectively removes food that gets stuck in between my braces and teeth.

6) Best Oral B Toothbrush Heads for Whitening

Oral-B Pro 3D White Electric Toothbrush Head

Why our dentists recommend this brush head:

When youre having your 6 monthly scale and polish, we as dentists usually use prophy past and a rubber cup to remove the final stains from your teeth. This brush head incorporates that cup within a brush head to try and simulate the same effect.

Although it’s worth having the brush head to use say once or twice a week, I would use one of the other designs for daily use as they remove plaque better.

Do they actually whiten your teeth? No they will not whiten the shade of your teeth, but they are better at removing surface stains. See my article on Tooth whitening for how to professionally whiten your teeth by removing internal staining.

It’s worth mentioning that all the new packaging for Oral B heads is recyclable, with the boxes being able to fit in the mailbox. So convenient to order, as you don’t have to wait in all day for them.

7) Best Oral B Toothbrush Heads for Healthy Gums

Oral-B Interspace Electric Toothbrush Head

Why our dentists recommend this brush head:

My patients who try these heads absolutely love them. They’re recommended by the hygienist in my practice, and they’re a game changer for some. The little brushes get effectively between teeth and gentle tickle the plaque away. Patients who have struggled with flossing and interdental brushes for years have managed to improve the health of their gums. They also great for cleaning around braces.

As it’s a specialised brush its lasts longer as is used sparingly, hence coming only in a pack of two. A great addition to your regime.

8) Best Recyclable Oral B Toothbrush Heads

The Little Eco Company Recyclable Oral-B Compatible Toothbrush Head Set

Why our dentists recommend this brush head:

An age old problem. Plastic in toothbrushes ending up in landfills due to the short lifespan of these products. The answer? Send your used brushes back to the little eco company with the free packaging they provide, and they will break down the brush and recycle the plastic.

The brushes themselves are still of good quality, robust and durable. They come in two designs, one with a slight oval bristle shape for daily cleaning, and then one with a diamond shaped rubber cup that can be used for stain removal.

9) Best iO Toothbrush Heads

Oral-B iO Ultimate Clean Electric Toothbrush Head

Why our dentists recommend this brush head:

I upgraded from the Genius brush to the iO a few years ago when I was given a new electric toothbrush to sample. There really is a big difference.

The brush is quieter, cleans effectively and is comfortable to use. The only thing is didn’t like was the battery life. Oh, and the price of replacement heads!

Plaque removal scores were the best we’ve seen. The upgraded mechanism includes micro vibrations which has more of a massaging quality to it, and yes that feels as good as it sounds. If your budget can stretch to this, these heads and the accompanying brush is highly recommended.

10) Best Value iO Toothbrush Heads

CREMODUL Toothbrush Head Compatible with Oral B

Why our dentists recommend this brush head:

They was definitely a gap in the market for cheaper brush heads for the iO. These brushes are less than half the price.

They work well, but are not quite as robust as the Oral B ones, and lack some build quality. They fit onto the head well, but the pressure sensor on your brush may be temperamental with them.

The bristle formation lack the different lengths and angles of the branded ones, but are soft enough, and do change colour to indicate when the brush head need changing. Worth a try if you want to cut costs, but be wary of the drop in quality, and won’t clean your teeth quite as well.

Buying Guide for Oral B Toothbrush Heads

When choosing an Oral-B toothbrush head, consider the specific cleaning needs you have, such as plaque removal, gum care, or whitening, and select a brush head designed to address those requirements.

Cleaning

When choosing an Oral-B toothbrush head, consider the specific cleaning needs you have, such as plaque removal, gum care, or whitening, and select a brush head designed to address those requirements.

All the brushes when used as directed are very effective. Make sure you’re using them at the correct pressure. The sensor will indicate it for you.

Cost

Evaluate the cost of replacement brush heads and consider purchasing multipacks to save money in the long run. Keep in mind that higher-priced brush heads may offer additional features or specialised cleaning benefits. 

The Oral B own brand brushes are more expensive than ones that are compatible and made by other companies. These can be almost half the price. They are still of good build quality but may not last as long.

Comfort

Look for brush heads with soft bristles and ergonomic designs to ensure a comfortable brushing experience. Consider your individual preferences for brush head size and shape to find the most comfortable option for you.

Indicators

Some Oral-B toothbrush heads come with colour indicator bristles that fade over time, signalling when it’s time to replace the brush head. This feature can help maintain optimal cleaning performance and oral hygiene.

Multiple Users of Electric Toothbrush 

If you and your family share an electric toothbrush handle its worth seeing how the different brush heads can be differentiated, the oral b brush heads have a small platic ring which can be of different colours which can then show which head belongs to who.

The iO brushes have a very small symbol on them which you can use to differentiate. In my house we feel they don’t really stand out. As we have 3 people using the same handle, myself my wife and my son, we use sharpies to write a big letter on the head shaft, which can help to differentiate better. 

How we tested

For the testing process, we used a systematic approach to evaluate the toothbrush heads for Oral-B electric toothbrushes. Firstly, we assessed the design and functionality of each toothbrush head to ensure compatibility and ease of use with the Oral-B electric toothbrush.

Next, we conducted thorough testing of the plaque removal efficacy using Plaque Disclosing Tablets. This involved applying the tablets to the teeth, brushing with each toothbrush head, and then looking at the results after taking photos to determine the effectiveness of plaque removal. We gave this a plaque removal score out of 10.

This gave us comprehensive insights into the performance of different toothbrush heads for Oral-B electric toothbrushes, helping patients to make informed decisions based on our findings.

Why trust Us

We are experienced dentists who have a deep understanding of oral health and hygiene. With our professional expertise, we have firsthand knowledge of what works best for maintaining optimal dental care. Our testing and recommendations are rooted in evidence-based dentistry, ensuring that our insights are reliable and trustworthy for individuals seeking the best toothbrush heads for their Oral-B electric toothbrushes.

FAQ

What are the best Oral-B toothbrush heads for sensitive teeth and gums?

The Oral-B Sensitive Gum Care brush head is designed with extra soft bristles to provide a gentle yet effective clean for those with sensitive teeth and gums.

Which Oral-B toothbrush head is best for removing plaque and promoting gum health?

The Oral-B CrossAction brush head features angled bristles to target plaque and improve gum health, making it an ideal choice for maintaining oral hygiene.

What is the most suitable Oral-B toothbrush head for whitening teeth?

For whitening teeth, consider using the Oral-B 3D White brush head, which is designed to effectively remove surface stains for a brighter smile.

Which Oral-B toothbrush head is recommended for reaching difficult-to-access areas in the mouth?

The Oral-B FlossAction brush head is designed with MicroPulse bristles to reach deep between teeth and along the gum line, making it perfect for accessing hard-to-reach areas.

What is the best Oral-B toothbrush head for overall cleaning and plaque removal?

The Oral-B Precision Clean brush head is a versatile option that provides thorough cleaning and effective plaque removal for a comprehensive oral care routine.

Our Verdict 

After a wide-ranging and fun testing process, we have reached our verdict.

The branded toothbrush heads for Oral-B electric toothbrushes stood out for their superior quality and performance, making them our top recommendation for patients seeking optimal oral care. The Oral-B Pro Cross Action Electric Toothbrush Head has a snug fit, efficient plaque removal, long lifespan, and an effective design that reduces the risk of decay and gum problems when used correctly.

However, for those looking for a more budget-friendly option, unbranded toothbrush heads can be considered, but it’s essential to handle them with care and gentleness to ensure effective cleaning.

In conclusion, our testing has shown that investing in branded toothbrush heads is the way to go for long-term oral health benefits.