$22 Kmart product leaves shoppers divided: 'Can't tolerate it'

Kmart has cemented itself as the place to go when you want affordable products from homewares to activewear, camping gear and cooking utensils. The mega-retailer has also become known as a haven for dupes of popular items at a fraction of the price.

While some of these finds have had customers shouting praise from the rooftops, others have left shoppers a little underwhelmed. Take, for example, the OXX electric toothbrush, which has left many Kmart fans disappointed.

The toothbrush is being criticised by shoppers for its limitations however, a dentist tells Yahoo Lifestyle that the product may not be as bad as it seems saying that anything that gets people brushing for two minutes is a "big win."

Kmart shoppers unhappy with $22 electric toothbrush

The $22 gadget comes in purple and green and features two speeds and gentle vibrations - which many customers took issue with.

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“It just vibrates, I never knew I had sensitive teeth until I used one of these," one wrote. "I couldn’t tolerate it. Better off with one that rotates. They go on sale ALL the time for $25, just need to keep an eye out."

“You’re better off buying an Oral B brush for the same price on sale at Woolies or Coles," another said. "The heads rotate so all you have to do is hold the brush and move it to each tooth."

"These ones only vibrate the head, it doesn't work as well as your normal Oral B one would,” agreed another.

Rotating vs vibrating: Which toothbrush is better?

However, Dr Giulia D'Anna, dentist and founder of iDental tells Yahoo Lifestyle that there isn’t a definitive answer as to whether rotating or vibrating toothbrushes work better - instead, it weighs more heavily on the shape of the head.

“Typically, a rotating head means that the electric toothbrush will have a very small round head, which leads it to be easier to get into all the small areas down the back of the mouth - and this is good," she says. "Better access generally means better brushing,” she says.

“Vibrating/ultrasonic brushes typically have a regular rectangular head," she continues. "So, it offers a bit of an advantage over regular manual brushing if it is packed with the other features.”

Also critical is how well you use the electric toothbrush, says Gavin Quek, Chair, National Oral Health Committee, Australian Dental Association Ltd.

“Scientific studies show that there are benefits of using electric toothbrushes (either oscillating-rotating or sonic electric) compared to manual toothbrushes," he explains. "They can remove bacteria and decrease gum inflammation more than manual toothbrushes both in the short and long term. However, how well any toothbrush cleans your teeth depends on how well you use it. “

What to look for when choosing an electric toothbrush

The experts also say that while some people prefer rotating toothbrush heads, they aren’t the key factor to look out for when choosing one.

Dr Anna Kelly, a cosmetic dentist from Sydney recommends all of her patients invest in an electric toothbrush, sharing a TikTok video in which she reveals the two features to keep an eye out for.

Dr Kelly says the toothbrush should have a pressure sensor (to ensure you aren’t applying too much pressure) and a two-minute timer (to ensure you are brushing for long enough.)

Adds Gavin, "Many modern electric toothbrushes, particularly higher-end models, come equipped with Bluetooth connectivity. This can track brushing habits and store data such as brushing duration, frequency, coverage and pressure.

"Some apps allow users to share this data with their dentist or hygienist. This can be particularly useful for patients who are working on improving their oral hygiene, such as those with gum disease or orthodontic appliances. Dentists can use the data to provide personalised advice or address areas where brushing habits could improve."

Dr D'Anna, also says the toothbrush head size is an important factor to consider, saying “Generally, the smaller the head, the more easily an electric toothbrush can get all the bristles engaged on the teeth at once."

"Other features that are important are flat bristles, some ultrasonic movement - this can be rotation or vibration- and a timer,” she adds.

Is the $22 Kmart electric toothbrush worth it?

Ultimately, Dr D'Anna says that the choice really comes down to the consumer and that the important thing is that they are brushing their teeth in the first place.

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“If a patient loves an electric toothbrush due to colour and small price (like the Kmart one), and that makes them use it for two minutes, that is a big win," she says. "I am pretty happy. If they have a round head ETB, even better as they will likely do a better job of cleaning.”

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