Health Calculators
Electric toothbrush payback calculator.
Enter the price of the electric brush and its heads, how long the handle lasts, and what a manual brush costs. You get the total and yearly cost of each and the extra you pay per day. The ADA says manual and powered brushes can both be used effectively, so this is a cost comparison, not a health claim.
Your two brushes
Cost comparison
Fill the form and press Compare cost.
How the comparison is worked out
Heads bought = months the handle lasts ÷ months between heads, rounded up. Electric total = handle price + heads bought × head price. Manual total = brushes bought × manual price, using the same rounding. The extra cost is the difference, and the extra per day divides it by the days in the handle's life. If you enter dental spending you think the electric brush avoids each year, payback years = extra cost ÷ that yearly amount.
Worked example. A $90 handle with $8 heads changed every 3 months, kept 5 years: 20 heads = $160.00, so $250.00 in all, or $50.00 a year. A $3 manual brush changed every 3 months: 20 brushes = $60.00, or $12.00 a year. The electric brush costs $190.00 more over 5 years: $38.00 a year, about $0.10 a day. If you believed it avoided $19 a year in dental spending, payback would be 10 years.
What the ADA says. It recommends brushing for two minutes twice a day with a soft-bristled brush, replacing toothbrushes every three to four months or sooner if the bristles are frayed, and says either manual or powered toothbrushes can be used effectively. Powered brushes can cost more than most manual ones, and some people, such as those with dexterity problems, may prefer them. The ADA does not say a powered brush will save you money, so the payback line only works from a figure you supply.
Sources (each opened 2026-10-08): ADA Oral Health Topics: Toothbrushes (last updated August 2026); MouthHealthy (ADA): Toothbrushes. The prices in the form are example inputs, not published averages.
FAQ
Is an electric toothbrush worth the money?
The ADA says both manual and powered toothbrushes can be used effectively, so the choice is partly about cost and preference. Some people, such as those who have trouble with dexterity, may find a powered brush easier to use.
How often should I replace an electric toothbrush head?
The ADA says to replace toothbrushes every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. Follow the maker's guidance for heads as well.
How much does an electric toothbrush cost per year?
Handle price divided by years of use, plus the yearly cost of replacement heads. Enter your prices above to get your own figure.
Does an electric toothbrush pay for itself?
Only if it avoids dental spending, and that is a personal estimate that this tool does not supply. Leave the box at 0 and the result is the extra cost per year.
How long should I brush with an electric toothbrush?
The ADA recommendation is two minutes twice a day, with a manual or powered brush. The tooth brushing timer on this site can time it.
Disclaimer
General information and arithmetic on numbers you enter, not dental advice. Your dentist decides what treatment you need and when. Plans, prices and results differ from the simple model used here.