The short answer: a soft-bristled manual or powered brush, used for two minutes twice a day, together with cleaning between the teeth, is still the routine the evidence supports. The new devices add cameras, apps and mouthpiece designs. As of November 1, 2026, our search found no independent clinical trial showing that either of the two devices below cleans better than a good electric toothbrush.
What the evidence says about ordinary brushes
The American Dental Association states that both manual and powered toothbrushes are effective at removing plaque. It recommends soft bristles, and replacing the brush, or the head, about every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. A powered brush can help people with limited hand movement or with braces. Products that carry the ADA Seal of Acceptance have had their evidence of safety and effectiveness reviewed.
Dyson CameraJet
Dyson launched the CameraJet on September 1, 2026. It is an electric toothbrush with a small camera in the head. According to Dyson, software recognizes the gaps between teeth and releases a burst of mouthrinse from a 12.5 ml tank, and an app shows which areas were cleaned.
- Price and availability: listed at US $499.99. On September 30, 2026, Dyson said that one production batch of jet tubes had a process issue that could let water seep in, that it had set the affected products aside, and that this had caused a temporary out-of-stock position. On November 1, 2026, the US product page still listed the Ceramic pink model at that price, marked out of stock. Check Dyson's own site for the current price and availability.
- Dyson's own clinical study: Dyson's US product page describes a study of 204 participants over six weeks, brushing twice a day in Brush and Auto-jet mode, compared with a manual toothbrush. It was run for the manufacturer, and the comparison is with a manual brush, so it does not show that the CameraJet cleans better than other electric toothbrushes.
- The "up to 69%" figure: Dyson reports that its brushing motion removes up to 69% more plaque than market-leading premium electric toothbrushes in hard-to-reach areas. According to Dyson's footnote, this was a laboratory test, with the brush in its brush-only mode, not a measurement in people's mouths.
- Laboratory plaque: Dyson also developed an artificial "proxy plaque" with the National University of Singapore's Faculty of Dentistry, which it used in laboratory tests of its jet against needle-type jets. Dyson's footnotes describe that as a separate test from the 69% figure.
- Independent evidence: in our search on November 1, 2026, we did not find a peer-reviewed or independent publication of these results. Dental Tribune, reporting from the FDI World Dental Congress, says that Dyson's medical affairs lead described detailed results of its clinical program as not yet published in peer-reviewed journals. That is what we found, not proof that nothing exists.
Feno Smartbrush
The Feno Smartbrush is a U-shaped mouthpiece of soft bristles, driven by a motorized handle, that brushes all the teeth at once. The company sizes the mouthpiece from a scan made with its app and says a full clean takes 20 seconds.
- Price: on November 1, 2026, Feno's site listed the Founder's Edition Bundle at $299 as a one-time purchase and the Founder's Edition Plus at $399. Its "starting at $199" price applies only when the brush is bought together with Feno Membership, which costs $20 a month. The app alone, Feno Plus, is $12.99 a month or $99.99 a year. Feno says a subscription is optional. Prices and terms change; check Feno's site before buying.
- The evidence offered: the company presents results from its own product testing. We did not find the ADA Seal mentioned on its site.
- Independent evidence: in our search on November 1, 2026, we found no peer-reviewed study of the Feno Smartbrush itself. That is what we found, not proof that none exists.
What a study of a different U-shaped brush found
In a 2020 randomized crossover trial, 22 student volunteers each used, once, a U-shaped automatic toothbrush, a conventional powered brush, their usual brushing, and no brushing. The U-shaped brush removed no more plaque than not brushing at all, while the powered brush and usual brushing removed much more (Nieri et al., 2020; no funding was reported). That brush was a different model, not the Feno, and a single use cannot speak for every design. What the study does show is that the shape alone does not guarantee a clean, so it is worth asking for evidence on the exact model.
Side by side
| Ordinary electric or manual brush | Dyson CameraJet | Feno Smartbrush | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Low | $499.99 list price | $299 or $399 one-time, by bundle |
| What it does | Brushing; between-the-teeth cleaning done separately | Brush plus a targeted rinse jet | A whole-mouth mouthpiece in 20 seconds |
| Evidence | Strong | The manufacturer's six-week study against a manual brush, and its laboratory tests | The company's own testing; we found no independent study |
| ADA Seal | Many models carry it | Not found on its site | Not found on its site |
How to decide
- Do you already clean well? If your checkups show little plaque and healthy gums, a new device may add little.
- Is brushing hard for your hands? A powered toothbrush can help; ask us which type suits your hands and your dental work.
- If you have implants, bridges, veneers or braces, ask your dentist or hygienist which cleaning tools and techniques suit them, especially before trying an unfamiliar mouthpiece or automated device.
- What will it cost over a year, including heads, foam, rinse or a membership?
- Is there independent evidence, or the ADA Seal, for that exact model?
Questions patients ask
Can a smart brush replace flossing? The CameraJet's jet is designed for the spaces between teeth, but we found no independent evidence yet that it equals floss or small interdental brushes. Keep cleaning between your teeth unless your dentist advises otherwise.
Is 20 seconds enough? That is the manufacturer's figure for its own device; we found no independent study of it.
Is a $500 brush better than a $50 electric one? We found no independent comparison showing that. Technique, the time you spend and regular cleaning between the teeth still matter most.
If you would like advice on brushing around your own teeth or dental work, ask at your next cleaning or examination.
Sources
- American Dental Association, Toothbrushes (updated August 2026).
- Nieri M, et al. Efficacy of a U-Shaped Automatic Electric Toothbrush in Dental Plaque Removal: A Cross-Over Randomized Controlled Trial. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2020.
- Dyson, Introducing CameraJet, press release, September 1, 2026, with its footnotes on the laboratory tests.
- Dyson, CameraJet product page (US), read November 1, 2026, for the price, the stock status and the 204-participant study.
- Dyson, Dyson CameraJet update, statement, September 30, 2026.
- Dental Tribune, Dyson presents CameraJet toothbrush at FDI World Dental Congress, read November 1, 2026.
- Feno, feno.co (home page, product pages and FAQs), read November 1, 2026.
- Prices, stock and claims are as the manufacturers published them on the dates given and may change. Mentioning a product here is not an endorsement.