Sensitivity is not a reason to scrub harder. It may come from exposed dentine, recession, erosion, decay, a crack or recent treatment, so persistent or localised pain deserves assessment. A toothbrush can help you control pressure; it cannot diagnose the cause.

Compare the three brushes

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Electric toothbrushes for people concerned about sensitivity

Product	Pressure support	Best for	Consider	Shop
Sonicare 4100 HX4044/41	Pressure sensor; Gentle and Clean modes; two intensities	A simpler, lower-cost starting point	Extra modes are limited—which may be an advantage if you dislike complexity.	View 4100
Sonicare 5500 HX7113/01	Pressure alert that reduces vibration	A restrained two-mode Sonicare routine	Its White mode concerns surface stain, not sensitivity treatment.	View 5500
Oral-B iO5	Visible pressure ring; Sensitive and Super Sensitive modes	People who want obvious, real-time coaching	Round-head sensation and app features are not everyone’s preference.	View iO5

What actually matters for sensitivity?

Pressure control

A pressure sensor only helps if you respond to it. Pause when the brush warns you, let the bristles contact the tooth lightly and move methodically. The Oral-B ring is difficult to miss; Sonicare’s feedback is more restrained.

A setting you will use

The 4100’s Gentle mode and the iO5’s sensitive modes can make the transition easier. Mode names are not treatment claims. If even the lowest comfortable setting hurts one tooth, stop trying to solve it with settings and arrange an examination.

The brush head

Choose a compatible soft head and replace it when worn. A premium handle cannot compensate for splayed bristles or aggressive technique. Do not assume “whitening” means harsh, but do not buy a stain-focused head expecting it to treat dentine sensitivity.

My dentist’s view

I use Sonicare myself and favour its slim head and lighter-feeling motion, but that preference is not universal. For someone who repeatedly presses too hard, the iO5’s bright pressure feedback may be more useful. For someone who wants fewer distractions, the 4100 or 5500 is the neater choice.

Whichever you buy, use fluoride toothpaste, spit rather than rinse immediately after brushing, and discuss a sensitivity toothpaste with your own dental professional. New, severe, lingering or one-sided pain should not be self-treated indefinitely.

Sources and notes

• Philips Sonicare 4100 model support
• Philips Sonicare 5500 product information
• Oral-B iO5 product information
• Models, included items and photographs were checked against the linked Amazon Ireland listings. This is an editorial comparison, not a personal test of all three.