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Electric toothbrush recommendations

post #1 of 24
6/16/10 at 1:06am
Thread Starter 
Anyone have a recommendation? I'm looking for something that gets the job done well. I don't need a $300 contraption with bells and whistles. Anyone have a good long-term experience with one of the models out on the market today? Thanks.
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post #2 of 24
6/16/10 at 1:19am
Braun Oral B Sonic....never EVER thought I would go electric but now I can't imagine going manual. The difference is impressive. My dentist sells them for his cost.

The thing also holds a charge for a week or more so you can travel with it if you want.
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post #3 of 24
6/16/10 at 1:46am
Easy, I have this discussion likely once a week with patients... Basically, you have three solid options then a bunch of other "compromised" brushes. Buy from within these main three groups; buy the best you can afford. If I don't have any on hand, I usually suggest that my patients visit the local Costco as a primary option for the best deal. I, personally, have one of each of the following. (Some are 1- or 2- year-old models mind you.) They are all essentially the same from a subjective perspective. Typically, I suggest the sonic models for good/great brushers (i.e. technique-wise) and the oscillating for poor/fair brushers and kids. Oh, and avoid the sonic versions if you hate white-speckled mirrors. For what it's worth, the scientific literature has never reliably shown a proven winner. The quality of each of these is very good, I can assure you of that. - (Braun) Oral-B Sonic (I think the current model is still called the Sonic Complete, but lately I've seen it re-branded as Pulsesonic or something like that) - (Braun) Oral-B Oscillating (these are still called Professional Care as far as I know and come with various gadgets to help motivation/compliance and ease-of-use; there is a brush out there called the Triumph too, but as far as I know it's the same) - (Philips) Sonicare Sonic (the newest top model is referred to as FlexCare; it comes with useless crap as well, but is otherwise solid)
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post #4 of 24
6/16/10 at 1:47am
I've just been using the Oral-B CrossAction, which I think is only like $8 at Walgreen's or something. It works great but runs on AA batteries (included) which means that after a while it gets pretty weak. However I just end up throwing it out and buying a new one when that happens because by that time it's usually all worn out.
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post #5 of 24
6/16/10 at 7:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Notreknip View Post
.. Oh, and avoid the sonic versions if you hate white-speckled mirrors....[/i]

Briefly use a traditional brush with toothpaste, rinse, then switch to the sonic brush. Eliminates the mirror problem, and I feel the sonic brush is more effective that way.
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post #6 of 24
6/16/10 at 8:52am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Notreknip View Post
Easy, I have this discussion likely once a week with patients...

Basically, you have three solid options then a bunch of other "compromised" brushes. Buy from within these main three groups; buy the best you can afford. If I don't have any on hand, I usually suggest that my patients visit the local Costco as a primary option for the best deal.

I, personally, have one of each of the following. (Some are 1- or 2- year-old models mind you.) They are all essentially the same from a subjective perspective. Typically, I suggest the sonic models for good/great brushers (i.e. technique-wise) and the oscillating for poor/fair brushers and kids. Oh, and avoid the sonic versions if you hate white-speckled mirrors.

For what it's worth, the scientific literature has never reliably shown a proven winner. The quality of each of these is very good, I can assure you of that.

- (Braun) Oral-B Sonic
(I think the current model is still called the Sonic Complete, but lately I've seen it re-branded as Pulsesonic or something like that)

- (Braun) Oral-B Oscillating
(these are still called Professional Care as far as I know and come with various gadgets to help motivation/compliance and ease-of-use; there is a brush out there called the Triumph too, but as far as I know it's the same)

- (Philips) Sonicare Sonic
(the newest top model is referred to as FlexCare; it comes with useless crap as well, but is otherwise solid)

Wow, super helpful reply. Thanks. One question though - you say to avoid the Sonic models if I don't want white-speckled mirrors, but then you go on to list three models with the word "Sonic" in the name. Does this mean that the Braun Oscillating is the only version that is not as messy of the three that you listed? Thanks.
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post #7 of 24
6/16/10 at 10:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MetroStyles View Post
you say to avoid the Sonic models if I don't want white-speckled mirrors,

Just keep your mouth closed when you use it, or walk around the house as you brush.

I'm happy with my basic philips sonicare but I only use it 2-3 times a week for a deep cleaning. I know I'm supposed to use it every day. I still use a standard brush and floss to get the crap out before using the sonicare.
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post #8 of 24
6/16/10 at 10:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by greg_atlanta View Post
Just keep your mouth closed when you use it, or walk around the house as you brush.

As long as you don't have brush with shit on it that is turned on and not in your mouth...it should be fine.

I have been a sonicare user for many years...would not go back. I still use a normal toothbrush at work/traveling light/girls places but if the sonicare broke, I would buy a new one ASAP.

I have always used the sonicare "elite" models...they seemed nicer than the original sonicare but I have no experiance with the newer models. I used the super basic model for a few years and was given the costco-special about 5 years ago when I went to college. It has a battery meter and two different speeds (and maybe some other options) but I never use the low-power speed so I think there is really no benefit to the basic model (other than the fact that it was actually cheaper at costco than the basic model elsewhere).

Costco seems to be the best place to buy...you have to replace the brush heads but I probably do it less frequently than recommended and a pack of several isn't too expensive at costco.
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post #9 of 24
6/16/10 at 3:56pm
The Braun Oral B Sonic and the Sonicare are the two top rated brushes. I have a Sonicare. Keep your mouth closed while you brush or lean into the sink when you do the front teeth and it'll be fine.
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post #10 of 24
6/16/10 at 4:42pm
Thread Starter 
Wait - so in which way is Sonic better than oscillating?
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post #11 of 24
6/16/10 at 4:48pm
Sonicare here for a few years. Had relearn how to brush my teeth with it at first (meaning, resist the habit to scrub with it. Once a week I run it through 2-3 cycles and fel like I just came from the dentist.

Really is great around the gum line, etc. And yes- just keep your mouth shut when using it.

Mine is older so i think all the heads are this way, but just make sure it has the longer, more slender head/attachment. Makes getting to the far back much easier. I still have all my wisdom teeth so it makes a difference.
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post #12 of 24
6/16/10 at 4:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MetroStyles View Post
Wait - so in which way is Sonic better than oscillating?

sonick is the greatest in every way imaginable.

Real talk, though, when I got my Sonicare, I just read about the Oral B Sonic, don't remember reading about the oscillating. Plus the Sonicare was the best brush years before Oral B came out, I would assume they were doing something right.
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post #13 of 24
6/16/10 at 5:48pm
Any of the soniccare brushes will work. They have cheaper models at costco, target, etc.. They don't have the bells and whistles, but the bells and whistles do NOTHING to clean your teeth.

I urge everyone to get one. Seriously. Much, much better at cleaning your teeth than a manual brush.

The bad news is you need a new brush head replacement every 6 months or so. Then after a few years the battery quits charging well and you have to replace the whole damn thing. BUT it's still far superior to getting cavities and having your teeth rot out. A great investment/insurance policy.
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post #14 of 24
6/16/10 at 6:45pm
Sonicare brushes technically oscillate up and down... so I would assume maybe you are referring to the rotating brushes (that oscillate back and forth rather than spin in one direction).

In that case, the sonicare style brush is handsdown better. The rotating brush just doesn't cut it....its old tech (sometimes bolstered with an attempt at new tech). If you think about how your teeth look, the side to side motion of the sonicare will get in deep between teeth and all the while you should be moving the brush back and forth so it covers everything...it also moves way faster.

As for the batteries...mine is ~5 years old and is going fine. I usually only put it in the charging base when it says the battery is low...maybe that happens faster now but when something is >1 week...I don't really notice if it runs out faster.
My parents is older than that and it goes back on the charging base after every use...I have noticed it still works fine when I go home but I don't know if it would be able to survive a week without charging or not (I could take mine on vacation without issue though...they probably could too)
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post #15 of 24
6/16/10 at 6:50pm
Thread Starter 
Alright fuckers you convinced me. Where is a good place to buy a Sonicare brush? I want to get a good deal on this.

BTW, am not a Costco member, before you recommend that. Any good online shops?
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