Electronic Toothbrushes
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Electronic Toothbrushes
Sept 2002
My nine year old still does a really poor job getting the junk off
his teeth when brushing. We've been considerering getting him an
electric tooth brush in the hope that it would be more fun for
him, he might brush longer, and his teeth would end up cleaner.
Has anyone tried this with their kids? Any brand to recommend or
avoid? How about expense? Does the novelty wear off too fast?
anon
YES! My son resisted brushing his teeth and his dentist
suggested we get an electric toothbrush. It didn't make him
love brushing but he does brush now. Also the brush as a 2
minute timer in it so he brushed until it beeps. So he actually
brushes 2 minutes - much longer than before. It has helped a
lot for us.
Dawn
Well ... I bought a Sonicare a couple years ago thinking my
school-aged children would be more likely to brush. The novelty
wore off after a couple of days and we were back to the nag
method. I continued using it myself for a few months but found
that my way-too-sensitive teeth just couldn't get used to the
constant vibration, so I switched back to the manual toothbrush.
anon
Our family dentist recommended the Sonicare toothbrush. While I
doubt that it, or any other toothbrush for that matter, would
have enough long-term appeal to make a child want to brush
regularly, I think it's great. I've recommended it to many
friends and think it's one of the most useful purchases we've
made -- certainly well worth the purchase price. I bought mine
with two brush heads at Costco about 3 years ago for around
$89. I would never go back to regular toothbrush.
RL
I whole-heartedly believe in electric toothbrushes. I have had
the Sonicare for a number of years and the whole family absolutely
loves it. It would be great to get your son used to it because
your dentist will tell you of the tremendous benefits (reduction
of plaque build up and gum massaging) but you may try buying a
battery operated one first. I think Colgate makes one in some
cool colors for about $5-7 (in the toothbrush aisle). I think
they last a few months and then you throw them away. The Sonicare
costs about $80 but well worth the price.
peytra
Feb 2000
In our recent dentist visit, our dentist recommended Sonicare to my
husband. I wonder:
1. Is electronic brush really more superior than manual one (other than
the ease of use, I assume it has)? Have you found it to be effective?
2. Which brand is a good one? Is Sonicare (advance model) the one to
buy? Or are there better ones?
3. Is it practical to have one brush with multiple heads for more than
one family members?
Thanks a lot. I've searched the website, but only found
one email relating to Sonicare/Braun.
Lijing
I love my sonicare, and since buying it my dental cleanings have gone from
half hour ordeals with bleeding sore gums to ten minute, practically
painless episodes. Needless to say my teeth look better, too. One of the
main benefits of it, I think, is that the automatic timer forces you to
brush longer. (At first, the two minutes seems like an eternity, which
makes you realize how long you had been brushing before). I should add that
I still don't floss, but my dentist has stopped bugging me about it, either
because he grew weary of it, or the sonicare is getting rid of the plaque.
Fran
We've used a Sonicare toothbrush for a few years. It really seems to keep
my teeth cleaner than manual brushing (they feel as if they had just been
cleaned professionally for months), although a report in Consumer Reports
since then (probably at least a year ago) said that if you brush correctly you
can do as well as with any electric toothbrush.
Our Sonicare has gone out a couple of times. The first time just after the
2-yr warranty was up, at which time they sold us a new handle for a very
reasonable amount. The second time was just a year after that so they sent us
a new handle AND recharger for free. Apparently they want to keep their
customers happy.
I think the only difference between the two models is "Quad Pacer", which
beeps
when 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4 of the way through the two-minute cycle. Ours has it
but I don't pay attention to it. (You can turn it off if you want.)
It's easy enough to change heads for multiple-person use.
We got the Sonicare because my husband's dentist, who went to a dental school
that was big on periodontics, recommended it and sold it to his patients for
awhile. I seem to recall that his dental school (at the University of
Washington) endorses it.
Fran
My husband bought us a Sonicare about 2 months ago. We like it a lot. We
find that it is superior to just brushing, but not quite as good as
brushing and flossing together. I still floss in addition to using the
toothbrush. But I'm not as worried about trying to floss my 3-year-old's
teeth at this point (a herculean task!), since most of her spaces are still
quite wide and I think the sonic waves penetrate well between her teeth
(though not under the gumline very far). One reason we got it is because
I've had some trouble with toothbrush abrasion, and this should reduce the
likelihood of that, since one doesn't need to press so hard to get good
results. You do need to read the directions, because the technique is
rather different than with a regular toothbrush. Please note that we
haven't been in to the dentist yet for a checkup, so I don't have a report
as to whether this seems to be better or worse from her point of view. But
my husband finds that his teeth feel *much* cleaner, and he doesn't have as
much stuff left between them or under the gumline (he still refuses to
floss).
We find that one body with 3 heads is sufficient for us, but you might
consider an extra body if you have more "adults" all competing for the
toothbrush at the same time. One advantage is that, with only one body, it
can't develop mold inside the housing, which is something that people have
evidently complained about.
As to the brand, my husband did the research, and he said that this one had
the best recommendation of the commercially available ones, and that
according to studies it was at least as good if not better than the
Rotadent (the one pushed by dentists, and costing many many more dollars!).
You can get the Sonicare at Costco.
YMMV!
Hope this is helpful. Dawn
My dentist told me to look for any electric toothbrush that goes in circles
- not back and forth. I ended up with the sonicare and am happy with it - my
gums feel better exercised than with a traditional toothbrush. The head
comes off easily to allow more than one family member to use it, but my
little girl thinks it makes too much noise. She still prefers the old
fashioned kind, with an Elmo on it. Sarah
1) Last year my dentist suggested we start using the Braun model with the
round brush head that rotates back and forth (the Sonicare model wasn't out
yet). I didn't really want to, thinking a standard brush would do fine.
But since we've started with the Braun the person who does my regular
cleanings has repeatedly commented on how my dental care has significantly
improved. I'd imagine they have nothing to gain from lying to me, as we
bought the Braun at Target, so they didn't make any money on it.
Personally I now feel the Braun can do a better job that reg. brushing once
you get accustomed to using it.
2) I don't know, having no experience with the Sonicare models, but the
Braun works well.
3) It is practical for us (3 members) to use our own brush heads on the
same "motor", so long as you rinse the main unit off afterward and remember
to keep it plugged in and charging so the next person isn't greeted with a
dead toothbrush motor. :-)
Jonathan
we love the Sonicare that we've had for about a year now. I
recommend getting the one with the 4 30-second phases. This has been a
wonderful guideline for my 9-year-old, who otherwise seems to think a lick
and a promise are sufficient. My cleaning appts have definitely been easier.
Yes, it's practical to use one barrel with different heads for each family,
altho in our case my son isn't all that neat about keeping the barrel clean.
Linda
The Sonicare is great! My teeth are much cleaner, as if I'd just been to
the dentist. It feels great! I haven't tried other electric toothbrushes
(our dentist recommended Sonicare) so I can't compare brands.
My husband and I share one brush with two heads, which have a colored band
so you can tell them apart. The brush came with two heads and a little
stand for them.
The only downside is that the brush heads are a lot more expensive than
manual brushes and wear out as fast as manual ones. (Watch for coupon
deals and sales to reduce the price.) Finally, the old
brush heads aren't useful as old toothbrushes for cleaning etc.
Kathleen
Consumer Reports just did a review - check the February (I think) issue.
They found the electronic/sonic brushes to not ultimately make a big
difference. I've had mine for a couple of years now and have had no
problems, and seem to have better checkups and less cavities in my
cavity prone mouth since using it. I have a Sonicare, bought at Costco.
Sarah
I bought a Braun about 2 years ago from Costco. It came with an extra
handle (I'm not sure what it's called). The model I got was a good deal at
Costco when I compared it to other prices (like at Macy's). Check Costco
out.
Elise
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