Three electric toothbrushes put to the test
Thu Feb 28, 2008 11:47AM EST
See Comments (267)
I put three of the highest of high-end electric toothbrushes to the test
over the last two months. Here are my thoughts, but please remember, this is just
the opinion of one man and one mouth.
Philips Sonicare FlexCare RS930 with sanitizer - Sonicare is one of the best known lines of electric toothbrushes, and it's come a long way since its earliest days. The brush head vibrates back and forth rapidly but in a narrow range, using sonic technology to help get gunk off of teeth. It's a very light and maneuverable brush, and after your 2-minute cleaning cycle, your mouth really does feel clean. (Obviously I have no scientific and quantitative measure to determine exactly how clean each of these brushes got my teeth.)
Like the other two brushes, the FlexCare includes a built-in timer. This one pauses at 30-second intervals to let you know when to move to a new quadrant of your mouth. While the FlexCare is a capable brush, it's the sanitizer that seals the deal. This is a small unit attached to the charging base that blasts ultraviolet light onto the brush heads to kill bacteria on them. I wish you didn't have to disassemble the brush to use the sanitizer and it was easier to tell if the UV light was actually on, but otherwise I was impressed with the device. Bonus: The FlexCare is the only brush in this roundup that uses a lithium-ion battery instead of Ni-MH. Price tag: $169
Ultreo - The new kid on the block. Unlike all other brushes, Ultreo really uses ultrasound to clean teeth, and you can see the difference by just looking at the brush head. In the center of the bristles, there's a bare, orange pad. According to Ultreo, this pad actually cleans your teeth even if the brush isn't touching them. Of course, the bristles don't hurt either.
Overall, I liked the Ultreo fairly well. It's light and comfortable, and the charging base is incredibly inconspicuous. It was extremely gentle compare to other brushes, which might be why my teeth just didn't seem quite as clean after several weeks of testing. Unlike the other brushes, the Ultreo doesn't offer any additional operation modes (like a "sensitive" setting), and the charging indicator was very difficult to read. It's perfectly capable, but I preferred the FlexCare in the end. Price tag: $169
Oral-B Triumph with SmartGuide ProfessionalCare 9900 - I've used a Triumph (sans SmartGuide) in the past, so I have tons of tooth-on experience with this model. The Triumph offers a round brush head that rotates back and forth (not around and around) in a tight range. It provides good cleaning and is easy to maneuver in your mouth.
But the Oral-B brush is loud and vibrates a lot. It feels like someone's going to work in your mouth with a small jackhammer. That said, the results are good - teeth end up nice and clean - but using it is not exactly pleasant.
The 9900 includes a small monitor that you can put in your bathroom so you can time your brushing for the recommended two minutes. The timer didn't do a whole lot for me, but I did appreciate having a waterproof clock next to the sink.
Still, I wouldn't mind the Triumph if it wasn't for one big problem - the charging base collects all manner of white toothpaste residue and gunk, which gets all over the bottom of your toothbrush and the countertop and creates a huge mess. One bright spot: You can find the Triumph with the SmartGuide for a mere $100 if you shop around. Price tag: Less than $100.
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67 Posted by yamidaman@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:54PM EDT Report Abuse
I also have used a SoniCare for years and I love it. I wouldn't trade it for anything. I started with the base model (4400, I think), then went to the 7500 elite, and now use the 9000 series. It comes with its own travel case for the brush and head, but not for the charger. Last time I took the charger on my travels, you guessed it, I left it in the hotel room. I called SoniCare to get a replacement which cost me another $50. Maybe someday they'll come up with a travel case for brush and charger. That would be nice. I also have gotten rave reviews from my dentist, and no cavities since I began to use a Sonicare. It has made a huge difference, and I love how clean my teeth feel. I wouldn't give up my SoniCare for anything. The savings at the dentists office have paid for the expense of the brush.
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68 Posted by linda.smallman@verizon.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:52PM EDT Report Abuse
My experience was the same as comment 58. My dentist told me I had plaque beneath my gum line and that it would take several hundred $$$ to treat it. After checking with a dentist friend of mine (to make sure the diagnosis was not just a way to make money), I bought a Sonicare and used it religiously morning and evening. Within 6 months the space between my teeth and gums had decreased, and by a year it was normal again. I know these things are not cheap, but for me it's somehow easier to use the Sonicare for two minutes than to brush manually for that long -- and I feel like two minutes with the Sonicare is actually equivalent to lots more time manually. Don't knock it until you've tried it!
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69 Posted by nelsonbrudys1@att.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:35PM EDT Report Abuse
Nelson Brudys : I had used for several yeas Oral B and for my the results have been very good, a lot better than the regular tooth brush,i know that have strongh sound but it work ....
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70 Posted by roges@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:49PM EDT Report Abuse
Nice story. Anything to get the "plaque" off the teeth. There is limited unbiased research as to the efficacy of each of the electric brushes, and probably the one that's funding the research would come ahead. Manufacturers package all kinds of high-tech "add-ons" for sales purposes. I have been recommending electric toothbrushes to my patients -- primarily Oral B -- for over 15 years, and they do make a difference if used regularly and properly. Things I would look for in any electric brush include soft bristles and some form of a timer (2 minutes) to encourage proper cleaning of all tooth surfaces. PS you still need to floss daily. Rafael DDS
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71 Posted by jjdillard@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:35PM EDT Report Abuse
The major reason for brushing your teeth is to clean the junk out from between the teeth and gums. IF the tooth brush doesn't help do this it doesn't matter if your teeth "feel clean." There is one tooth brushe you mentioned that helps greatly with this if you change the brush out every 3 months or so. And, No, a manual tooth brush isn't as good. It is however, no substitute for the most neglected of activities we should perform, Flosing.
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72 Posted by robbins2688@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:44PM EDT Report Abuse
There is no substitute for good oral hygiene! I own both the sonicare and the oral-b.I recommend any brush as to your liking as long as you use it! I am a pediatric dentist who recommends the same to my patients and thier families.Good article. Thanks, D.M.Robbins D.D.S.
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73 Posted by stlouisnick@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:45PM EDT Report Abuse
I've used the Oral B Triumph for about 5 years now... I'm on my second one. While the gunky mess the writer mentioned is true and requires a bit of regular cleaning, it's the only toothbrush that's teally ended my peridontal problems. I've tried the Sonicare and it feels like there's a bumblebee in my mouth. So, yeah, I like the Oral B.
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74 Posted by pasterk@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:00PM EDT Report Abuse
The Crest Spin Brush Pro is alot cheaper, and, according to my dentist, works just as well.
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75 Posted by prof.topkat@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:19PM EDT Report Abuse
The collection of toothpaste residue or gunk will not be a problem if you simply rinse the Oral-B brush and handle under the water faucet.
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76 Posted by captainkirkncrew@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:17PM EDT Report Abuse
I have gum disease and see a periodontist. I've used a Sonicare toothbrush for the last five years and boy what a difference! I credit the brush with keeping my gum disease from advancing any further.
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77 Posted by jarauch@att.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:28PM EDT Report Abuse
The first time I heard about sonicare, my response was, no way am I spending $100 on a toothbrush! However, now that I work in the dental field, I realize how important it is to have good oral hygiene. A few years later I got braces and thought, why not try a sonicare to see if I notice a difference. Well I did! From one dentist visit to my next, 6 months later, the hygenist notice and asked if I used a sonicare. She noticed the change, and it helped so much for braces! I also use them in the area where I have a dental implant and it works well! Worth the money!!!
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78 Posted by rickdale49 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:40PM EDT Report Abuse
Let's see now: the article goes to great length to scientifically measure how much plaque is removed from teeth, how much residual food between the teeth is removed, what the value to cleaning bacteria off brushheads is, how much the gums are massaged, and how much residual food is removed at the gum baseline, right? Hmmmm.....no mention of any of these things. Basically this article is simply a testimonial of how the author felt about each product. I guess to some people a product that was or wasn't loud is really important, as is "popular wisdom" and bacterial removal. Criminy, folks! We're in bad shape in this country if this considered "expert" opinion. Makes me think the author's previous job back in 2002 was with the CIA evaluating the Iraqi threat to the United States.
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79 Posted by pop_art@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:16PM EDT Report Abuse
I was having tartar buildup with the Sonicare, despite using it regularly, so I went back to the manual toothbrush, whicb for me seems to work better.
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80 Posted by regnes2@verizon.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:35PM EDT Report Abuse
I use the oral b and I took the base out of piece that holds the brush and extra brushes, it stopped 75% of the mess at the bottom of the brush and took up less room.
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81 Posted by wlal39@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:48PM EDT Report Abuse
I have used my Sonicare for years and my dentist says "whatever you're doing, keep it up!"
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82 Posted by hmbrentals@verizon.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:19PM EDT Report Abuse
What can I say? I've had electric toothbrushes for many years now. It all started with BRAUN which is now ORAL-B. It's less work than using a manual brush and I always was under the impression that the vibrations would stimulate the gums. To make a long story even longer, I just want to discuss another electric toothbrush that wasn't even tested here and that is a Rota-Dent. This is a toothbrush available only from Dentists. I saw this brush last year and was going to buy it for my wife as a Christmas gift. She refused to switch from her melody producing kiddie ORAL-B however and I felt awkward about returning it to the Dentist. I have been using it now for well over a year and sincerely believe it is the best thing since sliced bread. Here is my reason...the brush hairs are so thin that they actually penetrate the limited space between the gums and teeth. This the other brushes are incapable of doing. In that space is where all the evil is. In addition the head rotates in one direction, just like what the Dental Hygenist uses. I was told that the company was created by Dentists. There are two different style of heads included. One works better with gapped teeth, one does braces better, etc. It costs about $ 120+. I am not connected in any way to this company. I just want to share this information with you. This unit by the way is the closest thing to not flossing! This may be a silly subject, but the loss of teeth... is not.
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83 Posted by jkenny@flash.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:36PM EDT Report Abuse
Look past over-the-counter choices and purchase a Rota-dent from your dentist. They'll defintely provide them if they care about your gum! Cost ~= $125-$150. They come with additional attachment brush heads so that more than one person can use the motor base and there's hands-down not a better clean available! It does the absolute best job of accessing the in-between the teeth areas and its 360 degree rotation protects against gum erosion.
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84 Posted by leslyej@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:49PM EDT Report Abuse
Sonicare's are the best. Having worked in a periodontist's office for years I have seen several cases of gum disease turned around by the Proper use of the Sonicare toothbrush. Proper meaning the bristles angled into and under the gumline, not like the picture on the box showing straight on.
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85 Posted by roywho@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:53PM EDT Report Abuse
How about a non-big brand Cybersonic? It works well and almost half the price. It (Sonic2) last two week per charge so that you carry it around without charging. Or you could buy the Cybersonic1 with a charging base with a footprint of the size of a medium size cookie - it is only $50. You could even join the free toothbrush for life program. With that you got two toothbrush each 2 month for FREE (with 5.99 shipping and handling). AND there are optional floss head.... Check it out. http://www.sonictoothbrush.com/
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66 Posted by cmpancheri on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:27PM EDT Report Abuse
I also have a Sonicare at home but do not take it traveling. Try a battery powered toothbrush as it is just a little larger than a regular brush and does a much better job. Baking soda is a great cleaner.