Product Review: Phillips Sonicare Toothbrush

[KSXNSX]

This brush is excellent at cleaning between the teeth and below the gumline. It does an above adequate job at cleaning the above-the-gum surfaces as well (much better than regular brushing). However, The Oral-B I had with the rotary brush head had did a better job of making the above-the-gum surfaces feel pristine.

Still a very good brush. I now rotate 3 times throughout the day between teh Sonicare, Oral-B and a regular brush.

Costco has a pretty good deal with 2 handles, 1 charger, 3 brush heads and a travel case.

Negatives:

The brush has an auto shut-off timer set for 2 minutes and there is no way to disable this feature. It's annoying because I usually brush for like 8-10 minutes. Although it is an easy fix (just press the on button) it gets a little annoying.

I haven't had to do it yet, but i can tell cleaning inside the brush head will be annoying and will involve q-tips.

The vibration this brush causes worries me that it will damage the sensory neurons in my hands and maybe even have some sort of affect on my brain. I put my hand on the back of my head and could feel my entire skull vibrating at the high frequency of the brush. After I finish brushing, I can feel that same sense of sensory disorientation--in my hands-- after you just get off the treadmill after a long run. I'm probably just being paranoid, but I bet it is something most ppl wouldn't think about.

 

[j.r]

You brush for 8-10 minutes? Is that overkill?

 

[DocL]

I've been recommending the Sonicare to my patients for ten years. :biggrin:

 

[Vega$ NSX]

I too prefer my Oral B rotary toothbrush over the Sonicare. About 2 weeks after switching to the Sonice (which incidentally was also bought at Costco) my gums got extremely swollen and sensitive. I had to switch it to the "low" setting and barely apply pressure to avoid the pain. Also my teeth didn't feel any better or cleaner with the Sonicare. I probably will switch back to my Oral B.

 

[robr]

I used a Sonicare for a long time but had a couple of complaints so major, I will never use their product again unless it's redesigned.
1. You have to throw out the $150 toothbrush when the battery dies, you can't replace the battery. Maybe you can send it in, I dunno, but that's not an option I'm interested in
2. toothpaste and gunk get inside the handle inset (on the top where you stick the brush) and it becomes a festering bacterial cesspool. You cannot easily clean it out, it's disgusting and happens extremely quickly.

I recently switched to the Braun OralB 9400 brush. Thanks to slickdeals.net, I bought three of these $140 brushes for $6 each at Walgreens (yep, $6, marked down to $36 minus $10 coupon minus $20 mail in rebate). While the battery in these has the same issue as the Sonicare (I believe), I have two backups now and at $6, I don't care. I bought the replacement brush heads from my dentist for $5 each (3/$15) and no bacterial breeding grounds.

The original slickdeals thread:
http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=18579&t=608370

 

[MJK]

I've had one for a few years now. It does a great job but I sometimes fantasize about taking it to the rifle range. Think of the copier scene from Office Space.

Like KSXNSX, the auto shutoff thing is annoying. Mine also beeps every 30 seconds for reasons unknown. I can't decide how long I want to brush my own teeth? Do I need musical accompaniment? Who knows but you can't turn either off.

Like robr, my battery is nearing death. I'll replace them, right? Nope. It is sealed up so tight you could brush your teeth while scuba diving. I don't think I need that feature. Was it just too much design time to put in a battery door? Doubtful. See how much time they put into the recharging mechanism? The more likely explanation is 'planned obsolescence'. I hate that. I REALLY hate that. Just like my iPod, only worse. No specialty batteries here, just 2 normal AAs. No design constraints, there is plenty of space. They just wanted me to buy 2AA batteries from them for another $100. So, I start looking around at the new Sonicare toothbrushes. There must be some cool new innovation there that I am getting with my $100 AA batteries. Nope. Same stuff. Well can I at least I can turn off the beeping now? No. How about replace the batteries? Not so much.

I think I will try something else this time. Want to sell a toothbrush Rob?

 

[robr]

The 30 second beep is SUPPOSED to be a feature, brush each quadrant 30 seconds, they actually charge extra for that. Nope, not selling my extra toothbrushes, but I can recommend them over the Sonicare as far as the fungus patch problem goes. Let me look at it and see if the battery issue is the same..... I'm actually not sure, there is a round removable part but you need a specially shaped triangular tool to remove it. It does say NiMH type 3731 around it, so I suspect it may actually be possible to replace these batteries.

As far as how it cleans my teeth as compared to the Sonicare, well, I can't really say. They FEEL just as clean, but I haven't had a cavity in 25 years, so who knows. Assuming I don't the next time I go for a cleaning, I'd say it works just as well. From what I've read on the net when researching a Sonicare replacement, the high end Oral Bs are supposedly even better. This one even has different settings for gums (and came with a gum specific brush head as well).

 

[H-carWizKid]

I just went from an Oral B to a sonicare about 2 months ago. Funny thing about both- I have never paid for one. I have a friend who was an Oral B rep, and he slipped me a "sample" handle. I used it for 3 years and it was fine. I just got the sonicare from a friend from my sports legue. She gets new ones all the time from her Mother who is an orthodontist (I am guessing she is passing down freebies as well)

I liked both the Oral B, and the sonicare fine, but I still like the use the manual handle afterwards.

Philip

 

[KSXNSX]

Like KSXNSX, the auto shutoff thing is annoying. Mine also beeps every 30 seconds for reasons unknown. I can't decide how long I want to brush my own teeth? Do I need musical accompaniment? Who knows but you can't turn either off.

I think you can place the handle in the charger, press and hold the button below the on/off button and turn off that 30 s beep feature--the LEDs should cycle from the lowest green light to the highest green light and then to a yellow light on the very bottom meaning it is off. The lower green light means a shorter brush time and the higher green means a longer one (2.5 min IIRC).

 

[KSXNSX]

You brush for 8-10 minutes? Is that overkill?

My dentist told me I should be brushing for 10 minutes (with a manual) and I have always been brushing for that long ever since. Personally, there is no way I can finish all my teeth in 2 minutes. I suspect that the 2-minute shutoff is more of a recommendation to prevent burn-out of the motor than wear-out of your teeth.

Anyways, I think the Sonicare is much better for your gums and getting in between teeth. In just one week, I've already noticed that my gums are growing higher into the spaces between my teeth and they look much much healthier. Also, when I floss, I notice much less plaque.

 

[robr]

My dentist told me I should be brushing for 10 minutes (with a manual) and I have always been brushing for that long ever since. Personally, there is no way I can finish all my teeth in 2 minutes. I suspect that the 2-minute shutoff is more of a recommendation to prevent burn-out of the motor than wear-out of your teeth.

Anyways, I think the Sonicare is much better for your gums and getting in between teeth. In just one week, I've already noticed that my gums are growing higher into the spaces between my teeth and they look much much healthier. Also, when I floss, I notice much less plaque.

my understanding is the 2 minute shutoff is to prevent grinding off the enamel on your teeth, 10 minutes seems dangerous to me, especially to your gums, but let's see what DocL has to say

 

[flaminio]

Dang, I'm old skool. I just use the biggest softest regular brush I can find, and scrub like hell. No electricity for me, thank you.

 

[sahtt]

Wouldn't worry about the vibration aspects too much. I may not be a well qualified scientist on the subject, but I'm an excellent test subject. I've been riding vibrating motorcycles for years and a friend of mine who owns a very beautiful Aprilia RSV Mille [recently stolen, was going to buy it off him] has been riding the buzziest vtwins on the planet for the last 45 years. I'd be much more concerned with the 10 minutes of brushing. A friend of mine in college brushed that long 3 times a day in order to get her teeth whiter, she almost had to have her teeth removed because of the permanent sensitivity caused by over brushing. If you don't use harsh tooth pastes you'll probably be fine, but over brushing isn't rare for those who drink a lot of coffee etc. and are concerned about their looks/in sales.

 

[KSXNSX]

Dang, I'm old skool. I just use the biggest softest regular brush I can find, and scrub like hell. No electricity for me, thank you.

This guy agrees:

 

[DocL]

my understanding is the 2 minute shutoff is to prevent grinding off the enamel on your teeth, 10 minutes seems dangerous to me, especially to your gums, but let's see what DocL has to say

Brushing for ten minutes three times a day is too much. You can definitely wear down the enamel surface and cause erosion. Furthermore, there's no scientific data that states that brushing for more than 3-5 minutes is more effective. I'm not very strict with my patients, but I do want them all to use the softest brush with the lightest amount of pressure. If your toothbrush looks frayed at the end it's 1) time to replace it, and 2) means that you are brushing too hard.

 

[Malibu Rapper]

I spend about 2 minutes brushing each session. But I brush after every meal and I floss regularly. I didn't see a dentist for almost 20 years and when I hooked up with a new dentist, I had no cavities, no fillings almost nothing to do except a minor cleaning and he recommended I remove some impacted wisdom teeth. I just go to him now cuz he gives me free whitening kits.

He did warn me of overbrushing, I can definitely see 8-10 minutes being too long. And always use soft brushes. I use a Sonicare on weekdays and a soft brush on weekends, I actually feel like I clean better with a soft brush around most of my mouth. The problem area for most people I think are the back part of the lower front teeth and that's where I really like the Sonicare because it makes does real well in that area.

I'm gonna give the Oral B rotary a try since some of you guys recommend it. I do think the Sonicare is overrated. At my work I keep a toothbrush, toothpaste, and mouthwash. At home I'm always stocked up on Placker's floss. I'm not sure that either motorized brushes have an advantage over the old school hygiene.

 

[Big_D]

I've been using a Sonicare toothbrush for 6-7 years now and I love it. I also recommend that you use it until the battery is dead and then recharge it instead of constantly charging it.

 

[KSXNSX]

I've been using a Sonicare toothbrush for 6-7 years now and I love it. I also recommend that you use it until the battery is dead and then recharge it instead of constantly charging it.

Does that save the battery? I've heard about "battery memory" for alkaline batts, but I thought Li-ion batts were ok to recharge whenever. What type of batts are in the sonicare?

It's funny you mention that because the manual recommends the exact opposite: charge it all the time. Maybe they want you to wear down the battery.

 

[robr]

Does that save the battery? I've heard about "battery memory" for alkaline batts, but I thought Li-ion batts were ok to recharge whenever. What type of batts are in the sonicare?

It's funny you mention that because the manual recommends the exact opposite: charge it all the time. Maybe they want you to wear down the battery.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonicare

Many users complain that the batteries on several models of Sonicare toothbrushes give out after only 1-2 years of use. The warranty period is two years and units are replaced within the warranty period. Note that units outside the warranty period may be replaced if the consumer makes a complaint. The batteries are not "user replaceable", though with considerable effort, the consumer may replace the batteries with third-party parts.

Sonicare is powered by NiCd battery cells. This type of rechargeable battery suffers from the memory effect. To maximize the life of the battery within Sonicare, use the device until it beeps and the battery indicator flashes yellow, and then fully recharge it.

It is also important to recycle NiCd batteries because Cadmium is an environmental hazard. Because the battery is non-removable, the entire device should be recycled wherever batteries are accepted.

 

[Gansan]

I used a Sonicare for a long time but had a couple of complaints so major, I will never use their product again unless it's redesigned.
1. You have to throw out the $150 toothbrush when the battery dies, you can't replace the battery. Maybe you can send it in, I dunno, but that's not an option I'm interested in
2. toothpaste and gunk get inside the handle inset (on the top where you stick the brush) and it becomes a festering bacterial cesspool. You cannot easily clean it out, it's disgusting and happens extremely quickly.

Agreed on the cesspool comment. What I found helps a lot is I unscrew the head of the brush off after each use and store it on the included stand. This way, any water that accumulates inside drains out and evaporates. It really minimizes any growth of yucky stuff.

I would agree with the others that 8-10 minutes with a Sonicare is way too much. The timer is in there to prevent you from overbrushing. I usually get done in the two minutes (plus maybe 15 seconds extra at the end if I dawdled somewhere). Once you get the pacing down, you can do it very predictably. The brush also works better with very light pressure that lets the head move and the bristles flap around. I floss twice daily. My dentist seems to be satisfied with my hygiene during cleanings.

 

[PHOEN$X]

I used a Sonicare for a long time but had a couple of complaints so major, I will never use their product again unless it's redesigned.

1. You have to throw out the $150 toothbrush when the battery dies, you can't replace the battery. Maybe you can send it in, I dunno, but that's not an option I'm interested in

2. toothpaste and gunk get inside the handle inset (on the top where you stick the brush) and it becomes a festering bacterial cesspool. You cannot easily clean it out, it's disgusting and happens extremely quickly.

You know that Sonicare makes an e3000 model that uses 2 replaceable AA batteries, and is much cheaper, right? It has all of the features of the regular model except for the 30 second beeps, battery indicator, and soft start mode.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FED5E4

I have one that I take with me whenever I travel, and it works great. Excellent and inexpensive gift.

As for the gunk that gets inside the handle, I find it helps if I always remove the head and wash it, then let it (and the handle) dry out.

 

[brickdds]

Call me a heretic, but I am not all that impressed with the toothbrush except for patients with manual dexterity issues. When the bristles entrap dried toothpaste over time, the ability to reach the advertised vibratory therapeutic level is significantly, making it hardly better than an ordinary toothbrush. There are a number of really great new designs on manual toothbrushes which are much more efficacious at cleaning teeth than the head provided by the sonicare. I think also that while toothbrushing is obviously an essential component to good oral health care, the importance of flossing and regular checkups (cleanings) are often overlooked. Although the folks at Phillips are making a lot of money with their product with slick advertising and marketing, the main principle remains, paraphrasing my crusty old instructor, to "just get the crap off the teeth,"

 

[mickeylex]

I used to think electric toothbrushes were gimmicks, until I got one recenlty.

The Braun Oral B Triumph (9475) is available at Costco for $99. You get TWO handles w/ it instead of one. Also includes a couple of brush heads, travel case, charger, etc. All other retailers charge $99 for one handle. Got this set a few weeks ago and my brushing has never been better or easier. I like the 9400 series since it has replaceable batteries.

Also picked up a six pack of heads for something like $30. That's a good price too.

They also have the 8950 in a two pack for $80.

Both were in store, but I got the 9400.

There is a $10 mail in rebate coupon at the Oral B website as well.

 

[Ponyboy]

I picked up a Sonicare FlexCare at the dentists office early last week. UV sanitizing compartment for the brushes and a three minute brush and massage cycle. Being new to the world of motorized tooth brushes, frankly, I'm surprised it didn't come with a TV remote as well.

The thing works well - better than expected. Can already tell a difference too. Big thumbs up here.

 

[jordansx]

I picked up a Sonicare FlexCare at the dentists office early last week. UV sanitizing compartment for the brushes and a three minute brush and massage cycle. Being new to the world of motorized tooth brushes, frankly, I'm surprised it didn't come with a TV remote as well.

The thing works well - better than expected. Can already tell a difference too. Big thumbs up here.

I've been using the same unit with the UV sanitation for the past 5 months and its absolutey incredable. Sonicare is the only toothbrush we endorse/carry at our Orthodontic office. I've had the very first sonicare around 10 years ago and have never looked back. And this is hands down the best model of electric tooth brushes that are on the market.