What toothbrush do you use?

[pontifex]

Went to the dentist today and they recommended I use an electric toothbrush as they are better than manual brushing. They recommended Sonicare.

These toothbrushes are expensive! I saw one on amazon for about $40 for the cheapest model.

Are the more expensive models worth it over cheaper models?

what do you use? recommendations?

 

[purbeast0]

i got probably the same one you are looking at on amazon...

http://www.amazon.com/Philips-HX5610...words=sonicare

i went to the dentist a few weeks ago and i too was recommended to get one. i had braces on my teeth when i was a kid and the middle part of my bottom has moved back quite a bit because i didn't wear a retainer after long. and it has caused a lot of congestion down there. they were telling me that i could really benefit from one because a normal brush won't be able to clean down in that area as well as an electric tooth brush would be.

they also recommended to just get the cheapest sonicare one that i found because the higher end models brush the same but have extra features that don't really make a difference in the brushing. and after reading about the differences, i concluded the same.

the model i have is on for 2 minutes, which is the recommended time to brush. it will turn off after 2 minutes on it's own, or you can push the button to turn it off yourself.

the next up model had some mode where it beeps every 30 seconds, since you are supposed to brush 30 seconds on each side of your teeth - front bottom, front top, rear botom, rear top.

the next up model i think had a "whitening" feature, which all that did was go for 2:30 instead of 2 minutes. again, something you could do with the lower model. the higher models also look sleeker, but it's a freaking toothbrush.

since i've gotten it i have definitely noticed i have fresher breath. i also have noticed that i definitely did NOT brush my teeth for a full 2 minutes prior. probably closer to 1 minute. but now i always go until it turns off on it's own.

it took some getting used to the vibrations on my front rear middle tooth area. it tickled a bit the first few times, but now i don't notice it at all. i also brush my teeth with my mouth full closed now because i don't have to manually brush it like i did before, and i've noticed a lot less "mess/splash" around my sink area.

i bought one for my wife at the same time and we're both really happy with them.

 

[Drako]

^ That ^

 

[gorb]

I have an oral-b triumph 9900 electric but I usually just use a colgate 360 deep clean brush.

I brush and floss often. Usually brush around 5 times a day and floss 2 to 3 times a day

 

[shortylickens]

Oral B, firm bristles.

I also have a nice Braun electric, but I dont always use it.

 

[nickbits]

I have an older model of this one and it works fine.
http://www.amazon.com/Professional-T.../dp/B00ARTK9FA

I wish these things had replaceable batteries.

 

[KeithTalent]

I use the Philips HX6972/10 Sonicare Flexcare : http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B004...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Very happy with it.

KT

 

[surfsatwerk]

Whatever the dentist gives me, I'm not picky.

Oh, we're talking about fancy electronic type deals. I'd prefer not to directly irradiate my brain every time I brush my teeth.

 

[pete6032]

You don't need to use a toothbrush as long as you rinse with a strong whiskey you will be ok.

 

[Fritzo]

Switched from a Philips Sonicare to an OralB 5000.

I regret it. The Sonicare toothbrushes are the best there is. Period. Mine lasted 8 years before the battery died.

 

[boomerang]

I've been using a Sonicare for more than a decade on the hygienist's recommendation. My brushing was so aggressive that I was wearing grooves in my enamel. Of course I was brushing in the wrong direction, but I think that's pretty common. I have not worn one out, but am on my third model since starting out with them. The hygienist always remarks at how little actual cleaning she has to do now. Plaque buildup is pretty minimal. I go in every six months.

http://www.amazon.com/Philips-HX9332...clean+sonicare

I justified spending the big bucks because I used reward money from a Costco American Express.

 

[gotsmack]

I use a manual, Dr. Collins periobrush. Sometimes I use the crest wave toothbrush in extra soft if I can find it. I have a sonicare but it's still in the box. I had an oral-b electric that I really liked but after it died the next two oral-b models I tried were too aggressive with my teeth.

My dentist was impressed with how clean my mouth is and I have a lot of natural plaque build up. The secret is to:

1. find out what foods make your mouth develop extra plaque and avoid those foods. You'll know because after you eat certain foods you get a lot of that white stuff that builds up on your tongue.

2. Use plaque picks every night. I buy mine from drugstore.com, they're basically big sturdy toothpicks that you run along your gum line to remove plaque that your toothbrush didn't get.

3. Don't brush too aggressively along your gum line, you'll just erode your gumline. Be gentle and use the plaque pick to take care of the rest.

4. Flossing never did much for me, but I do it every night anyway. It keeps the gums from bleeding a lot when you go to the dentist.

5. Use rinse before you go to bed at night. Not a natural one made with citric acid and fruit flavors. I think that made my teeth worse.

6. Don't chew gum, not even sugar free.

7. Rinse with water after you eat anything.

 

[kage69]

Switched from a Philips Sonicare to an OralB 5000.

I regret it. The Sonicare toothbrushes are the best there is. Period. Mine lasted 8 years before the battery died.

I have to say, you're absolutely right about the Sonicare brushes. The wife and I both use newer Philips brushes now, but I still have my original Sonicare and actually broke it out the other day while I was cleaning out some bathroom cabinets. The battery cell in that thing doesn't seem to have degraded at all in more than a decade, and I've lost count of how many times it has fallen to the shower or bathroom floor with a cringe inducing bang. When I turned it on it started humming with no hesitation, can't even remember the last time I plugged it in to charge. It's the Toyota Hilux of dental hygiene tools!


Why can't I get batteries like that in my mobile devices and gadgets?

 

[I Saw OJ]

I use the Sonicare and it works great. The first time I used one it felt like I had just came back from the dentist for a cleaning. Thought to myself then, I can never go back to a regular toothbrush.

 

[dank69]

Whatever the dentist gives me, I'm not picky.

Oh, we're talking about fancy electronic type deals. I'd prefer not to directly irradiate my brain every time I brush my teeth.

If recent history has taught us anything it is that radiation leads to awesome mutant powers.

 

[JBT]

I have a pretty high end Philips. I've used them the last 10 years or so. The are helpful to not brushing as hard, and making sure you get that 2 minutes of brushing in.

 

[ThatsABigOne]

Just a regular toothbrush. I floss with floss string and brush pick. No issues yet.

 

[squarecut1]

Oral B electric has worked fine for me for a long time.

 

[squarecut1]

Flossing is probably even more important than using electric toothbrush.

 

[manly]

Switched from a Philips Sonicare to an OralB 5000.

I regret it. The Sonicare toothbrushes are the best there is. Period. Mine lasted 8 years before the battery died.

I switched to the Oral-B 4000 because it is cheap when on sale, and Target was selling the brush heads for pennies on the dollar.

Having said that, I tend to agree with you that Sonicare just seems to work better. However, people should avoid their entry-level toothbrush which goes for about $35, which is basically their original model with no enhancements.

 

[Imp]

The POS the dentist gave me a year ago... I have two new ones sitting on a shelf since I go every 6 months.

 

[pontifex]

Ended up buying the sonic are 5610. Amazon actually had a coupon for $10 off so got it for $30

 

[Midwayman]

Sonicare is really the best. I had a oral B that did okay, but dentist said I had a bit of gum retraction and that the sonicare is the best for that. I have a lot less plaque and my mouth feels cleaner since I started using electric brushes.

 

[Platypus]

sonicare, for years

 

[who?]

If you want your gums to be strong make sure you run the brush over them thoroughly and hit them with the floss.