health and fitness

Based on my dentist's recommendation, I switched to an electric toothbrush, and ran across this one. I wasn't disappointed. The Sonicare left my teeth looking very white after just one use, and my teeth just feel cleaner than ever.

As a tea drinker, I contend with the stains that tea leaves. After my dentist recommended against using the whitening toothpastes, due to their abrasiveness to gums, I thought I was going to be stuck with healthier gums but stained teeth. Sonicare without whitening toothpaste makes my teeth look better than they did when I was using a regular toothbrush with whitening toothpaste. (I feel like a ditsy, smiling spokesmodel here but I really was impressed.)

My only complaint has been getting used to brushing with an electric toothbrush--a problem I suspect I would have with ANY electric toothbrush. You have to get in the habit of putting the Sonicare in your mouth, and closing your lips around the brush BEFORE you turn it on. Otherwise, you wind up with toothpaste decorating your bathroom mirror, your clothes, and pretty much the entire area around your bathroom sink. This isn't something easy to remember when your half awake and brushing your teeth. My other only complaint (OK, I guess I have two) is that Sonicare turns off after about two minutes, the time it has determined it should take you to brush your teeth. Being a little slower with things, I would rather turn it off when I'M done, not when it thinks I should be done. Apparently this design feature is to avoid over brushing. Since you can turn the Sonicare right back on again, this isn't a problem.

I can't speak for how long the charge lasts as I have left it on the charging stand when not in use. Apparently, however, the Sonicare is designed to hold a charge for quite a few hours, to allow you to take it with you while traveling, for instance, without having to bring the entire charging stand along.

I am a dental hygienist and have seen many results from the use of various electric brushes. Sonicare far outways its competitors especially for helping to stabilize periodontal disease in conjunction with a 2-4 month visit for perio maintenance. If the tissue is healthier with normal 'pocket depths,' then the Braun products, or manual toothbrush used with good technique are fine; but overall, they still do not leave the tissue as healthy (firm) as the Sonicare. In all cases, the areas between the teeth need regular attention, ie floss, go-betweens, proxybrushes, stimulators, or other effective tools which stimulate the gums and break down bacteria. The main ineffectiveness of the brush has NOT to do with the brush, but with its inconsistant use, or poor technique by its user. The main patient complaint I have gotten is that the brush is too vigorous for them, but those complaints are few compared to those who are pleased. Hygienist's opinions vary, so ask yours for an assessment.

"You may experience a slight tickling/tingling sensation when using Sonicare for the first time. As you become accustomed to brushing with Sonicare this sensitivity will diminish."

If you think brushing your teeth is boring, try the Sonicare 4100 which is like a toothbrush high on caffeine. It also takes a bit to get used to, but after the first use you will more than likely notice a difference in how smooth your teeth feel. After using this for a week, you might even notice your teeth starting to whiten. That was my experience.

I've purchased a number of electric toothbrushes in my life and while this one is a bit much to handle (the speed is super high - 31,000 brush strokes per minute), it definitely does the job. This high speed motion causes a fluid cleaning action which reaches deep between your teeth and also reaches below the gum line.

If you have felt the abrasiveness of other toothbrushes, you will love the "soft" feel of the extra-soft rounded bristles that are definitely more gentle on your gums.

This model includes:

East-Start Brushing Power - All models gently increase the power over the first 12 brushings so you can get used to using this type of brush.

Advance 4100 Series has the Quadpacer - Unique 30-second interval timer gives you signals to move to the next section of your mouth. Sometimes I ignore this, but if I'm in a rush then this is a good feature. You will hear a short beep and a pause in the brushing action. You have 30 seconds to brush each section of your teeth.

Recharge Indicator - If the toothbrush has a low charge, you hear 5 beeps after you brush and this means you have 3 or fewer 2-minute brushings left.

Sonicare has a number of models and I chose this one because it was the most affordable and had all the features you need for basic dental care.

Claims:

Superior plaque removal - yes, this seems true. Your tongue will tell no lies as it slides along your teeth. My tongue says my teeth are much smoother.

Reduces Coffee, tea and tobacco stains - yes, removes tea stains for sure. You might
start to notice this after only one week.

Reverses gingivitis - I have sensitive gums and after a week of using this toothbrush I
noticed less sensitivity. Other toothbrushes seem to be much harsher on the gums.

If you do not notice great results in 28 days, Sonicare will give you a full refund, no questions asked. U.S., Canada and U.K. only.

When you fully charge the toothbrush the charge lasts for 2 weeks of normal brushing so this is also perfect to take on a trip.

I like the results I've seen but had to get used to circulating the bristles myself. With the Oral B toothbrush, you just move the brush along the teeth and with the sonic toothbrush it feels more like natural brushing with a regular toothbrush, except it has super powered vibrating bristles to remove plaque.

~TheRebeccaReview.com