Overview
It’s easy to see the advantages of going with an electric toothbrush over an ordinary one, but can you get by with a simpler model, or do you need all of the bells and whistles that come with something like a Sonicare? There are relatively inexpensive models that bring an automatic brushing motion to the table, without making claims of using sonic technology. Is it worth taking the plunge and going with a product that is more expensive, but potentially provides more benefits?
The Claim
The claim is that it uses sonic vibrations to loosen the plaque from your teeth. Regardless if you buy into the hype of the sonic claim, it still rotates rather quickly and would be the equivalent of
The Hype
There isn’t much hype surrounding the Sonicare line of toothbrushes, or other electric toothbrushes, because they’ve been around for so long. When they first came out there was a bit of buzz around them, and they were featured in movies where characters needed to look like they were early adopters when it came to new technology.
The Cost
Depending on which model you go with, a Sonicare toothbrush is going to set you back anywhere from around $30 all the way up to around $180. This wide range of price points means that there’s a version for just about anyone, and they will all be improvements over your $3 conventional toothbrush you can pick up at any local supermarket or drug store. Also, the replacement heads are quite reasonably priced for all of the models, so after your initial cash outlay, it’s relatively cheap to keep using it for the long term.
The Commitment
The Sonicare toothbrush
Evaluation
Having used a Sonicare firsthand, I have to say that it definitely works. After brushing, your teeth have that smoothness to them that you usually only feel after going to the dentist. Now whether that’s because it’s rotating at such a fast speed, or if there really is something to that whole sonic theory, it doesn’t matter because your teeth will look and feel better than the do from normal brushing.
What People Are Saying
Almost every version of Sonicare has rave reviews. People really like it, and it seems to work. But really, when you think about it, how could it not. It’s not really a surprise that a machine is able to do such a mundane task better than we can. It’s not like we can rotate our wrist so many times per second as to match the speed of an automated machine. But it’s not really a comparison between manual brushing and electric, it really boils down to how Sonicare stacks up to its competition.
Their major competitor is the Oral B line of electric toothbrushes. However, only one version of the Oral B line actually boasts a sonic ability and has a price tag over $200. The most expensive Sonicare models don’t top $200 so they’ve got Oral B beat on price.
We give the Sonicare Toothbrush line of toothbrushes a Thumbs Up review. Reasons cited are that they’ve been in the game for a long time now, and are constantly coming out with new models that improve on previous versions. We always like when companies keep outdoing themselves. Also, at this price level, you’d be hard-pressed to find something that works better. No one can make the argument that manual brushing is superior, so it’s just a matter of making the switch over to automatic, and start living the life.
You might want to double check with your dentist to see if they think it’s a good idea, as they have full-knowledge of your dental history, including any filling, bridgework or other enhancements you’ve had done that might be affected by this sonic-level product. You can also get their professional opinion on whether Sonicare is something to buy or not, for your particular situation.
Our Recommendation
We recommend going with the DiamondCare version of Sonicare, because hey, if you’re going to go electric you might as well do it right. This thing has a ton of features, and although it’s priced pretty highly, there are replacement heads so you don’t have to replace the entire unit every 6 months, just get new heads for it. Being a frequent traveler, I like that this comes with its own traveling case that lets you charge it up with a USB port. I’ve added it to my Wish List and will hopefully gift it to myself this Christmas.
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Been brushing with a good regular toothbrush the majority of my life. I thought i was doing ok but still had dental issues. After having some work done, I asked my dentist would it be to my advantage to get an electric toothbrush. The dentist said that it all depends on how well you brush. Seeing that i had plaque buildup and other things going on, I opted to invest in a good toothbrush. Being that im middle aged, I would like as much help as i can in preserving my teeth, as I do like to eat lol. I bought a top model Sonicare. Right from the first brush session, big difference. Much better. Im happy and feel it was worth the investment. When you consider a root canal costs thousands of dollars by the time youre done with the crown, id say the cost is just a drop in the bucket by comparison.
I've used a Sonicare for over 10 years now and cannot imagine being without one. I wish it had been recommended to me years earlier. The device itself has been designed with a lot of care. The only con I have is the pricey replacement brushes.
Like Lynda, I haven't used an electric toothbrush in years. I got one a long time ago, but never felt like it got my teeth as clean. It was one of the old Sonicares that had a tiny little round head. From reading these reviews, it sounds like it mind be something worth trying again--maybe they've gotten better over the years. Maybe I just need one with a larger head on it. At the same time, it does seem like a little bit unnecessary to have a toothbrush that's electric, especially since a good regular plastic toothbrush lasts a decent while and does the job fine, so long as you brush often. I'm kind of split on these.
Few items (aside from anything related to weight loss or muscle building) make me more acutely aware of the sheer laziness of the modern world than electric goddamn toothbrushes. Especially 'Sonic' ones. What the hell is that? Does it sing to the plaque and debris around your teeth like some dental siren? This is so ridiculous. I've tried electric toothbrushes because they were bought for me as presents and there wasn't anything in the drug store I wanted to exchange it for. They suck. Just use a brush that's costs what, $3? Jesus the modern world is stupid sometimes.
I completely agree with you Andres, it's not something that's special at all. In fact, I felt like my weren't always as clean as electric toothbrushes claimed to be. I felt like I could get my teeth feeling clean without needing an electronic one. It really depended on the condition of the toothbrush and the toothpaste you were using into order to get the results you wanted anyway. So it's a waste of money if you're actually expecting ground-breaking results in the end.
I haven't used an electric toothbrush in years. But reading all of these reviews makes me want to run out to WalMart and buy one. From what I remember, I did love the feeling of my teeth after brushing with an electric, and really, I'm for anything to make my life easier. Although the cost might outweigh my laziness. Can't get much cheaper than buying a toothbrush 2-pack at my local Dollar Store.
Oral Health is extremely important to me. My family history has some forms of oral health concerns so taking care of my teeth and gums is top priority. When I was younger my parents had an electric toothbrush that came with an extra tooth brush head for me to use. I rarely used it, but now I am so glad I have one! There are just some things that machines do better. We can’t reach all the teeny tiny crevices in between our teeth. This tooth brush also helps fight plaque buildup! I LOVE the feeling of my teeth being smooth and I can’t go to bed with anything less! I LOVE electric toothbrushes!
This brush works well! I usually feel much cleaner/fresher than I otherwise might feel with a spin brush. My husband takes his in the bath with him as it's fully waterproof.
The charging station is attractive and doesn't require too much counter space. Unfortunately the charging station consistently gets a build-up of deposits where the brush sits. I ensured that the brush dried completely but it didn't help. It wipes off fine but I'd certainly choose to not have to. Also I wish that the brush head was a little bigger in order to hold more tooth paste, but neither of these problems are worth going without it. Whether this is better than any other electric brush I can't say, as this is my first but I enjoy it!
I've had my electric toothbrush for years. I love how it is versatile because it comes with a variety of different brush heads, including a great tongue cleaner. Though it was expensive, the initial investment pays itself back right away. I no longer need to worry about replacing toothbrushes every few months. Instead, I replace the heads once they wear out, and it takes a long time before they do! I feel that this is better for the environment. Plus, the electric toothbrush gives me a much better clean than any manual ever did. I would never go back to a manual toothbrush.
I see the full advantages of having an electric toothbrush. My husband using one of the SonicCare. I prefer a regular toothbrush and floss... Call me old fashioned, but I never really got used to using an electric toothbrush. We spent about $80 bucks on the toothbrush itself and its still working to this very day. You never know, I might invest in one myself, the older I get. Brushing your teeth can be tiresome lol.
I do not know now why I resisted my dental hygienist's questions about whether I'd considered an electric toothbrush all those years ago. It was the only thing I dreaded about my cleaning appointments, so I finally broke down and got one. Wow. Besides getting a better "score" during check-ups, people started asking if I'd gotten my teeth whitened! I still took an old fashioned toothbrush when I traveled (in the beginning Sonicare had a bulky base and cord), but they've got that covered now, too. Want to keep your teeth for a very long time? Buy it. You're worth it.