| zafer |
| got a sonicare elite. thing has a charger with no contacts :confused: |
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| phins2rt |
| It doesn't need them. Just put it in the charger and let it charge. You should see a light come one (depending on the model). Everything is encased in plastic. These tooth brushes rock. We have the quad pulse original model and just bought the new elite a couple of months ago. The elite is a great upgrade to an already great product!! |
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| DaleB |
Works great! Charges by induction. With all the others that have come out, more dentists use the Sonicare, I believe the Braun rotating head is in 2nd.
My periodic checkups definitely improved over the 4 years I have used one. And the less time I am in the dentist's chair, the better I like it! |
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| TheWorm |
Have had one since the original - great product. Just don't let the advertising fool you; you still need to floss!
Llearned that one the hard way -- right when they came out, they made it sound like no flossing required. The hygienist basically climbed on top of my chest to dig away; I was in pain for the rest of the day. And she wasn't even hot. |
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| frostyra |
I always used to like one called the Broxodent, although it had a none-too-reliable brush-to-power-head interface. It was a plugin unit, using a 14V transformer. Then they folded, and another design by the same inventor, the Periobrush, came out. Wonderful replacement for the Broxodent (also 14V), and a much better brush-to-power-head setup. With both my wife and myself using it, we get three to four years out of the power-head. Replacement brushes are about $5 ea, but we feel that they're well worth it. They've begun using the "Broxo" name again, as I see on their website: http://www.hcdg.com/detail.asp?product_id=bpp
We used to have some rechargeables, but couldn't stand them since the batteries weren't user-replaceable. |
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| Skewbeedeaux |
| I have two of the originals. Purchased from Costco a little over a year ago for a great price (2 units+1 charger for ~$100). Best toothbrushing product I've used to date. |
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| DaleB |
| Brushes are not that cheap, 2 for just under $20? I forget. But each one is good for 5 to 6 months. Still a great value for the results they give. |
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| msu79gt82 |
| ... just switched to an Elite about 4 months ago. I swear by them - best toothbrush on the market and worth whatever the cost - it is way cheaper than teeth:cool: |
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| m2pc |
| Have both the sonicare and the braun. I prefer the sonicare and is definately worth the money. |
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| zafer |
quote:
Originally posted by DaleB
Brushes are not that cheap, 2 for just under $20? I forget. But each one is good for 5 to 6 months.
WOW! Really? ...used twice a day? |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by zafer
WOW! Really? ...used twice a day?
Yes, no problem! Sonicare says to change the head every six months, I would say 5 maybe 4 if you religiously brush with it 3 times a day.
I use it morning and night, and a regular brush for mid-day cleanings. ...:) |
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| zafer |
http://www.wral.com/money/2673740/detail.html
quote:
Consumer Reports Looks At Electric Toothbrushes From Crest, Colgate, Oral-B
The big toothbrush debate used to be "side-to-side" or "up-and-down," but with the latest electric versions of the toothbrush, choices are more complicated than ever. Consumer Reports shows what you get with less-expensive electric toothbrushes.
Consumer Reports evaluates three inexpensive electric toothbrushes to find out what you get for your money.
A $140 Sonicare brush was used for comparison. The others, from Crest, Colgate and Oral-B, are all $10 or less.
"We asked volunteers to try each of these toothbrushes. After they used each for one for one week, we told them not to brush for a day, so they could let plaque build up on their teeth," said David Heim, of Consumer Reports.
Consumer Reports had a dentist examine each volunteer -- scoring the amount of plaque on specific teeth. The volunteers then brushed with the test toothbrush, and their teeth were re-scored to see how well each brush removed plaque.
The expensive Sonicare toothbrush turned out to be the most effective. However, the other three did just about as good a job for a fraction of the price. But before you buy one of the inexpensive, electric toothbrushes, testers found something you should know.
"Our tests show that none of these brushes were as effective as a regular brush," Heim said. [
Testers also found that one of the most important aspects of brushing is how long you do it. Testers found volunteers brushed longer when they used the electric toothbrushes.
If you think an electric toothbrush might keep you brushing longer, Consumer Reports suggests trying the Colgate Actibrush for $10.
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| XStatic |
quote:
Originally posted by zafer
"Our tests show that none of these brushes were as effective as a regular brush,"
For me the massage of the SonicCare appears to have turned around the progression of receding gums. With the gum probe I was getting a 3-4 reading almost everywhere. After using the SonicCare for almost a year I get a 1-2 almost everywhere and a 3-4 in only 2 places.
Could be coincidence, but this alone was worth the $79 I paid at Costco for a 2 handle bundle. |
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| DaleB |
One week is hardly a good test in my opinion. Used properly I believe the sonicare will give more consistent results than hand brushing everytime. For one thing the bristles last much longer, after 5 or 6 months they tend to get 'soft', they spread out very little compared with a regular worn brush.
Also, the action of the sonicare requires less force against the teeth/gum area. After a couple of months I suspect the differences would be much greater. |
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| AcuraDoc |
In my practice, I never promote just one product to my patients. I have no financial interest in them, only to make sure that those who do use them are doing so correctly. The one that I personally like is the Sonicare. ;)
Now, my own observations about the effects of a conventional toothbrush versus an electric toothbrush are interesting. I see a lot of tissue damage caused by the rotary toothbrushes compared to the sonic toothbrush. The reason, in my opinion, is that most people put too much pressure on the brush and hold it against the tooth for a longer amount of time. Therefore, the mechanical action of rotating and rubbing against the marginal tissue of the tooth causes recession and abrasion of the exposed tooth root surface. I also see this with conventional and sonic brushes, but to a lesser degree. There is no scientific data to support my observations, and as stated it is based from my patient population only.
For the most part, all that really matters is that proper home care is maintained and that people are educated in the proper use of these mechanical brushes. You'd be surprosed at how many people are using them incorrectly, and if you have any questions on how to use them, your hygenist or dentist will gladly give you hands on instruction, just as I do with my patients. And remember, you always get what you pay for. The same reason why none of us bought a Ford or Chevy SUV. |
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| zafer |
quote:
Originally posted by DaleB
One week is hardly a good test in my opinion.
Thats what I was thinking too. |
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| XStatic |
quote:
Originally posted by AcuraDoc
Now, my own observations about the effects of a conventional toothbrush versus an electric toothbrush are interesting. I see a lot of tissue damage caused by the rotary toothbrushes compared to the sonic toothbrush. The reason, in my opinion, is that most people put too much pressure on the brush and hold it against the tooth for a longer amount of time. Therefore, the mechanical action of rotating and rubbing against the marginal tissue of the tooth causes recession and abrasion of the exposed tooth root surface. I also see this with conventional and sonic brushes, but to a lesser degree. There is no scientific data to support my observations, and as stated it is based from my patient population only.
I was always told when using a conventional brush that I was brushing too hard and causing gum damage. I was even told they could see the wear from the brushing.
For me the SonicCare has resolved this as instead of brushing I simply float the brush over my teeth to get them clean. |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by zafer
Thats what I was thinking too.
In fact, if they show the Sonicare is even slightly better in ONLY a one week test, that is quite significant IMHO.
I have been to at least 2 different dentists and one hygienist over the last several years that carry Sonicare in their office, and recommend it. Interestingly, they said they could sell me one but suggested I go to Costco for a better price. |
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| AMDX |
quote:
For me the SonicCare has resolved this as instead of brushing I simply float the brush over my teeth to get them clean.
So this is how you're supposed to brush with the Sonicare? I've thought about getting one. No pressure like with a normal toothbrush? Man, that must take some getting used to. How about the tongue?
Thank you. |
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| remydog |
Well, I have not been blessed (like my wife) with having teeth that are indestructible. Since I began using the Braun, I have had substantially fewer problems and it's a rare checkup that the hygienist has to do any scraping.
I've seen several articles, etc. that claim one or the other of these products is better, but they also suggest that the two are practically alike in their performance and it likely has more to do with technique than the actual brush heads. Braun now has a 3D action which pulses in and out in addition to the rotation.
I have been tempted to try the Sonicare, but given the results I'm having and the significantly higher price for the other machine, I have defaulted to the lower cost item.
MSK |
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| zafer |
I've got a question, maybe AcuraDoc and answer this -
The dentist has always recommended the softest tooth brushes, i.e. SOFT. I've never been able to get used to soft, and have always used medium. Sonicare brushes seem stiffer than medium, and as far as I can tell, there are not different stiffnesses available, right owners? So what significance does the stiffness truly have? Can the stiffness of the Sonicare brush cause any harm? |
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| DaleB |
I thought there were two different brushes, sort of a med and a soft. The problem I think is the Sonicare kits only come with standard brushes, but the replacements come in both grades.
Further complicated by the fact that not all places sell both types. Also, there is the more compact head, some places sell, and some don't.
Might be worth checking online for replacements. I have not done that yet. |
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| XStatic |
I just don't think the brush stiffness really matters with the Sonicare since you don't scrub like you do a normal brush.
BTW, anyone notice the magnets in on the disposable brush head are very strong and easily removeable.
They look to be a good size to drop into an oil filter.... |
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| gdot |
| I got a Sonicare Elite 7500 for Christmas this year and I like it a lot more than the Braun that it replaced. The Braun did an admirable job and the dentist said I had pretty good teeth and gums, but the feeling I get from the Sonicare is so much better. |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by XStatic
I just don't think the brush stiffness really matters with the Sonicare since you don't scrub like you do a normal brush.
BTW, anyone notice the magnets in on the disposable brush head are very strong and easily removeable.
The look to be a good size to drop into an oil filter....
You are right, they are VERY strong magnets. You would want at least 2 for the small Acura filters based on the size of the Magna Guard magnets for small filters.
The Magna Guards are quite inexpensive though, and you don't have to wait for your brush to wear out.
And the compact head may be the only difference in the brushes, and yes, you are not to use them aggressively. |
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| zafer |
| ...well its been six months now. Went in the other day for my semi-annual cleaning. ........and, YEAH! Only about 10mins. of cleaning, mainly behind the wisdom teeth. :D |
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