Any dentists in the house - electric toothbrush?

Bleek · 29 Apr 2010 at 12:11

Can anyone recommend a high quality electric toothbrush, are the Philips Sonicare at £100+ worth the money?

Magic_x_uk · 29 Apr 2010 at 12:19

Richdog · 29 Apr 2010 at 12:20

Nope, the Braun range is better. Boots usually have great deals on the Oral B 8000/9000 range.

wozencl · 29 Apr 2010 at 12:25

I had a Sonicare and it was great except that it's hard to manouver the rectangular head around the back of teeth and towards the back of the mouth. I've since bought an Oral B and I find it much easier to use but the blinking battery is dying and it's only a couple of months old.

Both are far better than any manual toothbrush when it comes to cleaning.

PistolPete · 29 Apr 2010 at 12:29

I got a new Oral B (Pro 3000) for half price at Boots this weekend to replace my aging old model Oral B brush

I wouldn't go back to a manual toothbrush now.

krooton · 29 Apr 2010 at 12:32

Another vote for Oral B, cheap replacements heads to be had on the Bay as well.

Andy · 29 Apr 2010 at 12:48

Youd be better buying a manual one so you can buy a new one every other week. Strong new bristles = good cleaning.

I used electrical ones but they dont do the same job

Richdog · 29 Apr 2010 at 13:04

Andy said:
Youd be better buying a manual one so you can buy a new one every other week. Strong new bristles = good cleaning.

I used electrical ones but they dont do the same job

10/10 dentists would disagree. As well as cleaning better than a manual, electric toothbrush heads last ages, and if it gets worn, you replace it. Your post makes no sense.

Andy · 29 Apr 2010 at 13:20

Richdog said:
10/10 dentists would disagree. As well as cleaning better than a manual, electric toothbrush heads last ages, and if it gets worn, you replace it. Your post makes no sense.

The head may last a long time but once the bristles are weak they can't clean between your teeth anywhere near as well.

I can see crap between my teeeth if i use an electrical one and my teeth are a lot whiter than most

PapaLazaru · 29 Apr 2010 at 13:21

Sonicare all the way.

Well worht the money and as you don't have to apply too much pressure the heads last for ages. My last one has been going good for over a year and is displaying no signs of wear.

Engram · 29 Apr 2010 at 13:27

I use one of these. Good results, but sometimes makes my gums bleed.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/518-9T6cnaL.jpg

krooton · 29 Apr 2010 at 13:27

Andy said:
The head may last a long time but once the bristles are weak they can't clean between your teeth anywhere near as well.

I can see crap between my teeeth if i use an electrical one and my teeth are a lot whiter than most

I usually get a 1.5 months out of a head, and they cost £2 to replace if you know how to shop for them.

Xordium · 29 Apr 2010 at 13:35

I think you will find that recently dentists are advising against electric toothbrushes as the evidence coming in now suggests long term usage is damaging enamel more that using a manual toothbrush (akin to using a soft rather than a hard bristle). Moreover, independent trials have consistently shown that there is no significant difference is cleanliness after either type of brushing. However, there is a presumption in data that all people are doing the needed amount of brushing - no more no less. The real benefits of electric brushes is for people who could not adequately brush their teeth manually eg the disabled etc. So maybe save some money? (Dentistry is not my speciality mind you)

Engram · 29 Apr 2010 at 13:38

On a serious note. I find my electric toothbrush very good for cleaning my back (and wisdom) teeth, whereas my manual toothbrush is best for my front teeth.

I tend to alternate which brush I use throughout the week.

Simon42 · 29 Apr 2010 at 13:39

Andy said:
The head may last a long time but once the bristles are weak they can't clean between your teeth anywhere near as well.

I can see crap between my teeeth if i use an electrical one and my teeth are a lot whiter than most

I replace the head on mine at least every couple of months so that shouldn't be an issue. It's not worth spending out on an expensive electric brush only to stretch out the life of the heads.

The one thing I don't like about electric though is they can be harsh around the gum line for canines and also awkward around back/wisdom teeth. So I use a manual brush as well plus have an extra small brush head for the electric toothbrush to get around the back teeth.

Bleek · 29 Apr 2010 at 13:42

Well, thanks for all the replies!

...perhaps I should go and see my dentist?

RobH · 29 Apr 2010 at 13:48

I have an Oral B Professional Care 1000 model which works fine and was on £30 with 2 heads. The more expensive models have LCD's, more brushing modes and such but it just seems like a gimmick to me. The 1000 model and most others change the vibration briefly after 30 seconds to let you know to change position until you reach 2 minutes.

I've noticed a big improvement since switching to an electric one, the brush head is about 1/3 the size of my manual one and I use far less toothpaste now. I can reach to all parts of my mouth easily now thanks to the smaller brush and my teeth seem to be much whiter than when I used a manual one.

More money does not equal a better toothbrush, I think most dentists will agree that a basic electric toothbrush is sufficient.

Vulcan · 29 Apr 2010 at 13:59

krooton said:
I usually get a 1.5 months out of a head, and they cost £2 to replace if you know how to shop for them.

Fake ones off ebay?

RobH · 29 Apr 2010 at 14:02

Longbow said:
Fake ones off ebay?

Boots usually do something like 8 heads for £11.99 every so often, it's just a case of looking out for deals.

Wyrdo · 29 Apr 2010 at 14:05

maustin said:
I think you will find that recently dentists are advising against electric toothbrushes

I stopped using my Sonicare a while back and the two dentists I've seen recently have recommended I should start using an electric toothbrush.