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Highlight Sonicare Toothbrushes

Philips Sonicare is backed by more than 140 abstracts representing clinical and laboratory studies at over 40 universities and research institutions worldwide. Sonicare’s technology is designed to deliver superior results. Sonicare toothbrushes, inspired by the sonic technology used in dental offices, have dynamic cleaning action to reduce plaque along the gumline. The bristles on a Sonicare play an important part too. Their high velocity movement creates the dynamic cleaning action, and allows for direct contact with each tooth. Sonicare’s bristles are also designed to be extra gentle on teeth and gums. The first time you use a Sonicare, you’ll notice that the cleaning technique feels entirely different than any other toothbrush. Now you’ll know it’s because it cleans in a way that is completely unique from any other toothbrush.

Benefits

Positive Impact on Overall Health

You will be hearing about it more and more: your oral health is linked to your overall health. Often, issues with your oral health can be an indicator of—or even more importantly—directly effect your overall health. For instance, certain medical conditions require particular attention to oral care. For instance, some conditions, such as diabetes, require that you pay special attention to your teeth and gums in order to better maintain your health.

Healthier Gums

When plaque accumulates between the teeth and gums, it becomes an irritant to the gum tissues causing gingivitis, the most common form of gum disease. Sonicare is clinically proven to reduce gingivitis. Sonicare also helps to shrink periodontal pockets, which form between the teeth and the gums when gingivitis goes untreated. Periodontal pockets are especially problematic because plaque and debris from food collect in the pocket, which can eventually result in the loss of teeth.

Superior Plaque Removal

Sonicare’s dynamic action cleans teeth resulting in superior plaque removal making it a step forward in anyone’s oral care.

An Investment in Your Oral Health

Giving your mouth the attention and care it deserves can really pay off. While it doesn’t mean you should say goodbye to the dentist’s office forever, using a Sonicare can help remove plaque and prevent in the development of gingivitis.

Gentle Brushing

Although it removes hidden plaque from hard-to-reach areas, the Sonicare toothbrushes’ technology is gentle on teeth and gums requiring a lot less pressure from the user. But more importantly, research has shown increased compliance in users with the Sonicare toothbrushes.

Customer Reviews:

Sonicare Toothbrush
By Laurie Ortiz, RDH

I was hesitant to advise my patients to purchase an electric toothbrush since many people today are on tight and fixed incomes. However, I started noticing changes in patients. I would ask, “What are you doing?” and they would say they got a Sonicare toothbrush. Then I was convinced and have no reservations about recommending it any longer!

Sonicare Essence E5300 Electric Toothbrush
By mrslisaes98

I grew up brushing with manual toothbrushes. Eventually as an adult I graduated to battery powered toothbrushes, which can be helpful, especially while traveling. (I still take them on trips to this day.) Then I tried a rechargeable toothbrush – which I liked very much and which was a huge improvement over the manual toothbrush. But WOW, let me tell you, advancing to the Sonic Care brand rechargable toothbrush is truly advancing! My mouth has never been so happy!!

Firstly this toothbrush is easy to use- no hard scrubbing, you just kind of hold it over each tooth and let it do it’s thing. At first it may be kind of tough to get used to not moving the brush head back and forth but you get used to that pretty quickly. There IS a learning curve however with the drool factor- for some reason this toothbrush makes me drool like a fiend when I am about three quarters through my brushing process. But oh well, that’s why I’m standing over a sink, right?

The brushing process itself isn’t that much different than using any other rechargeable toothbrush but when you are finished your mouth actually feels cleaner than with any other brand of toothbrush- and belive me, I’ve tried them all. My dentist used to recommend Sonic Care and I’d see the price and think, “yeah, right”. However I encountered a sale last year and jumped in and made the purchase and it has been worth it many times over!! My teeth are cleaner, whiter and my gums and mouth are healthier than they have ever been! My dental checkups and cleanings are a breeze. They actually compliment me on the way I am taking care of my mouth and tell me to keep up the good work. Wow!

Good Experience With Sonicare
By Todd Thorne

The Sonicare Essence is my second Sonicare toothbrush. Previously, I used an Advance, which lasted about four and a half years. Prior to that, I had a different brand of electric brush. Some observations follow.

In general, any Sonicare would be a wise investment for you. No question, years of using it have saved me time and money at the dentist. By now you’ve seen from the other reviews how effective it is at cleaning your teeth. As I get older, I’m finding just how effective a job it also does at slowing my gum recession. I consider the sonic system superior over other brand’s rotating mechanical approaches, which seemed to have more of an unpleasant taste and couldn’t be used with just any brand or style of toothpaste, unlike the Sonicare.

The Essence and Elite models use the more slender heads versus the Advance. Slender is more comfortable as you maneuver the head around your mouth. Also, the slender heads tend to stay cleaner from build-up and residue, reducing the effort and need for periodic head cleaning. So far, I’ve found the slender heads to last as long as the Advance ones: about 6 months.

What about Essence versus Elite? Other reviews have summed it up. Sonicare (Philips, actually) segments Elite versus Essence by tossing in a couple of extra bells and whistles. I recommend that you seriously consider the Essence and put the dollars you save towards your first head replacements.

As far as usage goes, it’s hard not to have an effective brushing technique with Sonicare. Place it against your teeth and gums at an angle and move it across the surfaces from one side of your mouth to the other. Be prepared for a moderately loud sonic tone in your skull, which can be a bit deceptive to others in the room with you because it’s a much more muted noise to them (just in case they have the urge to speak to you while you brush). Yes, if you bump the brush plastic against your teeth, you’ll get the rattle effect, which is a tad startling. With a little practice, that rarely happens unless you rush your brushing motions.

If you use a fluoride toothpaste and have a particular brushing pattern, say top-front at start, bottom-inside at finish, just reverse your pattern the additional times you brush each day. Why? To give the fluoride a chance to stay on your different teeth surfaces longer before you rinse it out.

Lastly, I make it a point to unplug my Sonicare between full charges and run it down to complete discharge. Even though rechargeable battery technology has reached the point where the “memory effect” we used to experience with the old Ni-Cad batteries isn’t much of an issue anymore, I think this approach tends to keep the batteries conditioned and gets you a bit more mileage out of your brush handle. The sacrifice you make with this approach is that last brushing as the batteries drain to empty will likely be incomplete. So trot out the old manual standby to finish and then plug in the Sonicare to charge up. With my new Essence, I find I can go about a week this way, brushing twice a day.

I consider Sonicare one of those appliances that’s a great investment and which will pay you dividends over the long haul. Highly recommended.

Update Summer 2008:
Over 2 years of use on this appliance and my satisfaction level remains high. Regarding head replacements, I do want to add one observation. If you go 6 months like I do before swapping heads, the firmness of the new head will feel especially pronounced, perhaps to the point of causing gum tenderness. In that case, back off the hand pressure you apply, and in about a week, your gums should acclimate. Enjoy!

Sonic Care Replacement Heads

Sonicare toothbrushes come in a variety of models and styles, and all of them feature removable brush heads that need to be replaced about every three months. Since only certain replacement heads fit certain models, it’s important to figure out what type of Sonicare toothbrush you have before buying replacement heads.

- Types

Sonicare makes seven major types of toothbrush handles, including the FlexCare, Healthy White, Elite, Essence, Advance, Xtreme and IntelliClean models. The ProResults replacement brush heads fit the FlexCare and Healthy White style handles. The e-series replacement brush heads, also called the Elite/Essence brush heads, fit the Elite, Essence, Advance and Xtreme models. The Advance types can either use the e-series brush replacements, or the Advance brush heads. IntelliClean brushes only work with IntelliClean replacement heads.

- Identification

If you’re not sure what type of Sonicare toothbrush you have, you can identify it by the types of cleaning modes or features it has. FlexCare brushes have GoCare and MaxCare options. Healthy White brushes have a Clean & White mode. Elite and Essence brushes both have thin, angled necks, but the Elite models have two cleaning speeds while Essence brushes only have one. Advance toothbrushes have wide necks, and Xtreme brushes have a replaceable AA battery compartment. IntelliClean brushes are the only ones that include a cartridge that automatically dispenses toothpaste into the brush head.

- Size

The ProResults replacement brush heads come in two sizes: standard and compact. Both sizes are available in packs of three. The e-series brush heads come in one size only, and are available as single replacement or in packs of two. The Advance brush heads are available in standard and compact sizes, in packs of two. IntelliClean replacement brush heads are only available in standard size, in packs of two.

- Features

The e-series brush heads feature an angled neck for easier cleaning, as well as soft, contoured bristles. Advance brush heads feature eight rows of bristles, and the two-packs come with different color markings on the heads, so that multiple users can tell their brushes apart. IntelliClean brush heads feature three different types of bristle softness. Standard size brushes provide a thorough cleaning for a wider area of tooth and gums, while the compact brush sizes work well in tight areas and for people with smaller mouths.

- Considerations

Sonicare brush heads should be replaced every three months, or as needed. Sonicare replacement brush heads are available through the manufacturer’s website, the Philips Home Store, which is linked below. On this site, customers can order individual replacement brush heads. For the ProResults and e-series brushes, they can subscribe to a plan that automatically ships replacements every three months. Amazon.com also features a subscription program for Sonicare brush heads. Replacement Sonicare brush heads are also available in many other stores.

Source: JustSew, eHow Editor

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