Toothbrush madness

[Cumberland Sausage]

My old Oral B electric toothbrush is on its last legs. It takes ages to charge and then barely does a two-minute clean. It seems a major task to replace the battery (a deliberate move on the part of the manufacturer, of course), so I suppose it's time to buy a new one.
The problem is the selection now available at price points ranging from reasonable to ridiculous. It makes me wonder there's any real difference between the results delivered by a basic Oral B costing £25 to a top of the line one costing ten times as much. Or is there a sweet spot between the two extremes?
It rather reminds me of the pointless innovation, hype and misleading claims in the cartridge razor market.

 

[njpaddy]

I bought an Oral-B 3000 electric, my first, 10 years ago from amazon. It cost around $100. That one lasted until I replaced it with a 7500 in 2022, which also was around $100 (now $135 US). It's worth the cost.

Teeth are important, so don't go cheap. I grew up in the 1950s, and my teeth are crap from all the sugar gum and drinks back then. I've spent thousands, maybe 10s of, over the years on root canals, caps and bridgework, and still need massive work. My current dentist says he can fix my mouth for $25,000 (not going to happen unless I win a lottery), so if a $100 toothbrush can prolong the needed work, it isn't a bad investment. The choice is pay now, or suffer and pay more later.

Tips:
1. I remove and rinse the head after every shave and put it in a clean cup. Don't leave it attached to the unit.
2. Every week (or two), when I recharge (it will last longer if needed), I let the head soak in Hydrogen Peroxide to kill any bacteria.
3. I replace the head every 2 months. Find a reputable source on ebay for the head you prefer.
4. Invest in a cheap rechargeable water flosser for $30. I can use dental floss, the electric toothbrush, and a cheap water flosser will still flush out food particles they both missed.

 

[Cumberland Sausage]

I bought an Oral-B 3000 electric, my first, 10 years ago from amazon. It cost around $100. That one lasted until I replaced it with a 7500 in 2022, which also was around $100 (now $135 US). It's worth the cost.

Teeth are important, so don't go cheap. I grew up in the 1950s, and my teeth are crap from all the sugar gum and drinks back then. I've spent thousands, maybe 10s of, over the years on root canals, caps and bridgework, and still need massive work. My current dentist says he can fix my mouth for $25,000 (not going to happen unless I win a lottery), so if a $100 toothbrush can prolong the needed work, it isn't a bad investment. The choice is pay now, or suffer and pay more later.

Tips:
1. I remove and rinse the head after every shave and put it in a clean cup. Don't leave it attached to the unit.
2. Every week (or two), when I recharge (it will last longer if needed), I let the head soak in Hydrogen Peroxide to kill any bacteria.
3. I replace the head every 2 months. Find a reputable source on ebay for the head you prefer.
4. Invest in a cheap rechargeable water flosser for $30. I can use dental floss, the electric toothbrush, and a cheap water flosser will still flush out food particles they both missed.

I would willingly put up with the cost of one of the very expesive brushes if I was reasonably convinced it would offer some appreciable benefit. It's just that I haven't seen any evidence that it would and I have little faith in the theory that a high price guarantees wonderful performance.

 

[FireDragon76]

I have an Oral B battery powered brush and I like it, but my everyday brush is actually just a Humble bamboo toothbrush.

 

[Chaucer]

I’d go for the cheapest rechargeable Oral B. The pricier ones have multiple speeds and Internet connectivity. To me, 2 speeds are plenty, and the Internet has no place in cleaning my teeth and gums.

I’m sure there are other good electrics, but I’ve been using Oral Bs for decades with good results.

 

[njpaddy]

I’d go for the cheapest rechargeable Oral B. The pricier ones have multiple speeds and Internet connectivity. To me, 2 speeds are plenty, and the Internet has no place in cleaning my teeth and gums.

I agree. I have the Oral B with multiple speeds, settings, and internet that I never use. I used to have a dumb one until it died. I don't remember why I replaced it with the "smart" one.

 

[helicopter]

I read some research that most of the benefit of an electronic brush is the timer that gets you to brush long enough. Once my hygienist compared plaque to caramel because time and soft brushing works better than rushed aggressive brushing.

I doubt there is any benefit to the $250 one. The $25 one is probably as good as your old $100 one.

 

[EclipseRedRing]

I use an Oral B and it is excellent, not only does it improve oral hygiene but also overall health. How? I hear you ask.... Well the brush buzzes every 30 seconds during each two minute brushing session to indicate it is time to change from left to right or top to bottom. During each 30 second segment I combine the brushing with a different exercise aimed at relieving my lower back pain. I include knee lifts, kick backs, stretches, squats, etc. An easy four minutes of exercise every day, it has done wonders for my lumbar region. Plus it flashes if I use too much pressure which I find useful. My Oral B toothbrush costs about £40 at my local retailer, incredibly the top of the range Oral B is..... £800. That figure of £800 is pathetic, it is laughable, and yet at the same time I am somehow saddened by it, what a world we live in.

 

[Cumberland Sausage]

I did talk to a dentist I know about this and she reckoned the Oral B Pro 3 series are better than the very basic models. They have longer lasting batteries and a faster pulse rate, apparently. I know this was only the opinion of one dentist, but the Pro 3 3500 model was only £40, so I followed her advice and bought one. It does a very good job and I struggle to imagine how one costing £800 could do better. Perhaps it vibrates so fast that it reduces back pain as well as cleaning your teeth.

 

[Quaznoid]

I fear that this thread is like all the others. I’ve had some dental issues this year but tooth brushing wasn’t the cause. Never used an electric toothbrush and never wanted to but if it’s your thing, have at it.

 

[DesertIguana]

I buy the Oral-B cheapies at Commissary under $6.00, the last 6 months, use a Single AA Battery, and back up with old school arm strong, or strong arm manual brush.

Most of the E-tooth Brushes are made in ROC, and do not last it a plan to get you to rebuy.

 

[sternej]

My Oral B just died, info here helps me to replace it. Thanks gents

 

[ColtRevolver]

I fear that this thread is like all the others. I’ve had some dental issues this year but tooth brushing wasn’t the cause. Never used an electric toothbrush and never wanted to but if it’s your thing, have at it.

My hygienist recommended an electric brush with a pressure sensor because she said I am an aggressive brusher with a manual brush and was causing gum damage.

Oral B user here.

 

[Alex Jr]

The last thing I’d use is an electric brush.

To avoid receding gums (very very common as you age), the first rule is to never brush in a circular motion or in the direction of the gums.

Always swiping away from gums.

Electric brushes are like 5 bladed cartridges for me, they come to solve a problem that never existed and end up causing an unwanted one.

 

[FireDragon76]

As I get older I can appreciate electric toothbrushes more because the fine muscle coordination necessary to do it properly isn't always there. The Oral B oscillating type is very simple to use, in comparison.

For travel I usually carry an inexpensive Colgate battery-powered brush, one of those that vibrates at a relatively low frequency. It won't do all the brushing for you, if you want a brushing, but it does help get into the tighter areas using simple brushing techniques like Fones'.

 

[veronicasmith]

As I get older I can appreciate electric toothbrushes more because the fine muscle coordination necessary to do it properly isn't always there. The Oral B oscillating type is very simple to use, in comparison.

For travel I usually carry an inexpensive Colgate battery-powered brush, one of those that vibrates at a relatively low frequency. It won't do all the brushing for you, if you want a brushing, but it does help get into the tighter areas using simple brushing techniques like Fones'.

Yes I have been using electric toothbrush for quite a while now and these are effective.

 

[VerbaVolant]

I use Philips, and I am impressed with its performance. Philips Sonicare 6100. It goes for weeks between recharging. It is gentle on my gums, using G3 heads.
I was also skeptical, but after more than one year of use (three times a day), I am a believer.

I cannot compare it to any other, since Philips is the only one I have ever used.

 

[GoodShave]

I had a Sonicare years ago. It was very quiet. The heads were pretty expensive but you could get a bulk pack of replacement heads at Costco.

I have been using an Oral B the last few years. The heads are pretty cheap but the toothbrush sounds like a B-52 in flight.
As soon as I use up the last Oral B head, I am looking to buy an inexpensive Sonicare again so I don't wake anyone up brushing my teeth.

I would say before you buy an electric toothbrush, research how much the heads cost and their availability. If sound is a concern for you, research how loud the toothbrush happens to be.

 

[Toothpick]

I been using the Phillips Sonicare Diamond Clean since 2017. Still going strong.