Electric toothbrushes

[raybarrow]

Hi Folks,
Dentist/Hygenist are recommending an electric toothbrush. The choice is bewildering. Prices from £20 to several hundred pounds, crazy.
Looking for Oral B one, as the availability of replacement heads should be assured. Rechargeable seems to be the way to go, but which one?
Don't feel we need an all singing all dancing one but a good 'battery' life would make sense as two of us would be using it. Any other 'must have' functions I should consider?

Any recommendations?
Ray.

[redsturgeon]

Just get the cheapest Oral B rechargeable and see how you get on with it. I have one and they are great.

If you like it then after a year or so you might be in a better position to know if the more expensive models have features that are important.

John

[Dod101]

I have used one for years. Oral B seems to be the standard. Just buy one and see how it goes. My dentist did not recommend it buttells me they are definitely the way to go. Do not over analyse it.

Dod

[Itsallaguess]

Any recommendations?

I've used an Oral B electric toothbrush for years, and can very highly recommend them. I only wish they had been available when I was much younger.

There is a very wide range of models and prices, but in my experience anything over the most basic ranges are a complete waste of money, so I'd recommend one of the following two models which are currently available at a discounted price from Tesco if you or someone you know are a club-card holder -

Oral-B Vitality Plus Crossaction Electric Toothbrush (£20 club-card price) - https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/285794320

Oral-B Pro 1 Crossaction Electric Toothbrush & Case (£30 club-card price) - https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/298512232

Amazon also have regular discounts on these models, so it's worth checking there as well if the Tesco route isn't available to you.

Personally, I'd go with the second model as it's got a charging light that comes in handy to inform you when it's fully charged, and also lets you know if you're pressing too hard as well, which can be important with electric toothbrushes to help avoid unnecessary wear on your gums...

Cheers,

Itsallaguess

[Urbandreamer]

I use to use an expensive model, but replaced it with the Braun Oral B when it died.

I am willing to believe that the expensive one was better, but not THAT much better. Sourcing heads was also an issue.

It's only my opinion, but I believe that the reason Dentists recommend electric toothbrushes is because nobody spends enough time carefully brushing their teeth. If you try to follow the instructions on an electric toothbrush you will realise that you were not spending enough time when you used a manual toothbrush. An electric one will achieve more in the same time.

Re replacement heads: Oral B have a number of different "types", but the majority will fit the same motor unit (handle). Simple heads are cheaper from online sources like Ebay. While there check out travel boxes for the toothbrush and USB charging stations for those times that you can't find a shaver socket.

The intention is that you remove the head and clean it each use. The motor unit can then be used with a different head by another family member. Heads have a colour coded ring to facilitate this.

[pje16]

i have this one
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Oral-B-CrossAc ... FHK1Y?th=1
It is excellent and lasts for a long time btewwen recharges

[NotSure]

I would concur with posts above - just get the cheapest Oral-B you can find. My first was a bit posher, but we only used the basic 'clean my teeth' mode, so when it died, we replaced with a basic one. Of course you may think you need a Bluetooth toothbrush with 57 modes, but really?

[Lanark]

I have always gone for the cheapest sonicare I can find

This is a good comparison
https://www.dentaly.org/en/oral-hygiene ... -sonicare/

[mc2fool]

Well I've got this battery Oral B (3744), which I guess they don't make any more as I can't find it on sale anywhere on searching.

It looks like this one is the replacement. (I can understand why some, in the reviews, may have had difficulty with the battery compartment but I've always managed OK.)

I get batteries at £2 for 22 from the local Poundland and I use Sainsbury's own brand OraCare+ Replacement Brush Heads at £10 for 4.

[CliffEdge]

Lidl also do oral b compatible brush heads

[88V8]

+1 for Oral B.
It has various vibratory modes, but we just use the tango, or whatever the basic one's called.
We buy the genuine heads. Considering the cost of dental work, I don't see the point of penny-pinching.

Ours sits on the charger all the time, so it's always ready to go. https://www.appliancesdirect.co.uk/p/pv10-p/proofvision-pv10p-sink-accessory When it's charged the flashing light on the brush extinguishes.

I probably spend about 5 mins now, twice daily, brushing my teeth. Four segments of 30 secs with the Oral B (it buzzes after 30 secs to tell you it's time to reload the toothpaste and start the next quartile of teeth), then the teepees, two sizes.

If I'd done this years ago instead of a 30 second scrub, my mouth would not resemble a mobile dental museum.

V8

[Redmires]

A recent Radio 4 programme is worth a listen and confirms what everyone is stating. Why pay £300+ for an electric toothbrush when a cheap model performs just as well.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0017k9b

With input from dental experts & Which magazine, different models and methods are compared, including oscillating, sonic & water flossers etc. One thing I would add, if you decide on a cheaper model, buy two as it will save a lot of fussing.

[redsturgeon]

I would second the idea of getting a full machine for each person who needs one. The changing heads thing would just be a faff too far and not necessary at the costs involved.

John

[Watis]

I would second the idea of getting a full machine for each person who needs one. The changing heads thing would just be a faff too far and not necessary at the costs involved.

John

You're correct, John, but the heads still have to be removed for rinsing anyway.

I know a couple who had a toothbrush each. Because they didn't have to swap the heads, they weren't being removed for rinsing either. So each toothbrush had a buildup of old, stale toothpaste around the base of the brush head . .

Watis

[redsturgeon]

I would second the idea of getting a full machine for each person who needs one. The changing heads thing would just be a faff too far and not necessary at the costs involved.

John

You're correct, John, but the heads still have to be removed for rinsing anyway.

I know a couple who had a toothbrush each. Because they didn't have to swap the heads, they weren't being removed for rinsing either. So each toothbrush had a buildup of old, stale toothpaste around the base of the brush head . .

Watis

I find that rinsing and drying stops that without having to remove the head.

John

[servodude]

I think I ran out of recs to give in this thread.

The answers are:
A) OralB - get one
B) learn that you need to, and know how to, clean a toothbrush


-sd

[Itsallaguess]

One thing I would add, if you decide on a cheaper model, buy two as it will save a lot of fussing.

And a lot of 'discussions' as to who was supposed to put it on charge the last time they used it...

And if one of you wants to go away overnight, someone will *not* want to revert back to normal toothbrushes. Ever....

Cheers,

Itsallaguess

[jfgw]

Another thumbs-up for Oral-B. When I have needed one, I have found that they have been available half-price somewhere—shop around (The big supermarkets, Superdrug, Home Bargains, etc.).

I would avoid eBay for heads unless it is a known reputable seller. I had some fakes from Amazon once; they sent a full refund as soon as I contacted them. If the heads don't fit as well as they should, the bristle colour doesn't fade to show brush wear, or if your gums bleed, you probably have fakes. If you Google "fake oral b toothbrush heads", you will find some clues to look for.


Julian F. G. W.

[bungeejumper]

Still using my Philips Sonicare after 15 years, and my dentist seems happy with the way my teeth are. Still goes a month between recharges. You can get much cheaper heads from Amazon, but it's a bit of a lottery because some of them aren't firm enough. As 88V8 says, what's the gain in penny-pinching on your principal interface (geddit?) with other people?

Double recs for everyone who's said don't pay full price. There are always offers and deals on these gizmos.

BJ

[bungeejumper]

Still using my Philips Sonicare after 15 years....

Wow. So is the battery in, like, a backpack or something?

Naaah, it's quite small, but I have to send it back to Sellafield every now and then. And everyone says it makes my teeth glow in the dark.

BJ