13 June 2019 @ 07:56 pm
[Health]: Electric Toothbrush: rotating-oscillating vs sonic  
Hi again!~

I’ve been thinking about purchasing an electric toothbrush.
For the past (almost) 40 years I’ve been brushing my teeth with a normal toothbrush.

My dentist always praises me for my good mouth hygiene.

However, recently the neck of my teeth is getting more and more exposed.
One reason could be that I’m putting on too much pressure when brushing. I’m already using the softest brush out there.

Another issue is that I usually (especially in the evening) brush my teeth up to 15-20 minutes.
I was actually surprised when I found out that many electric toothbrushes have a 2-mins timer built in.

But my teeth never feel clean enough so I keep brushing for that long. That can’t be healthy.
I’ve re-assessed my brushing technique, but it doesn’t change the fact that it takes forever to get rid of plaque at certain spots.

Thus, I’m finally thinking about obtaining an electric toothbrush.

I’ve done quite a bit of research and now I’m not sure if I should get an oscillating Oral B brush or a Philips Sonicare.
It seems that both techniques will get your teeth super clean fast.
The Oral B generally gets more praises and better reviews. Also the brush heads are cheaper.

However, they also say that for beginners who have never used an electric toothbrush, the change is smoother with a sonic toothbrush.
The brush heads are longer (not round-shaped) and the cleaning movements are also a lot more similar to “normal brushing”.

I also have the feeling that the Oral B ones are more abrasive and just a bit more brutal to your teeth when you’re putting too much pressure on the brush.
Yes, most modern electric toothbrushes have a pressure sensor built in, also the one I’m considering, but still ….

I think the Oral B is generally better, but I still tend towards the Philips Sonicare.

I’m currently trying to decide between the “Oral B Pro 2 2500” and the “Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4300”.



I certainly don’t want one of the super geeky ones with Bluetooth connection. I really don’t want to increase the radio waves in my apartment even more. ;P






This is a super old photo from my 2nd apartment in Japan. I used to have an Oral B electric toothbrush. I almost forgot about it. From the looks it must have been the Oral B Vitality one. I think I only used it twice as I really just couldn't handle it. I can't remember what I didn't like about it, but maybe that's why I'm leaning more towards the Sonicare? :)

Do you have any experience with electric toothbrushes and can you give me an advice or share your experience?

That would be very helpful.

Thanks a lot in advance.+

Bye~chuu
 
 
[mood]: busy
 
 
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[identity profile] pknumba1.livejournal.com on June 13th, 2019 09:34 pm (UTC)
Well this was an interesting read. XD One of my friends who is a dentist suggested that I get one because apparently I have a small mouth, and a regular tooth brush doesn't reach my back molars very well. I've thought about it...but they are expensive!
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[identity profile] chochajin.livejournal.com on June 14th, 2019 05:45 am (UTC)
Yes, they certainly are expensive. :(
But there are som basic models that aren't too bad, so maybe you can try one of them to see if it would be an option for you? :)
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[identity profile] pknumba1.livejournal.com on June 14th, 2019 01:19 pm (UTC)
I'll probably just spring for the cheapest one I can find. ><
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[identity profile] mit-souko.livejournal.com on June 13th, 2019 10:02 pm (UTC)
I have always thought of electric toothbrushes as a solution in search of a problem. They are expensive to buy and maintain.

I have good teeth that I keep quite clean. I find it important to brush at least twice a day and use dental floss every time. Using a gum stimulator [a long thin handle with a pointed rubber tip] is a help against receding gums. Also I particularly like Oral-B "Extreme Pro" brushes. They seem to massage your gums as they brush your teeth.

Brushing for 15 or 20 minutes is absolutely unnecessary and a wste of time. 2 minutes is ample. I can't believe you get a plaque accumulation from one brushing to the next.
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[identity profile] chochajin.livejournal.com on June 14th, 2019 05:44 am (UTC)
I know, but especially around my back teeth it doesn't feel clean otherwise and it's hard to get rid of the stuff there, so maybe an electric toothbrush could do the trick. :)
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[identity profile] chatiel.livejournal.com on June 13th, 2019 10:24 pm (UTC)
15 to 20 minutes O___O haha Yeah well, it can damage your teeth, but if your dentist doesn't see a problem...

I use an electric toothbrush and I find it very nice to use ! It gets rid of the plaque easily. I do use it for more than 2 minutes though, but just one more minute XD
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[identity profile] chochajin.livejournal.com on June 14th, 2019 05:44 am (UTC)
Which kind of electric toothbrush are you using? :)
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[identity profile] chatiel.livejournal.com on June 14th, 2019 02:25 pm (UTC)
This one. It's not very expensive.
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[identity profile] chochajin.livejournal.com on June 14th, 2019 08:11 pm (UTC)
Haha, that's exactly the one being displayed in my photo of my old Japanese apartment.
I guess I had the same one - the one I only used twice because I didn't like it. I just can't remember what I didn't like about it. ^^;;;
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[identity profile] sight.livejournal.com on June 14th, 2019 01:04 am (UTC)
We have the Phillips one and I really like it. I feel like I get a really great clean in the back of my teeth where it's sometimes more difficult to get. I definitely recommend getting one if you can!!
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[identity profile] chochajin.livejournal.com on June 14th, 2019 05:46 am (UTC)
That's the part I struggle with the most as well. Hopefully an electric toothbrush can help with that. :)
Some people say the Philips sonicare is very ticklish and some with sensitive teeth or gums can't handle it.
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[identity profile] awakenyourfaith.livejournal.com on June 14th, 2019 04:52 am (UTC)
I've had a Sonicare toothbrush for a little over a year now - I think that one might do the trick!
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[identity profile] chochajin.livejournal.com on June 14th, 2019 05:46 am (UTC)
May I ask why you've stopped using it?
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[identity profile] ragnarok-08.livejournal.com on June 14th, 2019 05:58 am (UTC)
I use a Sonicare toothbrush and it helps with my dental hygiene.
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[identity profile] chochajin.livejournal.com on June 14th, 2019 08:10 pm (UTC)
Are you using it every day? Is there anything you don't like about it? :)
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[identity profile] the-fool777.livejournal.com on June 14th, 2019 08:43 am (UTC)
I have the Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4300 and its wonderful, but honestly its the brush attachments that makes the most difference.
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[identity profile] chochajin.livejournal.com on June 14th, 2019 08:10 pm (UTC)
Thanks a lot for the feedback.
May I ask which brushes you're using for your Sonicare?
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[identity profile] the-fool777.livejournal.com on June 14th, 2019 09:51 pm (UTC)
I use sonicare-w3-premium-white, they are rather firm, but cleans everything!!!
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[identity profile] chochajin.livejournal.com on June 15th, 2019 08:58 am (UTC)
Great, thanks a lot. :)
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[identity profile] jeune-fleur.livejournal.com on June 16th, 2019 09:00 pm (UTC)
Oh my, that's some long brushing! :P I've honestly never tried an electric toothbrush, so sorry, I won't be of any help ;-;
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[identity profile] chochajin.livejournal.com on June 17th, 2019 08:32 am (UTC)
No worries. :)

And yes, it takes so long to make them feel clean. ^^;
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🥀 𝖊𝖙𝖍𝖊𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖑 𝖜𝖆𝖛𝖊𝖘 🥀: gem[personal profile] ethereal_waves on June 19th, 2019 04:17 am (UTC)
My mom was in the dental field for work for many years, so I grew up hearing all about tooth care ;p I had an Oral-B electric toothbrush several years ago. Too long to remember the model or anything. It was okay, it was mainly an issue keeping up with spending the money on replacement heads during times when money was quite tight. I used those more economical colgate spinbrushes, and that was nice.

In the past couple of years since seeing a dentist more regularly again, I've just gone back to regular non-electric toothbrushes, and still always get compliments from my dental hygienist about my teeth being 'perfect' as well as my gum-health. I floss twice a day also, since that's super important. Brushing too long tears away and weakens the enamel even more, which isn't good. It's a similar reason why it's advised not to brush right after eating or drinking anything other than water. Since every time we eat or drink non-water beverages, it kicks up a chemical cycle where the enamel on our teeth softens, and is being attacked by acid and such. But fights it with just our saliva. The teeth/enamel are at their most vulnerable, until about a 1/2 hr to an hour after eating. Which is a better time to brush.

Does your dentist also advise a plague-fighting mouthwash to use 2-3x a day? That can help your plague problems too! : )

Edited 2019-06-19 04:17 am (UTC)
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[identity profile] chochajin.livejournal.com on June 19th, 2019 09:41 am (UTC)
I'm not a huge fan of mouthwash. :)

Thanks a lot for the detailed description. :)

I do floss once a day. ^^
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🥀 𝖊𝖙𝖍𝖊𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖑 𝖜𝖆𝖛𝖊𝖘 🥀: gem[personal profile] ethereal_waves on June 19th, 2019 05:02 pm (UTC)
Sorry, I can easily go full-on nerd mode on some topics ;p

Hope whatever toothbrush you go with it helps make your life easier! : )
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[identity profile] shojo-pingu.livejournal.com on June 19th, 2019 12:41 pm (UTC)
Ich hatte auch mal eine elektronische Zahnbürste (Sonicare). Leider habe ich wohl so empfindliche Zähne (oder mich beim Putzen zu blöd angestellt?), dass sie mehr kaputt gemacht hat als geholfen hätte. ^^;; Deswegen meinte mein Zahnarzt, ich solle bitte wieder manuell putzen. Und das war's dann mit dem Ding...
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[identity profile] chochajin.livejournal.com on June 20th, 2019 08:17 am (UTC)
Uh, ja davor hab ich auch etwas Angst. Ärgerlich wenn man so viel Geld für was ausgibt und dann taugt es einem nicht. :(
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[identity profile] angelbott.livejournal.com on June 28th, 2019 03:43 am (UTC)
That's interesting to read this. xD
I just use normal brush..but I push too little pressure hard to made my gums bleed. x.x;
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[identity profile] meringues.livejournal.com on June 29th, 2019 07:40 pm (UTC)
I'm late to the party so you've probably already made your decision, but my dentist actually specifically recommended Oral B for me, as the brushing style and shape is more similar to what the professionals - at least at their office - use and it's supposed to get the best results even in tougher spots. Although you will have to make some adjustments to your brushing style, but it should be worth it. And I don't think the one my brother brought me was that expensive?
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[identity profile] chochajin.livejournal.com on June 29th, 2019 08:05 pm (UTC)
I have made up my mind, but haven't bought anything yet.
That's so interesting. The dentist of my sister in law said that the sonic ones are better. I guess dentists have their preferences as well. :)
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[identity profile] amvn.livejournal.com on December 28th, 2019 09:35 pm (UTC)
We have tried several electric toothbrushes, but I think we’ve settled on Philips as the best one. I have to be extra careful when brushing now that my teeth have been severely damaged through many years of throwing up T___T But I believe both Oral B and Philips vary from their various released models, so either one should be a good option ^_^
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