Q for Dr. Hive, DDS: what features are important in an electronic toothbrush?

[Laurie4b]

Ok, so I am committed to getting an electronic toothbrush, but I am overwhelmed by the choices. My natural bent is to choose the cheapest one. What do you use? What features does it have that you consider "must haves?" Anyone wish they had made a different choice? 

 

Thanks!

[magnificent_baby]

DH has a Sonicare and loves it. Has had it for several years with no issues. I think I ordered it from drugstore dot com around the holidays, had a super good deal going on at the time. No idea on features though. 

[Ali in OR]

I have used a Sonicare for at least 5 years, and my kids started having a lot fewer cavities when I got some for them too (I got them adult versions which are not as gentle as the kid version but I think they were old enough for it). Both of our dentists are happy we are using Sonicate. The feature I like best is the "timer" thing that beeps every 30 seconds as a reminder to you to change the quadrant of your mouth that you are brushing. I think just brushing a full two minutes may make the biggest difference for my kids. I bought all of these on different Black Fridays when I could get excellent deals--I think somewhere between $25 and $35.

 

For my disabled dd, I use the "disposable" electric toothbrushes (Oral B I think) with a round head, the kid version. It's gentler than Sonicare, but it still makes a big difference over a manual toothbrush.

Edited January 31, 2016 by Ali in OR

[ScoutTN]

We have a middle of the road Oral B. Dentist and ortho are both good with that.

Best thing is that Ds, who is not a thorough brusher otherwise, loves it and brushes longer and better.

[catz]

We have had 3 Sonicares over like 15+ years and absolutely love them.  They make a big difference to me and my teeth start to feel scummy when I'm away from it.  I think the timer thing is called a quadpacer?  We accidentally bought our last one without that and I much prefer it with the 30 second timer. 

[Katy]

nm

Edited July 22, 2016 by Katy

[Anne]

I have a Sonicare that I have had for *years* - don't know how much I paid for it, but I bought it at Costco and that's where I buy the replacement heads.

 

Anne

[Pawz4me]

My hygienist recommends Sonicare.  She says to avoid the ones made for children, but other than that they all work about the same.  She says you can pay extra for more bells and whistles, but the performance is the same on any of them.

[Laurie4b]

It looks like the Sonicare recommendation is close to unanimous, which is saying something for the Hive. The less expensive versions don't have the 30 sec beeper, so I guess I'll need to live without that, but it sounded like a good feature!