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I just got back from the dentist and realize that I need to
start upping the ante when it comes to brushing teeth...


I have been doing research on electric toothbrushes.

BRAUN / ORAL B 3D EXCEL
Here is the description for the Braun 3D, according to the SharperImage site, which sells both the Sonicare and the Braun:

New Oral-B 3D Excel cleaning technology is proven more effective than any other toothbrush, manual or electric. Oral-B's new, faster, top-of-the-line power toothbrush combines back-and-forth oscillation (8,800/minute) with in-and-out pulsation (40,000/minute) to create unsurpassed three-dimensional "3D" rotating brushing action that significantly outperforms all other toothbrushes — electric, sonic and manual — in the key areas of plaque removal, gingivitis reduction and reduction of gingival bleeding.
-END
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The Braun is also MUCH (100% supposedly) better at removing the buildup of unsightly stains from tea, coffee and tobacco than "sonic" brushing.

I have however, heard a lot of praise for the Sonicare Elite 7500,.
including from my brother and mother, although many of these Sonicare users haven't tried Braun...
My dentist's office recommends (not mentioned verbally; he had a Braun 3D Excel on display. I forgot to ask his personal opinion vs. Sonicare; my family has known him for many years...
I do realize that he probably gets benefits from promoting it; although that doesn't necessarily mean he doesn't think it is a great toohtbrush.
EDIT: My brother just read the 3D Excel benefits (it wasn't available when he got his Sonicare as a gift from our parents) and suggested I get that.

SONICARE ELITE 7500 DESCRIPTION:
Philips Sonicare® Elite electric toothbrush's Superior Cleaning Technology offers 20% better plaque removal between teeth.


Philips Sonicare® uses patented technology and dynamic cleaning action to reach deep between teeth and below the gum line.
Ultra high-speed bristle tips move three times faster than other leading power toothbrushes.
Enhanced Superior Cleaning Technology directs side-to-side sweeping and twisting action for optimal results.
New model is 30% lighter and features dual-speed control, an ergonomic handle, Smartimer® and Quadpacer® interval timer.
END--
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The Braun/Oral B 3D Excel is $69.99 (BEFORE coupon)
The Sonicare Elite 7500 is $130.(BEFORE coupon)

(I do know they are available cheaper elswhere, but I have a
special coupon, which is why I will buy one of the two there).


Your feedback is appreciated!


Thanks!

Sonicare Elite 100%. We got the Sonicare Elite a few months before they were released on the market because my dad was doing some work for Phillips (manuf. of Sonicare toothbrushes) Don't let price fool you, the Sonicare Elite may cost more, but it is well worth that extra cost The toothbrush brushes like there is no tomorrow, everyone in my family loves it, I however can not get used to the feel of an electric toothbrush (same feel on all of em') so I just use a normal toothbrush. The new Elite models are indeed lighter, and they do have speed controls, can't be beat.

I have the model of Sonicare before the Elite and I really like it. Was a gift, and it took me awhile to get around to using it, but now that I have, I won't go back unless I'm travelling.

I'm also a Sonicare user. Like LoneWolf, I have an earlier model. It took me a little while to get used to it, but now that I have I don't plan to go back to "manual" brushing.

I haven't tried the other models, so I can't help you there.

Now, if I could only get used to flossing....

I have the Sonicare from CostCo. I've used for 5 years now. Nothing like that after dentist cleaning feeling!!

manual tooth-brushing for me.
can't imagine i'd get used to an electric one (have to admit i haven't tried one though).
anyway, i'm obsessive, my manual brushing is probably much better than any electric toothbrush can do. i take about 10 minutes every time i brush my teeth (flossing time not included).

10 minutes sounds like it might actually be too much - in terms of potentially harming teeth - unless you use a gentle burshing motion and use a soft toothbrush?

EDIT:
I just did a search on google and came up with this quote
(from http://www.shavers.co.uk/dental.php):
Too much pressure or brushing for too long can lead to various problems including damage to the gums and onset of gingivitis and damaged teeth enamel. Using an electric toothbrush such as the Braun Oral-B or Sonicare range allows you to regulate the brushing time and pressure applied using a built in and timer and pressure sensor. With the Sonicare in particular it is quite difficult to apply too much pressure due the brushing method used.

i do use a soft toothbrush, but i probably do brush too hard (apply too much pressure).

I think (been told) I brush too hard too, using a soft brush, but not too long fortunately.
I hope the electric will help me to control that a bit.

i really should consult my dental hygienist, about how long i spend on brushing and how hard i do it.
i would'nt necessary trust a quote from a website that tries to sell me products.

I've spoken to a couple dentists about toothbrushes, and they both say soft bristles are better than firm ones. What else I gathered from the conversations is that it doesn't matter how hard or soft you brush, use soft bristles anyway.

in that case i'm doing OK: soft bristles, and brushing hard.
now if i could only stick to a regimen of brushing every day twice (when waking up, when going to sleep) and flossing every day twice too.

unfortunately i'm not that disciplined.

and i don't keep regular hours at all, i guess one might say i'm trying to drive my biological clock crazy (or just kill it off). sleep little, sleep at odd hours, sleep intermittently.
quite often i fall asleep on the Sofa in front of the TV, or even in bed, without having brushed!

On a serious note, dodecahedron, how do you cope with a work schedule if your sleeping hours are irregular? I only ask because my sleeping hours are irregular too, and I make my own working hours now (not very often), but it's about time I land a steady job.

I use a Crest Spinbrush. Whheeee...

I'm a Braun/Oral-B user, but I want to try a Sonicare. I also use a Crest Spinbrush whenever I travel.

that's because i can function on irregular hours.
like for example i can sleep only 3 hours (or less) and function "normally" the next day. i'll just be more tired the next night that is all.

i think i'm getting less good at this lately though, it must be my age...

dodecahedron wrote:i really should consult my dental hygienist, about how long i spend on brushing and how hard i do it.
i would'nt necessary trust a quote from a website that tries to sell me products.

I agree about not trusting a web site that is trying to sell me products, although that particular quote about not brushing too long can't benefit them or their sales in any way.
I should have quoted more sources.

I have heard numerous times that brushing too hard is bad because it can remove (part of) the protective layer on your teeth.
I just checked online and quickly (the very first match on google for my search criteria) found an official link (from the BBC) that supports this:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2999806.stm

Here is one about the negative impact of brushing too long and too hard from a dental insurance company, who obviously wants to reduce claims:
http://www.deltadentalca.org/dentist/toothbrushtrouble.html

dodecahedron wrote:that's because i can function on irregular hours.
like for example i can sleep only 3 hours (or less) and function "normally" the next day. i'll just be more tired the next night that is all.

i think i'm getting less good at this lately though, it must be my age...

Exactly the same here:
I can quite easily function on reduced sleep (I average about 5 1/2 hours a night or less). I occasionally get 4 hours, and still function the next day. It usually hits me the following evening.

I am getting less good too, for the same reason you mention

I try to take naps during my lengthy train ride, which helps.

[dentist mode]

in PT there aint no sonicare toothbrushes only braun ones...i recommend braun to my pacients...and in a few weeks time one can really see the gums looking a lot better

[/dentist mode]

Braun user myself

Thanks everyone!

I bought the Braun 3D Excel about a week ago.
It works very well for me and encourages me to brush for a full two
minutes due to the four 30 second timer intervals.

My brother has the Sonicare Elite (7500), which he got as a gift a while ago.
He is very pleased.
Personally, I didn't like the fact that the entire Sonicare brush handle vibrates.
I don't like that sensation at all.