obsoperator's Full Review: Sonicare Elite 7500 Electric Toothbrush
My dentist recommended a high-end electric toothbrush, but didn't specify a particular brand. Because the other middle-aged guys at work seemed to favor Phillips Sonicare, I decided to spend about $95. Your choices seem to involve whether you get a wall-mount or a table-top stand for the equipment, and how many complicated (!) multi-presses of the buttons adjustments you can make to the "program" of the brush cycle. So the differences between 7300-7500-etc. are small but confusing.
One of the (extra cost) features involves starting the brush out at a milder setting (and ramping up over multiple days, automatically) for users who are intimidated by the buzzing, vibrating machine. I can't make the decision for you, but I'll suggest that you just hold the machine gently, and get used to the idea.
That will let you select the simpler and cheaper model, but be sure the one you chose has the 30-second brush timing feature. That's a tiny pause that tells you to move from the front to the back surfaces, or from the top teeth to the bottom teeth. The four timed cycles add up to two minutes, but that doesn't include the chewing surfaces or your tongue (which I do with the brush turned off..)
I bought mine at Amazon, but I noticed that CIGNA, my HMO, offers a simple model for around $60, as a "healthy-life" promotion through their web site. Keep in mind that you'll have to buy new brush heads every three to six months, and they're relatively expensive. I find that I wear out a brush in three months, and have paid from $17 to $25 for a package of two heads. Make sure you get the "Elite" style to fit your power base, and the brush size (large or small) that you prefer. Amazon will give you a brush discount if you place an automatic six-months reorder.
You'll find that the brushes are visibly worn after three months, so don't expect to beat the cash register here. After all, the idea is to keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy.
Both my dentist and I have found that the Sonicare works very well for me. My mouth feels cleaner than it did when I was using a traditional brush. I didn't have very many adult cavities, so there's nothing to compare there. But I haven't progressed to the gum disease so many people my age have, and I've always had pretty poor teeth (no orthodonture, either.) The biggest plus for me has been the way the vibrations clean out between my ill-fitting together teeth. I've always flossed, but I have much less trouble with remaining debris than I used to.
Keep in mind that this machine's power reduces any necessity to press hard with the brush. You can damage your gums (by scrubbing them away...) if you bear down for months at a time - even with a manual toothbrush. But by holding the Sonicare gently, you can give your gums the healthy "massage" they need. You have to periodically remind yourself of this.
The power handle is completely sealed. You can't replace the (Nickel Cadmium) rechargeable batteries. I was worried that they wouldn't last long enough to justify the cost of the machine, but I was wrong. My original handle is still holding a charge and working well, five years after purchase. I've never had a rechargeable tool battery last that long. If you travel abroad, you may need a transformer to plug in your brush to a 220 volt outlet. I find that I need to charge the handle once a week, but other people simply store the handle in the charger, so it never runs down. (I discussed the issue of battery "memory" with them, and they assure me that they haven't had any problems.)
In order to have the handle make the bush vibrate, there is a flexible rubber collar at the base of the brush. Of necessity, this has tiny leaks of toothpaste, water and saliva into the interior of the vibrating mechanism. (That's why the power base is 100% sealed and impervious to any liquid) But this means that, as recommended by Phillips, you have to snap the brush out of the threaded collar that attaches it to the power base and rinse the internal parts with hot water once a week. If you don't follow this advice, the liquid inside will eventually turn foul and develop an odor. I follow this schedule once a week, and I recommend that you do too.
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