Ahhhhh...Run Your Tongue Over This!
Written: Jul 21 '00 (Updated Mar 03 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Interval timer, 2 minute automatic shut-off, feels like a professional cleaning
Cons: Tickles at first, sometimes sends a sharp BUZZ through your skull
The Bottom Line: Makes teeth look and feel great, promotes healthy teeth and gums. The brushing timer encourages thorough and systematic brushing. Best thing that has ever happened to my teeth!
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| Dr_Steph's Full Review: Sonicare Plus Model Pl 3 Sonic Electric Toothbrush |
I don’t mean to mislead any of you, but this is just intended as "self-directed talk" (or to my husband). No one else gets to stick their tongue in my mouth – sorry!
I’m here to sing the praises of the Sonicare Plus Model PL-3 Sonic Electric Toothbrush. The 100% approval rating by other Epinions.com members tells me that I’m not alone in this perspective.
So What is the Sonicare Plus Model PL-3 Sonic Electric Toothbrush?
That was my question when I first started researching Sonicare products. Initially I had a hard time distinguishing between the Sonicare Personal Model, the Advance, the Quadpacer Select, the Plus Model, or the Plus Model (with grip). In fact, I wasn’t even sure which one I had purchased until I started reading the manual and saw that each model had a slightly different logo to distinguish them from each other. I apparently purchased the Sonicare Plus Model (with grip) which has the most features of all the models. The features include:
~ 31,000 high-frequency brush strokes per minute - creating sonic waves that supposedly remove plaque even beyond the bristle tips of the brush. (Available on all models).
~ Automatic 2-minute shut-off - the tooth brush is timed to operate for two minutes which is the recommended time for brushing one’s teeth. You can always restart it and brush longer if desired. This is also referred to as a "smart timer" because you can pause to rinse or apply more toothpaste and it starts up where you left off, time-wise.(Available on all models)
~ Quadpacer 30-second interval timer - this feature alerts the user every 30 second interval of brushing by giving off a quiet "beep" and having a slight pause in vibration. The purpose of this timer is to encourage the user to spend 30 seconds in each quadrant of the mouth (top right, top left, bottom right, and bottom left) for most effective and thorough brushing. (Not available on the personal model)
~ Easy-start ramp-up feature - this feature gradually increases brushing power during the first 12 uses of the tooth brush so that the novice can get used to the feel of an electric toothbrush. (Only available on the plus model with grip)
~ Non-slip grip - the handle comes with a rubber grip for more secure and comfortable handling. (Only available on the plus model with grip)
~ Charger base - the charger base has a power cord attached to it and an upright opening for holding the power handle. (Available on all models)
~ Sonic power handle - the handle is a 6 inch long cylinder which contains the nickel cadmium rechargeable battery. It has a power on/off button and a threaded top for attaching the brush head. The power handle comes fully charged from the factory and can supposedly hold a charge up to two weeks before recharging is necessary. However, the manual suggests that the power handle be stored in the charger based when not in use to maximize brushing power and battery life. (Available on all models; this model and some others also provide a charge indicator light on the power button to indicate that charging is taking place)
~ Removable nut - this is a hollow plastic fitting that attaches the brush head to the power handle. (Available on all models)
~ Brush head - this is the top of the tooth brush which includes the brush itself and a color code indicator so you can tell the brush heads apart when more than one family member is using the Sonicare. My model came with three brush heads, color-coded blue, red, and green. The brush head slides into the removable nut which then screws onto the power handle. The bristles are in a somewhat different arrangement than your typical toothbrush – alternating between rows of longer and shorter bristles. Brush heads should be replaced every 6 months for optimal results. (Available on all models, though some only come with one brush head)
Our Experience with the Sonicare Plus Model PL-3 Sonic Electric Toothbrush
I originally purchased this Sonicare toothbrush for my husband because (sorry if I’m divulging embarrassing personal information, hon), at his last dental appointment, his dentist gave him a stern reprimand about his careless tooth brushing practices. I, on the other hand, got nothing but glowing praise from our dentist – with one exception. Apparently I’m such a diligent scrubber that I’m starting to have some significant gum recession.
Once I received the Sonicare Plus Model PL-3 in the mail (from a powerbuy at Mercata), I proudly offered it to my husband. He thanked me for it but I soon became doubtful about his appreciation when it stayed in the sealed package on the kitchen counter for two whole weeks. Finally I decided that I needed to take the lead on using this tooth brush in hopes that he would soon follow. Fortunately, this Sonicare model comes with three separate brush heads so it can be used by several family members.
I did need to read the manual before I got started but I found the directions very clear and had no trouble understanding how to use the tooth brush. It’s quite a bit different than traditional tooth brushing because with the Sonicare you hold the handle lightly and the brush does all the work. You just gently move it along each surface of the teeth in each quadrant of your mouth. No scrubbing necessary.
Both my husband and I were a bit surprised at how much the Sonicare tickled our gums. My husband was especially leery since he found the tickling almost unbearable at the easy-start phase and couldn’t imagine what it would feel like with full power. Since we were both using the Sonicare, we had an abbreviated start-up period with only six brushing periods a piece (instead of 12) before the full power began. We had the option of turning the easy-start feature on again but we found that we really didn’t need it after a few sessions.
The results? WOW! My teeth feel incredibly smooth and polished after each use. I can't resist running my tongue over them. My husband has had similar results and I can tell you that his teeth feel silky smooth, too.
What I Especially Like About the Sonicare Plus Model PL-3
~ The way my teeth feel: I already mentioned this but it's worth mentioning again. It's like getting all the benefits of a professional teeth cleaning without the expense or pain.
~ The way my teeth look: I'm a coffee drinker and therefore tend to get some slight yellow coffee stains on my teeth. However, since using the Sonicare tooth brush, my teeth appear to be whiter.
~ A much more systematic and conscious approach to teeth brushing: In the past, I was guilty of brushing my teeth in a fairly haphazard manner, not thinking much about what I was doing. Although I still managed to keep my teeth fairly clean with the conventional method, I know that I rarely brushed for two full minutes and I never covered every surface of every tooth each time. Now I have a little reminder to make sure I hit each quadrant of my mouth and spend the full two minutes brushing.
~ Easier on my gums: Since no forceful scrubbing is necessary (or advised) with the Sonicare tooth brush, my gums don't get as abused as they did with the conventional method. I haven't been back to the dentist yet since using the Sonicare but I would be interested to see if he notes a decrease in the rate of gum recession with me. By the way, I haven't had ANY gum bleeding since I started using Sonicare (I floss regularly, too, as I always have).
~ Money-back better checkup guarantee: - Optiva (the makers of Sonicare) promise a full refund if you don't have healthier teeth and gums (based on a visit with a dental professional) after 90+ days of using the tooth brush regularly. I don't expect much improvement for myself since I was already doing OK but I assume my husband's next dental visit will result in a much better report.
A Few Things I Needed to Get Use To When Using the Sonicare Tooth Brush
~ The tickling: This went away after a few days but was a bit distracting at first.
~ Avoiding toothpaste spray all over: You need to start the tooth brush when it is in your mouth or you will have tooth paste all over the place. The manual tells you this but I forgot (just once). Also, I found that I need to keep my lips closed a bit while brushing so that I don't spray the mirror.
~ Bumping teeth with anything but the bristles: This is the ONE thing that I still dislike about using the Sonicare. Occasionally (at least once each brushing), I inadvertently bump the top or back of the vibrating brush head against another tooth and it sends a strong, jarring buzz that seems to travel right into my skull. It's not exactly painful but it is an unpleasant sensation. Maybe my technique will improve with continued use and this will no longer happen but for now, both my husband and I experience this sudden jarring sensation too often for our comfort.
Overall Impression of the Sonicare Plus Model PL-3
All I can say is there's a good reason this tooth brush is unanimously recommended by reviewers. After growing accustomed to the Sonicare, I went on vacation for a week without my husband and left him the Sonicare at home. I really noticed the difference without it. I just didn't feel like I could get my teeth clean to my satisfaction with my conventional toothbrush. I also missed that wonderfully smooth sensation of running my tongue across my polished teeth. Guess I have yet another addiction. I suppose if you are going to have an "oral fixation", there are worse ones to have…
Thanks for reading! :)
Recommended:
Yes
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