Philips Sonicare FlexCare Rechargeable Sonic Toothbrush
 | Average Customer Rating: Recommend FlexCare delivers the superior cleaning you're looking for with the flexibility your oral health routine demands. New ProResults brush heads and personal care settings are all found in a brush design that is smaller, lighter and has less vibration then any other Sonicare toothbrush. 1 Sonicare Toothbrush 1 ProResults Standard Brush Head 1 Deluxe Charger with Cord Wrap and Brush Head Storage 1 Luxury Soft Travel Case… Product details and pricing info |
|---|
78 Customer Reviews Posted
- SIMPLY THE BEST I'VE FOUND
-
Since I'm one of those cases
With hard to reach spaces
In most of my mouth's thirty-twos,
I gave this brush a try,
After all, decided I
What in the world could I lose?
Obviously, I wasn't very optimistic that any brush could adequately clean teeth that make my good dentist heave a resigned sigh but I learned! The smaller brush head is perfect for reaching those previously annoying spots that could only be reached by a dental hygienist.
That was more than enough for me but to have three brushing modes - clean, sensitive or massage, and a timer, well, this is simply the best electric toothbrush I've used.
Would surely recommend it to all. - 2008-04-22, 8 of 9 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- Near-Professional Quality Dental Cleaning!
- My wife and I have been using the Philips Sonicare Rechargeable Toothbrushes for several months. My wife has been using the model sans UV Sanitizer and has been pretty happy with it. The rechargeable base is interchangeable with the higher end model (which includes the Sanitizer), allowing my wife and I to share a unit (and give us more bathroom counter space). This particular model offers the same three modes of brushing that the higher model does. Initial setup involves plugging the base unit into an AC outlet and letting the brush charge.
The toothbrush easily fits into its charging unit, and does a thorough job in cleaning our teeth and gums, especially in harder to reach places. The three modes are easy on sensitive teeth, and apply enough pressure to clean the gums without causing them to erode. The unit itself is easy to clean and maintain, and appears to be well thought out in terms of both holding the toothbrush, as well as placement of the mode buttons.
It is important to note that brush refills are on the expensive side, but, from our experience, the brushes themselves appear to last longer than conventional toothbrushes do. We very much like our Philips Sonicare toothbrushes and would recommend them to others wholeheartedly. - 2008-04-18, 1 of 2 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- After trying others, I have found perfection
- This is the third electric toothbrush I have tried in the last year and this one stands heads and shoulders over the other two. The first I tried was the Ultreo Ultrasound Toothbrush which always felt awkward and replacement heads were expensive and not in my local stores. On the other hand, the Phillips Sonicare just seemed to fit the first time. Perhaps I am more adjusted to the feel of electric toothbrushes, but this one did not feel like I was brushing with a tennis racket. Also, replacement brushes are readily available and reasonably priced.
The second brush I tried was the cheaper Waterpik Sensonic Professional Toothbrush, which I was very happy with it. But a few friends kept raving about their Sonicares so I figured I better try one. The Sonicare probably costs twice what the Waterpik costs but it's worth it. It was kind of like driving a BMW when you are used to driving a PT Cruiser. The Waterpik was good and got the job done, but this brush just had a feel of quality.
This brush also has some great features, like the quick brushing, and although I didn't try it, there was a setting to ease new users into the world of electric toothbrushes. I have to say I'm am not that into the whistles and bells, I just wanted my teeth brushed, and I feel this brush was noticibly better than the other two. It's a well constructed, effective brush and my first recomendation to anyone looking for a brush. If you want a cheaper brush, I was happy with the Waterpik, but I would lean toward spending the extra. - 2008-04-17, 1 of 2 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- Works great, but it is way over priced for the features
- I want to stress that this brush works superbly. My 3 stars are for the value/bang for your buck aspect of this product.
I have used three other electric brushes besides this one. One was a very early model Sonicare, the other two were Braun Oral-B models. ALL of them worked great. The three other brushes I've used have all had excellent durability. And I never had a single cavity with any of them.
There are really just two major differences between these two brands. Brauns tend to have smaller heads and they have a kind of rotating pulsing motion. Sonicare models have more of a vibration motion and, in my experience, tend to tickle a bit more. Your mileage may vary. In my experience, Braun brush heads also tend to be a little cheaper.
All the electric toothbrush makers make claims about being the "best." However, as one major dental site commented, "There are currently no studies that we are aware of that compare objectively electric toothbrushes. The choice is really a personal one." If you look at multiple objective dental sources you'll find the same kind of advice - choose according to your own preference, not the PR spin of the companies making the brushes.
This specific model has 3 cleaning modes, 2 "routine" modes, 2 minute timer, a quad pacer (30 seconds per quarter of your mouth), and a few other lesser features. The thing is, all of these exist on many other brushes, many of them about $50 (or more) cheaper than this one. If you're looking for just a good electric brush then I can't recommend this model. For about $50 less you can get, for example, the Braun 8850 . . . or the Sonicare e5500, to name just two. They both have most of the exact same features as this model.
For the exact same money you can get the Oral-B Triumph 9900 with Smart Guide. That model tells you, graphically, when you're brushing too hard (which causes major permanent gum damage) and when you need to replace the brush head. Those are the kind of extras I'd be willing to pay for. All the extra modes and timers I find to be a bit useless.
Pros: This Sonicare model works and works well
Cons: It's over priced for the features. There are better choices on the market. - 2008-04-17, 29 of 30 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- Takes some getting used-to, but cleans very well
- I have never used an electric toothbrush before this one - the "old-fashioned" way always seemed just fine. But since our dentist has recommended that we use a sonic toothbrush (he made no specific brand recommendations) I decided to give this a try.
Another reviewer has compared this brush to a "bee" in your mouth. I'd say it's more like a jackhammer - at least to begin with. It took several days and some adjustments to my brushing style before I started to get used to it. I still find it annoying and almost painful when the shaft of the brush head accidentally touches my teeth but with practice I'm getting better at avoiding that. My previous habit was to brush for a very long time, but this model gives a slightly different buzz every 30 seconds to prompt you to change which part of your mouth you're brushing. I've gotten used to that as well, and am able to time myself a little better now so that I've covered all the teeth in each section. It still feels like it stops rather abruptly, however, when the 2 minutes are up but I guess I can always turn it back on, right? Unfortunately, us "low-tech" brushers don't get up to speed so quickly, and I'm still trying to figure out all the features this brush has, but it seems to work well on the standard setting.
But lest you think I've hated this brush, I will agree that it leaves my teeth feeling exceptionally clean. I don't know if it works any better than the Braun Oral B that my wife and kids use, but I can feel a definite difference to a "manual" brush. My gums also feel better, and my thinking is that a sonic brush might be healthier for them. I like the feel of the rubberized grip, although the buttons are right where you hold it and I've accidentally pushed them before. And my only other complaint is that it comes with only a single head. For the high price of this model I would think it could have included a few. But overall, I'm sold on this one and will continue to use it... and try to figure out all those other features. - 2008-04-16, 0 of 0 people found this review helpful, Rated:
