Dentist recommended electric toothbrush
 

I went in for my first appointment with a dentist (one that was recommended on this board) and everything went well as far as cleaning, xrays, and exam. But then there was a recommendation for an electric tooth brush: Philips Sonicare FlexCare+. I thought the price of $99.00 was a bit high but I was told that it was a good price, so I bought it.

A few weeks after I bought it, I saw Philips Sonicare advertised as low as $37.00. I know they have different models at different prices. Mine has a built in timer so that it shuts off after 2 min.. That's to make sure you brush for at least two minutes. The trouble is: It always shuts off before I'm finished. I find that anoying. Then it has 5 settings (for vibrations?) and I have a hard time telling the difference between them. So that's another wasted feature, in my opinion.

I called the company and they recommended Philips Sonicare Essence. It's sold at Walmart and should be less expensive. If I like it, I can then return the one I bought from the dentist.

What do you think? Do you have one? Do you like it? Any recommendations for other brands?

I bought an Oral-B at Sam's for $99. It is made by Bruan. The package comes with two complete chargeable toothbrushes and a charging stand. I love it. Wish I had done it 10 years ago.

The dentist sold it to you, Villages Pl? I find that odd....and a little opportunistic for a dentist.

Yes, my dentist told me the same thing, only they don't sell toothbrushes. I bought the Essence at Walmart, for less than $60, I think, two years ago. It works great. I like the two minute timer, and if it goes off you just hit the button again. One thing I don't like is that when you replace the brush, you replace the whole head, not just the brush. The higher models you can just replace the brush. Also I bought one set of replacements with the Walmart house brand, Equate, which I generally like. They did not work well and I went back to the Phillips brand replacements.

I will say though at my next check up there didn't seem to be much difference in my level of plaque. I still like it and use it everyday and gave my son one for Christmas.

Save a few bucks
 

Why don't you just get a Crest or Oral B Spin Brush for 7.99?? Does the same thing.

I've found that many dentist offices in Florida do sell electric toothbrushes which I found odd but am now used to it. We've tried the Braun and Philips, can't see much of a difference in plaque levels either.

I thought so too Happ, but the electric really, is harder on your gums and teeth and really makes a difference.

As an aside, you might want to consider a Water Pik as well. They have sonic toothbrushes as well as water flossers:

Waterpik Oral Health

The water flossers do a great job......JMHO.

Bill :)

The battery ones are not nearly as powerful as the corded/rechargeable ones for more money.

Our dentists in other states have offered the electric brushes at the office, for the same price as retail in the stores. It was usually the hygienist who recommended one over another, from their own personal experience.

My experience after using many different ones is that Sonicare brushes are very flat edged and compact and do not get between the teeth like some of the others that have longer bristles on the sides and tip. I like the electric brushes made by Waterpik, and the water flossers make a huge difference too, when getting an office cleaning/checkup.

I use the spinbrush with salt toothpaste after having used an electric one. Found that the electric was harsher on the teeth. Also used a waterpic and found one at CVS that is portable, battery operated and only $25 (it is a cvs brand). It is fabulous and does a better job I think than the electric waterpic. I like it because it isn't so hard on the gums and still flushes out the stuff. Still have to floss. Also have the Oral B flosser which is also useful. For me Oil pulling in the morning has reduced alot of plaque buildup and brushing with Baking Soda and Apple Cider Vinegar which was recommended by a periodontist. Finally found a hygienist and after a 2yr gap, I didn't have as much plaque as I expected so something must be working.

If it isn't enough that dentist charge a fortune for what they do, they have to get into sales of toothbrushes? Next they will charge for parking and offer oil changes for your car while they are working on you. I went to a dentist in S. Florida years ago who I thought I liked then realized how much he was ripping me off, also selling toothbrushes. He gave me a price for dental work that was more than I paid for my car and after really questioning him found he'd do the work for less than half the price. Obviously I never went back.
Electric toothbrushes are better than you could possible do with an ordinary toothbrush but you don't have to pay those kind of prices for them. Check Wallyworld (Walmart) and look for a toothbrush that most stores carry. That way you can get replacement brushes anywhere. I got a very good one at Bath and Beyond years ago (Braun) but replacement brushes are hard to find.

It was the hygienist, but, indirectly, it was the dentist who sold it to me. The buck stops with the dentist, right? It was opportunistic!

We apparently go to the same dentist, I got the same brush.....have noticed a difference with my teeth (dentist did too) and the dentist is WONDERFUL!

I think many dentists do this.

Well it is new to me and dentistry here is very different than dentistry in Cincinnati. They give you coupons for a discount on electric toothbrushes and give you samples of toothpaste.

I am wondereing if the Dental Hygienist at our dentist is an independent person renting space in that office because I was told that I had gum problems and needed deep cleaning to the tune of over a thousand dollars and two dentists have told me that my gum health is great including the dentist owner of the dental practice that the hygienist worked for or with or rented from.... She dug down so far into my gums I thought she was left over from the inquisition...but that is another issue..