My best friend has been raving about his Sonicare Elite for over a year now-- encouraging me to try it. I did a little research and saw that OralB had a similar product and wondered which had a better product-- Sonicare or Oral B. My friend finally convinced me that the Sonicare product is superior, and then I read a review on Amazon from a hygenist who said that she went to a continuing education seminar and learned that Oral B was found to be superior...
At that point, I decided to do some research. I found a Northwestern University study conducted over a 6 month period. Patients with the Sonicare did much better, but don't take my word for it. Read the study results for yourself on the National Institute of Health web site:
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"Overall, this study demonstrates that long-term use of these two electric toothbrushes improves periodontal health in adult periodontitis patients, and that the Sonicare brush is superior to the Braun [Oral B] brush in reducing gingival inflammation and probing depth. Moreover, 6 months' use of Sonicare led to actual improvement in probing attachment levels of periodontal pockets."
Spend $22.50 a year and save $10,000? How does that work? Well, a couple of my close relatives have spent well over $10,000 each having their teeth and gums repaired. If you've had periodontal work or had root canal, implants, crowns or bridges done, you know that figure is not an exaggeration, and you're lucky if your insurance covers even a little bit of it. Having seen my relatives go through that, I've decided that as I get older, I want to spend my money on vacations and real estate, and not on painful dental procedures.
That's why the Sonicare is the most frugal product I've bought. I too have had some costly dental work, and I'm determined to keep my fixed-up choppers in tip-top condition. This toothbrush is amazing. One thing very few people note about the Sonicare is that it not only cleans your teeth beautifully, it also keeps your gums in great shape, and that may be even more valuable. Here's the best testimonial to the Sonicare: I recently had braces for a few years. I mentioned to my orthodontist that I'd graduated from high school in 1983, and she said, "You're not that old." "Yes, I'm 40," I said. She actually checked my chart! "Well, your teeth and gums look like they belong to someone in their 20s!" she concluded.
Please invest wisely and don't skimp on dental care. I've had other electric toothbrushes (Oral B) and tried every kind of tooth cleaning brush, powder, and gimmick you can imagine. This is the one I've used for the last 5 years (I used the earlier Sonicare model for about 5 years before that), and this is the one I'm sticking with. My annual checkups confirm I've been making the right choice.
Incidentally (inci "dental" ly?), Amazon's price on these heads is excellent -- much cheaper than my local pharmacies. A two-pack will last a year, since these heads wear out like clockwork at about 6 months. That works out to a little over $1.85 a month. Heck, you could spend that on regular toothbrushes!
Replacement heads ARE expensive, but compared to dental visits and cavity repairs they're a drop in the proverbial bucket. The first few times you use an electric brush with these heads your mouth will likely feel as if it's all a-buzz. Don't panic and don't give up. Keep using the brush and it'll pass in few short days. My dentist praises my teeth now that I've been using this system for several years. My gums and teeth are cleaner, brighter, and cavity-free.
Sonicare Elites are better than average electronic toothbrushes, but you should know what you're getting into before you buy a kit. Electronic toothbrushes use the the Gilette model: sell the shavers for cheap, get them on the razor blades. Inkjet printers also use this model.All marketing hype aside, the truth of the matter is the actual cost of the consumables should be a fraction of what you're paying. For example, it is technically possible to create an inkhead that refills like a gas tank, but the printer companies would tell you otherwise because such a design would cut into their fat margins. So instead of paying less for ink bottles in bulk, you (the consumer) have to pay up the wazoo for relatively little amounts of ink in proprietary plastic boxes.Same with Sonicare replacement brushes: instead of paying a couple bucks for just a new brush head with bristles (costing about the same as a new manual toothbrush), you have to pay $10 for a toothbrush head that comes in its own cartridge. There is really no good reason why the manufacturer didn't integrate the brush cartridge and neck into the handle itself so that you'd just have to replace the tip, but there is a good reason why they chose not to.Always know what your money is going towards before you shop -- your wallet will thank you for it.
For 40 years I have had periodontal problems (gums receding). Recently I had to have surgery for the problem. At the same time both my dentist and periodontist suggested that I use the Sonicare tooth brush. I did and that has made all the difference in the world. In my last two visits to the periodontist, both complimented how much improvement I had made with my gums. Both encouraged me to do whatever I have been doing-which was brush with the Sonicare brushes. I find for myself that the compact brush head allows me to better reach all parts of my mouth. - Sonicare - Accessories - Power Toothbrush - Oral Hygiene'
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