Makeup & Beauty

Steven Fruchter

Get.com

Specialist III

What is the best electric toothbrush for sensitive teeth under $100?

April 29, 2011 6:13 AM PDT · Flag · 6 answers

I don't want to spend a lot when a basic one can work. Seems like the more expensive ones add features that might be worth it, but no idea if they are really that useful or just a reason to charge more money. If I'm paying a lot for a toothbrush and one says it is better for sensitive gums, is it really better than the other? I have added some options that I was contemplating, any help is appreciated, thanks everyone!

Melissa Etheridge

Novice III

Philips Sonicare FlexCare Rechargeable Sonic Toothbrush

FlexCare delivers the superior cleaning you are looking for with the flexibility that your oral health care demands. The new ProResults brush heads and personal care settings are all found in a brush design that is smaller, lighter and has less vi... read more...

If you can afford the couple extra dollars, go with this one over the standard old 5300 version. This upgraded unit has much less vibration and a new design for removing the heads & minimizing cleanup. This is the model that does come with all those extra features that Annette talks about and I personally love having them. Well I don't use them all, I use the normal 2 minute Clean mode regularly and the 1 minute GoCare mode for quick between brushing. Only when I have quite a bit of time do I use the MaxCare option.

I would not spend the extra money for the UV Sanitizer as you have to remove the heads to use it and it's a pain in the butt for what doesn't seem a huge gain when you are going to be replacing your heads anyway after normal use before bacteria is a problem. This model is also much smaller, lighter, and less vibration than the standard 5300 model. The battery also lasts much longer and is lithium ion vs NiCad which has memory loss. Like I said, if you can spend the little bit extra go with this model, or go for the standard, I own both of them, Sonicare rocks! After you get this, you are going to look forward to brushing your teeth all the time, you're going to have some happy teeth Cristina :)

By the way, the HealthyWhite model is just the little more simple version of this one with only two modes. At the time I'm posting this, they are basically the same price on Amazon and range about $10 cheaper. I'd still just go with the FlexCare one and be completely happy that you have the best toothbrush on the block. Also, don't bother with the more expensive FlexCare+, they added a couple small things and changed the color slightly to charge more money, don't get it.

✔ Highest voted answer

I would not spend the extra money for the UV Sanitizer as you have to remove the heads to use it and it's a pain in the butt for what doesn't seem a huge gain when you are going to be replacing your heads anyway after normal use before bacteria is a problem.  This model is also much smaller, lighter, and less vibration than the standard 5300 model.  The battery also lasts much longer and is lithium ion vs NiCad which has memory loss.  Like I said, if you can spend the little bit extra go with this model, or go for the standard, I own both of them, Sonicare rocks!  After you get this, you are going to look forward to brushing your teeth all the time, you're going to have some happy teeth Cristina :)

By the way, the HealthyWhite model is just the little more simple version of this one with only two modes.  At the time I'm posting this, they are basically the same price on Amazon and range about $10 cheaper.  I'd still just go with the FlexCare one and be completely happy that you have the best toothbrush on the block.  Also, don't bother with the more expensive FlexCare+, they added a couple small things and changed the color slightly to charge more money, don't get it.

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Reply · Send thanks · posted 1 year ago · 11 people agree

6 points posted by Eugene S.

So I bought this thing like 2 weeks ago after seeing it on here and it is awesome but I have this terrible tendency to try and "brush" my teeth still instead of just let the head do its thing haha, well im working on it but my teeth have never felt cleaner and so smooth, conventional brushes really cant beat the amount of surface area covered by this brush.

David McMillan

Novice II

Oral-b Vitality Floss Action Rechargeable Power Toothbrush, Blue an...

Oral-b Vitality Floss Action Rechargeable Power Toothbrush, Blue and White

High speed oscillating/rotating motion to clean better than a manual toothbrush.head: surround each tooth for cleaner teeth and healthier gums. read more...

Well the price can't be beat. It's the same price as replacement heads for a professional electric toothbrush. The floss action really works and completely cleans your teeth. Slightly less clean than when compared to a professional toothbrush, but for the price point it's pretty amazing. A dentist told me not to use the floss action head and to replace with a sensitive brush head, but please consult your dentist as others may have different requirements.

Reply · Send thanks · posted 1 year ago · 7 people agree

Jason Rider

Novice I

Philips Sonicare FlexCare Rechargeable Sonic Toothbrush

I have recently purchased this toothbrush after years of using a basic oral-b. The difference is night and day. It really is worth the extra $$ and will probably save you money in the long term if you don't have a dental plan.

Reply · Send thanks · posted 1 year ago · 6 people agree

Shar Evans

Novice II

Philips Sonicare Xtreme Power Toothbrush (Blue)

Xtreme e3000 makes it easy for preteens and teens to practice good oral care-even with braces and brackets. With its patented sonic technology and 2-minute Smartimer the Sonicare Xtreme creates dynamic fluid action that leads to improved brushing ... read more...

Do not buy this. One of mine died after three weeks and the other after a couple of months. They have areas that are not water tight and end up killing these units. Go for the professional versions and you will be happy. I personally have the Sonicare Flexcare model and love using it every morning and night <3 Happy Brushing Cristina!

Reply · Send thanks · posted 1 year ago

Jessica Rotzski

Novice III

Oral-B Pulsonic Sonic Electric Toothbrush

Experience Sonic technology in our slimmest form from Oral-B. This attractive electric toothbrush is slimmer than Sonicare Essence and designed to naturally whiten your teeth by gently polishing away surface stains. Plus, Oral-B Pulsonic removes m... read more...

Super slim compared to others making it easier to maneuver around the mouth while cleaning. This unit keeps track of time and pulses to let you know when you should be moving on to the next quadrant. This charging stand is different than the one I have for my Sonicare, it allows for you to mount it on the wall which is great for me. The cons are that you have to click through different modes and it really is an irritation having to always do this every morning and can get quite messy if you try to switch before you placed it in your mouth. My biggest complaint is that Oral-B tells you to move the brush around in a circular motion like you do with a manual toothbrush, but one of the things I love about electronic toothbrushes is that you basically don't have to do anything with Sonicare. With Sonicare you just drag it along your teeth and it takes care of the rest. This unit still requires you to do all of the labor, but in the end it does have similar results of cleaning your teeth as a Sonicare does. I'd stick with Sonicare, specially since there is no big savings on this.

Reply · Send thanks · posted 1 year ago

Annette E.

Novice II

Philips Sonicare Essence Power Toothbrush

The NEW Sonicare Essence Series rechargable power toothbrush removes 80% of coffee, tea, and tobacco stains. Only Sonicare combines 31,000 brush strokes per minute and extra-wide sweeping motion to create dynamic fluid cleaning action. Sonicare im... read more...

This is the one to go with. The two main options are Philips Sonicare or Oral-B. Go with Philips and never look back. They were the originators and the best in my opinion. Now there are different levels of Sonicare's. This is the basic model and does everything you need. The more expensive ones add features, that you probably do not need for their price point. For example, this one has a two minute timer, the more expensive ones have a quad timer that beeps every 30 seconds before 2 minutes to tell you when to switch quadrants. Realistically after a couple times using this, you will know the timing because it ends after 2 minutes anyway. This model does not have lights on the front that tells you the remaining batter life. Also you can apply your own amount of pressure for your liking, so the other features regarding sensitive gums are in your hands. Don't push hard and let the brush do all the work. I've had mine for years and it works perfectly still. Use the extra money and put it toward brush replacements every 6 months or so as they are quite expensive. After you try this, you will be amazed, it feels like you went to the dentist for a cleaning every time you use it. You will never go back to a manual again.

Reply · Send thanks · posted 1 year ago

Voting Summary

1.	Philips Sonicare FlexCare Rechargeable Sonic To...	63% agree
2.	Oral-b Vitality Floss Action Rechargeable Power...	26% agree
3.	Philips Sonicare Essence Power Toothbrush	3% agree
4.	Philips Sonicare Xtreme Power Toothbrush (Blue)	3% agree
5.	Oral-B Pulsonic Sonic Electric Toothbrush	3% agree