What To Look For
According to Thomas P. Connelly, a New York City cosmetic dentist, when you are looking to purchase a Sonic toothbrush, make sure that they vibrate at 30,000 to 40,000 strokes per minute. "The extreme vibration creates a substantial amount of energy and motion, powering mouth fluids (saliva, water, toothpaste) into the areas between teeth and below the gum line."
Common Pitfalls
Some advertisements for the Sonic toothbrush claim that by using one, you cut out the need for flossing. Dr. Connelly strongly disagrees with this; while he does believe Sonic toothbrushes certainly help target areas that manual toothbrushes can't reach, no product available on the market today cuts out the necessity of dental flossing.
Where To Buy
To browse the largest inventory of Sonic toothbrushes, check out your local super store, such as Wal Mart or Target. Your dentist may also have some different options from which you can choose at his office. If you have already done your research and know exactly what Sonic toothbrush you want to purchase, search online. Chances are you may be able to locate one for a little cheaper than retail price at websites such as Amazon and Overstock.
Cost
Sonic toothbrushes cost anywhere between $50 and $200. This may seem a bit hefty, but once you purchase the actual base of the Sonic toothbrush, you will not need to replace it for many years. You will only need to replace the heads, which cost around $15 for a package of two.
Comparison Shopping
As of September 2010, the Sonicare Flexcare was voted the best Sonic toothbrush by Consumer Search. For around $140, this toothbrush was given high points for its lightweight, easy-to-handle base, along with two different sized brush heads for those hard-to-reach areas. It also has a built-in sanitizer that helps to keep the brush head free of germs for a longer period of time.
If you don't want to hurt your wallet but still want enhanced Sonic cleaning, check out the Philips Sonicare Essence e5500 Electric Toothbrush, priced at around $80. Included in this purchase is one Sonicare toothbrush with two contoured brush heads, one charger case, two hygienic travel caps, one travel case and one brush head holder. Fully equipped with an internal quadpacer, this toothbrush gives you notification when it is time to switch to another quadrant of your mouth. Staying in one quadrant for a specific amount of time allows for deeper, more enhanced cleaning.
Accessories
For the ultimate teeth cleaning experience, purchase a dental Waterpik to use in place of dental floss. The Waterpik gets deep in between each tooth to ensure that no space is left uncleaned, and no plaque and tarter buildup has been missed. You can purchase a Waterpik for anywhere from $20 to $40 at your local superstore.
Insider Tips
Most people store their toothbrushes on the bathroom sink, where millions of germs are spread daily from flushing toilets and spraying showers. To enhance the life of your toothbrush head, and to keep it free from germs, purchase a toothbrush head cover. This will protect it from those tiny germs floating around in your bathroom.
To sterilize your toothbrush head, soak it in a cup of mouthwash once per week, or place it in a pot of boiling water to keep bacteria from growing on it.
