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Electric Toothbrushes Ratings Comments on Reviews
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| 1.
Journal of Dentistry
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Single-use plaque removal efficacy of three power toothbrushes
N.C. Sharma, C.R. Goyal, J.G. Qaqish, M.A. Cugini, M.C. Thompson and P.R. Warren
June 2005, Volume 33, Supplement 1
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This clinical study with 79 subjects compares three powered toothbrushes: Oral-B ProfessionalCare 7000, Oral-B 3D Excel and Sonicare Advance. Participants did not perform any dental hygiene for about 24 hours, then brushed for two minutes using one of the three brushes. Pre- and post-brushing plaque levels were measured using the Modified Navy Plaque Index. Both Oral-B brushes, with their oscillating/rotating/pulsating action, were found to be more effective in removing plaque than the high-frequency Sonicare toothbrush. There was significantly greater plaque reduction on "whole mouth areas" and hard-to-reach surfaces. There was no significant performance difference between the two Oral-B brushes.
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| 2.
Journal of Dentistry
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Plaque removal efficacy of two electric toothbrushes with different brush head designs
N.C. Sharma, J.G. Qaqish, H.J. Galustians, C.R. Goyal, M.A. Cugini, M.C. Thompson and P.R. Warren
June 2005, Volume 33, Supplement 1
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This clinical study with 70 subjects compares two powered toothbrushes: Oral-B ProfessionalCare 7000 and Crest SpinBrush Pro. Participants did not perform any dental hygiene for about 24 hours, then brushed for two minutes using one of the two brushes. Pre- and post-brushing plaque levels were measured using the Modified Navy Plaque Index. Although both brushes reduced plaque levels, the Oral-B was more effective in plaque removal than the SpinBrush Pro, "reducing whole mouth plaque by 61% versus 58% and plaque from approximal surfaces by 69% versus 65%, respectively."
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| 3.
Journal of Dentistry
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Efficacy of a novel brush head in the comparison of two power toothbrushes on removal of plaque and naturally occurring extrinsic stain
C.R. Goyal, N.C. Sharma, J.G. Qaqish, M.A. Cugini, M.C. Thompson and P.R. Warren
June 2005, Volume 33, Supplement 1
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This clinical study with 90 subjects compares two powered toothbrushes: Oral-B ProfessionalCare 7000 and Sonicare Elite. Pre- and post-brushing plaque levels were measured using the modified Quigley-Hein Plaque Index, then participants were told to brush twice daily for two minutes using one of the randomly assigned brushes. After three, four and six weeks, participants were re-assessed. Although both brushes reduced plaque levels, the Oral-B brush was significantly more effective in plaque removal than the Elite. All of these studies were commissioned by Proctor & Gamble, maker of Oral-B products.
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Electric Toothbrushes Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.
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| 4.
Consumer Reports
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Buzz, wiggle…and rinse
Editors of Consumer Reports
Dec. 2003
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A dozen Consumer Reports' staff members, who routinely brush manually, tested four electric toothbrushes advertised to clean teeth better than non-electric toothbrushes. A dentist, hired as a consultant, compared and rated their teeth for plaque. The volunteers did brush longer with electric toothbrushes, a significant finding, since dental experts say that technique and brushing for at least two minutes are important determining factors for plaque removal. A ratings chart is included.
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| 5.
Men's Health
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Clean fight
Editors of Men's Health
Mar. 2005
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Men's Health reviews six electric toothbrushes, rating for cleaning ability, grip, noise level, charge endurance, brush head type and head replacement cost. To assess cleaning capacity, the reviewer used Butler G-U-M plaque disclosing tablets to highlight bacterial plaque on teeth and indicate where more brushing and flossing were needed. All three electric toothbrushes eliminated more plaque than manual brushes. While the Oral-B ProfessionalCare with its oscillating head is listed as the overall winner, it is followed very closely by the Sonicare IntelliClean and the Oral-B Sonic Complete.
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| 6.
Journal of Clinical Dentistry
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The relative effectiveness of six powered toothbrushes for dental plaque removal
A.B. Biesbrock
2002 Volume 13(5)
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Twenty-six subjects test six inexpensive electric toothbrushes for plaque removal efficacy in this study, including the Crest SpinBrush Pro, Crest SpinBrush, Oral-B Battery, Colgate Motion and Oral-B 3-D Excel, plus a Crest experimental toothbrush design. While there was little statistically significant difference among the six, the study gives a slight edge to the Crest SpinBrush Pro, saying that "…it may offer enhanced plaque removal efficiency relative to the five other toothbrushes, and be at least as good as the five tested powered toothbrushes."
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Electric Toothbrushes Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.
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| 7.
The Wall Street Journal
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Shopping Around: New Technology for Toothbrushes
Anjali Athavaley
May 3, 2007
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An informal survey of Wall Street Journal staffers reveals a preference for the Sonicare FlexCare and Elite models. Testers are impressed with the Sonicare models' ease of use and the fact that they are "gentle on the gums," especially when compared to the Triumph. The Ultreo felt "a bit bulky" in the mouth initially. There are no ratings here.
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| 8.
The Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice
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A novel oscillating-rotating power toothbrush with SmartGuide: designed for enhanced performance and compliance
P.A. Walters, M. Cugini, A.R. Biesbrock, P.R. Warren
May 2007, Volume 8, Number 4
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This article cites the growing consensus that powered toothbrushes with a rotation-oscillation motion are the most effective in removing plaque and reducing gingivitis. The article singles out the Oral-B Triumph with SmartGuide as an innovative product that has proven effective in teaching good brushing techniques and increasing brushing time.
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| 9.
New York Magazine
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Brush with greatness
S. Dumenco
Sept. 6, 2007
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The reviewer, a self-described "semi-obsessed champion of Sonicare," appears to be smitten with the new Ultreo, finding it "pleasantly less aggressive than the high-vibration Sonicare" and "incredibly effective at targeting nooks and crannies." No other powered toothbrushes are tested.
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| 10.
Esquire
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The 2007 Esquire Grooming Awards: Best in Mouth
Rodney Cutler
Oct. 2007
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This well-known magazine for men bestows a coveted grooming award on the Ultreo ultrasound toothbrush. No other toothbrush is rated, and no explanation is given as to how the choice was made.
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| 11.
Consumer.org.nz
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More buzz for your buck?
Editors of Consumer.nz.org
Sept. 11, 2006
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Consumer magazine and its website are New Zealand's equivalent to this country's Consumer Reports. For this review, five Consumer staff members compare the Oral-B Triumph 9500 with their own powered toothbrushes. They find the Triumph more effective at cleaning and more comfortable to hold, but they also note greater vibration against their teeth. All five staffers are impressed enough to say that they would buy one if it were available at a reasonable price.
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| 12.
Cochrane Oral Health Group
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Manual versus powered toothbrushing for oral health
P.G. Robinson, S.A. Deacon, C. Deery, M. Heanue, A.D. Walmsley, H.V. Worthington, A.M. Glenny, W.C. Shaw
2005, Issue 2
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The latest research from the Cochrane Oral Health Group repudiates earlier data that electric toothbrushes are no more effective in reducing plaque than manual toothbrushes. The most recent tests show that powered toothbrushes with a rotation oscillation action are more effective than manual toothbrushes in reducing plaque and gingivitis. Other types of powered toothbrushes produced less consistent reductions in plaque and gingivitis than manual brushes. Forty-two trials involving 3,855 participants and over 25 different powered and manual toothbrushes provide data. Brushes with a rotation oscillation action removed plaque and reduced gingivitis more effectively (by 11% and 6%) than manual brushes in the short term, and reduced gingivitis scores by 17% in studies over 3 months.
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| 13.
Dimensions of Dental Hygiene
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Focus on Toothbrushes
Editors of Dimensions of Dental Hygiene
May 2006
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Dimensions of Dental Hygiene is a peer-reviewed journal for practicing dental hygienists. This article doesn't rate individual brushes, but it does provide an excellent comparison chart of 15 electric and 44 manual toothbrushes. This review covers handle type, bristle design and bristle type, and it gives special features for each brush.
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| 14.
Registered Dental Hygienist magazine
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Five Common Misconceptions About Power Toothbrushes
Patricia Walters
Oct. 2005
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Citing the latest in dental research studies (individual products are not specifically rated), this article corrects several myths concerning powered toothbrushes. Editors say electric toothbrushes remove more plaque than manual brushing, yet they do not cause gum or tooth abrasion any more than manual brushes. Editors also say that inexpensive models can perform just as well as the higher-priced products.
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| 15.
Spot Shopping Guide
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Crest Spinbrush vs. Colgate Motion
Editors of Spot Shopping Guide
Sept. 8, 2006
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Editors at Spot Shopping Guide compared the two most popular budget battery-operated toothbrushes, the Crest SpinBrush and the Colgate Motion. The Colgate Motion is preferred -- its dual brushes rotate faster than the Crest, its front brush reaches between the teeth more effectively, it is easier to switch on and off, and it's less costly. We are not sure who tested these two toothbrushes, and no author is identified.
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| 16.
iVillage.com
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Tooth Picks: How to Buy the Right Brush -- Which ones make the experts smile?
Anna Roufos
Dec. 2004
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Two dentists, a professor from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine and a spokesperson from the American Dental Association (ADA), are interviewed for this article. The Sonicare Elite is rated highly by both dentists, but we prefer reviews with head-to-head testing.
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| 17.
Good Housekeeping.com
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Terrific New Toothbrushes
Editors of Good Housekeeping
Aug. 2005
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The editors of Good Housekeeping Institute include ratings of manual and electric toothbrushes. They like both the Oral-B Sonic Complete for its capability to brush and massage, and the Crest Sonicare IntelliClean System for having the toothpaste built right into the brush. It's unclear how many toothbrushes were tested, however, and testing methodology is never explained.
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| 18.
Globe and Mail
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Oral-B Triumph Toothbrush
Jack Kapica
Sept. 16, 2005
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Jack Kapica reviews the computerized Oral-B Triumph toothbrush for Canada's Globe and Mail newspaper. He says he was prepared to laugh at such a toothbrush and compares his experience with the Triumph to test driving a car. However, he admits at the end that his "urge to laughter had been misplaced," and that the Triumph cleaned his teeth well and helped him brush more effectively. No other toothbrushes are tested or rated.
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| 19.
Epinions
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Electric Toothbrushes
Contributors to Epinions
As of Oct. 2007
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Epinions has consumer-written ratings for most brands of powered toothbrushes. Braun Oral-B and Sonicare models receive the most reviews and are rated highly by owners. However, many others are also highly rated, so it's hard to tell which might be favorites overall.
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| 20.
Amazon.com
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Power Toothbrushes
Contributors to Amazon.com
As of Oct. 2007
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Amazon.com also lets consumers post opinions on many major brands of powered toothbrushes, but you won't find as many reviews of less-expensive models. However, newer models generally get more feedback at Amazon.com than they do at Epinions. Still, so many toothbrushes get good reviews that it's hard to tell which might be better rated overall.
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