Ultrasonic toothbrushes

[Johnnybee]

Does anyone have any experience with an ultrasonic toothbrush rather than the more common sonic?

I suffer from plaque around the base of my teeth despite brushing thoroughly twice a day with an electric toothbrush plus using the small interdental brushes. I go through a regular torture session at my dentist where she removes the plaque with what I think is a very fine high pressure water cleaner. She informs be that some people are more prone to plaque so I've been doing my best to keep on top of it and googling suggests ultrasonic toothbrushes may help. They aren't cheap though so before I spend money on something that might be no better than the one I currently use are there any recommendations out there?

The one I have seen is the Megasonex M8 which only seems to be available from German ebay.

[Regiment]

Have you tried one of the aqua flossers? Never tried one but they're supposed to be good.

[robinh73]

I have used the Philips Sonicare range in the past, but when the last one died, I decided to try an Oral B electric rotary style brush. While it isn't a sonic type, I personally find it gives a better clean. The heads also last longer and are half the price and I do find it works better for me personally.

[anonymous-user]

robinh73 said:

I have used the Philips Sonicare range in the past, but when the last one died, I decided to try an Oral B electric rotary style brush. While it isn't a sonic type, I personally find it gives a better clean. The heads also last longer and are half the price and I do find it works better for me personally.

Same as you. My last Sonicare broke just out of warranty and I tried an Oral B as recommended by my dentist. It cleans as well, if not better and the brush heads are much easier and cheaper to obtain.

[Johnnybee]

Regiment said:

Have you tried one of the aqua flossers? Never tried one but they're supposed to be good.

I haven’t although I have got as far as looking at them.

[untakenname]

I've found the opposite going from a rotary head to a phillips sonic, with the sonic my teeth feel smoother and my gums feel better, I think the rotary was hurting them.

[Johnnybee]

Grahamdub said:

robinh73 said:

I have used the Philips Sonicare range in the past, but when the last one died, I decided to try an Oral B electric rotary style brush. While it isn't a sonic type, I personally find it gives a better clean. The heads also last longer and are half the price and I do find it works better for me personally.

Same as you. My last Sonicare broke just out of warranty and I tried an Oral B as recommended by my dentist. It cleans as well, if not better and the brush heads are much easier and cheaper to obtain.

I’ve used both and still had problems with plaque, that’s why I’m interested in views on ultrasonic toothbrushes.

[Sheepshanks]

Johnnybee said:

I go through a regular torture session at my dentist where she removes the plaque...

She's removing tartar, surely?

I get it bad, my mum did too. Dentist says it's a genetic thing. I have a hygienist session every 3 months, although I started suffering from acid reflux a year ago and tartar has become less of a problem. But the acid is eating my teeth.

[Zetec-S]

Regiment said:

Have you tried one of the aqua flossers? Never tried one but they're supposed to be good.

Have to say I'm really impressed by my aqua flosser. Does a great job of making my mouth feel a lot fresher, and it's surprising just how much crap it dislodges.

[Johnnybee]

Sheepshanks said:

She's removing tartar, surely?

Yes sorry tartar, starts off as plaque.

[Neil_Sc]

Zetec-S said:

Have to say I'm really impressed by my aqua flosser. Does a great job of making my mouth feel a lot fresher, and it's surprising just how much crap it dislodges.

Ditto, my dentist saw a significant improvement in my six month check after using an aqua flosser.

I don't think I'd want to be without one now.

[budgie smuggler]

Which aqua flossers are good? I've got one and it doesn't seem to do much on plaque (brilliant at getting food out of the gums behind my wisdom teeth though)

[anonymous-user]

Grahamdub said:

robinh73 said:

I have used the Philips Sonicare range in the past, but when the last one died, I decided to try an Oral B electric rotary style brush. While it isn't a sonic type, I personally find it gives a better clean. The heads also last longer and are half the price and I do find it works better for me personally.

Same as you. My last Sonicare broke just out of warranty and I tried an Oral B as recommended by my dentist. It cleans as well, if not better and the brush heads are much easier and cheaper to obtain.

And for balance, I found the opposite. I have used a Sonicare for years, switched when it died to Oral B. I couldn't believe how poor it was in comparison. Had to bin it after just a few weeks and get another Sonicare again.