Toothbrush issues

[BracedSurgeryStudent]

Ok so here's the deal. I ued to use a manual toothbrush but my friend (who builds dental offices inc my general dentist and orthodont) gave me an electric toothbrush one of the dentists gave him to give me. It costs around 70-80$ in the store where I live. I went for a cleaning and the hygenist was totally dissing the way I clean the backsides of my teeth (I kinda drank a whole Mtn Dew before the appointment LOL). She asked if I used an electric toothbrush and said good that I do. The dentist himself came in and said I had pretty great hygene. So then I went back to my ortho so she could put in the wires and do an adjustment on me. One of the mebers of her staff asked how it went so I told her. Then RIGHT IN FRONT of the person who got me that toothbrush
she said "Oh what Kind of toothbrush do you use? Is it electric?"
I said "Yes, Oral B Pulsonic."
She said "Ugh that's not a good one not at all. Get a Sonicare."
I said "it's not a spinbrush, it's a pulsating one JUST like the Sonicare."
She said "Still you NEED a sonicare."

But my opinion is WHY bother if its like the same toothbrush? Sonicare is like 120+ dollars I REALLY cannot afford that. I am saving up for college right now. I know my orthodontists office sells a sonicare but I still don't have that kind of money. Nor do I know what kind would be right for me.

Like even if I did is it worth having a Sonicare? Do you know of anywhere where I can get a brand new one for cheap?
There is probably nowhere so I am pretty much screwed and going to have nasty teeth I ALREADY spend literally 45 minutes to an hour solid cleaning my teeth after a big meal.

like my last name isn't rockerfella and sorry if I am the poorest patient at my orthodontist's office, literally!


I just feel horrible like it is MY fault for not being able to get a sonicare toothbrush. What would you guys do in my situation?

[BracedSurgeryStudent]

I tihnk im going to get a SOnicare.

[TMJJill]

In talking to my orthodontist when I first got braces, he said as long as we are doing a thorough job brushing manual brushing was fine. If your Oral-B is keeping your teeth clean, I'd say go with it. I'm sure if you are taking 45 minutes cleaning your teeth that you are thoroughly getting your teeth clean. If you need to get the backs of your teeth better, I know you will just focus a bit more there in the future. If you don't have the $, I wouldn't worry. Also, please be sure you aren't brushing too much either. You need to protect your enamel.

Since you already have an electric brush, you might want to invest in a Waterpik to help with those back teeth. I know it has helped me tremendously.

That said, I was struggling with my back molars when I first got my braces so I did invest in a Sonicare that has worked well for me. I haven't tried an Oral-B.

By the way, I completely understand the long time cleaning. Between the brushing, threading floss and elastics, I've been known to spend that long on my teeth as well. My brushing and flossing has gotten quicker, but I'm only in upper braces right now. I can only imagine how much more time it will take with them.

[BracedSurgeryStudent]

Hey yeah my orthodontist herself said I was looking pretty good manually but in my opnion it felt so dirty to me.That is why I switched over to electric. I LOVE my Oral B Pulsonic. It has two heads. A small one for getting in the nooks and crannies of braces and the regular shaped one that gets oervall (shaped like the head of a normal manual). It doesnt spin it pulsated two differnt pluses based on the setting. Also has a 2.5 min timer. I only brush for like 6 minutes but I also: Floss and Mouthrinse.

How much is a wterpik? Where can I get one? I've been hearing such amazing things about them. Which is a better investment a Sonicare or a WaterPik?

I have always dreamed of getting a Sonicare ever since I was younger even before braces. I was with my friend at work once building a dental office and They were selling Sonicares but I had no money on me that day

Exactly, I have full upper and lower Damons on literally every tooth. frown because it takes longer.

I could always buy one now, once my orthodontist emails me back telling me which kind is the best. I emailed her yesterday about something else and asked her that too when I sent the email. Either that or I could call the office and get that lady and ask her. I could always replace it with the next two paychecks if I have to. I really don't mind but I don't really want to do that unless I needed to. But I need all the money I can get for school.

[EbonyQ]

As longs as you can keep it clean it does not matter what tooth brush you are using. A zillion of people are using regular tooth bush while in braces, and I’m using Oral-B myself. The important thing is to keep it clean


Don’t worry, I’m using Oral-B myself and are not going to switch it to something else

[BracedSurgeryStudent]

Hey there Ebony. Thanks so much for the input. My teeth were pretty clean with a manual but I felt I could clean them better. In my opinion I feel like the Oral B is the SAME thing as Sonicare. I agree as long as it's clean. I think the Oral B helps me keep it cleaner than the regular old brushes. I use a manual travel one my orthodontist herself gave me when I am out or at work. Works AMAZING.

I totally agree with you no need to. I think I should keep doing my new techniques to keeping my teeth cleaner and in 6 months when I go back to the dentist and ortho at the same time again for cleanings and such, and if it still hasn't imporved then I probably will switch. But otherwise no.

[TMJJill]

WaterPik's are around $45-50 for a basic one. They really aren't necessary. I have difficulty flossing my back molars because they are so tight and my wire is pretty much at the gum level. I talked to my orthodontist about my concern and he agreed that the WaterPik is a good supplement to help me keep that area, and my entire mouth, cleaner. If I'd been able to thread the floss back there like I should, I probably wouldn't have invested in it.

I will say, my mouth does feel good after using it. Also, it has an orthodontic attachment if you need one.

It is more of a nice to have thing rather than a need to have thing, so I wouldn't say you need to rush out to get one. If you really aren't feeling your teeth are as clean as you like with your manual brush or Oral B, it would be a good supplement.

[BracedSurgeryStudent]

Thanks Yeah my orthodontist herslef thinks I clean VERY well.

[lrlvdy]

I must say reading these threads has got me wanting to get an electric tooth brush before Brace day! I do have a water pik though courtesy of my husband for CHRISTmas!

[lrlvdy]

[ashesgap]

Hey BSS, for the back of my bottom teeth I use my Oral-B and baking soda. The oral-b is great on it's own, but the baking soda is a little more abrasive, and cleans the gum line really well. Don't let some one bully you into something you can't afford. The OralB is a great toothbrush, and I find her comments rude and unnecessary. The backs of the lower teeth seem to be the hardest area to keep clean, since your tongue rests there. You're doing fine, and going to your cleanings is good too.