[4-Year Review] Things I realized after buying the Philips Sonicare 9000. How it reduced cavities and allowed a couple to share one device [Electric Toothbrush]
This article is recommended for people like this💡
・Those wondering if electric toothbrushes are truly effective for cavities and gums
・Those unsure about how many units to buy for a couple or family
・Those looking for a long-term review of the Philips Sonicare
“Are electric toothbrushes actually effective?”
Honestly, I felt that way for a long time before buying one.
The price is overwhelmingly higher than manual toothbrushes, and it requires charging...
I couldn't quite bring myself to commit, wondering if it was worth that much money.
Even so, I took the plunge and after using it for over 4 years as a couple, the number of cavities pointed out by the dentist has clearly decreased compared to my manual brushing days.
At regular checkups, I have been able to maintain a state where the dentist says, “Your gums are in good condition.”
In this article, I will honestly share the effects on oral care, daily usability, how to choose brush heads, and even the story of a breakdown that occurred as a result of me brushing too hard.
I will also answer the question, “How many units should a couple buy?” based on our actual experience of using it together.
By the time you finish reading, you should have the information you need to make a decision without regrets when choosing an electric toothbrush.
The conclusion in 30 seconds
For those who are busy, I will give you the conclusion first.
The number of cavities pointed out by the dentist has clearly decreased compared to the manual brushing era
You can share one unit with your family just by changing the brush head
Carefully cleaning the dirt in the gaps at the base frequently is the key to longevity
These are the three answers I have reached after using it for over 4 years.
\ This is the conclusion after 4 years of use /
Reason for purchase: Brushing was a hassle, and I wanted to make it easier
The reason I decided to buy it is, honestly, simple.
A simple reason: manual brushing was a hassle. Haha.
Even though I knew I should brush carefully, it's hard to keep up with those precise movements every single time.
Before I knew it, I would get sloppy, and it was a recurring cycle of being told I had cavities every time I went to the dentist.
"If I switch to an electric toothbrush, the device does the work for me, so it should be easier, right?"
I started looking into it with that lighthearted mindset and ended up with the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean.
The price in the 20,000 yen range wasn't exactly cheap, but I decided to buy it thinking of it as an investment in my future teeth.
Appearance: A simple design that blends into the vanity
First, let's look at the appearance.
There are only two buttons.
With a simple design featuring only a power button and a mode selection button, there is almost no confusion about how to use it.
The body color is navy.
It has a sophisticated color with gold accents, a design that doesn't ruin the atmosphere even when placed on the vanity.
I feel that this kind of subtle luxury is important for something you use every day.
It fits perfectly in the palm of your hand and doesn't feel heavy.
The grip area is non-slip, so you can hold it securely even with wet hands.
Charging is completed just by placing it in the glass-style stand.
Returning it to the glass after brushing becomes a natural flow, so I have never once had to consciously think about needing to charge it.
Not having to worry about the battery running out is a truly convenient point for something you use every day.
A story about how I was impressed as soon as I started using it
When I first used the Philips Sonicare, I was honestly impressed.
The feeling of my teeth after brushing is completely different from manual brushing.
You can clearly feel from the start that your teeth are smooth.
The fact that I could think, 'This is definitely different,' was the biggest reason I felt I could keep using it.
You might be a little surprised by the intensity of the vibration at first, but you will get used to it after about a week of use.
Good Point 1: Fewer cavities and stabilized gum health scores
This is the biggest change I've experienced after 4 years of use.
When I was brushing manually, it wasn't rare for the dentist to point out cavities.
Since switching to an electric toothbrush, the number of cavities pointed out during regular checkups has clearly decreased.
Both my spouse and I feel the same change.
I believe it is largely thanks to the electric toothbrush that we have been able to maintain gum health scores that the dentist tells us are in 'good condition' at every checkup.
I was skeptical, wondering if it was really effective, but now I feel it in my own body.
Good Point 2: One Philips electric toothbrush can be shared by the family
This is the biggest benefit I didn't realize until I started using it.
The Philips Sonicare is designed so that only the brush head part can be replaced.
In other words, you only need one main unit, and as long as you have enough heads for each person, the whole family can use it.
In our home, we use compatible heads in two colors, white and black, to distinguish between the two of us.
Using a permanent marker to add a symbol also works perfectly fine.
We ended up buying two units as a couple, but now I feel that was completely unnecessary.
Even if you live alone, if there is a possibility of living with someone in the future, I don't think it hurts to know from the start that you can manage with just one unit.
Good point 3: The vibration guide in Deep Clean mode is convenient
The mode I use primarily is "Deep Clean".
In this mode, the vibration pattern changes at regular intervals to tell you to "move to the next section."
I like that I can brush each area thoroughly in order without needing to hold my smartphone.
There are 5 modes in total.
Clean (standard clean)
White+ (whitening)
Gum Health (gum care)
Deep Clean+ (deep clean)
Tongue Care (tongue care)
Some modes, like the whitening mode, require a dedicated brush head, but for me, keeping my teeth clean was enough, so I've spent the last 4 years using only the Deep Clean mode.
Cautionary point 1: Dirt tends to accumulate in the gap at the base
This is a part I want to be honest about.
Dirt tends to accumulate in the gap at the base where the brush head is attached.
By the time I noticed, it had turned into dark stains that couldn't be removed just by washing it normally.
When I tried to scrub it hard to get it off, I accidentally made a small hole in the main unit, and water got in, causing it to stop working💦
Now we both share my wife's white one, andwe don't feel any inconvenience at all.
If anything, I ended up proving firsthand what I mentioned earlier: that one unit is enough.
If I had handled it carefully, that same unit would likely still be in use today.
Maintenance methods I wish I had known sooner
Once a week, simply removing the brush head from the handle and gently rinsing the gap at the base with water is sufficient.
It is important to clean it frequently before dark stains form, as scrubbing after dirt has accumulated can damage the handle.
Point 2 to note: I stopped using the app integration after a few months
There is a feature that allows you to sync with a smartphone app, and while I tried it at first, I stopped using it after a few months.
When you open the app, your brushing status is displayed in real-time.
The image shows what it looks like when using a non-genuine brush head.
When using a genuine brush head, a tooth-shaped guide appears.
When you finish brushing, you can also check the results, such as the time spent brushing.
Although the features are comprehensive, I found it troublesome to have to hold my smartphone every time I brushed.
However, since the Deep Clean mode has a vibration guide, you can brush each area thoroughly even without the app, so it just wasn't necessary for us.
I think the strength of this toothbrush is that you can brush thoroughly even without the app.
Which is better: genuine or compatible brush heads?
I will share this based on my 4 years of experience.
Genuine products (Premium Clean Regular) are of high quality and provide peace of mind.
The replacement timing is also helpful, as the light at the bottom of the handle turns on to let you know it is time to replace it.
The guideline for replacement is about once every 3 months, following the light indicator.
\ Click here for genuine products /
On the other hand, the Dealswin compatible brush heads that our household currently uses also feel comparable to the genuine ones.
They come in two colors, white and black, and I especially like that we can color-code them for two people living together.
However, there are two things to note about compatible products.
Since there is no lamp notification for replacement timing, you need to be mindful of replacing it yourself every 1 to 2 months as a guideline.
It does not support integration with the app.
For those who do not plan to use the app or the replacement indicator, I think compatible brushes are a sufficient option in terms of cost-performance.
Click here for a detailed review article on recommended compatible replacement brushes.
\ This is what we are using now /
About price and cost-performance
The main unit is in the 20,000 yen range, so it is by no means a cheap purchase compared to manual toothbrushes.
However, the impression changes when you consider the running costs.
You can significantly reduce costs by using compatible brush heads instead of replacing genuine brush heads every 3 months.
Considering that I have been able to use it for over 4 years, the cost per day is not that high.
Above all, considering that my cavities have decreased and my dental treatment costs have gone down, I feel that it has paid for itself as an "investment in my future teeth."
Summary
I will summarize the answers I found after using it for over 4 years.
Good points
Fewer cavities pointed out and gum measurements have stabilized
One device can be shared by the family by changing the brush head
You can brush thoroughly without an app thanks to the Deep mode vibration guide
You can feel the smoothness of your teeth from the first use
Points to be careful about
Wash away dirt in the gap at the base early and gently with water
Compatible brush heads do not trigger the replacement reminder light, so you need to manage them yourself
App connectivity does not work with compatible brush heads
If handled with care, this is a device that can remain in active use for over four years, and you can truly feel the benefits for your oral care.
I hope this serves as a helpful reference for those wondering, "Should I switch to an electric toothbrush?" or those struggling with the question, "How many units do we need for the family?"
\ Philips Sonicare DiamondClean /
Also, here is an article summarizing in detail how long it takes to break down 👇️
*This page contains affiliate links (PR).
▼ Recommended Articles