Philips Sonicare Flexcare Plus Toothbrush Review

As anyone who has ever sat down in a dentist’s chair knows, brushing at least twice a day helps ensure your teeth and gums remain healthy and strong. Failure to brush regularly can cause the bacteria in your mouth, known as plaque, to eat away at your teeth’s enamel, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Research suggests that individuals who suffer from gum disease have a greater chance of developing such serious health concerns as a heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and osteoporosis.

Just like exercise does little for you without breaking a sweat, brushing your teeth only helps prevent gum disease if you use the right technique and a quality toothbrush. Individuals who want the best brushing experience possible should purchase an electric toothbrush. Unlike a manual brush, an electric toothbrush features rotating heads that either spin in a circular motion or vibrate horizontally in a back-and-forth motion. When selecting which electric brush to buy, consumers should consider these five factors.


• Power level and brush speed
• Size and type of brush head
• Size of the toothbrush
• Warranty or product guarantees
• Battery lifespan


Of the electric toothbrushes on the market, the Philips Sonicare FlexCare Plus Rechargeable Toothbrush provides the best value and capably passes each of these factors. The Philips Sonicare features a high speed brush head that produces between 30,000 and 40,000 brush strokes per minute, and features five brush modes: gum care, quick refresh, sensitive teeth, massage, and general cleaning. The brush head is large enough to cover multiple teeth, but small enough to easily fit inside of your mouth.


The brush’s streamlined design makes it easy to use for adults, but children may find it difficult to hold and too complex to use. The Sonicare features such amenities as a two-minute timer (a nice option since dentists recommend you brush for at least that amount of time), a self cleaning UV light, travel case, and illuminated LCD panel. The Philips Sonicare’s battery lasts long enough for roughly 42 separate two minute brushing sessions, a remarkable feet considering the size of the toothbrush.


The button you press to change between the Sonicare’s different features is unfortunately placed in an award position, making it easy to inadvertently switch between modes while brushing. You can also expect it to take a few times using the brush before you get completely used to the different options, and how it feels when brushing. Besides these few minor complaints, the Philips Sonicare provides a remarkably satisfactory experience, and leaves your mouth feeling refreshed and clean. 


Timothy Lemke is a freelance writer living in Portland, Oregon. For more information about which electric brush is right for you, contact Dr. Brett Johnson, an Oregon City dentist.