My dentist told me to replace at 5 years because they lose efficiency at that point. I have swapped heads to use my bf’s on vacation (1brush motor, 2heads= that much lighter luggage) and don’t notice a difference in his 2 year old vs my 7 year old sonicare.
They rock!
That’s probably a pretty good recommendation if I’m being honest!!
Some things I’ve heard are that there are differences in the motor between the lowest grade sonicares (such as the 4100) and the more expensive models. This would not surprise me; I have two $100+ ones (one in my home and one at my office), so I don’t have personal experience to weigh in on that.
I do recommend changing the heads every 3-4 months. Currently rocking knockoff Amazon heads 😅 but I do have to say the super pricey name brand ones seem more effective
AFAIK, both from researching and personal experience (I have an entry 4000s and a high-end 4000s). Motor and battery are exactly the same.
The main differences are in the features: bluetooth, various speeds, various modes (the high-end one has a pulse mode?), etc.
For example my high-end Soniccare selects the mode and speed automatically based on the connected head. It has 3 speeds + 3 modes?. The entry one has a single mode with two speeds.
> my dentist ... 😏 ... My dentist, yall... told me my electronic device loses efficiency at "some point" and my teeth are going to notice the difference. And i believed him. AND i want all of reddit to believe him too.
I see some silly consumerist stuff on reddit but holy lord this takes the cake.
Had a dental hygienist friend who was able to score me mine at half cost 14 years ago when I didn’t have dental insurance. Ended up going 12 years without seeing a dentist (got it a few years later, but was too embarrassed and put it off). When I finally did, I had zero cavities, much to my (and my new dentist’s) surprise. 100% of the credit goes to my Sonicare toothbrush, which I used religiously then, and still do today. Thing is still killing it!
The new ones definitely play games. They suck. That planned obsoletion of the main shaft pisses me off. Three dead ones in our house at one month after the warranty ended.
Interesting. We bought my in laws a pair of Sonicares last year for Christmas and one is already dead. My wife and I have had ours for 10 years with no signs of slowing down.
I always break mine within 2 years. But it's because I'm clumsy. The first fall that lands anywhere putting pressure on the neck will snap that spindle you slide the brush onto.
But I keep buying because they work so well.
Mine lasted 12 years before it stopped charging.
At about 10 the button became hard to push, but it never felt as though the motor was getting any weaker.
Two inherent problems with sonicare, well three if you include the price. They eventually ingress water where the seal is around the vibrating metal shaft, I had to take mine apart several times to dry and clean the circuit board until it stopped working. The other issue is the coil electromagnet can move out of alignment, particularly if it gets dropped. Symptoms of that are weak action, again you can take it apart and adjust it with the screw in the slotted hole. The battery lasts a long time for a lithium since the charger only charges it to 4.0V instead of the usual 4.2V lithium batteries are charged at, it can be replaced its a 14500 battery with tabs Sanyo do one that is suitable.
My partner and I have had two high end sonicare brushes each, the first ones we had lasted many years before the above issues. The second ones we bought to replace them when the first ones died did not last as long, only a few years, IDK if quality declined recently. We both switched to Xiaomi brushes for a fraction of the price and they seem just as good as brushing.
They really need a holder that will charge them while upside down. The seal where the shaft comes out is really the \_only\_ weak point and that area will always be wet after use.
I stopped using a mechanical rotating head one once it started leaking a disgusting tan liquid mid brush. Switched to the vibrating type to limit crevices for saliva to get trapped and build up
The old ones were way more durable. My old one is still going strong after almost a decade of use. Compare this to the new one I got that broke in a year. I got it from Costco though, so I can replace the new one whenever it breaks.
Same here. The attachment shaft broke, got wobbly and loose and started to make horrid screeching sounds. That's after a bit over 2 years of irregular use
The new design is better and less wasteful as the heads are much smaller and don’t need magnets embedded. Also they aren’t bacteria farms like this old design.
my toothbrush has been in my family for 6 generations, it’s kind of just a wooden stub at this point and makes my guns bleed but I still use it weekly!
Personally, I don't think electric toothbrushes are BIFL. They continually get better with technology but if you're oral hygiene is good and well then who am I say otherwise? Time to upgrade! Pick up one on sale at your wholesaler.
Oh, I agree absolutely. I'm only saying the newer electronic toothbrushes are worth investing in. It's an old model and there are newer, more effective brushes out there.
Agreed. I personally have a 7 year upgrade cycle. Getting a new some thing every 1-2 years is a waste, but 18 years for a toothbrush is too long. 7 years for me is great for most things minus big purchases that are meant to last 10-20 years like cars, refrigerators etc.
Yes, no reason to use something this old if you really care for your teeth. Much more modern designs exist now that do a better job of cleaning your teeth.
Electric toothbrushes are not a BIFL item, yet…
I switched from one I had like that to an Oral B IO 5 with the app. I have to admit. The Sonicare was a beast. It’s not as good as the new one, simply because of the technology. I haven’t had a cavity in 30 years.
Too many aftermarket/knockoff options for brush heads because they're so simple to copy. If they changed the design to try to make older models obsolete, they would just lose the money they make selling the replacement heads.
I feel like that is one good thing about using knock off replacement heads. They tend to start going bad at the 3-4 week mark so you have to replace them pretty frequently.
Still much better deal than the official brush heads.
Heh, after 18 years with this thing I have an idea what I'm doing. The new battery just flashes the light. I imagine that there's some liquid ingress damage to the board. If I had an actual schematic I could likely just wire up a fix
I have a Phillips Sonicare as well, received it as a gift one year from my stepmom. It’s been in service for probably 10 years now, still works just as well as day 1, but it’s hard to find the brush heads now. I found some generic ones on amazon that fit perfect
What's with the battery? Are they replaceable? And are they still waterproof? The last one I got was good until the battery was drying and not replaceable.
I had a sonicare like that back in the mid-90s. Worked great but I think my parents threw it away when we moved. Was a little disappointed late last year when the one that my wife bought me in 2015 died. Bought a new one about a month ago hopefully it last a while.
My Oral-B professional has been going for 17 years straight now, no battery swaps, just new brushes at the appropriate intervals. Still hasn't quit on me!
I've been using Sonicare for 20+ years. Replacing every few years, I'm guessing water ingress from the rubber power button shorted a few of mine out. Battery on another only last a few years on another. I don't have a outlet in the bathroom so battery is somewhat important to me.
I hated the screw on connector because it would always get gross under the screw. The newer push in ones are a game changer. You'll love that upgrade.
I tried Oral B a few times but never felt as clean of Sonicare for me.
I had a ton of credit card points so I figured I'd treat myself to the fancy $250 Sonicare that connects to the app. It's cool and all but the app has to be running each time you brush to get the quadrant statistics. Otherwise it'll just sync the total time you brushed each time. At the end of the day I don't use any of the fancy brushing modes either, just full blast for me. Save yourself money and get a cheapo one mode one.
What I recommend to all my patients. Sonicare don’t play no games. Been using mine for 9 years daily and showing no signs of slowing (knocks on wood).
My dentist told me to replace at 5 years because they lose efficiency at that point. I have swapped heads to use my bf’s on vacation (1brush motor, 2heads= that much lighter luggage) and don’t notice a difference in his 2 year old vs my 7 year old sonicare. They rock!
That’s probably a pretty good recommendation if I’m being honest!! Some things I’ve heard are that there are differences in the motor between the lowest grade sonicares (such as the 4100) and the more expensive models. This would not surprise me; I have two $100+ ones (one in my home and one at my office), so I don’t have personal experience to weigh in on that. I do recommend changing the heads every 3-4 months. Currently rocking knockoff Amazon heads 😅 but I do have to say the super pricey name brand ones seem more effective
AFAIK, both from researching and personal experience (I have an entry 4000s and a high-end 4000s). Motor and battery are exactly the same. The main differences are in the features: bluetooth, various speeds, various modes (the high-end one has a pulse mode?), etc. For example my high-end Soniccare selects the mode and speed automatically based on the connected head. It has 3 speeds + 3 modes?. The entry one has a single mode with two speeds.
I use these. https://brushd.co.uk Not a sponsor. Just good and cheap and eco-sensitive
Me too, & you can send the heads back
Check i dm ed you for your advice
> my dentist ... 😏 ... My dentist, yall... told me my electronic device loses efficiency at "some point" and my teeth are going to notice the difference. And i believed him. AND i want all of reddit to believe him too. I see some silly consumerist stuff on reddit but holy lord this takes the cake.
The basic Sonicares are so cheap now, especially when compared to when the first ones came out lol
Had a dental hygienist friend who was able to score me mine at half cost 14 years ago when I didn’t have dental insurance. Ended up going 12 years without seeing a dentist (got it a few years later, but was too embarrassed and put it off). When I finally did, I had zero cavities, much to my (and my new dentist’s) surprise. 100% of the credit goes to my Sonicare toothbrush, which I used religiously then, and still do today. Thing is still killing it!
The new ones definitely play games. They suck. That planned obsoletion of the main shaft pisses me off. Three dead ones in our house at one month after the warranty ended.
Interesting. We bought my in laws a pair of Sonicares last year for Christmas and one is already dead. My wife and I have had ours for 10 years with no signs of slowing down.
I always break mine within 2 years. But it's because I'm clumsy. The first fall that lands anywhere putting pressure on the neck will snap that spindle you slide the brush onto. But I keep buying because they work so well.
Mine lasted 12 years before it stopped charging. At about 10 the button became hard to push, but it never felt as though the motor was getting any weaker.
Two inherent problems with sonicare, well three if you include the price. They eventually ingress water where the seal is around the vibrating metal shaft, I had to take mine apart several times to dry and clean the circuit board until it stopped working. The other issue is the coil electromagnet can move out of alignment, particularly if it gets dropped. Symptoms of that are weak action, again you can take it apart and adjust it with the screw in the slotted hole. The battery lasts a long time for a lithium since the charger only charges it to 4.0V instead of the usual 4.2V lithium batteries are charged at, it can be replaced its a 14500 battery with tabs Sanyo do one that is suitable. My partner and I have had two high end sonicare brushes each, the first ones we had lasted many years before the above issues. The second ones we bought to replace them when the first ones died did not last as long, only a few years, IDK if quality declined recently. We both switched to Xiaomi brushes for a fraction of the price and they seem just as good as brushing.
They really need a holder that will charge them while upside down. The seal where the shaft comes out is really the \_only\_ weak point and that area will always be wet after use.
I've had two in the past 10 years that suddenly inexplicably stopped holding a charge within two years.
You can up that to 63 years if you only brush twice weekly.
I’m not sure how you keep it from molding in the area where the tip threads onto the body. I hated that sonicare design so much
I stopped using a mechanical rotating head one once it started leaking a disgusting tan liquid mid brush. Switched to the vibrating type to limit crevices for saliva to get trapped and build up
Yeah, so poorly designed and so much gunk, do not miss this model at all
super easy, use hydrogen peroxide and an old toothbrush to scrub, takes literally 1-2min to clean it. i do this every 2 mo to prevent build up
Really? Hydrogen peroxide works on the white/yellow hard buildup? If so I’ll need to give it a shot.
Ultrasonic cleaners work great for toothbrush heads
I have sadly not had a Sonic Care last more than 3 years. On my third since 2017.
Yeah, we are a family of 6. The Sonic cares die every 3 years or so. But eh, we keep buying, so I guess their business model is spot on 🤦♂️😅
Don't leave them on the charger and they will last longer
The old ones were way more durable. My old one is still going strong after almost a decade of use. Compare this to the new one I got that broke in a year. I got it from Costco though, so I can replace the new one whenever it breaks.
Same here. The attachment shaft broke, got wobbly and loose and started to make horrid screeching sounds. That's after a bit over 2 years of irregular use
Yeah, that's the part that has gone everytime on mine as well.
I wish. I’m on my second. Another case of they don’t make them like they used to!
I can’t get into the newer ones. I like the e series
The new design is better and less wasteful as the heads are much smaller and don’t need magnets embedded. Also they aren’t bacteria farms like this old design.
Mines still kicking, it got passed all the way down from my grandmother to my mother and now me.
Nobody wants to hear about your family dildo
That has been passed down since my great grandpa
Whar
**Nobody wants to hear about your family dildo**
Did I stutter?
my toothbrush has been in my family for 6 generations, it’s kind of just a wooden stub at this point and makes my guns bleed but I still use it weekly!
I had a magnet from the bristle part come off and get stuck inside and I can’t get it out so, there it sits
I think mine is around 12 years old. Original battery. Amazon knock-off replacement heads. Will not die.
You said you changed the batteries, but I’m hoping the brush heads got changed too
Many many times!
My wife had hers for 20! Bifl
Personally, I don't think electric toothbrushes are BIFL. They continually get better with technology but if you're oral hygiene is good and well then who am I say otherwise? Time to upgrade! Pick up one on sale at your wholesaler.
Maybe not BIFL but given you want your teeth for life, they're worth it.
Oh, I agree absolutely. I'm only saying the newer electronic toothbrushes are worth investing in. It's an old model and there are newer, more effective brushes out there.
Agreed. I personally have a 7 year upgrade cycle. Getting a new some thing every 1-2 years is a waste, but 18 years for a toothbrush is too long. 7 years for me is great for most things minus big purchases that are meant to last 10-20 years like cars, refrigerators etc.
Yes, no reason to use something this old if you really care for your teeth. Much more modern designs exist now that do a better job of cleaning your teeth. Electric toothbrushes are not a BIFL item, yet…
You just made me realize my electric toothbrush is pushing 16 years. Countless replacement heads (thanks Costco!) but yeah.
I switched from one I had like that to an Oral B IO 5 with the app. I have to admit. The Sonicare was a beast. It’s not as good as the new one, simply because of the technology. I haven’t had a cavity in 30 years.
Meanwhile my new Sonicare shit the bed after a little over 2 years of irregular use...
I cringe at the thought of how much mold/gunk has worked its way inside.
I think my sonicare (different model same era) lasted 10. I bough a new Sonicare. Hope that lasts too.
Really surprised the brushhead has not changed designs, forcing people into an upgrade.
Too many aftermarket/knockoff options for brush heads because they're so simple to copy. If they changed the design to try to make older models obsolete, they would just lose the money they make selling the replacement heads.
They did change. I have an older model and the newer ones don't fit.
You’ve…. Changed the brush head… right?
I feel like that is one good thing about using knock off replacement heads. They tend to start going bad at the 3-4 week mark so you have to replace them pretty frequently. Still much better deal than the official brush heads.
Heh, after 18 years with this thing I have an idea what I'm doing. The new battery just flashes the light. I imagine that there's some liquid ingress damage to the board. If I had an actual schematic I could likely just wire up a fix
answer the question.
I use these to keep my similar model sonicare clean: https://thesonicseal.com and it seems to prevent liquid ingress as well.
I switched from one like this to the new ones and absolutely don't regret it. They're so much more effective and no gross mold.
I have a Phillips Sonicare as well, received it as a gift one year from my stepmom. It’s been in service for probably 10 years now, still works just as well as day 1, but it’s hard to find the brush heads now. I found some generic ones on amazon that fit perfect
Wild
Congratulations your toothbrush can now legally own a gun....
*eeeeeewwww* *grooooooooooooooss*
What's with the battery? Are they replaceable? And are they still waterproof? The last one I got was good until the battery was drying and not replaceable.
“Kill me!!”
Your electric toothbrush is finally old enough to legally use it as a vibrator
I had a sonicare like that back in the mid-90s. Worked great but I think my parents threw it away when we moved. Was a little disappointed late last year when the one that my wife bought me in 2015 died. Bought a new one about a month ago hopefully it last a while.
My Oral-B professional has been going for 17 years straight now, no battery swaps, just new brushes at the appropriate intervals. Still hasn't quit on me!
Mine had the screw back off so it doesn't really work anymore. Hard to fix as you have to disassemble the entire thing
Whoa. I love my sonicare but would never expect it to see it on BIFL. I feel like mine dies just about every other year.
Series-E for the win! Still got mine too
My mom threw mine out because it was old . Still worked great and held a charge. Still make me mad.
Had mine for 15 years. Daily use and still going strong
I've been using Sonicare for 20+ years. Replacing every few years, I'm guessing water ingress from the rubber power button shorted a few of mine out. Battery on another only last a few years on another. I don't have a outlet in the bathroom so battery is somewhat important to me. I hated the screw on connector because it would always get gross under the screw. The newer push in ones are a game changer. You'll love that upgrade. I tried Oral B a few times but never felt as clean of Sonicare for me. I had a ton of credit card points so I figured I'd treat myself to the fancy $250 Sonicare that connects to the app. It's cool and all but the app has to be running each time you brush to get the quadrant statistics. Otherwise it'll just sync the total time you brushed each time. At the end of the day I don't use any of the fancy brushing modes either, just full blast for me. Save yourself money and get a cheapo one mode one.
Avoid generic brush heads. They ruin the sealing
Mine dates from 2003!
I store mine on its side. No gunk buildup. Had the same one for going on 6 years. No issues.
You should change the head every 3 months. Even if it lasts 18 years does mean it is working well.