Electric toothbrush head replacements, cost vs benefit
August 13, 2018 9:27 PM Subscribe
We have Philips Sonicare toothbrushes and we need new brush heads. Branded heads are expensive, but it sounds like unbranded heads are often soft. What's a good balance between cost and benefit?
We got two Philips Sonicare 2 Series Plaque Control Sonic Electric Rechargeable Toothbrushes a while back. Now I see that Sonicare has some sensor in its heads, which I can't use and don't want (less tech trash, please), and they're really expensive. But the discount no-brand heads sound like they're often soft, and there are so many options, so I'll ask MeFites for suggestions. Thanks!
We got two Philips Sonicare 2 Series Plaque Control Sonic Electric Rechargeable Toothbrushes a while back. Now I see that Sonicare has some sensor in its heads, which I can't use and don't want (less tech trash, please), and they're really expensive. But the discount no-brand heads sound like they're often soft, and there are so many options, so I'll ask MeFites for suggestions. Thanks!
Can't speak to branded v. unbranded, but soft bristles are actually a good thing.
posted by matrixclown at 9:48 PM on August 13, 2018 [6 favorites]
posted by matrixclown at 9:48 PM on August 13, 2018 [6 favorites]
Best answer: Clinical studies try to show that dental choice A is better than option B are expensive - so it is unlikely that anybody will have bothered to do a credible - or even a shoddy - study that compares branded and off branded replacement heads. Organisations like the ADA recommend simply that people brush their teeth twice a day for 2 minutes using a brush with soft bristles that they replace every quarter, and fluoride toothpaste.
They also offer a seal of accreditation for makers of toothbrushes who are able to demonstrate that their bristles are not too sharp and that their handles are durable - and so on. Large brands like Oral B and Sonicare are seal bearers - and the non branded replacement heads are not. But the certification is clearly a marketing bauble which has no bearing on the ADA's own recommendations above.
posted by rongorongo at 11:40 PM on August 13, 2018
They also offer a seal of accreditation for makers of toothbrushes who are able to demonstrate that their bristles are not too sharp and that their handles are durable - and so on. Large brands like Oral B and Sonicare are seal bearers - and the non branded replacement heads are not. But the certification is clearly a marketing bauble which has no bearing on the ADA's own recommendations above.
posted by rongorongo at 11:40 PM on August 13, 2018
Costco often has a decent discount on them -- they carry Sonicare and Oral-B toothbrushes and heads and seem to alternate between discounting one or the other every month or so. Still pricey but a little less so.
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 12:28 AM on August 14, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 12:28 AM on August 14, 2018 [2 favorites]
Anecdata: I've used the knock-off brush heads for years with no ill effects (judging by dental check ups)
posted by crocomancer at 1:13 AM on August 14, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by crocomancer at 1:13 AM on August 14, 2018 [2 favorites]
I didn't even know unbranded Sonicare replacement heads were a thing, so I just picked some up at Costco when they were on sale the other week. It might be a while before they go on sale again, but it is a regular thing, alternating with Oral B, as We had a deal, Kyle says above.
posted by Stewriffic at 5:14 AM on August 14, 2018
posted by Stewriffic at 5:14 AM on August 14, 2018
I have a sonicare (although a less whizzy one, from the sounds of it?) and have been using these unbranded heads for a couple years now. No noticeable issues and not a peep from my dentist.
posted by halcyonday at 5:24 AM on August 14, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by halcyonday at 5:24 AM on August 14, 2018 [1 favorite]
Why don't you buy a set of cheap knockoffs and see if you like them?
I have an Oral B and alternate between "real" and "fake" brushheads depending on the price I can get them for and Amazon reviews of the knockoffs. The knockoffs never feel quite the same, but they get the job done and there's no real reason I buy the branded version except personal preference.
posted by DoubleLune at 5:35 AM on August 14, 2018 [2 favorites]
I have an Oral B and alternate between "real" and "fake" brushheads depending on the price I can get them for and Amazon reviews of the knockoffs. The knockoffs never feel quite the same, but they get the job done and there's no real reason I buy the branded version except personal preference.
posted by DoubleLune at 5:35 AM on August 14, 2018 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Hey!
So, I work for a company that makes unbranded heads. A sonic head is literally a piece of plastic with bristles. There's no fancy technology that goes into the heads, besides bristles falling out or not being polished correctly, there's not a huge reason to go with the branded heads.
Most of the online knockoffs are produced in china, but most in-store knockoffs are made in the USA. If you care about that. Also, there is a lot of variety of heads that is kind of lost on the online-purchasing side of it. They have fancy different bristles like a "sensitivity" one or a "gum care" one. They all have a bit of a different mouth-feel to them.
All the store-brand stuff is the same - and I recommend Walmart as the cheapest place to buy these with the best selection. The branded items aren't that much more.
I realize I'm sounding kind of astro-turfy here. I imagine there isn't a huge difference between the Walmart heads and the $5 for 10 heads you get online. But, it is a good balance between quality and price, so it's what you asked for.
Hope this helps.
posted by bbqturtle at 6:45 AM on August 14, 2018 [10 favorites]
So, I work for a company that makes unbranded heads. A sonic head is literally a piece of plastic with bristles. There's no fancy technology that goes into the heads, besides bristles falling out or not being polished correctly, there's not a huge reason to go with the branded heads.
Most of the online knockoffs are produced in china, but most in-store knockoffs are made in the USA. If you care about that. Also, there is a lot of variety of heads that is kind of lost on the online-purchasing side of it. They have fancy different bristles like a "sensitivity" one or a "gum care" one. They all have a bit of a different mouth-feel to them.
All the store-brand stuff is the same - and I recommend Walmart as the cheapest place to buy these with the best selection. The branded items aren't that much more.
I realize I'm sounding kind of astro-turfy here. I imagine there isn't a huge difference between the Walmart heads and the $5 for 10 heads you get online. But, it is a good balance between quality and price, so it's what you asked for.
Hope this helps.
posted by bbqturtle at 6:45 AM on August 14, 2018 [10 favorites]
Previous thread, wherein I complain about my particular off-brand heads.
posted by misterbrandt at 12:31 PM on August 14, 2018
posted by misterbrandt at 12:31 PM on August 14, 2018
Response by poster: bbqturtle, thanks for the info! I checked out a local Walmart store, but found that the 3 pack off-brand was made in the US, but the 5 pack off-brand was made in China, so with that, I followed snowmentality's suggestion and went with these Sonimart knockoff brush heads from Amazon.
After using mine for almost a month, I'd say it's a fine replacement at a fraction of the price, even when Costco has sales (and I've only seen the Sonicare heads with unnecessary tech elements added in, so I'm happy to have a more "basic" toothbrush head to eventually throw away).
posted by filthy light thief at 6:45 PM on September 16, 2018
After using mine for almost a month, I'd say it's a fine replacement at a fraction of the price, even when Costco has sales (and I've only seen the Sonicare heads with unnecessary tech elements added in, so I'm happy to have a more "basic" toothbrush head to eventually throw away).
posted by filthy light thief at 6:45 PM on September 16, 2018
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by snowmentality at 9:31 PM on August 13, 2018 [3 favorites]