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Comment by tjr | Hacker News Reader

A curious first example. I too have found that my teeth get and stay cleaner using an electric toothbrush. While many technological wonders infiltrating our lives today are at best conveniences -- and often just distractions -- why not embrace one that genuinely improves our physical well-being, encumbered with (as far as I know) nothing in the way of undesirable side-effects?

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The electric toothbrush is one of those "holy crap how did I live without this?!" things for me. First time I used it my teeth felt as if I'd had a professional cleaning. No amount of manual brushing gets them as clean as even a lazy, quick pass with the electric. How manual toothbrushes are still A Thing outside of camping supply stores baffles me, now that I know how good electric toothbrushes are.

I had the same reaction to the toothbrush example, and feel the same way about electric toothbrushes. More than anecdotes, there are studies that demonstrate their efficacy. The criteria the author chooses for what gets downgraded weren't clearly enumerated, but I got the impression that it was because something was 'distracting.' I don't find my electric toothbrush to be a distraction any more than a manual. It seemed a bit arbitrary, like, I downgraded my car to this horse drawn carriage.

Batteries last a surprising long time on electric toothbrushes, mine claims it lasts two full weeks on a full charge. I've personally tested it successfully on a week and a half trip. You should have no problem bringing it camping provided your trip lasts less than a couple weeks. I never bring the charger with me when I go anywhere.

(My old electric toothbrush cost $10 about 10 years ago and used AA batteries instead of a wall charger. A couple AAs lasted quite a long time, probably close to 6 months, IIRC. So that one would last you the entire length of the appalachian trail.)

Batteries also aren't a problem because if the battery dies you can still use it as manual toothbrush.

While technically true I have found it awfully awkward to brush manually with an electric toothbrush. I don't know if it's mental or the ergonomics are different.

If you think an electric toothbrush was a huge leap in oral health, you should try a water flosser. I used to have some pretty bad gum issues, and still would if I didn't use my water flosser. It's like a little power washer for your mouth! I use it mostly around the gum line and between the teeth.

My only complaint (well, more like my wife's) is that it spews little pieces of toothpaste all over my mirror sometimes.

Probably because you take it out of your mouth while it is still on. There is an easy solution. (and you can turn it back on when you put it under the water.)

I just bought one from amazon that hooks up to my shower head, I use it while I shower and it never runs out of water

I'm guessing you are referring to a waterpik rather than a toothbrush. Cool idea. Looking on amazon now...

I always bring those "disposable" vibrating toothbrushes camping. The battery lasts longer than the brush does.

I always have a "sealed" manual toothbrush ready for when I'm traveling somewhere, especially by bike you cannot justify the weight of an electric toothbrush.

Any specific brand of an electric toothbrush you recommend?

I think I just have whatever Sweethome recommended last year. One of the lower-end models—only useful thing, really, is a timer-vibration to tell you to switch quarters or quit, and that's the only extra feature mine has. You don't need any of the Bluetooth (!?) ones or whatever. Pretty sure it's Oral B, might be the Pro 1000.

One of the top five best tech gadgets I've bought in my entire life was my electronic toothbrush. It's like going for a dentist cleaning everyday! Seriously, it rocks.

What were the other 4?

Besides a computer. In chronological order, probably NES/SNES tossup, Walkman/Discman, Nikon DSLR, iPhone. I would say those were most influential in my life, for better or worse.

Try an ultrasonic toothbrush (a real one operating in MHz) and you are going to ditch your dentist. Since I bought it three years ago I haven't had a single decay; even some bad job on root canal treatment and resulting inflammation gets down to acceptable levels after a week or so of use in my case.

Care to share a good brand?

Megasonex comes to mind; there was also some cheap one Ultrasonex Plus First (though seems to be phased out) and the new one is not ultrasonic at all. Also, if you want to have fresh breath (most people won't tell you about it but will actively try to avoid you), consider using one of those portable electric pulsating water flossers (you'd be surprised how much smelly "junk" is in the interdental space) and tongue cleaner once or twice a day - in a few weeks your breath should be fantastic unless you suffer from some other illness.

Could you please share more details?

I always found the vibrations of electric toothbrushes incredibly unpleasant.

Seriously it makes me feel like I've taken a disc sander to them, in a good way. So smooth.

Actually, a disc sander isn't the most enticing thing to compare something that goes on your teeth.

Which ... sort of leads into the question of whether tooth brushing can damage tooth enamel. Can it?

I would think any dentist would say no. Enamel is REALLY hard, but is damaged by the stuff that tooth brushes remove.

Which electric toothbrush?

I've had both Sonicare and Oral-B, and I prefer Sonicare, especially when I replace the heads a little bit sooner than recommended. (I loved them both though)

Some of them operate in the ultrasonic region which, according to my dentist, means they can get a lot more cleaning done.

This is why I'm part of Reddit's Buyitforlife cult.

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