Hi, I'm Alyson. I live in Wales with my boyfriend and my cat.
Thanks to everyone who has looked at...
Hi, I'm Alyson. I live in Wales with my boyfriend and my cat.
Thanks to everyone who has looked at and rated my reviews. I also write under the same name on Dooyoo. xx
We (me and my boyfriend) used to have a normal Braun Oral-Belectric toothbrush. It lasted us 9+ years. Just before Christmas it started 'playing up'. It started with the battery charging light not lighting up when it was placed on charge. Then it would only work if I banged it against the side of the sink!! It was definitely time for a new one, but, it didn't enter my head to get one! Then surprise surprise, I had one for Christmas! Not the best Christmas present, in fact, some might take it as an insult, but not me, I was quite chuffed - nothing like a new gadget for Christmas! But, this electric toothbrush wasn't just a normal electric toothbrush - this one had extras, it was a real gadget and not one for my boyfriend to play with - one for me! (Although he did have to come and interfere whilst I was trying to play with it). So what makes this toothbrush so special I hear you ask? I will try to explain….
BOX CONTENTS • The actual toothbrush handle • 2 toothbrush heads - the Oral-B Floss Action head (for outstanding interdental cleaning) and the Oral-B ProBright (Naturally whitens teeth) • The charger 2 prong but also comes with an adaptor • SmartGuide display unit • 2 AA batteries for the display unit • Wall mount for display unit • Base station for toothbrush • Protective cover which fits onto base station for storing toothbrush heads • Plastic carry case which fits the brush and 2 heads
PRICE My boyfriend managed to get this toothbrush at half price in Boots (he was also in the company of my advantage card), he paid £69.99. More recently I have seen it at £139.99 at Argos, £139.99 at Boots, £77.99 at Amazon.co.uk (on sale) and £60.00 plus £6.00 postage on eBay. I can't say that I think £139.99 is a reasonable price as I don't yet know how long it's going to last. I think for that price it should last at least as long as my old toothbrush did, if not longer - 9+ years. I do think that the £69.99 is a real bargain though, it always pays to shop around!
DESIGN The toothbrush handle is quite bulky but still quite comfortable
to use. It's made of plastic, has a rubber grip section on the back and feels solid in your hand. You can get a good grip on the handle, even if your hands are wet they don't slip down the length of it. I think this has to do with the fact that it's wider at the bottom than it is at the top as well as the rubber grip. It is blue, silver and white in colour, so not at all garish. It has two buttons on the side, one for turning the appliance on and off, and the other for changing brushing modes for which there are four (I will go into that later). It also has a battery display on the side which shows how full the battery is and when it needs to be re-charged. The design of the base station is quite simple, its shape is like a semi-sphere. Its silver, white and blue - to match the toothbrush handle. It has a hole in the middle in which you slot the toothbrush into. You can add a toothbrush head holder onto the back of the base, this can fit 4 toothbrush heads, it has a lid on it, this lid does seem quite flimsy so am not sure if it can live up to the opening an closing on a daily basis - but only time will tell. The charger can fit inside this contraption so that the toothbrush can be charged without having to remove it. This is only useful if you have a shaver socket in the bathroom. In our case we don't so it's great that we can still use the base unit to hold the toothbrush and keep the charger separate.
USING THE ORAL B 9900TRIUMPH DELUXE Before using the toothbrush it needs to be charged, this is simple, just plug in the charger and place toothbrush into the charging ring. It then needs to be re-charged every 2 weeks according to the manual, but I've found it doesn't quite last that long.
Then the instruction manual tells you to activate the SmartGuide display unit. You do this by removing the battery cover on the back and inserting the two AA batteries which are supplied. I'm not sure how long the batteries will last and it will depend on which batteries you use. Before placing the battery cover back on, you need to set the time. The reason you need to do this first is because the set and hr/min buttons are inside. You can set the clock in 12 or 24 hours format, all you have to do is press the hr/min button until you see the correct format and then press set. You use the same buttons to then set the time.
So, you have the toothbrush charged and your SmartGuide display unit set, so you're ready to go.
The SmartGuide has a timer display. The options for this are the 'Professional Timer' or the '2-Minute Timer', these can be used in conjunction with the 'Count Up Timer' or the 'Count Down Timer'.
2-Minute Timer - this is probably the most basic mode. The toothbrush makes a long stuttering sound when the time is up and a smiley face is shown on the SmartGuide display unit.
Professional Timer - this is very similar to the 2-Minute Timer but it helps you to brush each section of your mouth equally. There is a circle on the SmartGuide display unit which is split into 4 parts or 4 quadrants as they are called. These quadrants represent the 4 sections of your mouth. During the first 30 seconds of your tooth brushing, the first quadrant is lit up, when it is time to change quadrant the toothbrush makes a short stuttering sound and a new quadrant is lit up on the display unit. Once you have cleaned all 4 of the quadrants a smiley face shows up on the SmartGuide display unit, indicating that you have completed the 2 minutes.
The 'Count Up' and 'Count Down' Timers - the 'count up' timer starts at 0:00 and counts up to 2:00. The 'count down' timer starts at 2:00 and counts down to 0:00. Quite simple.
To change between either the '2-Minute Timer' and the 'Professional Timer', or the 'Count Up' and 'Count Down' timers you need to use the toothbrush handle. Underneath the 'on/off' button is the 'mode' button. All you have to do is press and hold down the mode button until the display comes up, you then use the on/off button to change between the functions. Firstly you will be asked to choose between the 2-Minute Timer and the Professional Timer, then you will automatically be taken to the option of having the 'count up' or 'count down' timer. You just press the mode button to confirm your choice. There are 4 options when brushing your teeth. Sounds rather complicated but I know that we tend to use the same ones.
'Clean' mode - this gives exceptional cleaning of teeth and gums. This is represented by a picture of a tooth with a toothbrush on the SmartGuide display unit.
'Sensitive' mode - this gives gentle, yet thorough cleaning for sensitive areas. This is represented by a picture of a tooth, a feather and a toothbrush on the SmartGuide display unit.
'Massage' mode - gives gentle stimulation of the gums. This is represented by a picture of a tooth with a toothbrush touching the gums and sort of cartoon type movement lines.
'Polish' mode - this mode gives exceptional polishing for naturally white teeth for occasional or everyday use. This is represented by a picture of a tooth, toothbrush and a star.
I tend to use the clean mode most days and occasionally the massage and polish modes. The modes can be used with whichever brush head you like, it vibrates differently for each mode. Also, the SmartGuide and handle will also be able to tell certain brush heads apart, for instance, the brush for polishing, the SmartGuide and handle will automatically go to the polish mode. One of the cool things about this toothbrush is that when you press too hard with the toothbrush on your teeth, a picture of a red flashing triangle with
Pictures of Braun ORAL-B PC 9900 Triumph Smart Guide
The toothbrush
a picture of a tooth and toothbrush lights up on the SmartGuide display unit warning you. It's like having a personal dentist making sure you're brushing your teeth correctly.
The display unit also lets you know when it is 'nearly' time to throw your toothbrush away, then again when it is time to throw it away. It firstly gives you 10 days notice with a picture of a toothbrush head and a bin, then when it is time to actually throw the toothbrush head it shows the same picture along with a warning triangle. This function only works with the brush heads which are enabled with Smart Technology - the Oral-B Floss action and the Oral-B ProBright (more information on the different heads below). One other thing that the SmartGuide display unit shows is when the batteries in both the toothbrush handle and the SmartGuide display unit are low. A picture of a charger is shown when it relates to the toothbrush handle and a picture of a battery is shown when it is the SmartGuide. The SmartGuide display unit can also be wall mounted if desired. It comes with the wall mount and adhesive tape. The unit then just slots into the wall mount.
CLEANING RECOMMENDATIONS To keep the toothbrush heads clean, you just hold them under running water after each use. The base station and the toothbrush head holder can be placed into the dishwasher - very simple. You must make sure that you have detached all electrical parts such as the charger if you have it in the unit. The charger and SmartGuide display unit can be cleaned by using a damp cloth.
INTERCHANGABLE TOOTHBRUSH HEADS Oral-B offer a variety of different brush heads that fit the 9900 deluxe. FlossAction (for outstanding interdental cleaning) - this is an advanced cleaning system which surrounds each tooth for superior cleaning. It has yellow MicroPulse bristles which allow for outstanding plaque removal. My boyfriend managed first dibs on this toothbrush and he recommends it, says his teeth feel really clean after using it. PrecisionClean (for a deep and thorough clean) - the advanced bristle system removes plaque and cleans deep between teeth and below the gum line. I haven't actually used this head with this toothbrush but used it frequently with my old one - not sure if it would bring a different experience with the 9900 deluxe.
ProBright (naturally whitens teeth) - this brush has a special polishing cup which gently removes stains to naturally whiten teeth, whilst the outer bristles surround each tooth to clean thoroughly. This came free with the toothbrush but have not used it yet.
Sensitive (with extra soft and gentle bristles) - this brush has extra soft bristles which are extremely gentle on teeth and gums. We don't really suffer from sensitive teeth so am not sure if either of us will get around to using this toothbrush head.
DualClean (dual cleaning action) - this brush has 2 heads. Both heads move for twice the cleaning action. Thorough cleaning, freshening and gum care all in one brush. I am currently using this brush head. I had a couple of spare ones of these for my old brush. I must admit that on this brush handle, my teeth definitely feel a lot cleaner, am not sure whether it's because I am taking more care or if it's the new 9900 deluxe, either way it's a good thing! My boyfriend says he's noticed my teeth look whiter.
Stages Power (thoroughly cleans teeth and gums) - this brush has extra soft bristles which are gentle on kids' teeth and gums. It has a raised row of blue bristles which are designed for cleaning chewing surfaces. Not suitable for children under 3 years. Oral care Essentials (this is a kit for thorough mouth care for healthy gums and fresh breath) - first you have the interspace brush which cleans deep between teeth as well as around things like braces. Then you have the tongue cleaner, this really goes through me, I can't stand the thought of scraping my tongue. I will not be using that one! Then you have the interdental tip which is designed for cleaning between teeth as well as around bridges, crowns and implants. This one might come in useful for my boyfriend who is hoping to have implants next year, he currently has dentures which he hates. He could really do with this set as he suffers a lot with dental problems he is currently on a waiting list to have a second cyst removed!!
Ortho Care Essentials (for effective and convenient cleaning for braces) - interspace brush cleans deep between teeth as well as around braces and the ortho brush with special tufting pattern thoroughly cleans and gently removes plaque from teeth and braces.
OVERALL OPINION What a gadget! And I gadget that I can understand. There does seem to be an awful lot to remember but a lot of the instructions in the manual are for first use, such as the programming of the toothbrush and SmartGuide, but after that you tend to use just the options that are appropriate to you. So, for instance, the toothbrush heads, I doubt very much that you would ever use all of them, most probably 4 at the most, and not at the same time. It lets you know when you've been brushing your teeth long enough and it makes sure that you don't press too hard, it has different modes for massaging gums and polishing - wow, a personal dental hygienist! So, overall I think that this is a brilliant toothbrush and it's made a real difference to my tooth brushing experience. Would I recommend it? Well, my teeth are feeling better and looking better already. I think my boyfriend had a real bargain and judging by my own experience I would definitely have been willing to pay more. So, yes I would recommend it. I now have a spark when I smile - SIMON COWELL LOOK OUT!!
www.oralb.com
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well done on the crown - fully deserved for a very thorough and well written review.. ..my fillings nearly dropped out in shock at the prices quoted though : ) Excellent review.
Gladiator007 14.05.2009 01:29
Wow...absolutely brilliant review. You have included everything that a customer needs to know before buying. My thanks to you for this wonderful review and also many congratulations on the sparkling DIAMOND...well deserved. This review truly deserves an E in my opinion....regards....Hassan.
plod591 05.05.2009 23:46
Excellent review although even at Amazon's price my wallet be be trembling with palpitations !! LOL.
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