Wireless Charging

In he UK, installing a socket outlet anywhere near a cast iron bath is prohibited under BS7671, so any electronic toothbrush has to be mounted in some other room. That makes them stupid, in itself.

I think you will find that unnecessarily restrictive. Shaver sockets conforming to BS 3535 may be installed in bathrooms in Zone 2, which is essentially outside the vertical projection of the bath.

The thing can charge off a shaver socket, though lacking such I haven't tried (hate electric shavers). The brush and it's charging pod lives in the bedroom, so it's no huge deal to just grab it.

Given that the charging unit is 'sealed', I wonder if it could be hardwired into the bathroom lighting circuit ? My knowledge of 17th edition/On Site Gude is a little rusty....

I have been using an inductive charge toothbrush for about 5 years now and it's still going strong. Does a much better job than hand brushing.

When not being used, it sits on its holder and is charged via induction. I leave it on the vanity in the bathroom.

PWS, I don't know about where you live but its legal in Australia to have a GPO reasonably close to the vanity basin provided it is outside an area 400mm above and 150mm to the side of said basin, and outside of any shower or bath exclusion zones.

I have a couple,, the easiest is battery powered....no awkward plug wire....

I have a battery powered 'sonic' toothbrush I use. It's not only good for cleaning teeth - the bristle action is much faster and more thorough than hand brushing - but it is also very good for keeping the tissues along the gum line healthy. There's no way I could massage my gums with a hand brush as well as the sonic one does.

For people who have broken an arm, or who are impaired by arthritis or some other disease, electronic toothbrushes are a huge help.

Mouth wise, I have had great success with the powered tooth brushes. Was skeptical at first but they are much better than I originally thought. Actions of the bristles far exceed anything I could do manually. All but one have been inductive charging. I don't wear them out but some have been killed by other means. Dog chewed one up, daughter used one to clean tile grout, wife used one to clean her jewelry, etc.

The present one has some sort of battery in it, I don't know what type but it has been going full speed for over three years and shows no sign of suicide. I can't kill it but will eventually find out what it's magic is.

Good Luck, Old Salt

Well now that you mention it (don't tell the wife) I got two of them as stocking stuffers one Christmas. One went in the bathroom and the other just seemed to vanish into the work shop. It cleans parts excellently as long as flammables and certain solvents are not used. Compatibility is the key to this. Some of the things it has done are clean small carburetors and their parts, printed circuit boards, loosen dust on computer fans, clean taps and dies, clean those nasty little corners and inside corners of tool boxes and parts cases, clean up fishing jigs, clean the inside bores of such things as gears and pulleys, evenly apply oil to parts both inside and outside, clean dust and dirt from inside electric motors, polish small parts, put some light abrasive on the brush and use it as a small polisher (works good with rogue sticks), clean electrical contacts, clean the inside of automotive battery clamps, clean the threads of female pipe fittings, lubricate zippers with wax or other similar materials and Many Many Other Things only limited by the imagination or necessity.

Another very useful bathroom dental tool is the dental irrigators sometimes called "water picks". These are used for cleaning the small areas between teeth, removing food particles, massaging parts of the gums, removing or at least slowing down plaque and many other dental uses. They work great in the shop as a mini power washer, dirt remover, applier of weak chemical fluids (only certain ones), cleaning pipe dope off of primarily male fittings, cleaning blind holes and many other uses again limited by the imagination and necessity. They also work great on teeth!

These tools are inexpensive additions to the workshop inventory of tools. They are useful for many tasks and are only limited by the owners imagination and the necessity for tasks within their complete capabilities.

Many people have a large collection of tooth brushes in their tool assortment for numerous uses such as cleaning chips from taps and dies. Why not use a powered one that is faster and more controllable?

Got any additional ideas for them? Sort of like the old "Church Key", made for one purpose but used for many others.

Good Luck, Old Salt

I have around a dozen of them in a rack in the workshop. They are bent at all sorts of angles and even have re-shaped heads for getting into tight spots.

I use one to clean the keys on my music keyboard, and also for my Harmonica.

I use one for the final tidy up when cleaning the grease from my nails.

Because I use a milling machine, I get quite a few very tiny invisible splinters, and I use a bit of sodium Bicarb and a toothbrush to easily coax them out.

Cleaning the cooling fan vents on my myriad of motors.

The boss gets a bit cranky when I put them in the dishwasher to clean them.

By the way:- Did you know that the toothbrush was invented in Tennessee, It's quite obvious really, because otherwise it would have been called a teethbrush.

I use the disposable battery powered brushes. After a while the bristles start to go a bit soft but there's plenty of life left in it &, as you say, they are great for cleaning & polishing all sorts of shed related items. I dismantled one a while ago (typical engineer) & there's nothing more complex than a small motor with an eccentric weight to generate the 'sonic' action.

I rarely bin old manual brushes, they have all sorts of odd uses. Mostly it's for cleaning in nooks and crannies. Maybe I could buty some new ones for younger relatives as cheap x-mas presents.

I have a "wireless" charge one that I've been using for about 20 years! I used to take it on 3 day trips without the charger, longer than that and I took the charger along too. The charger is quite compact and has a space to put the cord out of the way for travel. The charger runs on standard 120v 60Hz, and works through adapters for other country power as well.

I have found that a regular toothebrush, and one of those old-fashion hand-mounted, spring-retained massagers does an excellent job.

I make sure to close the lavatory drain to prevent tooth loss.

I remember having talked about this issue long time ago with my wife (who is a dentist)... and she does not recommend the use of powered toothbrushes. She told me that a number of her patients suffering from gum diseases induced the disease by "over-brushing" their teeth. This resulted in a sub acute trauma to the gums, gum retraction, colonization by bacteria, formation of biofilm (AKA dental plaque).... etc.

She recommends using a toothbrush with mild bristles, and to adopt the technique described below., and thats it!

Interesting....I'm always wary that doctors/dentists get payed to pimp certain products. What swayed me was my dentist not suggesting any particular brand.

The brush I picked up has a flashing light if too much force is used, and somehow or other the button can be pressed to put the thing into 'massage mode'. That still presents a dilema since plaque often builds up at the gumline.

So far, I'm finding the electric brush does a good job. The bristles move much faster than a handbrush could do. There's no study I can find that compares long term effectivness of hand versus electric brush.

Whatever the case may be for electric toothbrushes, I'm thinking like others that it would find some use in my toolkit. Were it not a sealed unit, I'd also love to tear it apart and see exactly what's going on inside it.

Thanks for adding some expert opinion. I suspect that a lot of dentists would agree with your wife, though the situation described sounds a bit more like over-zealous brushing than use of electric brushes in themselves (?). Perhaps use of electric brushes leads to people getting over zealous, their's certainly a need to alter ones brushing tecnique slightly if using one.

There's no study I can find that compares long term effectivness of hand versus electric brush.

There are plenty of short-term studies

A practice-based randomised controlled trial of the efficacy of an electric and a manual toothbrush on gingival health in patients with fixed orthodontic appliances.

Effect of electric toothbrush on residents' oral hygiene: a randomized clinical trial in nursing homes.

This study found no difference, but it involved few patients and excluded some of their teeth:

Comparison of Manual and Electric Toothbrush in Dental Plaque Removal: A Clinical Trial

This one involved a substantial number of subjects for 2 months, also finding no difference, but noting convenience of electric:

Effect of electric toothbrush on residents' oral hygiene: a randomized clinical trial in nursing homes

This meta-analysis managed to find only 3 randomised controlled trials to report on, and found virtue only in "ionic brushes", which released unspecified ions from the bristles

The effectiveness of manual versus powered toothbrushes for plaque removal and gingival health: A meta-analysis

For myself, I'll stay with conscientious brushing.

Nice job of providing all that info. The overall result seems to be 'no clear conclusion', but I'm stuck on thinking about the nature of those (and many other medical related) trials. Sample group, size of group, duration of study.

I'll continue with the electric brush, and see what the dentist reckons when I next go for a check-up. There's no way I'll carry the stuff if I'm away overnight, it's far easier to just lob a normal brush in the bag.

Just noticed, with a mild giggle, that sanasyed24 beat me to it with a related blog; http://cr4.globalspec.com/blogentry/25831/Wireless-Charging-Increased-Accessibility-and-Convenience.

No idea how good wireless charging is for the planet, I would guess a trip to the shops in the car would use a couple of years worth charging.

As for how long they last, I have just replaced a Braun that I have used for over 15 years, the reason for replacing is the 'rubber' covering the switch has called it a day! The battery still holds a charge!!!

Since using them my trips to the dentist, for treatment, have been non existent. Just check ups.

Yes regs in some countries don't allow for power sockets on the bathroom, some do, just use what you where born with and live a long life.

There's alot more to worry about than if you should have an electric tooth brush or not.

Of all the wireless charging brands I looked at, all seemed to have Braun charging technology. Can they have cornered the market on this ? Possibly for toothbrushes. I noticed a few models that used Bluetooth charging.

For anyone interested, here's the Wiki on inductive charging.

Thats a good link, thanks.

I have to agree with all the people here who are FOR such induction charged toothbrushes, I love them. Also they have seriously reduced my visits to the dentist, to one in over 11 years of electric brush usage. Could not be better!

I am on my second brush after the first ones motor seized up after 4 years, I wrecked dismantled it! A spot of oil got the motor running and the battery still takes a charge and holds it......but it was too far gone after I took it apart to use further, so I bought a new one, which is still fine.

The Oral Bs are not meant to be dismantled.....ever!

I can recommend to all who use them, NOT to put them back on the charger each day, that will generally reduce the life of the battery, though I am very impressed with the working life/quality of Oral B brushe Batteries....

I now have one that flashes red when it needs a recharge, but not all Oral B do that, so I use mine till it tells me it needs a recharge, then it goes in the charger, so it dos make it easier to use where the electrical codes forbid sockets, a recharge is needed only between 7 and 10 days.....reducing unneeded recharges by a factor of 7 at least....

Make sure, before you buy, that you get one with such charge control. The cheap ones do not have that....even from Oral B....

The best "other" use that I have seen is demonstrated here rather well:-

Oral B Lockpicking!!!

Have fun Guys!!

Great link .

I have not yet tried, almost worth buying such a toothbrush to try it out!!!

And here's me looking for a spare lock to try it out on !

The "wireless" aspect, if that is your objection, is really only about one thing, safety. If you are going to use power toothbrushes, you don't want to be plugged into the wall. If you use disposable or replaceable batteries, you must contend with sealing the chamber against water intrusion, which is part and parcel to the task. But that sealing becomes dependent upon the skill of the user and is a risk of contamination both of the battery chamber and electrical parts, but also if a leaking battery chemicals getting into users' mouths. The wireless charging solves all of those issues.

The powered toothbrush issue is about effectiveness of the brushing experience in the modern madcap world. The consensus in the Dental industry on EFFECTIVE denitrification is contact time of bristle movement. For hand brushing to be most effective, the rule is 1 minute per quadrant of the mouth. 99.9% of users fail on that front, the average is one minute TOTAL. So powered toothbrushes are designed around providing the same amount of stroke contact in one minute as you would get in 4. If you read the instructions, they tell you two minutes minimum. Why? Because they KNOW we will cheat and only do one! It's just human nature.

My brother in law is in that business, that's why I know this.

Wireless is great, my gripe is the stated charging/discharge time. I suppose there's no harm in mentioning the particular product - Oral B Pro 2000.

Good points about brushing time. Oral B has a fairly neat 'judder' time function, so there's no real excuse for not getting it 'right'. A dentist asking about brushing time is much like a doctor asking somebody how much they smoke/drink. It's indeed human nature to kid ourselves that we do things in a better fashion than actually happens.

The "Judder" is also on my current Oral B, not so good for lock picking I would imagine!!!

Good post!!

I just use the ones that take 2 AA batteries.

Cheap. Eventually a battery will leak inside and be discovered when one tries to change the battery by which time it's time for another cheap battery powered toothbrush.

No hassles with chargers or worst still forgetting it in a hotel when on a trip. Just get another one. Easy commodity to find and I really like them.

Good point on selecting one.

I'm not impressed by recharge time. The blurb on the packet tells me it can do fine. No, it simply can not. I like to give my chompers a decent brush twice a day, the thing I purchased does barely pack the power.

I very much sought a type that did not take standard batteries. In my naivity I'd thought rechargable must be best. D'uh.

My opinion is still muddled, but electric works good, very good. Go to the average shop and they don't seem to sell any other then contactless charging.. It's a crap system. Water and electricity do not mix, but they can manage it for electric shavers. I suspect I am being ripped off.

The brush I purchased has a small ringlet that need to be inserted between the body of the device and the brushing head. Easily lost, but I'll let you imagine the argument when I asked Mrs K where that had gone....

I am a convert, but the companies providing do not make it easy. Another classic case of accountants making a b'stard of a reasonable idea. There is no reason to tell anybody over the age of 6 to not charge any device in a potentially wet area. UK wiring regs would make it almost impossible. My Gadget costs an extra £20 to do that ?. Somebody is freeloading..

The battery powered options are available on the rack at the check-out of any supermarket/gas station mart/convenience store etc right next to the batteries,chewing gum, prophylactic and candy stands here.

I know that, Wal, but some sort of manipulation is going on.

I've being trying (OK, very half hearted) to quit smoking. All the products (gum/patches) seem to work out as the same cost. That's a very odd coincidence. Yeah, so exactly how does shop cost of a cig amazingly work out to be the same as the same dose delivered via gum or patch ?

Sorry, I've gone right off the track, but not totally. Somehow, a seemingly simple concept will cost us average blokes quite a lot. Smoking alternatives, newfangled toothbrushes, we will end up paying.

This an eng/science forum, so I visit for those occassions when CR4 folk have the balls to stand up and say 'no'.

Wal, I also visit here for those gem times when somebody can get away with saying 'prophylactic'. The language is without fault. Those of a certain type may recall the Freek Bro Cartoon ; Fat Freddy bottles up to visit a local chemist and ask for 'a dozen of your finest prophylastics, sir" The pharmicist duly obliges.....few pics later he goes to pick up his intended date.....guess who's dad answers the door .

That's a bit smutty of me, but not half as much as how companies decieve about charging time. I went by the book, but in no way does my toothbrush charge as stated.

Just go feral. Don't brush teeth or bathe or shave, or launder.

You'll save heaps.

Cigs are USD 0.30 a pack here. Replacement therapies are 100 times that....not much incentive to stop that way. BUT....a mate of mine managed to stop smoking by changing to vaping which is still cheap and available here.

A thinking man needs something to stick in his mouth....somebody said that.

End rant.

This is a class mo when CR4 inspires...

I saw some hippy type bloke on TV who didn't wash (with soap of any form). He'd been living that lifestyle for 6-12 months, and the lady reporting was visibly keeling as she got near. He explained that after a period of time, the natural oil/grease in the hair tends to be self protecting. Indeed, she seemed fairly OK sitting beside him having a chat.

That raises a fairly good point. People existed before the local supermarket/chemist. I don't advocate that guys choice, but his chosen path was not as bad as I had expected. His general hygeine did not seem that bad.

Many people around the world use stuff like twigs and charcoal to clean their teeth. Any survivalist can show how to make soap. That sort of low-tech thing seems to work, so how does the 'civilized' world (pretty much Europe/America in usual definition) end up embroiled in a multi billion dollar industry. The science and technology seems very convincing, but I question that. We find expensive solutions, for expensive problems that we lead ourselves into. Before anybody pounces, I include myself in that 'afluent but ignorant' grouping.

0.30 a pack ? Please to god tell me that is a typo.Even if I skip a decimal, that's mind blowing.

I've never visited USA, so am in no place to opine on comparative prices on various stuff. Obviously I shall now do so.....Any commodity you can name is horrendous in the UK (if calculated as percentage of income to cost). It's mainly huge taxation, that subsidises our welfare system. I have no problem with that system, but failing to understand our different system is a problem.

Given our hapless government system, it strikes me that something is wrong. Son is at this precise moment opening a letter. One not delivered because the stamp on it was short by 20 pence. To recover the leter cost ^ 6 times that amount. No chance to pay the postal guy at the door. He could not even hand the letter over on the spot. That small example demonstrates what is wrong with many Brit industries.

Fags over here are about £8/pack of 20. Buy some nicotine gum or whatever and the price is the same. Strange coincidence. Not.

Not a typo. You can spend upto 1USD a pack here if you go crazy.

Some are less than 30 cents/pack too...a bit rough.

Crikey - I could save enough to cover the cost of a plane ticket after just a few weeks !