Was your last visit to the dentist less than satisfactory? Are you considering investing in an electric toothbrush to try and improve your dental hygiene?
There are so many on the market that it can be a little daunting choosing the dental device that might be best for you. I remember being overwhelmed by all the options when I was looking for my first electric toothbrush.
Philips Sonicare is one of the well-known brands producing electric toothbrushes. Even then, there are a few to choose from. Let’s carry out a Philips Sonicare 2 Series review, so you can decide if this could be the one that meets your needs.
Benefits of Buying an Electric Toothbrush
You might be wondering whether you actually need an electric toothbrush. Well, unlike a manual toothbrush, these dental devices can do most of the work for you.
The bristles either rotate or vibrate to remove plaque from your teeth and gums. They have more small movements per minute than you can achieve with traditional brushing. Here are some of the benefits an electric toothbrush can offer:
Now you know the benefits an electric toothbrush can offer, let’s take a look at the Philips Sonicare 2 Series.
Introducing the Philips Sonicare 2 Series Plaque Control
 |   |
|---|---|
| Brush Heads | 1 |
| Modes | 1 |
| Technology Used | Sonic |
| Battery Life and Voltage | 2 weeks (110-220 volts) |
| Pressure Sensor |  |
| UV Sanitizer | |
| Tongue Cleaning Mode | |
| 2 Minute Brushing Timer |  |
| Mouth Quadrant Timer | |
| Brush Head Replacement Indicator | |
| Accessories | Charging Stand |
| International Usage | |
| Price |  |
- Two-minute brush timer
- Easy-start program
- Snap-on brush heads
- Battery status light
- Slim ergonomic design
- International usage
- Only one brushing speed
- No travel case included
- Doesn’t have a pressure sensor
This model, from the Philips electric toothbrush range, is the successor to the previous Sonicare Essence. Although it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of the Sonicare Diamond, it’s a good entry level electric toothbrush.
It is dentist-approved and has a two-minute timer to help you achieve the recommended brushing time. It also has a quad timer at 30-second intervals, to make sure you brush all areas of your mouth. It doesn’t have the different brushing modes the Diamond offers, but neither does it have the high price tag.
This model differs from its predecessor in that the brush heads can be snapped on and off. The Essence had screw-on brush heads, limiting the types that could be used. They also didn’t come with a waterproof seal, which could cause issues after a while.
This newer model has the Philips waterproof seal and is compatible with most of the brush heads in the Sonicare range.
It has an easy-start program for newbies to electric toothbrushes, and the capability to remove seven times more plaque than a manual toothbrush. It’s safe for use on dental work, including veneers, orthodontics, and implants.
You can find a video showing some of the features of the Sonicare 2 Series on the manufacturer’s website. Just look at the “videos” tab under the product picture.
Features & Benefits: In-Depth Look at the Philips Sonicare 2 Series Plaque Control
Specifications
- Product dimensions: 0.8 inches by 0.8 inches by 10 inches.
- Weight: 12.8 ounces.
- Brushing technology: Sonic.
- Strokes per minute: 31,000.
- Brushing modes: One.
- Number of brush heads included: One.
- Brush attachment system: Snap-on.
- Battery status indicator: Yes.
- Battery: NiMH rechargeable.
- Battery Life: Up to two weeks from one full charge.
- Voltage: 110-220V.
- Warranty: Two-year limited.
What’s In the Box
Key Features
Sonic Technology
The patented technology of Sonicare gently mixes saliva and toothpaste into a foamy liquid. This liquid is then driven between the teeth and along the gumline, to remove plaque and food debris. It also gently massages the gums.
Accompanied by up to 31,000 brush strokes per minute, it leaves teeth feeling squeaky clean and can improve your oral health. It makes it easy to reach those places other toothbrushes might struggle with.
Philips claims that this toothbrush will remove up to seven times more plaque than a manual toothbrush. Its design will easily reach back teeth and keep them clean. The upshot is you could have fewer cavities.
One Button Operation
This toothbrush has a single button, located in the handle, to turn it on and off. This makes it very easy to use. Simply press and hold the button to turn it on and again to turn it off.
Sculpted Snap-On Brush Head
The brush head that comes supplied with the Sonicare 2 Series has been designed with optimum plaque removal in mind. Called the “ProResults Plaque Control,” it’s curved to match the shape of your teeth. It has a longer tuft at the top of the brush, aimed to clean hard-to-reach areas.
It has a high bristle count so that the brush has contact with your teeth constantly. This means improved cleaning capacity. A really useful feature is that the blue bristles fade to white as they wear. This lets you know when it’s time to change out your brush head for a new one.
Sonicare recommends you change your brush head every three months.
On the subject of brush heads, the snap-on design makes them quick and easy to change. Also, if the ProResults head is not your favorite you can choose any of the other Sonicare snap-on brush heads, including:
Brushing Mode
This model has one brushing mode which is not necessarily a negative thing. It simplifies matters when it comes to using it, you simply switch on and go.
Safe for Orthodontics, Crowns, Veneers, and Implants
It’s gentle enough to use when you have dental work in your mouth. It can help clean around those tricky wires on braces and reach the gum line around crowns, veneers, and implants. Let’s be honest, these orthodontics often cost a lot of money, so we want to look after them as well as our teeth.
Ergonomic Handle
The handle is simple in its design, with the power switch conveniently located on the front. The back has small raised nodules to make sure it doesn’t slip in your hand when cleaning your teeth.
Both the handle and the brush head are easy to clean after use. This reduces the risk of mold and bacteria growing on them.
Smart Timer
No matter how good our intentions are, chances are we underestimate the amount of time we brush our teeth for. In fact, the ADA estimates that most Americans only brush their teeth for about 45 seconds. That falls way below the recommended two minutes.
The Sonicare 2 series has a built-in two-minute timer. This takes the guesswork out of the time you’re taking to brush your teeth and whether you’re doing it for as long as you should. The overall benefit being cleaner teeth and gums and improved oral health.
The brush also features a “quadpacer”. This alerts you, at 30-second intervals, to move the toothbrush to another quadrant of your mouth. This means you can be sure you clean every area and don’t miss any of your teeth or gums.
Easy Start Program
This program is a good idea for those of you new to the world of electric toothbrushes. The vibrations of the device can feel a little strange at first, and take a bit of getting used to.
The easy start program gradually increases the speed of the brush over the first 14 times it’s used. This slow increase of pressure makes the transition from manual brushing to power brushing easier for the uninitiated.
Rechargeable Battery
The toothbrush is powered by a rechargeable Ni-MH battery. When you first get the toothbrush, Philips recommends you charge it for a full 24 hours. Once charged, the battery will last for up to two weeks, brushing twice a day.
There is a color change indicator light in the handle which tells you when the battery is getting low. This means you can recharge and always have your toothbrush ready to use.
The charger is small and lightweight, ideal for travel. It also won’t take up a lot of space in your bathroom.
Philips also has a “Green logo” which means it aims to focus on reducing energy consumption and costs, and being eco-friendly.
Warranty
Philips offers a two-year warranty on its Sonicare products. The company will repair or replace items that are failing due to faulty workmanship or materials. You do need to provide proof of purchase, though.
The warranty will not cover damage due to using unauthorized replacement parts or not correctly following the instructions in the user manual.
Are There Any Negatives?
As with anything in life, not everything is perfect and there are some downsides. These include:
No Pressure Sensor
This has to be the biggest downfall of this electric toothbrush. Brushing too hard can cause enamel wear and receding gums. Some electric toothbrushes have a pressure sensor built in, which warns you if you’re pressing too hard.
That said, as long as you are careful and let the brush do the work for you, then this shouldn’t be an issue.
Can Be Ticklish
This is something that applies with all powered toothbrushes; however, the speed of 31,000 strokes per minute on this brush is high. To combat this, you can try using a softer, gentler brush head.
The easy-start program will also help you get used to this, so it might no longer become an issue.
What Do Customers Say?
After spending some time scouring the World Wide Web, it seems this Sonicare Series 2 toothbrush is a popular choice for many.
Some people that are new to electric toothbrushes have been impressed with its cleaning power and battery life. They do find it takes a bit of getting used to but are happy that they persevered.
They also like the way that the small brush head can get to hard-to-reach places. Even seasoned veterans of the electric toothbrush sing the praises of this model. Having used other brands previously, they feel that Sonicare is superior.
Consumers that have used other more expensive Sonicare brushes appreciate what this brush delivers. For a lower price, it doesn’t have the advanced features of some other other models, but it performs as well. The lightweight feel of this model is also a bonus for some.
Customers also find that the after-sales service offered by Philips is prompt and professional. This is always a factor which is appreciated when things go wrong.
What Other Options Are There?
While the Sonicare 2 Series is a good choice for many, you might want to know what other options are available. Let’s take a look at some possible alternatives.
Philips Sonicare Diamond Clean
If you want an electric toothbrush with lots of added features, then the Sonicare Diamond Clean would fit the bill. It has a higher price tag than the 2 Series but also has many extras.
Oral-B Pro 1000 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush
The Oral-B Pro 1000 is the equivalent offering from Braun to the Sonicare 2 series. The price point is similar but it does have some additional features.
Philips Sonicare Essence
You might be considering getting an electric toothbrush for the first time and don’t want to spend a lot of money on it. This model from the Philips Sonicare range is cheaper than the 2 Series. However some features remain the same:
Heads are not interchangeable: It is not compatible with other brush heads in the Sonicare range.
The Final Verdict
Overall, the Sonicare 2 Series represents a good option for many people looking for a mid-price range electric toothbrush. It provides the same cleaning power, with 31,000 brush strokes per minute, as other Sonicare brushes which are twice the price.
Its no-frills design provides hassle-free use and the easy-start program is ideal for newcomers to the world of electric toothbrushes. The timers are a good feature, making sure you clean all your teeth and gums for the recommended time. The downside is that there’s no pressure sensor in case you brush too hard.
Compatibility with many other brush heads in the Sonicare range is a bonus. You can choose the one that you prefer and simply snap it on. These brush heads are easier to clean and use, compared to screw-on styles. The battery life is good and the low battery indicator lets you know when it’s time for charging. If you’re on a budget constraint, this is a decent toothbrush to own. And if you’re not beholden to the Philips brand, you can buy an Oral-B Pro 1000 for around the same price. This Oral-B model comes equipped with a pressure sensor, which the Philips Sonicare Series 2 lacks.