Sonic 5000 ProtectiveClean Toothbrush--Is it Worth the Hype?

One of the big warehouse stories had a rebate on the Sonic toothbrush two-pack lately, so we asked a couple of patients to give us their opinion about these much-touted icons of oral care. Here are the details of the Sonic 5000 ProtectiveClean:

Brushing time

One of the features of this toothbrush is the QuadPacer. The QuadPacer is a vibrational reminder that it’s time to move to another quadrant of your mouth, so the two minutes the toothbrush runs can be evenly divided between the four sections of your mouth to give all a thorough brushing. 

Rechargeable

This is a rechargeable toothbrush that comes with a tidy little charger that lasts for up to two weeks. According to the patients, the average time was ten days before the indicator light came on to recharge it. Most people leave in on the charger, so it will always have a full charge.

Built-in sensor

A built-in sensor creates a pulse in the handle of the device if a person is brushing too hard. This is crucial because it will help prevent damage to delicate gum tissues.

Two modes

The featured modes on this unit are clean mode and gum care mode. The gum care mode offers an extra minute of brushing time so the user can massage their gums.

Some models feature a ‘white’ mode that reduces surface stains on the teeth, although the Sonic 5000 does not.

Our patients thoughts:

Patient #1

I was initially worried about using this toothbrush since I haven’t been able to tolerate the vibration of a toothbrush because it tickled my mouth. It did take me a couple of days to get used to using an electric toothbrush and the vibration. But, this toothbrush does such a good job and gets my teeth so clean that it’s a game-changer. It’s been a couple of weeks, and I don’t even notice the vibration anymore. 

The other thing I noticed was that the vibration of the handle changes when I brush my teeth too hard. I wasn’t aware that I was doing it, so it’s nice to know.

Patient #2

I was initially concerned about the cost. The price of this toothbrush is almost enough to pay for professional cleaning. However, the first time I used this, I immediately noticed the difference in the surfaces of my teeth. They felt smoother than they ever had after brushing. It was a little bit shocking.

I’m looking forward to seeing what happens at my next dental appointment.

I also appreciated knowing that my brushing is timed. I tend to lose track of time reasonably quickly, so the structure of the pacing is excellent. In my case, brushing my top teeth and then the bottom ones seem to be the best routine. 

Both of these patients said they wouldn’t go back to using a regular toothbrush or even a cheap electric toothbrush after using the Sonic. Given the cost, as well as the expensive cost of the replacement brushes, this seems like a fairly positive review.

It should also be noted that the Sonic toothbrush doesn’t take the place of other oral care, including flossing, routine dental checkups, etc. It’s just an optional product that can help maintain oral hygiene between dental visits.

If you need a gentle, caring dental team, please call our office at (623) 362-2550. We’ll give you the very best dental care we can!