Comparison Philips Sonicare 3100 Series HX3675 vs Soocas X3

General device type. In addition to classic toothbrushes (including those sold in the form of sets), nowadays you can find hygienic mouthwash devices — irrigators — as well as multifunctional flossing systems that combine the capabilities of a brush and an irrigator. Here are the features of each of these options:

— Toothbrush. These devices are designed for traditional toothbrushing using special bristles, essentially serving as electric versions of manual toothbrushes. While various models can differ significantly in terms of bristle movement (for more details, see "Cleaning Technology"), they share several common features. On the positive side, they are highly effective at cleaning the visible surfaces of teeth, surpassing irrigators in this regard. Some models are even capable of removing dense plaque and tartar with ease. Additionally, brushes are incredibly user-friendly and familiar to most people. However, they have limitations when it comes to cleaning the interdental spaces, even with specialized nozzles. To achieve the highest quality teeth cleaning, it's often necessary to use these devices in combination with an irrigator and/or dental floss. It's also worth noting that brushes with overly hard bristles or intense brushing can potentially damage the gums, particularly if they are already sensitive or inflamed. While the likelihood of such issues is re...latively low, it is higher compared to using irrigators.

— Set of toothbrushes 2 pcs. A set typically consists of two electric toothbrushes, which are often identical in terms of their characteristics (though exceptions exist). For detailed information about the toothbrushes themselves, please refer to the previous sections. Such a set can be particularly convenient for couples or households, and some options even offer brushes in "male" and "female" colors, like black and pink. Purchasing this set is not only more convenient than buying the brushes separately, but it is often more cost-effective as well, especially since there is usually only one charger included for the pair of brushes.
As for sets with unequal toothbrushes, they may include, for example, models with different types of nozzles, or an adult and a children's toothbrush.

— Irrigator. Irrigators are devices that clean the teeth and oral cavity by directing a high-pressure jet of water. This procedure effectively removes debris, food particles, and massages the gums, promoting gum health and preventing various oral issues. Irrigators can access areas where regular toothbrushes may struggle, making them suitable for cleaning braces and providing intense yet safe gum massages compared to bristle-based brushing. However, irrigators may not clean the visible surfaces of teeth as effectively as toothbrushes. Therefore, it's recommended to use an irrigator after regular brushing. Brushing can tackle more persistent dirt, while the water jet can address hard-to-reach spots that bristles might miss. Nevertheless, the spaces between teeth still require dental floss for thorough cleaning.
Separately, we note that irrigators can be both portable and stationary. The second type is more bulky and not suitable for travel, but stationary devices are equipped with capacious water tanks, have an almost unlimited operating time (thanks to mains power) and, usually, are more powerful than portable solutions.

— Flossing system. lossing systems are versatile devices that combine the functions of both toothbrushes and irrigators, as discussed in previous sections. This combination is particularly convenient because toothbrushes and irrigators have slightly different purposes, and having both can be beneficial. However, flossing systems come in various designs. Some models feature a universal handle that can switch between brushing and irrigating, depending on the nozzle used. Another common configuration is a rechargeable toothbrush paired with a stationary irrigator that also serves as a stand and charger. Alternatively, some sets include two separate devices, each with its own independent power source. Specific details about the flossing system's design should be checked separately.
In general, flossing systems are quite expensive, but most often they are still cheaper than separately purchased toothbrush and irrigator with similar characteristics.

The number of working nozzles that are standardly supplied with the device. Nowadays, options are quite common with both one and two or three nozzles in the kit; and in the most extensive sets, this number can be four or five or even more.

In many sets, several nozzles may have different purposes. For instance, an irrigator, in addition to its standard nozzle, might include orthodontic and periodontal nozzles. However, it's important to note that models with the same number of accessories in the kit can have different specific specializations. So, when making a choice, it's wise to consider not just the quantity but also the types of nozzles available. Additionally, there's an option where several identical interchangeable heads come with one handle. This configuration is particularly common in toothbrushes. It enables multiple individuals, such as family members, to use a single device, and such a set is usually more cost-effective than purchasing individual toothbrushes for each person.

Models of replacement heads supplied with the device.

This information is valuable for assessing the capabilities of a specific model and for sourcing additional, spare, or replacement nozzles, particularly for toothbrushes and dental centers that naturally use such devices (as indicated in "Type"). Firstly, it's advisable to replace the heads in these devices every 3-6 months, similar to regular toothbrushes. Secondly, if each user purchases their own nozzle while sharing a single handle, it's a cost-effective alternative to buying a separate brush for each individual, although it may be less convenient. Regardless, knowing the model of the interchangeable nozzle will save you time and effort when searching for compatible accessories.

The number of brush modes provided by the device. The presence of several modes allows using the device for different procedures (for example, daily cleaning, delicate cleaning, whitening, etc.). Each such program has its own features of the working nozzle, as well as its own timer settings. The downside of such multifunctionality is the increased cost. In any case, this feature significantly expands the capabilities of the device; however, the specific set of modes may be different - it would not hurt to clarify it separately.

In this case, the mode means the general format of operation. For more information on the different formats, see "Modes" below. Note that this parameter should not be confused with the number of power settings. The latter is specified separately - see "Power modes", and in general, these characteristics are practically independent of each other. For example, a brush with one mode of operation can have several power settings. And vice versa, there may be only one power level, but several formats of operation.

Operating modes supported by the device.

Toothbrushes have the greatest variety of modes these days. In addition to the traditional (so-called "2D") daily cleaning, they can feature a 3D mode, delicate and deep cleaning programs, polishing, whitening, gum massage, and tongue cleaning. Irrigators, in turn, in addition to the standard format of operation with a continuous stream of water, most often provide a pulsation and/or spray mode.

Here is a detailed description of the most popular options found in brushes:

— Daily cleaning (2D). The operating mode is closest to traditional (manual) toothbrushes. In this mode, the bristles of the brush move in one plane; the trajectory of movement may vary, depending on the cleaning technology (see below). The intensity of action in this case is usually medium/high, so this operating format is intended mainly for relatively healthy and not too sensitive teeth. The recommended daily cleaning time is 2 minutes, 30 seconds for each quadrant of the oral cavity; the corresponding settings are usually provided in the timer (if available - see below). In general, 2D cleaning is somewhat less effective than 3D (see below), but this option can b...e provided even in the most inexpensive toothbrushes.

— Daily cleaning (3D). A function found in brushes with reciprocating-rotating and reciprocating-sweeping technology. In such models, in addition to the main cleaning technology, the bristles pulsate up and down (more precisely, into the head and back). Thanks to this, cleaning is carried out in three planes at once, which significantly improves efficiency compared to the 2D cleaning described above: the bristles not only treat the outer surface of the teeth, but also to a certain extent capture the sides and interdental space (although such cleaning is not a full-fledged replacement for the use of dental floss). The disadvantage of this function is traditional - relatively high cost.

— Gentle cleaning. A gentle cleaning program used mainly for sensitive teeth and gums prone to bleeding. In toothbrushes with reciprocating-rotating and reciprocating-sweeping cleaning technology (see below), the gentle mode most often provides for a reduced rotation/oscillation speed of the nozzle; in sonic and ultrasonic models, gentle cleaning can be ensured by reducing the amplitude of oscillations. In any case, this mode maximally eliminates discomfort during brushing and the likelihood of gum damage - even when using standard nozzles; and for the most gentle effect, it is best to use this function with a nozzle for sensitive teeth.

— Deep cleaning. Most often, this name refers to cleaning with standard intensity, but with an increased duration — for example, 3 minutes instead of the usual 2 minutes (45 seconds for each quadrant of the mouth instead of the traditional 30 seconds). This mode allows you to clean your teeth as effectively as possible and remove dirt for which regular daily cleaning is not enough.

— Polishing. A mode for treating relatively clean teeth that do not require full-scale cleaning. As a rule, polishing is performed at a reduced frequency of oscillations (rotations) and takes significantly less time than conventional treatment (for example, 1 minute instead of the traditional 2 minutes).

— Whitening. A special mode for whitening tooth enamel and removing various stains, primarily from the front teeth. It can be an extended version of the regular cleaning mode: for example, when turned on for whitening, the brush works in the regular format for 2 minutes, and then for 30 seconds in the high-intensity mode. These nuances should be clarified separately; it also does not hurt to clarify the contraindications for using this mode (especially with sensitive teeth and/or gum problems).

— Gum massage. Gum treatment can be provided as a completely separate program, or as an addition to the usual cleaning mode. This function provides not only effective cleaning, but also strengthening of the gums — it can be useful for treating inflammation and bleeding, although in such cases you should first consult a doctor.

When using irrigators, the gum massage effect is achieved by delivering a pulsating jet of variable intensity or by spraying a water-air mixture (a cloud of small droplets). For more information on these modes, see below.

— Tongue cleaning. A separate mode for cleaning the tongue. Many people find that cleaning their tongue with an electric toothbrush causes a tickling sensation that is difficult to tolerate for a long time. In light of this, this mode usually provides for a short duration of continuous treatment — about 20 seconds; if necessary, such “sessions” can be carried out several times. It is also worth mentioning that the presence of a tongue cleaning mode in itself does not mean that the kit includes a special attachment for such cleaning (see “Attachments”), although most often such a device is included in the kit.

It should be noted that in some toothbrushes, the mode change is carried out using “smart” attachments: when such an attachment is installed, the device recognizes it by the built-in chip and automatically switches to the appropriate program.

In turn, in irrigators the features of the main modes are as follows:

— Pulse. The pulse mode of the irrigator means the supply of cleaning fluid in the form of a pulsating stream. Such a flow effectively removes plaque and food debris, helps to thoroughly clean the space between the teeth, under the braces and periodontal canals (especially in hard-to-reach places).

— Jet (single-stream). Classic, most popular format of work: permanent jet with permanent pressure. Provides sufficient efficiency for most tasks for which irrigators are used, while being extremely easy to implement and can be provided even in the most inexpensive models.

— Pulsating. Water supply with variable pressure. This mode is especially effective for removing dirt from the interdental space, under braces and in other hard-to-reach places.

— Spray (atomizer). In this mode, a mixture of water and air is supplied through the nozzle, due to which, instead of a regular stream, a cloud of small drops flying at high speed is obtained at the outlet. This mode is great for gum massage and general cleaning of the oral cavity.

The frequency of sound vibrations provided by a toothbrush with a sonic operating principle. This parameter also means the maximum pulsation frequency for toothbrushes with support for pulsating cleaning technology (see above) and for irrigators with a pulsed operating mode. For dental centers (see "Type"), data on the irrigator is usually specified here, and the pulsation frequency of the toothbrush (if this parameter is relevant for it) is indicated in a separate note

High frequency of movements and pulsations(from 40 thousand/min and higher) has a positive effect on the efficiency and quality of treatment, allowing you to quickly deal with dense plaque and even tartar. On the other hand, too intensive treatment can also be undesirable - for example, with high tooth sensitivity. All this is also relevant for irrigators - except that the operating frequencies in them are noticeably lower, such devices very rarely produce more than 2 thousand pulsations per minute. So when choosing, do not chase the maximum indicators of the frequency of movements and pulsations, but first of all it is important to take into account the individual characteristics of the user - for a full guarantee, it would not hurt to consult a dentist about this.

The presence of an automatic frequency control in a toothbrush (sold separately or included in the delivery of the dental centre — see "Type").

This feature is exclusively present in sonic and ultrasonic toothbrush models, as mentioned in the "Cleaning Technology" section. The fundamental idea behind it is that the toothbrush automatically adjusts its oscillation frequency based on the selected mode. However, the specific implementation can vary. Some models operate only at predetermined frequency settings, while others offer manual adjustment of this parameter. There are also different control methods, such as the use of "smart" nozzles that trigger the corresponding mode automatically when attached. Regardless of the approach, automatic frequency control simplifies the user's experience by eliminating the need for unnecessary adjustments.

The presence of a pressure sensor in the device — a sensor that monitors the force with which the working nozzle is pressed against the teeth/gums.

This feature is primarily found in toothbrushes, including those that are part of flossing system units (as discussed in the "Type" section), but it can also be included in irrigators. Its primary function is to prevent potential harm to the teeth and gums caused by excessive pressure during brushing. The sensor's response can vary from one device to another; some devices emit a warning signal, while others reduce the bristle movement speed, and some may even shut off entirely in response to excessive pressure.

Having a pressure sensor in such devices can be beneficial not only for individuals with healthy teeth but also for those with heightened sensitivity or gum issues. It's a highly desirable feature for maintaining oral health. However, it's important to note that in many models, the pressure sensor is not integrated into the main body of the device but is instead part of the replaceable nozzle. Additionally, not all complete nozzle options may have this function, so it's essential to verify these details separately when choosing a device.

The presence of a nozzle wear indicator in the design of the device.

This function is primarily relevant for toothbrushes, including complete dental center brushes (as mentioned in the "Type" section). It pertains to the brush nozzles with bristles, which are prone to wear and require regular replacement to maintain their effectiveness. Neglecting to replace worn-out nozzles can even pose risks to dental health. The implementation of this indicator can vary. In some models, it's integrated directly into the nozzle, often taking the form of bristles with a special color. When these bristles lose their color, it serves as a signal that it's time to replace the nozzle. Other devices, especially those synchronized with a smartphone (as discussed below), may offer more advanced indicators. These can include a timer that monitors the depletion of the nozzle's resource or a sensor that detects critical wear by analyzing changes in the nozzle's vibration pattern. In any case, this feature makes it easy to monitor the condition of the working part and reduces the risk of missing the moment when it should be replaced.