Comparison Oral-B Pro 3 3000 Sensi UltraThin vs Oral-B Pro 2 2000S Sensi UltraThin

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 working movements of a toothbrush with a reciprocating-rotating or reciprocating-brushing brushing technology (see above). In modern models, this figure can be from 4 – 5 to 40K movements per minute.

The higher the speed of the toorhbrush, the faster and more efficiently it handles with its task. On the other hand, high speed and intensity of processing is not always desirable — for example, with sensitive teeth or weak gums, such a brush can create problems. Therefore, you need to choose a device according to the frequency of rotation, taking into account the characteristics of your teeth; Ideally, you should consult with your dentist first. However, modern toothbrushes may have several modes, including gentle (see "Functions").

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 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.

This refers to the maximum duration a device can run continuously when powered by a fully charged battery or fresh batteries. It's worth noting that this metric may also apply to models designed for mains power, such as flossing systems that include rechargeable toothbrushes, in which case we're referring to the battery life of these toothbrushes.

It's important to note that device specifications typically indicate the maximum runtime under ideal conditions, often in the most energy-efficient mode of operation (and for models with replaceable batteries, using high-quality batteries). The actual battery life can vary depending on specific usage conditions. However, this parameter still serves as a valuable basis for comparing different models. Generally, differences in the claimed operating time correspond proportionally to the real differences in battery life. For example, if one toothbrush has a stated operating time of 20 minutes and another boasts 40 minutes, in practice, their battery life (under similar conditions) will likely differ by approximately two times.

It's important to consider that, for toothbrushes, this parameter can help estimate the number of brushing sessions you can expect on a single charge. Typically, the recommended daily brushing duration is 2 minutes. So, if a toothbrush has an operating time of 30 minutes, it's sufficient for approximately 15 cleaning sessions (or more realistically, around 14 or 13).

The time required to charge the battery from zero to 100% in a device with the appropriate power type (see above). This parameter can vary from 1 – 3 hours in relatively simple and low-power devices to a day in advanced models with capacious batteries. At the same time, the longer the maximum operating time on a charge (see above), the longer, usually, the time required for charging, although there is no hard dependence here.

In general, having fast charging capabilities improves the convenience of a device by reducing interruptions in its operation. However, there is a trade-off to consider: fast charging often means either a smaller battery capacity or a higher price due to the use of specialized technologies to speed up the charging process. When evaluating this parameter, it's essential to think about how you intend to use the device. For instance, if a toothbrush or irrigator is solely used at home by one person and comes with a charging stand, fast charging may not be a critical factor. The device remains consistently charged as it's constantly on the charger, and its battery doesn't deplete significantly during one use. The time between sessions, usually around 8 to 12 hours, is more than enough to maintain a charged battery, even for devices with slower charging. However, if you plan to use the device while traveling, where access to power outlets is sporadic, it's preferable to have minima...l charging time to ensure you can recharge quickly during your trips.

The cable length for connecting the device to the power source is an important consideration. It's worth noting that this specification may also apply to battery-powered models (as mentioned in the "Type of power" section), where it refers to the cable for connecting the charger stand or the device itself to a power outlet.

Typically, shorter cable lengths (up to 1 m) are common for battery-powered models that don't require a direct connection to the power source for operation. Some of these models don't even include charging stands and are intended to be charged outside the bathroom. In contrast, longer cables are primarily found in devices powered by mains electricity designed for stationary use. In these devices, the power cord can be nearly 2 meters in length. This design allows for the cord to be extended outside the bathroom if needed because not all bathrooms have electrical sockets, and using extension cords in such humid environments is generally discouraged.

General dimensions of the device. Most manufacturers report this data only for stationary devices — irrigators of the appropriate variety and dental centers (see "Type") — because it is believed that toothbrushes (even with stands) are not so large as to be inconvenient, and not so varied in size, to pay attention to this difference.

Note that the dimensions are usually given only for the main unit, without taking into account the tools installed on it; however, the size of these instruments, again, it is not large enough to cause serious inconvenience.