Comparison Oral-B Stages Power DB-4 vs Oral-B Expert DB-4

Devices intended for use by children. Such models are created taking into account the fact that a child's teeth require a softer treatment than in the case of an adult; in addition, children's toothbrushes usually have a bright design that is attractive to children and smaller brush heads.

Types of nozzles supplied as standard with the device.

The availability of nozzle types largely depends on the device's intended purpose (as discussed in the "Type" section). Toothbrushes typically offer standard round and oval-shaped nozzles, as well as options for sensitive teeth (also available in both round and oval shapes), and combined devices that may have multiple functions. In contrast, irrigators can come with various nozzles, including conventional ones, those designed for cleaning gum pockets (periodontal), and even nozzles for nasal irrigation. Devices intended for use with braces, implants and tongue cleaning are primarily found in irrigators, although they may also be compatible with some toothbrushes.

Here is a more detailed description of each of these options:

— Oval standard. Oval-shaped toothbrush heads are designed for standard cleaning intensity and are not specifically intended for sensitive teeth. The performance of these nozzles depends on the cleaning technology they employ (as explained below). For instance, models using reciprocating sweeping patt...erns offer more intensive treatment compared to similar round heads with reciprocating technology. However, this type of cleaning is less gentle and requires precision even for individuals with healthy teeth and gums. In the case of sonic and ultrasonic brushes, there is no significant difference, and oval-shaped heads are widely used because they cover a larger surface area, allowing for quicker toothbrushing. Occasionally, you may come across oval nozzles with a reciprocating-rotating mechanism, which, in terms of shape and application, are closer to round heads.

— Round standard. Round toothbrush heads are designed for standard cleaning and are not specifically intended for sensitive teeth. They are primarily used in models featuring reciprocating cleaning technology (as explained below). In comparison to their closest alternative, oval-shaped reciprocating-sweeping heads (as described earlier), round nozzles offer a gentler cleaning action and better access to hard-to-reach areas. They may not perform as well in cleaning open spaces, but this is typically not a critical issue. However, in "sonic" brushes, round heads are quite rare. In such cases, round heads do not offer significant advantages over oval ones, and their coverage area is noticeably smaller, which can reduce their overall effectiveness.

— Oval for sensitive teeth. A variation of the oval heads described above, optimized for the cleaning of sensitive teeth and gums (including inflammation in the oral cavity). Such devices are distinguished primarily by softer bristles than in standard nozzles; in addition, other design features may be provided to ensure the most delicate and gentle impact.

— Round for sensitive teeth. Round heads specially designed for sensitive teeth and gums. For round nozzles in general, see above; and the main difference of this variety is a softer bristle, which allows you to achieve the necessary accuracy and care during processing. In addition, the design may provide other solutions that eliminate discomfort when used with sensitive teeth or inflamed gums.

— Combined. A head that combines round and elongated (like an oval) sections. Allows you to combine the advantages of both options to some extent. Note that such heads are rarely used as regular ones, in most cases they are produced as interchangeable accessories.

— Standard for an irrigator. Classic irrigator heads designed mainly for cleaning healthy teeth and gums. The working part of such a head has the form of a nozzle of small diameter, and almost all modern irrigators and flossing systems are equipped with similar devices (see "Type"). Often, several standard heads are supplied in the kit at once — this allows several users to use one device at once without worrying about hygiene.

– Orthodontic (for braces). Specialized heads for removing plaque and dirt in hard-to-reach places under braces and other orthodontic structures. For this purpose, you can use a standard head, however, such devices more effectively cope with such tasks. Most often they come with irrigators and flossing systems, but they are also found in toothbrushes.

– Periodontal (cleaning pockets). Gum pocket cleaning heads are designed for cleaning the areas where the gums make contact with the teeth, known as "gingival pockets." These devices feature thin heads made from soft materials to provide gentle and precise cleaning. They are particularly effective for individuals with inflamed gums and certain other oral conditions, but they can also be beneficial for users with entirely healthy gums.

— For implants. Heads designed for cleaning implants, crowns, bridges, and similar dental structures serve a similar purpose as braces heads, focusing on effectively cleaning hard-to-reach areas. These heads may be included with toothbrushes, although they are more commonly found in the accessory sets of irrigators.

— Tongue cleaning. Special heads designed for cleaning the tongue and inner surface of the cheeks help maintain overall oral hygiene and combat bad breath by removing foreign plaque. In irrigators, these nozzles typically feature a spatula-like shape that scrapes away plaque, which is then washed away by a stream of water. Toothbrushes designed for tongue cleaning use a head with a specialized surface that replaces traditional bristles with low-height solid protrusions, typically less than a millimeter in height. These protrusions effectively clean the tongue, primarily focusing on this area.

— Nasal cleaning. An irrigator equipped with a head for nose washing serves multiple purposes, including the treatment of conditions like a runny nose or sinusitis, as well as general nasal hygiene and prevention. The head for this purpose includes a unique "plug" that securely seals one nostril to prevent liquid from flowing back. The nose washing procedure is typically performed with the head in a sideways position. Water or saline solution is gently introduced into one nostril, which is positioned higher, and flows out through the other nostril. The head is then turned to the opposite side, and the process is repeated. It's important to note that while this procedure is generally safe, there are specific contraindications, so consulting with an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor before using an irrigator in this capacity is advisable.

Apart from the mentioned nozzles, modern toothbrushes and irrigators may come with various other types of attachments. Toothbrushes might include attachments for tartar removal, flossing heads with ultra-thin bristles that mimic dental floss, or specialized gum massage heads. Irrigators may offer specialized nozzles for intensive or gentle treatment, multi-jet nozzles and more.

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 presence of a timer in the design of the device. All types of dental hygiene appliances can be equipped with this function (see "Type").

The timer function counts down and provides alerts, often at specific intervals, to help users monitor the time spent on brushing their teeth and mouth. This ensures that the oral care routine is effective without unnecessary prolongation. The timer settings can vary depending on the selected brushing program (as discussed in the "Modes" section). Following the standard recommendations of dentists, a typical daily brushing session should last at least 2 minutes, with 30 seconds allocated for each quadrant of the teeth. Consequently, when using this mode, the timer typically counts down from 2 minutes and signals every 30 seconds to prompt the user to move the brush to another section of the mouth.

The timer function can vary in its operation, depending on the specific model of the toothbrush or irrigator. The simplest approach involves fixed time settings for each mode, accompanied by audible and/or visual signals. Models equipped with smartphone synchronization (as discussed in the "Synchronization with a smartphone" section) often display timer data on the smartphone screen and allow users to customize the countdown duration to their preferences. In some children's brushes (as mentioned earlier), a musical timer is used, where the countdown continues until a melody finishes playin...g. There are also other unique features related to this function. Regardless of the specific implementation, the timer simplifies the use of the toothbrush or irrigator, eliminating the need for users to manually track the time themselves.