Timers seem to naturally encourage better brushing habits without feeling like a nagging reminder. My son used to scrub like he was sanding wood—once we switched to a timed brush, he eased up not...
Timers definitely help, but honestly, pressure sensors worked better for us. My daughter would zone out during the timer and still press way too hard—like she was trying to scrub off paint or something. The pressure sensor actually made her pause and realize what she was doing. I guess it depends on the kid...some respond better to visual cues, others to timing. Either way, glad you found something that clicked!
"My daughter would zone out during the timer and still press way too hard—like she was trying to scrub off paint or something."
Haha, I can relate to zoning out during brushing. I've caught myself spacing out plenty of times, timer or not. I haven't tried a brush with a pressure sensor yet though...does it just buzz or light up or something when you press too hard? Curious if it's actually noticeable enough to snap someone out of autopilot brushing mode.
Mine lights up red, but honestly, when I'm half-asleep brushing at night, even a disco ball wouldn't snap me out of it... Pressure sensors might be overrated if you're a chronic zoning-out brusher like me.
I get what you're saying about the pressure sensors. I bought one of those electric brushes with all the bells and whistles a while back, thinking it'd revolutionize my brushing routine. Honestly, after a week or two, I stopped noticing the lights and vibrations altogether. Half the time I'm brushing, I'm mentally planning tomorrow's errands or replaying some awkward conversation from earlier in the day... definitely not paying attention to whether I'm pressing too hard.
For me, the real benefit of electric brushes isn't the fancy sensors or timers—it's just that they seem to clean better with less effort. My dentist noticed a difference at my last checkup, and I wasn't even trying that hard. Plus, replacement heads are cheaper than dealing with cavities down the line, so that's a win in my book.
If you're zoning out anyway, maybe skip the premium models and just grab something basic but reliable? I've seen some pretty affordable ones online that do the job without turning your bathroom into a nightclub.
I totally get your point about zoning out, but honestly, those pressure sensors saved my gums. I used to brush way too hard without realizing it—my dentist kept pointing out gum recession and sensitivity. Once I switched to an electric brush with a sensor, it forced me to ease up. Sure, the lights and buzzes fade into the background eventually, but that initial training really stuck with me. Might be worth giving the bells and whistles another shot before going basic...just my two cents.
