My ortho actually recommended trying out a Philips Sonicare because they're a bit quieter than the Oral-B ones. I switched from a manual brush to Sonicare a while back, and though it still buzzes, it's more of a gentle hum than that chainsaw racket you're talking about. My mom borrowed mine once when she visited and surprisingly didn't complain (rare for her, lol). Maybe worth checking out if your dad's sensitive to noise...?
Good call on the Sonicare—I've noticed the same thing with my patients. Oral-B brushes do tend to be louder and can feel a bit intense for older folks, especially if they're sensitive to noise or vibrations. Sonicare's gentler hum seems to be easier on their ears (and nerves, lol). Had one patient whose husband refused electric brushes altogether because of the noise, but after trying a Sonicare, he actually stuck with it. He joked it was quieter than his electric razor, so that's something! Anyway, definitely worth a shot if noise is an issue...
"Had one patient whose husband refused electric brushes altogether because of the noise, but after trying a Sonicare, he actually stuck with it."
Funny you mention that—I had a similar experience with my mom. She was super skeptical about electric brushes, mostly because of the noise and vibration. I picked up a Sonicare on sale (budget win!) and convinced her to give it a shot. Now she swears by it, says it's gentle enough that it doesn't feel overwhelming. Definitely seems like a good compromise for older folks sensitive to noise or intense sensations...
I've noticed the same thing with a lot of my older patients. Some electric brushes can be intimidating, especially if they're really loud or vibrate too aggressively. Sonicare seems to hit that sweet spot—effective but gentle enough to not cause anxiety or discomfort. I tend to get worried about recommending electrics because I've had a few patients who tried one and were instantly turned off by the intensity or noise. But lately I've been cautiously suggesting Sonicare more often, especially for patients who are sensitive or hesitant about switching from manual brushing. So far, fingers crossed, no major complaints...and even some positive feedback from people who swore they'd never switch. Glad your mom had a good experience! It's reassuring to hear others have similar outcomes.
My dad was exactly the same—super hesitant about electric brushes because of the noise and vibration. We tried Sonicare after a friend's recommendation, and surprisingly, he's stuck with it. Seems like you're onto something with the gentler approach...
