Haha, your mom's "jackhammer" comment cracked me up...but honestly, I think it might've just been the wrong type of electric toothbrush. Some of them do feel super intense, but there are gentler sonic ones that have adjustable vibration levels—way easier on sensitive teeth and joints. My dad was skeptical too until he found one with a low-intensity setting. Now he's hooked. Might be worth another shot if she's ever feeling adventurous...or bored enough to experiment again, lol.
Totally agree about the gentler sonic toothbrushes. My mom had a similar experience—she tried an electric one years ago and swore she'd never touch one again because it rattled her fillings loose (her words, not mine, lol). But recently, after some gentle nudging from her dentist, she gave one of those adjustable sonic brushes a shot. She started on the lowest setting and gradually worked her way up. Now she's actually enjoying it and says her teeth feel cleaner than ever.
One thing I'd add: the brush head matters too. Those softer bristle heads designed specifically for sensitive gums made a huge difference for her. Regular heads—even on low settings—were still too intense. So if your mom ever decides to give it another go, maybe suggest pairing a gentle sonic brush with an extra-soft brush head. Could be a game changer...or at least less jackhammer-y, haha.
My dad had a similar turnaround. He always joked electric brushes were "just overpriced drills," but after his dentist kept gently hinting, he finally caved and tried one of those sonic brushes with the sensitive brush heads. Now he's hooked—claims his teeth haven't felt this clean since the Reagan administration, lol. Honestly, I think it's about finding the right combo of speed and softness. If older folks start slow and gentle, it really can make a huge difference without feeling like they're drilling for oil...
I get what you're saying, but honestly, electric brushes aren't always the magic bullet they're made out to be. I've had older patients who actually struggled more with electric toothbrushes—especially those with arthritis or limited dexterity. The vibrations can be uncomfortable or even hard to control. Sometimes a good manual brush with a thicker handle can do just as well without feeling overwhelming. It's really about finding what feels manageable and comfortable, not just what's trendy or high-tech...
"Sometimes a good manual brush with a thicker handle can do just as well without feeling overwhelming."
Fair point, but I've seen the opposite too. My grandma swore she'd never go electric—said it felt like brushing with a jackhammer—but we got her one of those gentle-mode brushes with a soft grip and now she won't shut up about it. Guess it's all about finding the right model...or maybe grandma's just secretly tech-savvy now?
