"The vibrations didn't bother him, but I wonder if that's common for most folks?"
From what I've noticed with my daughter—she has juvenile arthritis—the thicker handles on electric toothbrushes are definitely a plus. She initially found the vibrations a bit uncomfortable, though. We switched to a model with adjustable intensity settings, and starting on the lowest setting really helped her get used to it gradually. So, reactions probably vary quite a bit depending on sensitivity levels and the specific toothbrush model...
I've noticed the same thing about thicker handles—definitely easier on my hands, especially in the mornings when my arthritis acts up. The vibrations took some getting used to for me too, but honestly, after a week or so, I barely noticed them anymore. Adjustable intensity sounds like a smart idea though...wish I'd thought of that earlier. Might have saved me a few days of discomfort, haha.
Totally agree about the thicker handles being a lifesaver—especially first thing in the morning when my hands feel like rusty hinges. I switched to electric about six months ago, and honestly, the first week was a bit of a rollercoaster. At first, I thought I'd made a huge mistake because the vibrations felt like holding onto a tiny jackhammer...not exactly relaxing at 7 am. But just like you said, after a week or so, it was like my brain decided to tune it out completely.
The adjustable intensity thing is spot-on though. I didn't even realize that was an option until my daughter pointed it out (after I'd been complaining for days, naturally). Now I keep mine on the lowest setting most mornings and crank it up a bit at night when my joints have loosened up. Makes a big difference.
One thing I'll add is that switching brush heads helped me too. The first one I got had these stiff bristles that felt like they were designed for scrubbing grout rather than teeth. Switched to a softer head and suddenly brushing became way less of an ordeal. My dentist actually recommended softer bristles anyway—apparently, they're gentler on gums as we get older.
Also, random tip: if anyone else finds the handle still slippery or tricky to grip, wrapping a couple of rubber bands around it can help. Sounds silly, but hey, whatever works, right?
I was actually wondering about softer brush heads for my son—he's only 9 but has sensitive gums. Didn't realize dentists recommend them for adults too. Might give electric another shot, cautiously this time... rubber band trick sounds handy, thanks for mentioning it.
My dentist actually recommended softer brush heads for me too, and I'm in my 40s with sensitive gums—so it's definitely not just a kid thing. Honestly, electric brushes made me nervous at first (visions of runaway toothbrushes dancing in my head...), but once I got used to them, my gums felt way healthier and less irritated. Just start slow and gentle, especially with your son. And yeah, the rubber band trick is genius—I wish I'd thought of it sooner.
