Electric Toothbrush Review : What we think of the Philips Sonicare HealthyWhite R732 sonic toothbrush (HX6732/02).

We generally feel that most Sonicare owners should strive to use their toothbrush in that setting that offers Sonicare's hallmark 31,000-brush-strokes-per-minute brushing action. This is the brushing motion on which the Sonicare brand built their reputation. They were able to do so because this mode creates a very effective tooth-cleansing action. All Sonicare models offer this type of setting. With the HealthyWhite line of brushes, this is termed the Clean mode.

With higher-end Sonicares, this setting has often been combined with other brushing modes so to concoct a yet more elaborate brushing action. In the case of the HealthyWhite line of brushes, the Clean mode has been combined with what is termed the White mode to form the Clean and White brushing setting.

When the HealthyWhite R732 is set to its Clean and White mode it will first run for two minutes in Clean mode, followed by thirty seconds of White mode. (The White mode is otherwise non-selectable.) This makes for a two and a half minute brushing cycle. The HealthyWhite R732 sonic toothbrush's instructions suggest that the user should brush their teeth in normal fashion while the toothbrush is running in the Clean mode portion of the routine. Then, during the last thirty seconds of the Clean and White mode when the toothbrush is operating in the brush's White mode, the user should concentrate on just brushing the front side of their upper and lower front teeth (for fifteen seconds each).

The advertising for the HealthyWhite series of electric toothbrushes suggests that an advantage of using a member of this line is that these sonic brushes can whiten the user's teeth. Teeth whitening claims, in terms of the use of a toothbrush, are founded on a brush's ability to remove surface stain. If the action of an electric toothbrush can scrub away tooth staining, then the person's teeth will look whiter. Philips Sonicare evidently feels that the HealthyWhite's White mode provides a superior stain-removing effect. We don't doubt this, but we would also anticipate that the use of any Sonicare at its full-power, 31,000-brush-strokes-per-minute setting for an extra thirty seconds of brushing front teeth would be able create a very similar whitening effect. (We detail our opinion about the HealthyWhite R732's Clean and White mode in greater detail here.)

Having said this, you won't be surprised to learn that we personally wouldn't be inclined to buy a HealthyWhite sonic toothbrush just because it offers the Clean and White mode. This isn't to say, however, that we don't recommend the use of the Clean and White mode. To the contrary, if a person has decided to purchase a HealthyWhite R732 based on its other design characteristics and features, we think they should use their brush in this mode. Not because of the whitening effect that Sonicare claims but because in the Clean and White mode the brush runs for two and a half minutes (as compared to just two minutes in Clean mode). We think that pretty much everyone could benefit from being encouraged to brush their teeth longer.

» The HealthyWhite's Sensitive brushing mode.

Beyond the Clean and White mode, the HealthyWhite R732 also features a Sensitive brushing option. Sensitive mode is a reduced-power brushing setting that can be an important option for those who have trouble tolerating the use of their Sonicare toothbrush when set to full power.

In some instances, the availability of a Sensitive mode setting can make a Sonicare brush usable for some where otherwise it would not be. (The trade off in using a reduced-power setting is that the brush delivers a less efficient brushing action. This is the reason why we feel, if possible, a person should strive to use their Sonicare at its full-power setting.) Some of the lower-end Sonicare models do not offer a Sensitive mode and this can elevate the HealthyWhite R732 to being a best choice for some people.

» The HealthyWhite R732 utilizes ProResults brush heads.

The HealthyWhite R732 utilizes Sonicare's latest brush head design, the ProResults. And we can see how this factor could be a significant consideration for some when choosing a Sonicare model.

Probably the biggest advantage of buying a Sonicare toothbrush that utilizes ProResults brush heads is the convenience factor that they offer. ProResults brush heads snap into place, as opposed to screwing on like the older-style Sonicare e-series brush heads. This can make switching from one toothbrush user to another much more convenient. Additionally, the snap-on design also seems to have fewer nooks and crannies in which gunk can accumulate.

ProResults brush heads are a little cheaper than e-series heads. The current recommendation from Philips Sonicare is that both types of brush heads should be replaced at three-month intervals.

Sonicare's advertising materials elaborate how the ProResults brush head creates a more efficient brushing sweep than the older styled e-series brush heads. We would suggest, however, that this advantage might be compensated for by simply brushing a little longer with an e-series using Sonicare. Just like the e-series brush heads, the ProResults brushes come in both a Standard and Mini size.

» Other considerations about the Sonicare HealthyWhite R732.

The rechargeable battery found in the HealthyWhite R732 is a lithium-ion battery. This is an improvement over the NiCad battery found in older-design Sonicares (it has superior energy-to-weight ratio, less pronounced memory effect or idle charge loss). This battery allows the HealthyWhite to be smaller and lighter than previous generations of Sonicares.

The HealthyWhite R732 comes with travel case, which is nice. ProResults brush heads come with a protective cap. Unlike lower-end Sonicare models, the HealthyWhite sonic toothbrush line features a charging apparatus that can be used as a compact multi-voltage travel charger. This can be a nice feature for the world traveler. You will, however, have to purchase a plug adapter so you can physically insert your charger into whatever type of outlet you encounter.

The HealthyWhite R732: Model-specific problems.

We have read isolated postings where Sonicare owners report that their ProResults-style brush heads have come off while they are using their brush. We are under the impression that this type of event is not a widespread problem but instead one that can take place with some individual units.

We will also say that Philips Sonicare created a toothbrush design that does not feature the possibility of battery replacement in the case that it fails. Hopefully in a future toothbrush they will be able to do so.

HealthyWhite R732 review conclusions.

Overall, if all of the features that you require are offered by a lower-end Sonicare model, then we think that that is probably the best buy. But the fact that the HealthyWhite R732 does offer Sensitive mode, has a travel charger, utilizes a lithium-ion battery and snap-in-place ProResults brush heads, where as lower-end models don't, the HealthyWhite R732 can be an attractive Sonicare choice for many.