Sonicare Toothbrush feature evaluation :
The Sonicare Easy-start and Sensitive brushing mode features.

Sonicare's Sensitive mode.

Many, but not all, Sonicare toothbrush models offer a reduced-power "Sensitive" brushing mode. And depending upon the brush owner's specific circumstances, the availability of this mode may either be of the utmost importance, or (probably more likely) no importance at all.

The reason that Philips Sonicare offers a reduced-power brushing option with some of their models is because the standard full-power brushing action a sonic toothbrush can be, for some people, too vigorous or intense. The user may find that this brushing motion "tickles" too much, is uncomfortable on their teeth or gums, or is simply too foreign or overwhelming (such as with medically debilitated people or the elderly).

When a Sonicare toothbrush's reduced-power setting is selected it operates with less intensity and this may make its use more acceptable to those people who experience the above-mentioned problems. The tradeoff is that the cleaning action that is created is less efficient. (This is why we feel that it is preferable for a user to use their Sonicare at its full-power setting, if possible.)

With the availability of this option the question arises, do you need to buy a Sonicare model that has a Sensitive or reduced-power option? For those people who are buying a second or replacement sonic toothbrush this question may well be moot. They will already know whether or not they need a brush with this lower-power setting.

For those buying their first Sonicare however, this decision can be more problematic. They may not know if they (or the other people who will use the brush) will require this feature or not. We will mention that historically (and we assume currently, although you will need to check the current associated conditions of this offer) Philips Sonicare has had a money-back guarantee policy. So if you do find that you have erred in your decision, a remedy may exist. Of those Sonicare products that we discuss on our pages, the Sonicare Essence 5300, Essence 5500 and Xtreme e3000 do not feature a reduced-power setting ("Sensitive" mode).

The Sonicare Easy-start feature.

As previously mentioned, some people will find the full-power setting of their sonic toothbrush too uncomfortable or too foreign to be tolerated. A solution to this problem can be the use of Sonicare's Easy-start feature.

When the Easy-start option is selected a brushing routine is instituted where the brush will automatically, incrementally raise the power (intensity) of its brushing action over the user's next twelve to fourteen (depending on the model) brushing events. This slow ramp-up to full power can serve two functions. For some, an introductory period during which they can get used to the "Sonicare experience" is all that is needed. If so, the slow power ramp-up of the Easy-start feature may help with their transition from manual to powered toothbrush.

In other cases, the person's difficulty in using their new sonic toothbrush may be due to the current ill health of their gum tissue. If so, the Easy-start function can provide a transition period during which the user's sensitive inflamed gums get a chance to heal (due to their improved brushing due to the use of their Sonicare) in tandem with the gradual speed up of their Sonicare to full power.

The Easy-start option is a standard feature on all of the Sonicare models we discuss on our pages with the exception of the Xtreme e3000. We will point out that the use of the Easy-start option dictates that the toothbrush needs to be a "one-user" brush for the next twelve to fourteen brushing events (depending on the specific Sonicare model) that the toothbrush performs. If the toothbrush will be shared, the utilization of the Easy-start option may impact the brush's initial use.