For years, I used a standard, white electric Oral-B toothbrush I bought at CVS. It cost $30. It was fine. Then one weekend earlier this year, while a friend was staying with me, I noticed his toothbrush. It looked like a Tesla compared to my Chevrolet. “How much was it?” I asked. When he responded, “$200,” I laughed because I thought he was kidding — that’s a ridiculous price to pay for a toothbrush. Then he made an impassioned argument: We use our toothbrushes every single day, twice a day. How many possessions can you say that about? (Not even clothing or kitchen appliances, which certainly can cost more than 200 bucks.) Why wouldn’t I invest in a toothbrush?
Six months later, I can emphatically say that the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean toothbrush is one of the best purchases I have ever made. For starters, its aesthetics set a new bar: The smooth, minimalist shape and matte-black shade are sleek and modern, like it was designed in Cupertino. Once turned on, buttons appear for various settings that were previously invisible, lighting a glow from the inside.
The brushing itself feels like a mouth massage, gentle while still providing adequate pressure. The lazy among us will appreciate that the Sonicare vibrates every 30 seconds, guiding you through the dentist-recommended two-minute brushing through the four quadrants of the mouth. When I’m done, my mouth feels like I’ve just come back from a cleaning, probably because the toothbrush vibrates at 31,000 brush strokes a minute. After the first time I used it, I ran my tongue across my teeth and felt each curve and ridge in an entirely new way, as if I’d just had my braces removed. My husband has commented that my teeth are noticeably whiter (I agree).
Did I mention the charger? It’s actually a water glass (!) that plugs into the wall and charges the brush while it just sits there — no docks or cords necessary. I never knew a toothbrush could bring me this much joy every day. The only thing I would change is the name, which makes it sound more technical than just plain cool.
This wonderful toothbrush is battery-operated and spins, but it’s not that expensive. It’s a must-have. I buy a new one once a month. That’s what you’re supposed to do. I know they sell the replacement brush heads, but you’re not supposed to keep these toothbrushes forever. I’ve used other battery-operated toothbrushes — Brauns and things — but I like Arm & Hammer because I trust the brand. I use the baking soda in the refrigerator to trap odors. I use the laundry detergent when I can find it. — André Leon Talley, contributing editor, Vogue
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