I tested this U-shaped toothbrush to see if it made brushing easier. Here's what I thought
In my quest for a cleaner, brighter smile, I've tried several electric toothbrushes over the years, but until recently, I had never used a U-shaped one. So, when I came across the Autobrush Sonic Pro, I was immediately intrigued.
Instead of individually brushing each tooth as you typically would with other electric toothbrushes, Autobrush's electric U-shaped toothbrush simplifies brushing and saves you time by tackling every tooth surface — the front, back and top — at once, for a full-mouth clean. The Sonic Pro is also the world's only ADA-accepted U-shaped toothbrush, which means it meets the association's rigorous dental standards for efficacy and safety. Impressive, right?
Curious to see if it could persuade me to ditch my current electric toothbrush for good, I decided to test the Sonic Pro for two weeks, along with the brand's tongue scraper attachment and toothpaste. Here are my honest thoughts.
Autobrush Sonic Pro U-Shaped Electric Toothbrush
This ADA-accepted U-shaped toothbrush cuts your brushing time to just 30 seconds by simultaneously targeting all four quadrants in your mouth. The brush takes around four hours to fully charge and offers up to a week of brushing from a single charge. Simplifies brushing your teeth
Like most electric toothbrushes, the Sonic Pro has multiple cleaning modes: Care for daily cleaning, Deep Clean for targeting plaque buildup and Massage for gum stimulation. Each mode comes with its own set of benefits, but after experimenting with all three, I found the Deep Clean mode, which uses a combination of high and low vibration frequencies to clean between the teeth and along the gumline, met my needs the best and left my mouth feeling the freshest.
Even though the Sonic Pro promises to clean your entire mouth in just 30 seconds flat, it has two additional timer settings — 60 and 90 seconds — so you can select how much time you brush for. As someone used to brushing for the ADA-recommended two minutes with a standard electric toothbrush, having the flexibility to choose a longer brush cycle was something I liked as a first-time U-shaped toothbrush user. Because I noticed my mouth didn't feel as fresh as I would like when using the 30-second timer setting as it did using the other settings, I often found myself hitting the button again or opting for one of the longer modes.
I also appreciated the double-sided nylon brush heads that feature Autobrush's GumDefend Bristles, an extra row of silicone bristles that help stimulate the gums while you're brushing to promote blood circulation.
The brand offers a semi-custom fit for its mouthpieces
The Sonic Pro has three different brush sizes (geared toward women, men and preteens) for you to choose from, so it's easier to find one that fits comfortably. The brand also offers three different mouthpiece sizes that are compatible with its kids' toothbrush, the Sonic Pro Kids.
While the small adult version seemed to be a good fit for my mouth, digital content strategist Madison Yerke, who also tested the brush, felt it was a tad large for hers. Though she didn't try to send it back, Autobrush offers to resolve any sizing-related issues as part of its Perfect Fit Promise.
A post shared by CNN Underscored (@cnnunderscored) It has an ergonomic design
The Autobrush Sonic Pro has a compact, ergonomic design that makes it comfortable to use. It's also a breeze to attach and remove the brush accessories, which is something I've occasionally struggled with when using other electric toothbrushes. All you have to do is push the attachment on and pull it off when you're done. Plus, it makes cleaning them after each use much easier.
It's made to streamline your dental care products
In addition to the tongue scraper attachment, the brand also sells a whitening tray attachment and a single-sided brush attachment. Though I didn't have the opportunity to test the whitening attachment, I love that the device is compatible with different attachments, so you don't have to buy a bunch of separate devices for every part of your oral health routine.
It also comes with a charging cradle that doesn't take up much space and doesn't look unsightly in the bathroom either.
It boasts red and blue lights for added benefits
The brush base has built-in red and blue LED lights designed to assist with gum health and teeth whitening, respectively. There's no option to turn the lights off, so you have to select between the two settings or opt for the combined blue and red LED light when using the toothbrush.
According to a rep for the brand, the red LEDs in the Sonic Pro can be used during every brushing session. Though the brand hasn't run clinical studies on the red LED lights alone, they said there is broader research around the benefits of red LED lights and gum health. However, you can have peace of mind that the brand has done all necessary safety tests to meet ADA requirements, including skin and eye safety.
The blue LED lights, on the other hand, are designed to activate whitening ingredients in the brand's whitening kit and toothpaste for faster results. And like the red LED lights, they are safe to use every time you brush.
You need an attachment to brush your tongue
One of the big downsides for me is that you can't brush your tongue with this toothbrush, like you can with a regular electric or manual one. Even though I bought the tongue scraper attachment to use with the brush, it was easier to clean my tongue with my regular electric toothbrush and it did a better job getting rid of any coating than the tongue scraper attachment.
Cleaning the molars can be tricky
Because brushing with the Autobrush Sonic Pro is nothing like brushing with a standard electric or manual toothbrush, adjusting to the new brushing techniques takes some time.
To get an even clean, the brand recommends moving the brush side to side and in a sweeping figure-eight pattern to ensure you're hitting your molars. Disappointingly, I felt the bristles didn't always hit the very back of my mouth, even when I followed this guidance. I plan to continue testing the Sonic Pro, so I'm hoping this changes with more practice.
The brand's toothpaste isn't my favorite
Even though the Sonic Pro can be used with other toothpastes, the brand recommends using its brush with one of its eight foaming versions. I tested the toothbrush with the brand's Mint Fluoride Foaming Toothpaste, which is formulated without the surfactant Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), which some people can be sensitive to. Like the rest of the brand's foaming toothpastes, it's also free of dyes, artificial sweeteners and animal products.
I also tested the brush with a non-foaming fluoride toothpaste from another brand, which is formulated with ingredients like SLS and Blue 1 for coloring. Though the super-foamy consistency of Autobrush's toothpaste made it easier to apply to the mouthpiece and there was no remaining residue after brushing, I felt its mint flavor was too mild. I was also disappointed that it didn't leave me with the minty-fresh sensation I'm used to.
Though I wouldn't trade in my regular electric toothbrush for the Autobrush Sonic Pro, I can see it being a good option for individuals with mobility issues or individuals looking to cut down on the time they spend brushing their teeth in the morning or at night.
I also see it being useful as a travel toothbrush. Because the brush has such a compact design, I'll probably start carrying it to certain places, like the office, so I can squeeze in a full-mouth clean during the work day instead of relying on mints or gum.
Some of the following FAQs have been answered by cosmetic and restorative dentist Dr. Naomi Goldman.
How does the Autobrush Sonic Pro electric toothbrush work?
How does the Autobrush Sonic Pro electric toothbrush work?
The Autobrush Sonic Pro targets the entire mouth in 30 seconds, thanks to its double-sided nylon toothbrush head that cleans every tooth surface simultaneously.
Is the Autobrush Sonic Pro electric toothbrush better for plaque than a regular electric toothbrush?
Is the Autobrush Sonic Pro electric toothbrush better for plaque than a regular electric toothbrush?
According to Dr. Naomi Goldman, a cosmetic and restorative dentist and the owner of Levy Goldman Dentistry, U-shaped electric toothbrushes aren't as effective when it comes to cleaning, since they're unable to 'target hard-to-reach areas when people's teeth aren't straight,' she said, resulting in missed spots. Autobrush addresses the effectiveness of its U-shaped toothbrush in an FAQ on the Sonic Pro's product page, where you can read the results of its clinical studies.
What is the best way to clean the Autobrush Sonic Pro electric toothbrush?
What is the best way to clean the Autobrush Sonic Pro electric toothbrush?
The Autobrush Sonic Pro is waterproof, so you can rinse the toothbrush's base if it gets dirty. The brush head should be rinsed under warm water after each use, but if it needs a deep clean, you can soak it in denture cleaner, mouthwash or a diluted bleach solution.
Like all toothbrushes, the Sonic Pro brush head should be replaced regularly.
For this article, we consulted the following expert to gain their professional insights.
Dr. Naomi Goldman, cosmetic and restorative dentist, and owner of Levy Goldman Dentistry
CNN Underscored has a team of skilled writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when applicable to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. For this story, associate editor Rachel Dennis tested the Autobrush Sonic Pro for two weeks. She also consulted a dentist to help answer some frequently asked questions.
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