Philips Sonicare FlexCare Electric Toothbrush
The Philips Sonicare Flexcare line has top of the line models with several features designed to enhance the convenience and effectiveness with which you can maintain oral hygiene. The range of electric toothbrushes in the Philips Sonicare FlexCare family includes FlexCare, FlexCare+ and FlexCare Platinum Connected models. They all share some features in common, and are unique in other ways.
If you’re in a hurry, just check up the answers to these 3 critical questions to help you decide whether or not to buy a Philips Sonicare FlexCare electric toothbrush
And for more detail, read the entire detailed Philips Sonicare FlexCare review below.
1. Is there any serious drawback to the Philips Sonicare FlexCare electric toothbrush?
No, there isn’t a fatal flaw that would turn you away from getting this model. All of the brushes under the FlexCare umbrella clean well, have good battery life and offer a range of cleaning modes.
2. Are there other alternatives to consider?
The Sonicare range has been expanded to include the Sonicare ProtectiveClean 5100 which is comparable to the Philips Sonicare FlexCare electric toothbrush, and the Philips Sonicare Essence line.
Both are rather similar in features, but the ProtectiveClean is a newer model – and comes with a pressure sensor to help you avoid too much pressure on teeth and gums. There is also a system that alerts you when it’s time to replace the brush head.
3. Where to buy a Philips Sonicare FlexCare electric toothbrush?
You can choose to buy your toothbrush
It’s likely that you’ll save some money by shopping online because there are often special discounts and deals offered from time to time. Look for coupons that help you get these deals.
Pros:
- Offers a range of cleaning modes
- Includes in-built timer with QuadPacer
- Long battery life
- Comes with travel case
Cons:
- Design isn’t very appealing
- No pressure sensor
Before going into detail about the specific advantages of the Philips Sonicare FlexCare
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What’s In The Package?
- Philips Sonicare FlexCare electric toothbrush
- 1 each of AdaptiveClean and DiamondClean brush heads
- Charging station
- Travel case
- User manual
Key Features
- Sonic cleaning action by 31,000 vibrations per minute
- Choice of 4 cleaning modes – Clean, White, Gum Health and Sensitive
- Rechargeable battery
- Inbuilt timer with Quadpacer
- Automatic power off
- Travel case included
Philips Sonicare Flexcare Brushing Mode
Like all other models, the Philips Sonicare FlexCare
Philips Sonicare Flexcare Battery
The standard battery in most Sonicare toothbrush models is a lithium ion rechargeable cell which lasts long and is easily recharged using the unit provided along with your device.
Because the battery is slim, the Philips Sonicare Flexcare toothbrush looks sleek in design and is light weight, making it convenient to use.
Extra Features of Philips Sonicare Flexcare
A Smarttimer function gives you a signal at the end of a two-minute period, which is the recommended duration for effective brushing daily. In addition, a QuadPacer alarm notifies you every 30 seconds so that you can shift from one quadrant to the next.
The benefit is that you’ll devote enough time to clean your teeth and gums effectively. This is of special importance for children who are easily distracted and may not clean their teeth for long enough.
Philips Sonicare Flexcare Easy Start
For first-time users of electric toothbrushes, a convenient feature of the Philips Sonicare FlexCare
After a week, you can shift to a more powerful mode and eventually to the power-brushing mode that best fits your needs.
Philips Sonicare Flexcare Brush Heads
Another interesting feature that sets apart the Sonicare toothbrush line from other brands is the snap-on design for replacing brush heads. While each model comes with some brush heads, you can easily add on any of the other replacement brush heads in the Sonicare catalog by the convenient method of snapping one off and the next on.
This means you can use smaller heads for younger users and specially designed brush heads for special situations such as sensitive teeth or gum diseases.
The Positive Aspects of Philips Sonicare FlexCare electric toothbrush
1. Choice of 4 different cleaning modes that makes this toothbrush suitable for a wide range of users, including those with special needs
2. Battery life is reasonable, with a full recharge lasting upto 3 weeks of regular use
3. Inbuilt timer helps ensure that you spend adequate time cleaning your teeth, and dividing this up equally between the 4 quadrants
4. The travel case included in the package is solid and sturdy, allowing space to store 2 brush heads and protecting the device against damage
5. Additional features like the Easy Start and automatic power off functions significantly enhance the value to a user
Drawbacks of the Philips Sonicare FlexCare
1. Design is not very sleek or modern as compared to more advanced and recent models; also it comes in only Black or White colors
2. The lack of a pressure sensor to detect excessive force applied while brushing is a deficiency in a high end toothbrush
3. No bluetooth connectivity, which might be perceived as a flaw by some users who like to track and chart their brushing activity
Detailed Philips Sonicare Flexcare Review
Models: HX9172/15, HX9112/13, HX9112/12, HX9110/02
Though it has recently been topped by the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean
Study after study has confirmed beyond any doubt that regularly using your Philips Sonicare Flexcare electric toothbrush will remove more dental plaque than any manual toothbrush. What’s more, the effect of a pressure wave generated by the vibrating head of the Philips Sonicare FlexCare
Non-contact Brushing
The way this effect occurs is by fluid being forced between your teeth and along your gum line. This relentlessly weakens the plaque adhering to your teeth and removes it gradually, simultaneously preventing the build up of any fresh plaque by reducing bacteria count in the oral cavity.
Removes Stains on Teeth
With regular use of a Philips Sonicare Flexcare Platinum toothbrush, you can also get rid of persistent stains, leaving your teeth whiter in just 4 weeks. Stains that are the result of coffee, tobacco or wine are all effectively removed.
UV Sanitizer Included
The ultraviolet sanitizer that’s integrated into the charging unit is often praised in Philips Sonicare FlexCare
Timers Help Thorough Cleansing
It is amazing how, when tested, people brushing their teeth tend to overestimate the duration they’ve been doing so. To avoid any such bias interfering with cleaning efficiency, the Philips Sonicare Flexcare has an inbuilt Smartimer which indicates when your 2 minutes are up.
This functionality is even more useful for younger users who tend to be easily distracted. And to make sure you divide the brushing time evenly between the four quadrants, a QuadPacer function makes your Philips Sonicare Flexcare electric toothbrush
Go Easy With Easy Start
New users of a Philips Sonicare Flexcare toothbrush are often disconcerted by how different the sensation of using one is as compared to a manual toothbrush. The vibrating brush head and the fluid jets it creates can feel uncomfortable, especially while cleaning behind your front teeth.
The Easy Start feature lets you begin with a lower speed setting. This eases you into the feeling of using an electric toothbrush. After a week or so, once you get more familiar and comfortable with using your Philips Sonicare FlexCare
Pressure Sensors Help Avoid Damage
A small risk of electric toothbrushes is that you may press down too hard and injure sensitive or diseased gums and teeth. With the Philips Sonicare Flexcare, this danger is reduced thanks to a pressure sensor. The technology makes your brush handle vibrate gently when you’re pressing hard against your gums or teeth.
This makes it safe to use the toothbrush even when you have gum disease, sensitive teeth, dental fillings, braces or veneers.
Philips Sonicare FlexCare – Design and Ease of Use
The Philips Sonicare FlexCare feels solid and classy, not too heavy for convenient use and slender enough to be handled with comfort. There’s none of the cheap plastic and flimsy feel of lower-end electric toothbrushes in this one – it’s clearly a premium model
The front of the brush handle features the Philips Sonicare logo and below it a panel in which all buttons are sited. There are:
- power button to turn on and off
- cleaning modes button to switch between modes
- icons and LEDs to indicate battery charge and mode
On the base of the brush, there’s a recess into which a prong on the charging station fits. A grooved or ridged rubber grip runs along the length of the handle, allowing a firm and secure hold on the brush while cleaning. Inside the handle, a Lithium ion battery and motor are sealed in a watertight fashion. A metal shaft links the motor to the brush head.
You can select from between 3 cleaning modes and 2 routines for brushing with the Philips Sonicare FlexCare electric toothbrush
Go Care is a one-minute brushing cycle, with switches between quadrants every 15 seconds. Max Care lasts for 3 minutes and is used for a more thorough brushing, combining both Clean and Massage modes. The quadpacer signals every 45 seconds. The idea is to make sure that you pay equal attention to different parts of your mouth and each cleaning sessions lasts the recommended 2 minutes.
The standard Clean mode is useful for cleaning teeth and removing dental plaque as well as food debris from between teeth. The Massage mode gently compresses the gums to improve blood flow and avoid damage to sensitive teeth and gums. White mode combines 2 minutes of Clean mode function with an added 30 seconds of more vigorous cleaning action for teeth whitening.
Summary of Design and Usability
- Offers 3 different cleaning modes with 2 routines
- Separate Power and Cleaning mode buttons
- 2 brush heads included
- Extremely effective at cleaning teeth and removing plaque
- Inbuilt timer and quad pacer ensures adequate brushing
- No pressure sensor
- No bluetooth connectivity
- Travel case included in package
- Easy Start
feature helps new users get used to electric toothbrushes
- Automatic power off helps conserve battery life
- Battery life is 3 weeks (84 minutes of use) on a single recharge
- 2 year warranty is standard
Philips Sonicare Flexcare Brush Settings
There are three intensity settings at which you can operate your electric toothbrush – Low, Medium and High. It is easy and convenient to switch between them.
Your battery life will vary depending upon the kind of settings you use. The Philips website mentions a longevity of up to 3 weeks on a single charge, which is good enough for most users, even if you’re a busy traveller.
‘Clean’ mode is the typical standard setting in which most users will brush with a Philips Sonicare Flexcare.
‘White’ mode is designed to remove persistent stains on the surface of teeth, leaving them whiter and shinier.
‘Gum Care’ mode is for those with gingivitis and gum disorders, and is gentler than the other two. It gently massages the gum, improving blood circulation and speeding up control of infections.
Philips Sonicare Flexcare Brush Heads
The InterCare brush head
Brush heads come in sizes suitable for both children and adults. The Mini brush heads may even be useful in older users with small mouths or who have had orthodontic work done.
It is usual to change to new brush heads after three months of use. The bristles fade in color, which provides you with a visual clue that it’s time to replace the head.
Key Features of Philips Sonicare Flexcare
* The rechargeable sonic toothbrush comes in Platinum gray (HX9172/15 and HX9112/13) or Slate gray (HX9112/12) colors
* Recommended widely by dentists as being highly effective at cleaning teeth and removing dental plaque
* Timers help manage brushing time. The Smartimer ensures minimum cleaning duration is met, and a QuadPacer helps switch between quadrants frequently
* Sonicare power-brushing mode at 31,000 brush strokes per minute permits cleaning at a distance, reaching deep between teeth and removing plaque even from areas out of direct contact of the brush head
* The HX9172 model has a UV sanitizer built into its charging stand. The UV sanitizer keeps your brush head free of bacteria and other germs
In summary, the Philips Sonicare Flexcare Platinum
Also, you may be able to pick up the Philips Sonicare Flexcare Platinum at a discount on retail price by waiting for special offers and deals, or by ordering online from e-commerce stores like Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the Philips Sonicare FlexCare an oscillating brush?
A: No, the FlexCare
Q: How many brushing modes does the Philips Sonicare FlexCare offer?
A: You can choose from 4 cleaning modes – Clean, White, Gum Health and Sensitive
Q: What brush heads come with the package?
A: The Philips Sonicare FlexCare comes along with one AdaptiveClean brush head and one DiamondClean brush head. In addition, other brush heads can be used along with this handle. Compatible brush heads include ProResults, Sensitive, AdaptiveClean, InterCare and Philips Sonicare DiamondClean heads.
Q: Is there a pressure sensor?
A: No, the Philips Sonicare FlexCare doesn’t have a pressure sensor
Q: Can this toothbrush be connected to a smartphone using Bluetooth?
A: No, it does not have bluetooth connectivity.
Q: Is there a warranty? How long is it?
A: Yes, the manufacturer’s warranty is for 2 years.
Q: Does the Philips Sonicare FlexCare have an inbuilt timer?
A: Yes, the timer lets you know at the end of either a 1 or 3 minute cycle by turning off the motor. To extend your cleaning session, you need to restart the brush again.
Q: Is there a quad pacer?
A: Yes, at 30 second intervals, the motor pauses briefly to let you know it’s time to move to another quadrant.
Q: How long is the battery life?
A: With typical use, the Philips Sonicare FlexCare
Q: Is there a charger?
A: Yes, a charging station is included. However, it cannot be mounted on the wall and must rest on a flat countertop.
Q: Does it come with a travel case?
A: Yes, the Philips Sonicare FlexCare has a travel case in the package, which provides space to store 2 extra brush heads while traveling.
Has this report on the Philips Sonicare FlexCare electric toothbrush
If you have any doubts or questions, you can check out the official Philips Sonicare website here
See our ULTIMATE Electric Toothbrush Buyer's Guide - and make an informed and smart choice.
