Our pick
Philips Sonicare 4200 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush
2-minute SmarTimer30-second QuadPacerPressure sensorEasyStart
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Buyer question · Electric toothbrushes · How to
How do I use an electric toothbrush?
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Short answer
Don't scrub. Philips' manual for its Sonicare 3000 and 4000 Series says to angle the bristles at 45 degrees to the gumline, press gently, and use a small back-and-forth motion, 30 seconds on each quarter of your mouth. Philips' US site has no page for the Sonicare 4200; on its nearest US model, the 4100 Series, the QuadPacer beeps at each 30 seconds, the SmarTimer stops at 2 minutes, and a pressure sensor warns you if you press too hard.
At a glance
Best for
- Your first electric toothbrush
- Anyone who wants the brush to time each quarter of the mouth for them
- People who tend to press too hard
Skip it if
- You want several brushing modes or an app: Philips' 4100 page lists two intensities and neither of those
- You need a wall plug in the box: Philips' 3000 and 4000 Series manual lists a USB charger and no wall adapter
What we like
- QuadPacer beeps every 30 seconds so you know when to move on
- SmarTimer turns the brush off at 2 minutes
- Pressure sensor warns you if you press too hard
- EasyStart raises the power gradually over the first 14 brushings
Good to know
- Two intensities, low and high; it starts on low
- USB charger in the box; no wall adapter (Philips manual)
- Philips' manual allows up to 24 hours for the first full charge
- Replace the brush head every 3 months, per Philips
Why it makes the right technique easy
Let the brush do the work
Philips' manual says first-time users commonly apply too much pressure, and that it is not recommended to scrub as you would with a manual toothbrush. The pressure sensor answers that: Philips says it warns you and reduces vibration if you press too hard.
The timing is built in
Philips says: "Dental professionals recommend brushing no less than 2 minutes twice a day." The QuadPacer gives a short beep and pause every 30 seconds to move you to the next quarter, and the SmarTimer switches the brush off at the end of the 2 minutes.
An easy start
Philips' manual says it is normal to feel more vibration than with a non-electric toothbrush. EasyStart is on for this series and raises the power gradually over the first 14 brushing sessions.
Two intensities
It starts on low. Press the power button again within 2 seconds to switch to high, per Philips' manual.
How to use it
- Wet the bristles and apply a small amount of toothpaste.
- Place the bristles against the teeth at a slight angle (45 degrees), pressing gently so they reach the gumline or slightly beneath it. Keep the center of the brush in contact with the teeth.
- Press the power on/off button to turn it on.
- Keep the bristles on the teeth and in the gumline and brush with a small back-and-forth motion so the bristles reach between the teeth. The bristles should slightly flare. Don't scrub as you would with a manual toothbrush.
- For the inside of the front teeth, tilt the handle semi-upright and make several vertical overlapping strokes on each tooth.
- Follow the QuadPacer: 30 seconds on the outside upper teeth, then the inside upper teeth, then the outside lower teeth, then the inside lower teeth.
- After the cycle you can spend extra time on chewing surfaces and stained areas, and brush your tongue with the brush on or off.
Steps from Philips' manual for its Sonicare 3000 and 4000 Series.
Use it with
- Philips Sonicare smart brush heads with BrushSync. Philips' manual names them for the brush head replacement reminder.
Key details
- Timers
- SmarTimer (2 minutes) and QuadPacer (30 seconds per quarter)
- Intensities
- Low and high; low is the default on first use
- Pressure sensor
- Yes, per Philips' 4100 Series page
- EasyStart
- Power rises gradually over the first 14 brushings
- Battery
- Lithium-ion, not replaceable; at least 28 two-minute brushings, or 14 days at twice a day (Philips 3000 and 4000 Series manual)
- Charger
- USB charger; wall adapter not included
- Brush head
- Replace every 3 months or sooner
Philips' US site has no page under the 4200 name. The steps and specs here are from Philips' manual for its Sonicare 3000 and 4000 Series and its US page for the 4100 Series (HX3681); the photo is the 4100 Series.
From the maker
Replace the brush head every 3 months or sooner if signs of wear appear. Stop using a brush head with crushed or bent bristles.
Stop using the appliance and consult your dentist/doctor if excessive or prolonged bleeding occurs after use, or if you experience discomfort or pain during use.
If you have a pacemaker or other implanted device, contact your doctor or the manufacturer of the implanted device prior to use.
Avoid direct contact with products that contain essential oils or coconut oil. Contact may result in bristles dislodging.
Do not clean any part of the product in the dishwasher unless otherwise instructed in the Cleaning section.
Use by children should be with adult supervision.
Questions buyers ask
Do I move an electric toothbrush like a manual one?
No. Philips' manual says to use a small back-and-forth motion and that it is not recommended to scrub as you would with a manual toothbrush.
How hard should I press?
Gently. Philips says it is common for first-time users to apply too much pressure, and to let the toothbrush do the brushing for you. The pressure sensor warns you if you press too hard.
How long should I brush?
Philips' manual says dental professionals recommend no less than 2 minutes twice a day. The SmarTimer stops the brush at 2 minutes.
Why does it feel so strong at first?
Philips says it is normal to feel more vibration than with a non-electric toothbrush. EasyStart raises the power gradually over the first 14 brushings.
Can I use it before it is fully charged?
Yes. Philips says a full charge can take up to 24 hours before first use, but you can use it before then.
Can I use it with braces?
Philips' manual says it should be safe to use on braces (brush heads wear out sooner) and on dental restorations such as fillings, crowns and veneers if they are properly adhered and not compromised.
The bottom line
Angle it at the gumline, press gently, move it in small strokes and let the timer walk you around your mouth. On Philips' 4100 Series, the nearest US model to the Sonicare 4200, the brush does the pacing and the pressure check for you, which makes it an easy first electric toothbrush.
Check price on AmazonHow this page was made
Smoov Discovery wrote this page from Philips' own product information and manual, listed below. We did not test the product ourselves. Nothing here comes from Amazon.
Sources
- Philips: Sonicare 3000 and 4000 Series user manual
- Philips: Sonicare 4100 Series (HX3681/24) page and reviews
Photos: Philips (usa.philips.com).
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