Braun Oral-B Triumph IQ 5000 with SmartGuide Rechargeable Power Toothbrush

I bought the first Braun Oral-b triumph over a year ago. I had read the ‘Which’ review of it and I was not disappointed and it has lasted me very well, so although I have only just replaced it I have no reason to doubt that the new model will also be as reliable and longlived.

The adjustments made by Braun with this new model are small. The original had 4 brushing modes (clean, soft, massage and polish) whereas the new model has 5 (daily, sensitive, deep clean, polish and massage) I presume by clean they mean daily and by soft they mean sensitive. So actually there is only one difference, the deep clean mode. I found the deep clean did give cleaner results than the previous model and was very impressed with the cleanliness of my teeth afterward. The flossing I always do after brushing as my teeth are very close together showed there was less debri after brushing with this latest model.

Those of you not used to electric toothbrushes will need to learn not to move the brush around like with a manual toothbrush, there is no need. The brushes are readily available and the toothbrush tells you when to change them as it has an intelligent chip in it which monitors now much they are used/ time etc which I really like as I can be forgetful sometimes!

If you can afford this latest model then buy it. As this toothbrush could mean fewer trips to the dental hygienist this needs to be factored into the price. It could be especially good for those of you who smoke or do not like going to the hygienist and of course for those who want to maintain that ‘just been to the hygienist’ feeling and whiteness.

Buying an electric toothbrush is a bit like buying a car. A cheap one will get you from A-B in about the same time as an expensive one, but the top of the range model will do it with more style and grace. So is this top of the range e-toothbrush worth the extra? Well that very much depends on how much you pay for it. At its list price I would be hard pushed to say any toothbrush was worth it. But at Amazon prices you are looking at about 3 times what you would pay for a basic model (which is what I was using), and I think that this starts to be a serious contender.

What you get is pretty well set out in the product description. 5 brushing modes (well 4 and a longer one) compared to normal and sensitive on a basic model. A very natty display unit which tells you not only the time (am I alone in not previously realising that a clock in the bathroom is a pretty helpful thing in the morning?) – but also all sorts of clues as to whether you are brushing your teeth in the most effective way and for long enough. A nicer looking base unit which charges in 10 hours instead of 16, and holds up to 4 brusheads, and you can put it in the dishwasher when it gets grubby. You get useful travel case with room for a couple of brush heads. You also get a selection of 3 brush heads compared to the couple that you get with a basic model (heads can cost around £5 each). But best of all you get a handle which feels great in the hand and also displays how much battery you have left (one of my major issues with the more basic models). The whole package has definitely got the wow factor – making it ideal as a luxury gift.

So how does it perform? Well I haven’t had it long enough to know whether it will out perform my more basic model in keeping my teeth clean. Certainly the deep clean mode and the polishing mode feel like they are doing a bit extra. In every other respect it gets you from A – B. Your final decision as to whether it’s worth it may be down to your wallet, but maybe think about the circumstances in which you are going to use it. I have no doubt that the separate display would be a great training device if you are not used to using an e-toothbrush. Children would also be encouraged to brush properly by following the display. But you have to be able to put the display in your eyeline when brushing – and I find that I am used to looking in the mirror – so you ideally you need space to do both. (A wall mount bracket attached by adhesive strips is provided – but it I think it looks better on a shelf). Last but not least, if you don’t have a safety / razor socket in a handy place you will need to get an adapter and charge elsewhere.

These are minor niggles. If you want a great e-toothbrush this fits the bill. Compared to the cost of dental treatment the outlay is modest. A cheaper model will do the business – but this one will give you that little bit extra. I think it’s worth it.

I’ve had my Triumph 5000 for 4 months and, while I’m very pleased with the cleaning action, I’m less impressed with the overall quality of the product. The display unit now continually shows the excess pressure warning regardless of what I do with the brush, and there is a build up of condensation behind the battery indicator window on the brush itself. The display unit is also unable to keep time any longer and keeps reseting itself. Should you be thinking of purchasing this, make sure that you take advantage of the free extra year’s warranty on offer from Braun for registering the product.