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The new technology and beautiful design features make this electric toothbrush the ideal complement to your daily cleaning routine.
When it comes to brushing, I confess I can be quite kiasu with my regime. That is because I am deathly afraid of visits to the dentist and being made to stay in a chair while the sound of drilling rings from inside the cavity of my mouth. So I am constantly on the look out for products that can help me maintain and enhance my morning and nightly brushing routine.
Electric toothbrushes have come a long way since they were first introduced in the late 1930s, but it wasn't until 1992 (when the first Sonic toothbrush was launched) that brought new innovation to the electric toothbrush game. Unlike conventional electric toothbrushes, which work with rotating brush heads, sonic toothbrushes work with a brush head that vibrates hundreds of thousands of times per second. These tiny but intense movements help to dislodge food particles from between your teeth and gums, and prevent plague from forming.
I've used electric toothbrushes before, but my one big gripe with the usual run-of-mill type models is how 'clinical' they look. They didn't really make me look forward to my cleaning routine. Over time, I also got too lazy to charge them up and ended up leaving them hidden at the back of my bathroom drawer.
So it is amazing how the new design of the Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige made me enjoy brushing my teeth all over again. Aside from its sleek design and travel/charging case, this sonic toothbrush also packs a mighty punch with its built-in tech upgrades. This includes embedded sensors that measure and adapt to your brushing speed and intensity, as well as an app to guide your brushing.
Is it worth the slightly pricey $429 tag though? I took the plunge to find out...
The Philips Sonicare Prestige 9900 pack comes with a super stylish travel case, that can also be used as a charger, as well as an elegant round golden dock that you can place in your bathroom or dressing counter. I am really impressed with the attention to detail in this kit, which extends to the travel/charging case as well as the dock. The case is wrapped in sensual soft-touch vegan leather, complete with metallic finishes for a stately corporate look. The brush itself has a streamlined silhouette, with the buttons worked into the handle so they don't pop out. The toothbrush handle is wrapped all around in matte rubber, with no grooves or holes to allow water or dirt to accumulate. I picked the black model to go with the decor of my master bathroom, but it also comes in a champagne (glossy white) and pink options.
Here's how the kit looks when you buy it off the shelves or upon delivery. It's beautifully packed, and makes for a really nice gift idea especially for men (yes, there aren't many gifts that excite guys, but this one will definitely delight your significant other).
Setting up the toothbrush is really easy, just plug the USB-C charger into the socket and download the app to sync with your brush.
As mentioned, the stylish travel case also functions as a mobile charger when you are travelling. I also like the idea that Philips is offering it as an alternative way to place your toothbrush when not in use, instead of placing it standing up on the dock.
Here's how it looks inside the carrier case. The downside to this sleek design is that there isn't anywhere to place the brush head when the handle is inside the case.
The metallic finishes to the case and base of the handle gives the kit an uber-luxe look. There's none of the tacky, plasticky or cheap feel to the Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige for sure.
The kit also comes with a brush head and a tongue cleaner. Unlike other electric toothbrushes that offer various types of brush heads according to its hardness/softness or size, the Sonicare brush head is designed as a one-for-all cleaner. According to Philips, "The A3 Premium All-in-One brush head has angled bristles to help remove up to 20 times more plaque even in hard-to-reach areas. Triangular tips work to remove up to 100 per cent more stains in less than two days, and longer bristles clean deep for gums that are up to 15 times healthier in just two weeks."
Philips has also stepped away from the usual look when it comes to the charging dock. The golden disc in this pack really elevates the entire look of the brush handle. Consider it the grown-up electric toothbrush designed for an urban executive who refuses to compromise on taste or efficiency when it comes to personal grooming.
And down be misled by the understated look of the brush handle too, because concealed within its sleek exterior is an entire universe of new technology, which Philips calls SenseIQ. "As you brush, SenseIQ technology senses pressure, motion, coverage and more up to 100 times per second. It then adapts the intensity if you push too hard. The intelligence of SenseIQ takes the guesswork out of brushing modes, so you can experience effortless care and better brushing over time. The sensors also keep an eye on how long and how often you brush."
The app's interface is easy to navigate, and once it is synced with the toothbrush it automatically detects when to start your cleaning cycle. There were times when it does hang though, although that is easily fixed by closing the app and restarting it again. The tip here is to switch to the app before lifting the toothbrush from the dock.
You can select from various cleaning modes based on your areas of concern.
Again, I'm impressed with the attention to detail not just in the design of the brush, but in the app's user journey too. While setting up, the app will prompt you to determine how you usually brush your teeth, either from the left or right, top or bottom, etc. Philips breaks down the top and bottom rows of your teeth into six main areas, and you can point out specific areas that require extra cleaning too and the length of time you wish to brush your teeth (2 or 3 minutes). Of course, you can also set the intensity of the sonic vibrations. I found that using the toothbrush on high intensity gave my teeth a really good clean, and it's one of those 'so nice and clean I can't help running my tongue over my teeth to feel how clean they are' type of clean! I did experiment with adding more force to my brushing by pushing the brush head against my teeth, and that's when the brush handle will light up to alert you to lighten your force. If you continue using as much strength though, the toothbrush automatically adjusts its speed to prevent hurting your gums or teeth.
Over the past month that I've been using the brush, I also appreciated using the app to track my brushing using the calendar. The calendar also informs you when it is time to change your brush head. Do note that the Sonicare 9900 Prestige is only compatible with the A3 Premium All-in-one standard sonic toothbrush heads, which cost $59 for two.
All in all, I'm happy with my purchase and feel that it's a good investment. The toothbrush definitely feels durable, and is well-made. The bristles on the brushes also feel sturdy without being too hard on my gums. I've enjoyed brushing with it every time, and am actually looking forward to brushing my teeth now. The whole luxe factor makes me feel like it has become a relaxing part of my personal spa treatment for my teeth.