Oral- B Pro 2000: A fitness regime for your teeth

Growing up as the son of a dental surgeon, I was made aware of the importance of oral hygiene from childhood. As a result, I have a very “regimented” brushing routine. Since I’m a non-smoker who follows my oral hygiene regime religiously, I don’t suffer from any condition.

Thus when I was asked to review the Oral-B Pro 2000 (Rs 5,800) toothbrush, I was curious. The first person I called was my dad, who is now a retired dental surgeon. He advised me to not apply too much pressure with the toothbrush and to stick to its cycles.

This blue and white device, while heavier than an ordinary toothbrush, was easy to hold and after I had attached the supplied round head with the criss-cross bristles, felt well-balanced. There’s a charging indicator, the brush mode/power switch and warning lights. After charging the brush overnight with the charging cradle, I couldn’t wait to brush.

This excitement possibly led me to switch it on even before the brush was in my mouth. As a result there was “toothpaste graffiti” all over my bathroom mirror! Note to self: Wait to switch on the brush till after it’s in your mouth.

There are two modes to brushing: Daily and gum care. I stuck to the daily clean mode for the first few days, where the mouth is divided into four quadrants. After I finished brushing for 30 seconds on a single quadrant, an audible alert told me it was time to move on to the next quadrant. Thus the brushing cycle lasted two minutes in the daily clean mode.

Brushing the first few times, it was a bit painful for my gums, but my dad had warned as much about electric brushes.  Also, it took me time to settle into the routine. But in about four days, there was absolutely no discomfort. A caveat: If there’s discomfort in your gums even after a week’s use, seek professional advice.

As the cross-action bristles polished and cajoled my teeth and gums spic and span, I realised I could actually concentrate on solving the crossword instead of manoeuvring the brush into the nooks and crannies of my mouth (like I usually do with my regular toothbrush).  Whenever I applied too much pressure to my teeth, the warning lights alerted me; overall, once I got the hang of it, it was very easy to use the Pro 2000.

If you have sore or inflamed gums, the gum care mode comes in handy. Consisting of a gentler brush cycle, it also massages the gums. But I wasn't able to use this mode effectively for want of such a condition. That said, it does provide a soothing massage; even with normal gums

Using the Pro 2000 I benefitted in two immediate ways: One, I was finishing my brushing routine faster and more scientifically; two, I was able to do other things while brushing (like solving the crossword!)

Cleaning and packing it away after use was also easy: I unattached the brush head and rinsed it; while a quick wipe down of the stalk ensured it stayed grime-free. Also, the brush can be shared with one’s family, provided one has separate cleaning heads. Also, there are separate specialised heads available, which one can buy according to one’s needs; the supplied head is the all-purpose one.

Charging the brush takes time, but one can always plonk the brush on the cradle after each use (as I did); there’s protection against “over-charging”. On a single charge I was able to get around seven days’ worth of use.

Since I already follow a proper brushing regime, the Pro 2000 definitely added to the comfort and efficiency; of course it guards against plaque build-up. And saves a lot of time. Were my teeth healthier now? Maybe, but for those who don’t follow a brushing regime, this toothbrush will definitely help.  

The Oral-B Pro 2000 is an ideal companion for those serious about oral hygiene but don’t know what to do. Yes, there are cheaper options available, but it makes sense to trust a product from a dental hygiene specialist.