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If you are looking for a modernized electric toothbrush, look no further than Quip. Good oral health is one of the greatest things you can do for your general well-being and for your self-esteem. Taking care of yourself will prevent tooth decay and other long-term dental problems that can contribute to medical issues like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. So if you are looking to make a change in your toothbrush, Quip should probably be at the top of your list.
Quip is a “smart” electric toothbrush that uses sonic vibrations instead of spinning bristles to clean the teeth. It has a motor in the handle and a head of soft, round-tip bristles made of nylon that emit sonic vibrations to help the user brush properly.
The concept was created by a New York dentist who saw a lot of patients brushing too hard and who were unable to afford a decent electric toothbrush. Let’s face it, that rings pretty true for New Yorkers! Quip is meant to be the solution.
If you’ve never used an electric toothbrush at all, the idea of a Bluetooth-connected device that goes in your mouth may seem advanced, but it has so many features to enjoy.
Quip Toothbrush Features
What’s so special about sonic vibrations vs. a traditional motor? People who brush too hard often have tender gums that make brushing and flossing painful. Brushing too hard can even cause gums to bleed or a loss of gum tissue, making eating and drinking sensitive.
A traditional electric toothbrush uses motorized spinning bristles to clean the teeth. This type of brush could deepen the problem for a person with tender gums or damaged enamel from brushing too hard. However, the sonic vibrations clean even more efficiently than a regular spinning round brush and are much gentler.
Quip comes with different bundles and features that are meant to make it easy to keep teeth clean. There are other accessories that go along with everything else as well. Different bundles include things like:
- a regular brush with the standard sonic motor,
- a Bluetooth “smart” motor that has a timer,
- a removable and rechargeable battery
- a kids’ toothbrush kit
- refillable floss picks,
- toothpaste,
- mouthwash,
- and cavity prevention gum.
The Cost of Quip
This brand pushes the sale of bundles to save money, and it does appear that this is the case. Bundles run from around $45 -$70, with another $5 or more for different add ons (like new brush heads and batteries) delivered to your door when needed. As more features are added on, like accessories, toothpaste, mouthwash, and everything else Quip has to offer, and the price goes up pretty quickly. The rewards program offers ways to reduce and even eliminate this cost.
Sustainable Materials and Packaging
Environmentally friendly healthcare devices are really popular and being pushed because the concept is incredibly important to a lot of people. If you’re someone who’s trying to give up single-use items, Quip has you covered in the teeth cleaning department. Some things offered on the website include:
- a refillable mouthwash container,
- a refillable floss dispenser and refillable floss pick,
- a refillable gum dispenser
- vegan toothpaste with a recyclable tube and cap
If sustainable packaging and reducing single-use items in your bathroom is an important concept, Quip has a lot of ways to help make that happen. It’s not just the reduction of waste either, but the coordinating colors and styles! Kids will love the all-rubber design of the kids’ set and have their own special colors for all their items.
Style, Portability, and Convenience
The bundles sold come in with metal handles or all rubber for kids and fun colors that coordinate with everything else you can buy from Quip. Match everything in your bathroom, separate each person’s stuff in the house by color, and conveniently take it with you when you travel. Quip’s toothbrush case is meant to be easy to take along so that traveling with it isn’t a hassle. There’s also a “refresh” kit available that allows for freshening up teeth (and breath) on the go in a cute little zip-up case.
The convenience factor isn’t just in the travel capacity of the unit. It’s also about the auto-ship subscription program for brush heads and other materials. No one remembers to actually replace their toothbrush or electric toothbrush heads every three months. There are some companies that use reminder lights or will send you emails. Dentists still find that patients aren’t replacing their brush heads every three months. So, Quip delivers them to your door instead.
The “Smart” Bluetooth Features
Everything is “smart” now but what that really means is that there’s an app for it. And there’s an app for Quip. The toothbrush connects to the user’s smartphone and tracks when you brush your teeth, for how long, and your days in a row streak.
The app has reminders, encouragement, and even points to win small gift cards to places like Target and Amazon. You can also earn rewards like free brush heads, toothpaste, and store credit for referring friends. The idea is to reward you for building a good habit.
Alternatives to Quip
There are a few things about Quip toothbrushes that remain unique to other brands, but the truth is that there are other brands of sonic bristled electric toothbrushes out there. The main differences between Quip and other electric bruises are the sonic brush head and the Bluetooth capabilities. These three other brands all make claims that try to rival Quip. But are they really better options?
1. BURST Sonic Toothbrush
This brand was created by two engineers who hired a team of dental experts to help them figure out what would make their product the best on the market, or so their story says. BURST offers several bundles, a flashier style than Quip, and auto-ship brush heads that cost $2 more than Quip, delivered by auto-ship every 12 weeks.
The big difference is that BURST uses brush heads that have black charcoal in the bristles, with the claim that this material makes their brush head more effective than any other on the market. The idea is that they’ll whiten better than the rest. In addition to this claim, they also offer add ons and accessories similar to Quip, such as:
- toothpaste
- oral probiotics
- water pick flosser
- refillable floss set
- whitening strips
The bundles are priced significantly higher than Quip, and Burst doesn’t have the same Bluetooth capabilities as Quip. There is an option for black, silver, or a limited-edition rose gold as the only color options. Quip’s main kit has a storage compartment that doubles as a travel case. BURST requires the user to purchase a separate travel case.
2. Goby
This brand is only similar to Quip in that they have a subscription service that delivers “direct to consumer” in an effort to make the electric toothbrush and its replacements more convenient and accessible. The brush system uses a round oscillating brush head, which is similar to most other types of electric toothbrushes.
Their system has a lower price point than Quip and makes claims that their brush works better in their blogs. But the features are lacking, aside from including a timer in the brush. There are no Bluetooth capabilities, unlike the Quip brush.
3. Boka Brush
This brand has bundled with “classic” toothbrushes and a similar sonic wave toothbrush bundle to Quip. The bundles on their site start at $27, but that’s for a “classic” non-electric brush with toothpaste and floss by their brand. There isn’t much choice in color or style, boasting a “clean” look, and the electric bundles cost three times as much.
There is an auto-ship subscription program for brush heads, and they cost almost twice as much as Quip. The claim is that this is a superior model to all the others with a sleeker style and better battery. There are no Bluetooth capabilities.
The Verdict
The clear winner here is Quip. They have the best price points for bundles, sustainable packaging, and a Bluetooth app that helps you stay on track with your brushing. The bonus is that building that habit could yield you real rewards that you can use at your favorite places. They’re also the only company that offers this and other ways to gain rewards that lower or completely eliminate the cost of refills.
But does it actually clean your teeth? The features of the brush may win out over all the others, but does it really do what it needs to do? The answer, according to dentists and testimonials on their website, is yes. You still have to use the brush according to instructions, but you’ll see results after a couple of months of use, possibly as little as a couple of weeks. This is an especially great option if your dentist has recommended an electric toothbrush because you’ve been brushing too hard or experience sensitivity.
FAQS
Answer: Not exactly. Sonic is a type of vibration, only faster. “Sonic” means that there are a very high number of vibrations per minute in the brush head. The higher the number, the more the brush moves on your teeth.
Answer: The Quip brush head has an oval shape that’s meant to cover the largest surface area possible as you brush. The circular brush head on an oscillating or spinning electric toothbrush is small and round because you have to move it more across your teeth.
Answer: Simply put, they’re much more effective. What dentists have learned most over the years is that most people are really bad at brushing their teeth. Electric toothbrushes cover more tooth surfaces and move on their own, so the user doesn’t have to worry about brushing too hard or too soft.
Answer: Yes. It might seem strange to put a vibrating toothbrush attached to a motor into your mouth, but it’s perfectly safe as long as you follow usage instructions. Be sure to check the guidelines about getting the device wet and never submerge any electrical connections fully in water.
Answer: No. There are one-time purchase options, but the bundles and subscriptions offer discounts that a one-time purchase doesn’t.
Answer: No. The Bluetooth capability and the Quip app should work with most Android or iOS devices. You’ll be able to enjoy all the features of the app, the encouragement, and the rewards. You will need a smartphone or tablet to use the app, though.
Talk to Your Dental Provider Today
Still not sure? That’s okay. These are your teeth we’re talking about here. Take this information to your dental provider and ask them what they think about Quip. When you make your appointment, be sure to have ready:
- A printout or photo of the Quip brush you want
- A link for the website pulled up
- Photos or printouts of testimonials
Chances are that your dentist already knows all about Quip, but it doesn’t hurt to be prepared. Every person’s teeth, dental history, and oral health are different. It’s always a good idea to ask your dentist before changing any part of your routine.