Customer Reviews

Dr. Tungs Products Toothbrush Ionic System

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I have been using the ionic tooth brush for about two years. I haven't had my teeth cleaned by a dentist or dental hygienist in over ten years. I tried to volunteer myself for a dental hygienist so she could get her state license. I didn't qualify because my teeth were TOO CLEAN. Interesting because I only brush my teeth once a day. By the same token I don't eat garbage and I use a daily dental regimen taught to me by a hygienist over twenty years ago. My teeth are far better than most people mostly because of the ionic toothbrush.

My Oral-B Professional toothbrush was growing weak after four years of use, so I began searching for a replacement. Dr. Tung's Ionic Toothbrush looked intriguing and promotional material claimed to back up its efficacy with clinical studies, so I ordered one.

The Japanese-made toothbrush is approximately the size and weight of a normal, high quality manual toothbrush. The styling recalls American made clinical instruments of the sixties.

The bristle arrangement is unusual, with interspersed long, soft nylon strands standing over shorter, sturdier bristles. The brush head can be replaced. The toothbrush comes with one spare brush head and one already mounted on the toothbrush.

The Ionic Toothbrush has a 3V battery embedded in the handle. The battery is not replaceable, but is supposed to last several years. The battery level can be checked by depressing a button on the handle which will light up a red LED if the battery is still charged.

The handle is wrapped with a metal band that is connected to the positive pole of the battery. The toothbrush head is not charged. Rather, a small hole exists in the stem close to the brush head. This hole exposes the metal mounting rod for the brush head. The rod is connected to the negative pole of the 3V battery.

There is approximately 1 million ohms of resistance between my wet hand and my mouth. A 3-volt potential difference across this load will result in a current of only 3 microamps for a power consumption rate of a mere 3 microwatts.

However, this assumes direct contact from my mouth with the negatively charged metal rod, which never occurs. Instead, electricity has to flow through saliva for a distance of several millimeters to reach mouth tissue. This imposes a resistance of several more million ohms, bringing the total brushing current down to well under one microamp.

Given this exceedingly low voltage (electrostatic voltages that cause paper to cling to a balloon are on the order of thousands of volts) and minuscule current, it is difficult to see any potential for efficacy. Indeed, if you study some of the research backing the Ionic Toothbrush, you will find issues. For instance, one study admitted no benefit of the Ionic Toothbrush to users who already had good oral hygiene.

Despite my growing skepticism, I used Dr. Tung's Ionic Toothbrush for a period of ten days. Almost immediately I could detect that my teeth were not being cleaned nearly as well as with electric toothbrushes (including brushes from Interplak, Oral-B, Waterpik and Sonicare). After a week using Dr. Tung's Ionic Toothbrush, my teeth were measurably less clean.

Consequently, I ordered from Amazon the Oral-B Professional Care SmartSeries 5000 Rechargeable Toothbrush. With rebate, this outstanding toothbrush only cost about $50 and delivers far better cleaning for my teeth than did Dr. Tung's Ionic Toothbrush.

In summary, I detected no better performance from Dr. Tung's Ionic Toothbrush than what one would expect from a normal, manual toothbrush costing far less. Moreover, while the principle of electrostatic manipulation of plaque might indeed lead to better cleaning, the science behind its particular implementation in the Ionic Toothbrush is specious, calling into question any studies claiming that Dr. Tung's Ionic Toothbrush is superior to good electric toothbrushes from Interplak, Oral-B, Waterpik or Sonicare.

The head of the toothbrush is small and the neck is slim, so it is easy to reach all areas in my mouth. I find the bristles medium-soft. This ionic toothbrush really does work to give me that "clean mouth feeling" after a professional tooth cleaning. Before, brushing teeth was a chore but now it's fun to brush and immediately feel and see the results.

I'm really happy I decided to buy an ionic toothbrush. I did as much research as possible to make sure this wasn't some quack product. My teeth became sensitive to cold liquids the next day (too clean? haha) but using a toothpaste for sensitive teeth cured that for me. I'm using the new Sensodyne ProNamel and I do recommend it.

I just started using this toothbrush less than 2 weeks ago and already I can tell a difference! My teeth feel clean ALL THE TIME, as if I just brushed them. I was really skeptical at first, but decided to take the risk anyways. I'm so glad I gave it a try. I am also using less toothpaste, about 1/3 of what I used before. This toothbrush is the best $20 something dollar that I've ever spent!

I've used various Braun electric toothbrushes through the 80's and 90's, and have since bought, used and upgraded through 3 generations of Sonicares. I tried this product seriously not expecting it to be much of anything, but I am completely amazed and impressed. A sonicare gives you that 'just cleaned' feeling right after you use it. This brush gives you that same feeling for the next day or so. It's 6 am as I write this, I haven't brushed since last night, and my teeth and gums still feel slickery like they've just been thoroughly brushed. My breath has no odor even 13 hours after brushing. My previously beloved sonicare is currently resting in my box of donations to take to Salvation Army. Call me cold and heartless, but I found a much better brush.

I had no idea what I had been missing all these years. I bought this toothbrush for both my boyfriend and myself. We both love it. My teeth feel cleaner and my breath stays fresh longer. My only regret is that I had not bought it sooner!!

Ok, so I've been using the electric Oral-B toothbrush for years. A visit to my hygienist this year made me realize I've been using the wrong toothbrush for years. She said my gums were starting to recede especially around my crowns because I may be brushing too hard. After much research I found this toothbrush. It has done wonders. A month after using it, I've noticed a difference in the appearance of my gums. Mind you, it forewarns you to brush properly. Between the bristles (I think they're extra soft and made to go in between teeth/gums well) and the "ionic stuff", something is working. Try it-I'm buying another one for my husband.

I have used ionic toothbrushes for over 10 years and boy do they work.I am not sure why they are not promoted more.They are far superior to sonic or spin type brushes.

I feel extra clean now. My tongue, my teeth, my gums -- this toothbrush has amazingly soft bristles that work extremely well. I don't understand "ionic" stuff that well, but this things leaves my mouth all fresh!

I just started using this toothbrush less than 2 weeks ago and already I can tell a difference! My teeth feel clean ALL THE TIME, as if I just brushed them. I was really skeptical at first, but decided to take the risk anyways. I'm so glad I gave it a try. I am also using less toothpaste, about 1/3 of what I used before. This toothbrush is the best $20 something dollar that I've ever spent!