Thursday, October 15, 2009

Sonicare Kids Review and Giveaway!

This giveaway now closed.
This is a compensated review from BlogHer and Sonicare for Kids



Seeing as this is my first review, let me say right up front it's still me and I'm getting paid to be honest. So, that I will be!
I saw the opportunity to do a review on the Sonicare Kids toothbrush and I jumped at it. These brushes are made for children ages 4 and up. Seeing as how I have three children in that age range, I was very excited. They accidentally sent the adult toothbrush first and my husband and I both tried it out. I have to say, I was hesitant about how the kids would take to theirs because it has a very distinct tickling sensation and I wasn't sure they would take to it well. My fears were soon laid to rest.
When theirs came in the mail a few days later they were beyond excited. The bright colors and kid-friendly box sold them right away. Inside, more kid-friendly stuff like 3 different interchangeable plates for the front of the brush.

I'm quite sure I was supposed to review this for one child that falls into the appropriate ages. But since germs don't scare us and it's equal opportunity around here - they've all had their turns!
The first time we used the brush it was just an introductory "How does this feel? What do you think?" try out. They all 3 giggled like crazy the whole time. The four year old girl said afterwards, "It was tickly!" The 6 year old boy said, "It was vibratey!" The 8 year old boy said, "That was AWESOME!" The 2 year old just giggled. (I know you're technically not supposed to use it on children under 4, but this kid just can't be left out.)
Let me tell you some of the cool stuff about this brush. As I've already mentioned, it has 3 changeable front plates (the kids love this feature). It has 2 different sized heads - one smaller for 4-6 year olds and one larger for children 7 and up.
It has a KidPacer feature which uses a little musical tone to tell the kiddos how long to brush each section of their mouth. All they have to do is move the brush around the four sections of their mouth (that you show them). The pictures in the instruction manual tell you to teach them to brush the outside upper, inside upper, outside lower, and inside lower parts of their mouth. The music chimes 4 times, then gives you a "congratulatory" tone and the brush automatically shuts off. The second time we used the brush all of them giggled the whole time again. The three older kids saw it as a complete challenge to make it the whole time until the brush chimed and shut off. They were so proud when they accomplished it. While I'm sure the novelty of this challenge will wear off quickly, it was definitely a bonus at the outset. And speaking of how long they brush... there is an Easy-start ramp-up feature. The length of time the brush is on initially is 1 minute. Over the course of 14 brushings it slowly increases the time that the brush is on to 2 minutes. This allows the kids to get used to the "tickly" feeling slowly (though, mine didn't really have a problem with the tickly - my girl does have to be reminded to not bite down on it when it tickles!) and yet, reach the dentist recommended amount of brushing time. I like the idea of this. I don't have to tell them how long to brush, they just brush until the toothbrush turns off. Beautiful.

This is what it looks like on it's charger (with the 2 changeable plates in front). It has a storage space and covers for both the heads and a little green light that lets you know when it's fully charged. It has two power modes - a low mode for children 4+ and a high power mode for children 7+.


So, the wrap up? We all loved it. The kids each want their own now (what is the world coming to when they don't share a toothbrush?! So kidding.) And actually ask to use it at random times through the day. Amazing.
For more information about the Sonicare Kids toothbrush visit their official site.
Now here's your chance to join the fun and win a $100 Visa Gift Card!! First of all, to enter, leave me a comment below and tell me How do you handle your kids' dental hygiene? - or you may leave a link to your post on your own blog in the comments below. The contest will begin at 9:00 a.m. (PST) 10/15/2009 and will end 5:00 p.m. (PST) 11/15/2009.. Make sure that the e-mail address you leave is correct.
Check out what the other BlogHer Reviewers had to say about their Sonicare Kids toothbrushes. You have a total of 10 chances to win a $100 Visa gift card from BlogHer Reviewers, plus the chance to win a Sonicare prize pack on the BlogHer.com special offers page!
And now for the legalities:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive an additional entry by linking on twitter and leaving a link in the comments.
You may receive an additional entry by blogging about this contest and leaving a link in the comments.
This giveaway is open to US-residents, 18 years of age or older
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will notified by e-mail.
You have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
Please see the official rules here: Official rules
Winners are chosen using the Random Number Generator.

68 comments:

  1. We've tried songs, counting, Disney character toothbrushes and sometimes punishments as toothbrushing can be tricky for toddlers. Right now singing is working...but how many songs can one make up about diggers and toothbrushing!! You sound like you've hit a great product...definitely has me interested!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I brush my kids' teeth twice a day and use kid flossers on them nightly.

    ReplyDelete
  3. My son's are older now and you still have to worry about dental hygiene but now you have the extra added problems associated with braces. I always have encouraged my kids to brush their teeth at least 2 times a day and more often if possible. Flossing is a must and limiting drinks with a lot of sugar.

    ReplyDelete
  4. My Grandchild would love this. She loves to brush her teeth but this would be icing on the cake. Or at least get the icing off her teeth!

    ReplyDelete
  5. We love electronic toothbrushes around here too. Our dentist told me that kids do not master the manual dexterity needed to brush their teeth until they are 11!! So, I let them do as much as they can for themselves while brushing, but I always tell them "Momma gets a turn too."

    ReplyDelete
  6. My son loves to brush his teeth, and actually does so 2-3 times a day. Sometimes even more than that! He's not too proficient yet, so I always tell him it's my turn, too!

    ReplyDelete
  7. My kids are pretty good about brushing their teeth. I try and make sure they brush every day. Miss E. is very good about it. She joins me in the morning when I am brushing my teeth. I have to ask her sisters if they brushed theirs.

    I use the sonicare. I think it is great that it is now offered for kids. It really does use a good job

    ReplyDelete
  8. I blogged about the contest here: http://brittany-becoming.blogspot.com/2009/10/contest.html

    And I tweeted here: http://twitter.com/brittany_martin/status/4945014323

    ReplyDelete
  9. I would love to have this for the kiddos. I use the adult size and have been cavity free since.Glad to see they made one for the younger teeth in my household.

    awegley@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. My daughters are 6 and 5 and the rule is that they brush their teeth twice a day. In the morning, they get to do it themselves and in the evening, I do it for them. The dentist told us that kids can't effectively brush completely on their own until they are much older!

    I have a Sonicare and am excited to see that they've introduced a children's version!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Awesome! After a bad report for myself at the dentist, I got myself a Sonicare toothbrush. My boys have been using the Crest Spinbrush but they need more... I like that Sonicare has the different chimes so they can focus on each section of their mouth-- I think that is BRILLIANT.

    Count me in! I hope we win!

    Marsha (drewsfamilytx[at]gmail[dot]com)

    ReplyDelete
  12. I tweeted too!
    http://twitter.com/drewsfamilytx

    ReplyDelete
  13. We have the kids sing to each other - and when they are done with the song, they can stop brushing. Or you can actually use a timer too and have the kids set it.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I make sure they brush and "swish" w/ a flouride rinse twice per day...

    ReplyDelete
  15. I handle my son's dental hygiene by making sure he brushes his teeth both morning and night.

    ReplyDelete
  16. My older daughter has bad teeth so we have been using orange sticks (I don't know what they are called) from the Dentist the you swip over her teeth after brushing to show her what see missed.

    ReplyDelete
  17. My little one is pretty independent and likes to do things himself these days, so I just stand by and guide him along. His older sister taught him to hum happy birthday so he knows he's brushed long enough. Great review.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I bought toothbrushes that play a song so your child knows how long to brush. It really works for them!

    ReplyDelete
  19. We pretty much have 2 stand over the kids and make sure they get their teeth brushed right, and long enough. They seem 2 want to B slackers
    pkbailey@charter.net

    ReplyDelete
  20. We leave our toothbrushes in the kitchen so as they get up from the breakfast table we brush :) It's been working great....now just to figure out how to get them all done at bedtime...

    jillk77 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  21. I still brush my youngest ones' teeth (he's 15 months). But my 3 yr old, now that's another story. Usually, we have a bit of a struggle because he likes to play with the toothbrush and use it on everything but his mouth. Hopefully, this will get better.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I let my girls start off brushing themselves, but then I come in at the end and get any spots they might have missed. Sounds like this toothbrush might make my job easier!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I got them electric toothbrushes since it seems easier and funnier for them to enjoy brushing teeth ritual. But I got to admit that Sonicare sounds like a better option for my next purchase if I need to get them new ones. And of course, dental visit every six months!

    ReplyDelete
  24. http://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/5265301905 tweet

    ReplyDelete
  25. http://tcarolinep.blogspot.com/2009/10/giveaway-thejoyfulchaosreviews.html blogged.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I have a 4 year old that I let brush on his own to begin with and I'll come behind him and go back over. Some days are better than others. But this Sonicare (I have regular one for myself) for kids sounds fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
  27. I make sure they brush their teeth twice a day. They also floss and use mouthwash. I make sure they do that because I don't want them to have and breath.
    shopgurl101@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. tweeted: http://twitter.com/shopgurl/status/5353310665

    shopgurl101@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. blogged: http://sweetqt.wordpress.com/2009/11/01/giveaway-thejoyfulchaosreviews/

    ReplyDelete
  30. Good review for the first time!

    I try to add a little incentive by buying toothbrushes they like (barbie, mickey, etc) and flavored toothpaste. It seems to make it a wee bit easier and more enjoyable.

    ReplyDelete
  31. We use character toothbrushes and timers!
    clarissa at digitaldeacons dot com

    ReplyDelete
  32. My son (3 years old) is allowed to brush his own teeth, but he must let me "follow up". That way I'm letting him learn to clean them (he does pretty good), yet I know they are getting as clean as they need to be when I finish.

    ReplyDelete
  33. My girls are grown and handle their own dental care now. I do however have my grandsons living with me and they both love ‘tooth time’. Lil Man has his own special brush and toothpaste. He will brush for a while then I finish up for him. After he rinses he loves to smile really big and show his pearly whites. Lil Bit has just cut his first two teeth. Ever since he was born I would wash his gums with wash cloth but now that he has two front teeth I have a fingertip mini brush I use to brush those little teeth and we will slowly graduate him to a regular brush when he is older.

    ReplyDelete
  34. I'm very susceptible to cavities, so I make sure that we have electric toothbrushes (not ones as nice as these though!) and floss. I also try to limit sugars and sweets and drink lots of H2o!
    (carmensechristjunk at gmail dot com)

    ReplyDelete
  35. Tweeted: http://twitter.com/atlantagalknows/statuses/5491382021

    ReplyDelete
  36. The rule is to brush every morning, before bedtime and after eating if possible. Flossing should be done everyday.

    ReplyDelete
  37. http://twitter.com/carogonza/status/5509646289

    ReplyDelete
  38. blogged http://theartofrandomwillynillyness.blogspot.com/2009/11/blogher-and-sonicare-giveaways.html

    ReplyDelete
  39. My son is not always willing to brush his teeth, so I have to tell him that they are starting to turn yellow and then he brushes, most of the time I give him his tooth brush in the shower:)

    ReplyDelete
  40. Even though my son is only 10 months, we still work on his dental hygiene! He has two little toothers on the bottom, and we use a "gum cleaner" to brush them!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Tweet- http://twitter.com/joannagiveaway/status/5550305041

    ReplyDelete
  42. Blogged- http://pricemommysense.blogspot.com/2009/11/giveaway-monday.html

    ReplyDelete
  43. We keep a variety of different flavored pastes on hand. That way they can mix it up. :)

    ReplyDelete
  44. From day one, it has just been routine to brush in the morning and at night. No exceptions. This way, there is no battle over brushing, it's just the way it is! My kids at 5 and 7 now so they pretty much handle brushing themselves, but I still check to make sure they did a good job!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Tweet: http://twitter.com/coriwestphal/statuses/5567723462

    ReplyDelete
  46. Blogged: http://asahmlookingforadeal.blogspot.com/2009/11/sonicare-for-kids-is-giving-you-10.html

    ReplyDelete
  47. We use timers for our kids and we have a brushing chart! It works great!

    ReplyDelete
  48. http://scsoldierswife.blogspot.com/2009/11/sonicare-contest.html

    my blog

    ReplyDelete
  49. We try to make them brush twice a day. It is a chore because they both hate to brush. They also don't like to go to the dentist so we can usually make them scared not to brush and that works. We haven't tried an electric toothbrush before but I am thinking about it after reading your review. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  50. Tweet!

    http://twitter.com/simplyandreah/status/5606746881

    ReplyDelete
  51. I do all sorts of things. No candies if they don't promise to brush after. I brush with them every night and ask them it is a ritual. Girls are 7 & 5 and seem to be learning okay.

    ReplyDelete
  52. We all have battery-powered toothbrushes and make brushing a family activity. We all squish into the bathroom and do it together ;)

    ReplyDelete
  53. I let my son brush his own teeth (8) but I check every once in a while to make sure he's doing it well. We sure could use electric toothbrushes. I'll have to look into this one..

    ReplyDelete
  54. Congrats on your first review!

    We use a mini hourglass shaped timer for teeth brushing followed by floss and rinse. Twice a year I let the pros critique and give pointers.

    ReplyDelete
  55. My baby is still young, but we are already letting her see my Husband and me brushing our teeth so it becomes a normal part of everyday life.

    ReplyDelete
  56. My husband and I both use sonic care, but I haven't gotten them for our little guys yet. (3.5) still doing their teeth by hand.

    ReplyDelete
  57. My 10 month old has seven teeth, and it is all I can do to try to get a little baby toothbrush or washcloth in his mouth. He is so independent that I think he will really enjoy brushing, once he can do it hims

    ReplyDelete
  58. Here via Swistle's helpful reminder to enter. My kids are as yet hypotheticalbut I fervently hope that we do better with their teeth than we have on our own!

    ReplyDelete
  59. I handle my kids dental hygiene by constant nagging. Even my 13 year old still has to be reminded daily to brush her teeth.

    ReplyDelete
  60. I tweeted about the giveaway
    http://twitter.com/lunaj1456/status/5724937332

    ReplyDelete
  61. We use a timer now, and my son has a hard time because so many of his teeth are loose. He says it hurts to brush so we've gone back to a manual toothbrush instead of the battery operated spinbrush he was using.

    My son is 8 now, and it is so much better! A couple of years ago I almost gave up and for a few days I put him on the couch with a bowl to spit in and let him watch TV while he brushed. That was after some miserabe mornings of me standing with him in the bathroom and him being frustrated.

    ReplyDelete
  62. My tweet:
    http://twitter.com/tkharmonic/status/5725434911

    ReplyDelete
  63. We use an electric toothbrush as well, an Oral B because the smaller brushhead is easier to get into a three year olds mouth.

    ReplyDelete
  64. We let our 2-year-old brush his own teeth in the morning and brush for him at night. Sometimes this involves screaming, but the good thing about screaming is his mouth is then conveniently wide open! He hasn't learned that it's working against him, yet. I'm hoping an electric toothbrush, if it doesn't scare him, might intrigue him enough to brush longer. Worth a shot!

    mail AT hobomama.com

    ReplyDelete
  65. Pain in the tushie though it is, I sit criss-cross applesauce (gag) on the floor while they lay back and I dry brush then floss - then they go brush at the sink with flouride toothpaste. We use regular cheap brushes because I change them about once a month.

    ReplyDelete
  66. I'd love to win one of these for my boys. We handle brushing by using one of those toothbrushes that blink for a minute while they brush (so that they will brush long enough). This sounds like an awesome brush!

    ReplyDelete
  67. I tweeted: http://twitter.com/mamajourney/status/5749526636

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.