# New Electric Toothbrushes

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-electric-toothbrushes/115673>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 24, 2002, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-electric-toothbrushes/115673 "2002-06-24T06:29:41Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![R.P.McMurphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2002, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-electric-toothbrushes/115673/1 "2002-06-24T06:29:41Z")

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There is a new generation of electric toothbrushes (Sonicare and Braun) that are rechargable. The toothbrush sits in a little holder to be recharged yet there does not appear to be any metal-to-metal contact. How do these things work? Is this a new technology that we will start to see with other devices? I don’t see other rechargeable items such as cell phones that recharge in this manner.

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**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2002, 10:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-electric-toothbrushes/115673/2 "2002-06-24T10:11:57Z")

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3rd May: [Hpow Does My Sonicare Charge](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=113182&highlight=recharge)

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**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2002, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-electric-toothbrushes/115673/3 "2002-06-24T10:52:44Z")

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We now have toothbrushes that move the bristles in three dimensions; how long must we wait for 4? (or wouldn’t they be here already?)

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**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2002, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-electric-toothbrushes/115673/4 "2002-06-24T11:10:33Z")

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They’re very good, Mangetout. I’ve had mine for about 18 months after a recommendation by Dr Who. They do actually take care of ‘dark matter’ which, if Hawkin is correct, comprises the fifth dimension. As for the fourth, they utilise linear time by reminding you every 30 seconds or so to move to another brushing area. Very boring in that respect but convenient.

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**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2002, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-electric-toothbrushes/115673/5 "2002-06-24T11:15:31Z")

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That’s not quite what I’m after **L\_C** ; I want one that will brush my teeth more thoroughly _twenty years ago_.