Why Does The Hummingbird Hum ? (Braun Oral-B Hummingbird)

Member Name: SRowlands

Product:	Braun Oral-B Hummingbird
Date:	06/01/06 (1541 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: It cleans between your teeth as good as floss and dental sticks...

Disadvantages: ...just at a far higher cost !

The Oral-B "Hummingbird" is the latest in a long line of gadgets designed to help us improve our oral hygiene. The dental market has almost become flooded over the past few years, with additions such as a whole range of electric toothbrushes, mouthwashes, tongue scrapers, tooth-stain erasers, scale removers, flosses, tapes and many more items.

The Hummingbird is a battery operated device, about the size of a thumb (about 4" high), designed to clean in between teeth. This is acheived using two standard methods - floss and dental sticks.
As you use the device, it vibrates to enhance the cleaning process, whilst emitting a fairly high-pitched humming noise.

The name, unsurprisingly, is derived from the fact that the gadget's unique shape resembles that of a hummingbird. The base of the device holds one AAA battery (a Duracell battery is supplied with purchase), which gives many hours of use. (I have been using the device for about two months now, on a regular basis - and still on the original battery !).

At the top of the barrel, there is the operation button. This is a rubber coated button that, when held down, operates the vibration effect.

Moving up to the top, there is a plastic section, where you can slot in either the dental stick or the flossing attachment. This is simply a push on, pull off method that is very quick and easy to use.


Using the product is also very easy. After selecting on of the attachments, you simply insert the end between your teeth and hold down the power button. Some additional hand movement is required to obtain the best results, and you work across from one tooth to the next.

After use, you simply remove and disgard the attachment and rinse the device.



OVERALL OPINION:

The Hummingbird aims to provide two methods of cleaning between your teeth where a regular toothbrush cannot reach. If this were it's only aims, then the product would be a success.
If however, as appears to be the case, Oral B are claiming that the Hummingbird is more effective than standard flossing and dental sticks, then I would question those claims and generally regard the product as a failure.
Looking at each of the attachments in turn, the flossing tool has approximately 1cm of floss on it. Comparing that to when I use standard floss, I use around 30cm - and this means that the actual length of floss passing between my teeth is far greater.
The vibration effect is so minimal, I cannot see any improvement it could make over the standard floss.
The actual plastic tool does make it easier to get access to more difficult teeth - however there are other "non-vibrating" plastic tools that provide this benefit at a far cheaper price.
On the subject of cost, the floss refills are priced at around £2.50 for 15 - which compared to those other non-vibrating models is around 150% more expensive !

Onto the dental sticks - these are short, plastic pointed sticks that attach onto the end of the Hummingbird. These are used to clean between the teeth and massage the gums.
These actually have quite an unexpected strong minty taste that leaves your mouth feeling quite fresh.
Again, however, the vibration is so slight that any benefits would be negligable. By manually sliding the device between your teeth, you do feel the results, but again these are just as easily achieved with standard dental sticks at a fraction of the cost. The standard price for a refill pack is around £2.50 for 25 - (10p each !).
The sticks are designed to be quite flexible in order not to damage the gums, and to make manipulation slightly easier. Unfortunately I did find them to be a bit too flexible and after very short times, the point was so distorted I could no longer use the dental stick.

After the first use, I noticed some slight bleeding of the gums - however after a couple of uses this was not the case. I belive that this is to be expected in many cases - espcially if flossing is not a regular activity for you.

Looking at the official Hummingbird website (www.oralbhummingbird.com), the makers, "Oral B", claim to have scientific proof that this device is "Clinically Proven" to work. In fact, if you look carefully at the site, the claim is actually "Clinically proven to perform as well as traditional floss" - note the last five words there !
This was my experience - yes, the device did work, but only as well as traditional floss and sticks !!

So, would I recommend the product ? If you want to spend a relatively large sum of money on yet another gadget for you bathroom cabinet, then by all means do so.
If, however, you are cost-concious, on a budget or just sensible, I'd recommend you stick with the wide range of traditional products out there at a fraction of the cost.
As my "pros" and "cons" state, "It cleans as well as other floss and sticks... but at a much higher cost" !


The starter pack costs around £3.49 - £4.99, and includes the Hummingbird, one AAA Duracell battery, 3 floss attachments and 5 dental sticks. This is widely available from chemists and drug stores.


Oh, and by the way, if you haven't already figured out the answer to the title question, "Why Does The Hummingbird Hum ?", it's because it doesn't know the words !!! An old joke I know, but you try coming up with a title including the word "Hummingbird" !!!

Summary: It's a battery operated, vibrating interdental cleaner.

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