IS IT A BIRD....IS IT A PLANE.....NO, IT'S..... (Braun Oral-B Hummingbird)

Member Name: 99line

Product:	Braun Oral-B Hummingbird
Date:	17/01/06 (1588 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: One handed flossing

Disadvantages: Expensive

What on earth is this?..................My exact words when my daughter in law gave me the packet containing the BRAUN ORAL B HUMMINGBIRD.


Definitions of the word Oral are:-

Adj: using speech rather than writing
Noun: an examination conducted by word of mouth
Adj: of or relating to or affecting or for use in the mouth

Definition of the word Hummingbird is:-

Noun: tiny American bird having brilliant iridescent plumage and long slender bills.

Very little help there!!

Closer inspection of the packet informed me that this was in fact a vibrating flosser/dental pick….hmm.

I should explain that I am just a teensy bit fanatical about keeping my teeth in pristine condition and I always floss my teeth after every brushing and I carry toothpicks in my handbag so that I can have a quick 'pick' after a meal or snack when we're away from home.

So when my darling daughter in law saw this product she thought it had been made especially for me!!!

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The packet contained the hummingbird unit, three flossing attachments and five toothpick attachments and is in fact a starter pack.

The unit very loosely resembles the shape of a hummingbird it's about four inches tall before the addition of attachments, it is blue and white in colour with Oral B printed on the side. It's made of fairly sturdy plastic - similar in type to the plastic of an electric toothbrush - and is operated by one AAA battery. There is a little on/off button on the main body.

The flossing attachments are plastic 'wishbones' with flossing tape stretched tightly across them, they're about an inch and a half tall.

The dental picks are unsurprisingly shaped like toothpicks, about one inch tall, are made of a flexible fairly soft plastic and have a very pleasant mint smell and taste.

Each attachment individually slots on to the unit and it is very easy to use, a little pressure on the switch, into the mouth, between the teeth and floss or pick - the choice is ultimately yours.

I've used the hummingbird both as a flosser and as a toothpick a few times now and while I think it's great to be able to floss my teeth using only one hand and the mint taste of the toothpicks is lovely, I'm not convinced that I'll be buying refills for my unit.

I haven't seen any noticeable difference in my teeth and gums after using the hummingbird.

In all probability I'll continue to use conventional dental floss and toothpicks as I honestly can't see any advantages with this unit.

I found that I could easily clean the single use flossers and dental picks, using mouthwash, which gave me roughly three uses of each.

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The features of the Hummingbird (as detailed on the back of the packet) are:-

+ Gentle vibrations massage your gums
+ Choice of two interchangeable attachments - power ergonomic flosser and soft mint dental
pick (both included)
+ Single-use refill attachments
+ Designed to reach between your teeth and below your gum line to remove plaque
+ Hummingbird reaches areas your toothbrush can't
+ Handy 4-inch tall compact design fits in the palm of your hand
+ Easy and convenient size lets you floss with one hand
+ Powered by one AAA Duracell® battery (included)

I haven't been able to locate the Hummingbird to buy on the High Street but internet prices are:-

Hummingbird Unit - £ 7.74
15 Flossing Refills - £ 4.15
25 Dental Picks - £ 4.15
These prices all include postage.
They are currently available on eBay for slightly less money.

Information about the Oral B Hummingbird can be found at:-
www.auravita.com


N.B. It has been pointed out to me that the hummingbird would probably be of use to people who's dexterity was a bit challenged, for example those with arthritis who perhaps find it difficult to use normal floss.
I didn't take this into account while I was writing this review, however it doesn't alter my overall view of the Braun Oral B Hummingbird.

Pauline. 2005

Summary: An expensive one handed method of flossing teeth.

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