The holidays are quipply approaching and we’re double-checking our holiday must-have lists, and wouldn’t you know it? We realized it’s time for another toothbrush review! Last year we broke down everything you can expect from the Oral-B Genius 6000 (which you can still purchase at any of our Oklahoma locations, while supplies last – AND use your flex spending card to do it, too!). And while the Oral-B toothbrush is definitely of a higher caliber, not to mention a higher price point, we wanted to review a midrange toothbrush that’s easy to get just about anywhere and does a great job at more than brushing your teeth – it builds habits.
That’s right! We’re reviewing the Quip toothbrush.
A Quip Disclaimer
This review of the Quip toothbrush is brought to you by the Dental Depot Marketing team and is in no way sponsored or affiliated with Quip. We aim to bring you thoughtful, informative opinions on oral healthcare products so that you can make decisions about your oral health needs.
Choosing a Toothbrush
Before we jump in on what we think of Quip’s sleek, simple toothbrush, we want to take it back a step and remind you what the American Dental Association (ADA) carefully considers the safety and efficiency of every product they give their Seal of Acceptance to. Toothbrushes are tested to make sure that they can remove plaque and reduce the risk of gingivitis – which, the Quip has.
If you’re still on the fence about whether or not it’s time to switch from manual toothbrushes to electric, take a few minutes to brush up on our other blog over the pros and cons of each, here. Ultimately, choosing the right toothbrush to you boils down to preference. If you have a toothbrush that you like, you’re more likely to use it as instructed.
Why Habits Matter
Let’s be clear: the ADA and your dentist don’t mind one way or the other if you use a manual or electric toothbrush – so long as you’re using it correctly. This includes brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes at a time with a toothbrush that has soft bristles. Additionally, you need to replace your brush head every three to four months, or more often, if the bristles are visibly frayed.
While most electric toothbrushes feature built-in timers, manuals do not, and unless you remember to watch the clock or set a timer – chances are you might not be brushing for as long as you think. In fact, the ADA reports that most people spend an average of only 45 seconds brushing their teeth!
With these in mind, Quip was designed to help people get into the habit of brushing for the right amount of time, with the right equipment, and replacing your toothbrush when it’s time. If that’s not a reason to love this toothbrush, here’s what you can expect:
Quip: What You Get
The Quip starter set comes with the physical toothbrush, which features sonic vibrations with a 2-minute timer that pulses every 30 seconds to let you know it’s time to move to the next quad of your mouth and turns itself off when your time is up. The Quip also comes with a multi-use cover, which also functions as a stand or it can stick to your mirror or shower wall to save on countertop space. Also included is a AAA battery, which lasts 3 months of proper use (twice a day, two minutes at a time).
Aesthetically speaking, Quip is a very pretty toothbrush: users can select from either blue or green plastic ($30), silver, black, rose gold, or yellow gold ($45), or a limited edition all black metal ($55) or red metal ($45), benefiting Global Dental Relief and (RED) respectively.
While you can buy the toothbrush outright at most retailers, you have the option of purchasing a subscription service through their website that you can customize to include Quip’s ADA-approved mint-flavored toothpaste ($5 for a large) and their refillable floss ($5/refill). With the subscription, Quip delivers a new brush head and battery every 3-months for $5, before add-ons.
Additionally, Quip comes in a child-friendly size with plastic handles in purple, green, pink and blue. The children’s toothpaste is watermelon flavored.
The list of add-ons and subscriptions goes on, and we recommend ordering online so you can customize what you want and what you don’t.
Pros
- Quiet – Quip is practically silent compared to other, more high-powered electric toothbrushes.
- Built-in Timer – With a 2-minute timer that automatically turns itself off and a pulse every thirty seconds, you don’t have to think about brushing for long enough.
- Easy to Hold – The Quip is about the same size as a manual toothbrush, so holding it is easy compared to other electric toothbrushes. On top of this, traveling with Quip is super easy.
- Multi-function Cover – Quip is about simplicity and function, and with their travel cover/toothbrush stand/wall- or mirror-mounted cover, you have everything you need without taking up more counter space.
- No Cords – Quip is powered by a single AAA battery and sends replacements with the new brush heads every three months so you don’t have to keep up with chargers or sacrifice an outlet in your bathroom.
- Subscription = Habits – By selecting a Quip subscription for the brush head replacements, you will never have to worry about using the same head for too long or forgetting when it’s time to change it out, on top of not having to make a trip to the store or remember to place an order.
Cons
- No Rotation – While Quip features sonic pulses, working the toothbrush correctly comes down to the user when oscillating brush heads aren’t an option. If you have problems with dexterity, you might consider an oscillating brush head.
- Simplicity – There are no bells and whistles on Quip, in fact, there’s only one button for turning it on and off.
- One Brush Head – Unlike Quip’s competitors, there is only one kind of brush head to use with this toothbrush, meaning it might not be a great option for users with braces or appliances.
- No Pressure Sensor – It seems like the less amount of time people spend brushing their teeth, the harder they brush to compensate. Some electric toothbrushes, like Oral-B, have built-in pressure sensors that let you know if you’re brushing too hard. Quip lacks this feature.
Verdict
Overall, Quip is an excellent choice to gift to yourself or to the people you love to make smile. It’s a reasonably priced toothbrush with the features that matter and can help build good oral health habits. The timer feature is immensely helpful and the subscription takes the guesswork out of knowing when to replace your brush heads.