I am an over-brusher. There, I’ve admitted it.

At the end of its short lifespan, my toothbrush generally looks like it has been forced to scrub paint off walls. All that over-brushing has turned my gums into one more receding line I have to worry about, and it’s a real problem. I’ve tried just about everything to manage it: from soft-bristled toothbrushes to toothpaste so sensitive it might call your girlfriend to ask how her day went. But nothing seemed to work; I’d still end up with irritated, swollen gums. And then there was the ISSA.

 

Rookie of the Year: Silicone

The ISSA changed the rules of electric toothbrushes. Its silicone brush head design offered a non abrasive electric toothbrush to gently clean teeth and massage gums. FOREO’s Sonic Pulse Technology involves no harsh spinning; instead, high-intensity pulsations break up and remove plaque. It seemed like the perfect solution for sensitive gums, but the hardened skeptic in me could not be convinced. When I was asked to try out the ISSA play, it won me over.

What Makes ISSA play different?

Smaller than the ISSA & ISSA Hybrid, the ISSA play is super lightweight and easy to hold. And while other ISSA models have interchangeable attachment heads, the handle and hybrid brush head of the ISSA play is all one piece, making it a one-time investment.

Perhaps the biggest difference is the way the ISSA play is powered: AAA batteries, as opposed to existing ISSA brushes which are USB-charged.

Getting Started

Straight out of the box, ISSA play comes with 2 AAA batteries, so you don’t have to spend time rifling through every junk drawer in your house to find some. To use, push the power button and start brushing just like you would with a manual toothbrush.

Why I’m Never Going Back to the Basic Toothbrush

  1.       The flexible silicone bristles are comfortable on my tender gums, and hold up well despite my overzealous brushing technique.
  2.       Brushing no longer leaves me sore, because I don’t have to apply so much pressure to get a thorough clean.
  3.       It looks like something out of a sci-fi movie, sleek and futuristic, which are not words you’d typically use to describe something as like a toothbrush.

It’s safe to say I won’t be trading in my ISSA play any time soon, but I will be adding the full-sized ISSA to my wish list.