Keeping sound oral health begins with patronizing the best oral care products. Without the right products, your oral health can be compromised, and we are sure you don’t want yourself dealing with dental issues. A toothbrush is one of those vital tools for keeping healthy teeth and gums. Thanks to technology’s fast pace, this vital tool now has electric variants that automatically clean the mouth with almost no pressure.
The Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 Electric Toothbrush is one of the impressive gifts technology has given to us. This toothbrush, made by a leading electric toothbrush manufacturer, produces gentle clean without the pain of harsh scrubbing while removing more plaque than a manual toothbrush. If you use braces, crowns, veneers, and crowns, the brush is suitable for you, and you can count on it to improve your gum health. It uses several smart functions to offer you improved oral care.
When shopping for an electric toothbrush, you need the right information to make the right choice for yourself or your family. We have thoroughly tested this toothbrush and also consulted top dental professionals to get you the best information. This article will discuss all you need to know about the Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 to help you decide if it’s the right oral care product for you.
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Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 Performance
The Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 performs well thanks to its smart features. This toothbrush is quite easy to use with a single clean mode and guarantees very effective cleaning action. It comes with an inbuilt timer that helps you brush for the complete two minutes recommended by dental professionals. There’s also a Quadpacer that pauses the brush every 30 seconds to help you switch to a different of your mouth, thus achieving a complete clean.
As if those are not enough, the Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 utilizes the BrushSync technology that alerts you when it’s time to change brush heads. Also, this toothbrush uses a pressure sensor that ensures you do not brush your teeth and gums too hard, thus preventing any harm to your dental health. It features a lithium ion battery that provides impressive battery life.
How does the Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 work?
While the Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 operates in one cleaning mode, an internal motor powers it. This motor ensures that the brush head vibrates 31,000 times per minute when brushing. Although there’s only one cleaning mode present, this toothbrush features two intensity settings – high and low. These settings make the toothbrush ideal for even people with sensitive teeth who can opt for low intensity.
While some might describe the one cleaning mode as a drawback, most users consider the toothbrush as simple because extra options often make operation more complicated. Also, this toothbrush features a microchip-enabled technology that helps detect and synchronize the smart brush head with the handle. With the smart brush head and smart handle pair, the smart replacement reminders are enabled.
What’s In The Box?
- One Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 electric toothbrush
- One C2 optimal plaque control brush head
- One Charging stand
- One instructions’ manual
Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 options?
There are different variants of the Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean series. The 4100 electric toothbrush has a few variants of its own as well. Although each model provides the same performance, cleaning mode, and battery life, the handle colors differ. Each model also has different Sonicare part numbers assigned to them. Below are the different options the Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 offers:
White & Mint – HX6817/01
Black & White – HX6810/50
You may not find both variants in some stores, so you may have to shop around to find your preferred option.
Key Features
- Sonic cleaning action – 62,000 movements per minute
- One cleaning mode
- Inbuilt pressure sensor
- Two-minute minute timer and 30-second pacer
- Brush head reminder system
- Automatic power off
- 14-day battery life
Pros
- Removes plaque effectively
- Timer and pacer help to clean the teeth correctly
- Brush head replacement reminder
- Long-lasting battery life
- Approved by the American Dental Association (ADA)
Cons
- Only one mode
- No visible pressure sensor
Size guide
- Height (with head) – 25cm/9.8 inches
- Height (without head) – 19cm/7.4 inches
- Thickness – 3cm/1.1 inches
- Width – 2.8cm/1.1 inches
- Weight (with head) – 130g/0.29lb
- Weight (without head) – 125g/0.27lb
Design And Accessories
The Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 sports an elegant and excellent design you can see right from its packaging, crafted from recyclable materials. When you hold this toothbrush in your hand, you get the sense that you’re holding a premium product that comes at a relatively low cost. The back of the rounded handle features a notch or ridge that keeps the brush from falling off from a sink or table. Although the handle has minimal gripping points, you can still hold the brush very securely.
As stated earlier in this article, the ProtectiveClean 4100 is available in two different color options for buyers. While you have the black and white on one hand, you have the white and mint variant on the other. The black and white color option has a largely black handle, while the panel near the power button is white. It also comes with a white brush head. On the other hand, the white and mint variant has an all-white handle, whilst the panel near the power button is mint. This variant is also supplied with a white brush head.
Brush Handle
The Philips Sonicare logo is placed on the front of the brush handle. The round power button sits down the handle, and there’s a power symbol printed on the concave rubber button. Our tests and feedbacks reveal the rubber button is relatively easy to press. Close to the bottom of the brush, you’ll find the BrushSync LED and its symbol below it. There’s also the battery LED and its symbol below it.
The brush handle’s base features a recess into which the charging stand’s prong fits. It can then sit upright on the charging stand. The brush handle’s top features the metal shaft where the brush head connects to. This shaft connects to a motor placed inside the handle.
This brush doesn’t have an icon or LED indicating the cleaning mode because it offers just one mode, albeit two intensities. You do not these signs; all you need to do is press the power button once, and your brush will turn on. If you want to turn the brush off before the end of the cleaning time, you can press and hold on to the handle for a few seconds.
How does the timer work?
Also, the inbuilt timer activates immediately after the power button is pressed. This timer runs for exactly two minutes as recommended by dentists for effective results. The brush automatically turns off as soon as the two minutes elapse. This is a nice feature that you won’t find in some toothbrushes. Not only does it tells you two minutes is up, but it also helps conserve your battery power.
While the two-minute timer is an impressive feature, the built-in pacer takes things to the next level. The pacer works at 30-second intervals, pausing the motor momentarily and changing the brush’s sound to inform you that it’s time to switch quadrants. The idea here is that you break your mouth up into four sections; upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right. You will then spend 30 seconds cleaning each of these sections. By the time you clean the four sections, you will have cleaned your teeth and gums for two minutes. This feature is quite important because it’s not very helpful when you spend two minutes cleaning only your front teeth or top teeth. Hence, the two-minute timer and pacer help to achieve more effective results.
Brush heads
The ProtectiveClean 4100 comes with the C2 Optimal Plaque Control brush head. This brush head is only one style from a range available/compatible with this model. The 4100 features BrushSync technology, which reminds you when it’s time to replace your brush head. Although dental professionals recommend that you use your brush head for only three months, your brush head may turn bad before it uses up to three months.
The BrushSync technology, with the help of an integrated small microchip, helps you change a bad brush head when it’s time to. This technology tracks how often you use the brush head, and it knows that it should be replaced every three months. So once the brush handle detects the head has been used for three months, the LED on the handle will light up to tell you it’s time to change the head. When you use a toothbrush for more than three months, you may compromise your oral health, a situation the BrushSync technology helps you avoid.
Replacing the brush head is pretty simple. Each brush head simply pulls off and pushes on the brush handle. Although the 4100 naturally uses a smart brush head, you can use a non-smart brush head on it as you can use a smart brush head on a brush handle without BrushSync technology. However, BrushSync only works when a compatible smart head is used for a compatible handle. Sonicare brush heads are made with maximum safety in mind. With round-tip bristles, your teeth and gums are safe from any damage.
You only need bristles to skim your teeth’s surface to clean your teeth without a lot of force. Apart from wearing out brush heads prematurely, brushing too hard can make you suffer adverse effects such as gum recession, damaged tooth enamel, and other oral health issues.
What are the benefits of the Pressure Sensor?
The ProtectiveClean 4100 takes care of the issue of brushing too hard with the integrated pressure sensor. This sensor detects excessive pressure, thus alerting you when you apply too much pressure on your teeth. When you feel changes in the brushing sensation as well as the sound, you should know you’re applying too much pressure that may harm your teeth or gums. All you need to do to stop the pressure sensor is to relieve the pressure being applied to your teeth. As weeks pass by, you’ll get used to the appropriate pressure needed to brush your teeth without issues.
Which brush heads are compatible?
The Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 comes with only one brush head, but there are various other styles that are compatible with it. These styles of brush heads include:
C2 Optimal Plaque Control
When you buy the ProtectiveClean 4100, you will find the C2 Optimal Plaque Control in the box. It’s the only brush head that accompanies this toothbrush. It offers up to seven times more plaque removal compared to a regular manual toothbrush. This brush head is equally ideal for the removal of excessive tartar and plaque buildup on the teeth surface.
I Intercare
The I Intercare is another brush head compatible with the 4100. It offers deep cleaning of the teeth and removes seven times more plaque than manual toothbrushes. This brush head is ideal for persons battling with periodontal disease as it provides the needed care to treat the issue.
G2 Optimal Gum Care
The G2 Optimal Gum Care, like the name suggests, is a brush head built to improve gum health and remove plaque effectively. It is ideal for the removal of excessive tartar and plaque buildup at the gum line.
W DiamondClean
Do you want to whiten your teeth and get results in only one week, this brush head is ideal for you. It helps to maintain the white teeth achieved from domestic whitening procedures. This brush head is also capable of seven times more plaque removal than a regular manual toothbrush.
C3 Premium Plaque Control
With its unique bristle pattern and flexible sides, this brush head offers the deepest clean that promises effective results. With it, you can expect excellent cleaning action.
G3 Premium Gum Care
This brush head is built to absorb excess cleaning pressure to help protect the gums. Hence, your gums are protected from harm that may arise from excessive scrubbing.
W3 Premium White
This brush head works to whiten the teeth in only three days by removing surface stains and plaque, thus leaving you with very clean teeth.
Key Features Explained
The Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 boasts several features that make it function and deliver great results to users. Below, we will dissect some of the most important features of the toothbrush:
Brush Head Replacement
When dentists recommend that you don’t use a brush head for more than three months, it is to ensure that you only use an effective brush head that can deliver results. When the brush head turns bad, effective cleaning is hindered. This toothbrush features BrushSync technology to deal with this challenge. This technology tracks how often you use the brush and the amount of pressure exerted over time to determine when it’s time to replace the brush head. Therefore, you’re able to get the desired cleaning and desire results with the right brush head.
Although you can deactivate this helpful feature, we advise that you leave it on, considering its importance in maintaining great oral health.
Pressure Sensor
Before the advent of electric toothbrushes, we used manual toothbrushes to keep our teeth clean. Manual toothbrushes require hard scrubbing and extra pressure to clean the teeth effectively. However, electric toothbrushes offer the luxury of cleaning automatically without the need for scrubbing or applying too much pressure. Applying too much pressure on your teeth with an electric toothbrush can harm you. The need to address the issue necessitated the innovation of the pressure sensor. Like other ProtectiveClean models, the 4100 features a pressure sensor.
The pressure sensor notifies you when you brush too hard to keep your teeth and gums safe. When you find out that the brush’s vibration has drastically reduced, it means you are pressing too hard, and you’ll have to relieve the pressure to reactivate the normal vibration level. Although you can also disable this feature, it is one vital feature you shouldn’t consider disabling for the sake of your teeth and gums’ safety.
Smartimer
You may have been tired of being told that dentists recommend two minutes as the proper brushing duration, but this information is vital to maintaining sound oral health. This realization made Sonicare integrate a Smartimer into the ProtectiveClean 4100. The Smartimer is set to two minutes – the recommended brushing duration – and you get notified after you have spent two minutes brushing. This toothbrush is programmed to turn off after two minutes of brushing automatically. This feature will allow you not to brush for too long or too short, just the proper time.
Quadpacer
When you brush your teeth, you must touch every part of your mouth. The mouth is divided into four different sections, and you’re expected to brush each of them equally, thus making this task easier. This means, in two minutes, you have 30 seconds to brush each quadrant. The Quadpacer in the ProtectiveClean 4100 is available to help you out. It produces short beeps every 30-second intervals to notify you of the need to change to a different quadrant. Four beeps for four sections equal to two minutes, and the brush will automatically turn off after this cycle is completed.
Although users with larger mouths may find this feature frustrating, especially because it can’t be disabled, it’s quite easy to turn the toothbrush back on and properly brush the parts you missed.
Easy Start
Making the transition from a manual toothbrush to an electric toothbrush can be difficult because of the vibration that comes with the electric variant. But it’s quite easy to use, and the Easy Start feature helps your transition go smoothly. Easy Start is a feature that gently increases the intensity over your first 14 brushings. This is to help you get used to brushing with the toothbrush. Clearly, 31,000 brush strokes per minute are too much for someone who’s not used to the power of electric toothbrushes. The innovative Easy Start shows a great level of attention to first-time electric brush users and ensures they have a great brushing experience.
Although some may not notice the difference, those with sensitive teeth or gums will, and they will appreciate the gradual transition. With the instructions manual’s help, you have the chance to disable the Easy Start feature if you determine that it’s not useful for you.
Installation Of The Product
As we have established in this article, a brush head is expected to be used only three months before replacement. This means you’ll make an average of four replacements in one year. Thanks to the BrushSync technology and the incorporated microchip, you will get informed when it’s time to switch brush heads. This smart technology measures that the brush head has been used for three months and indicates it requires changing.
The process of replacing the brush head is quite simple and straightforward and simple. The brush head pushes on the brush handle, and it clicks into place, signaling it’s ready for operation. You can also pull it off easily when it’s time to replace it.
Settings For The Philips Sonicare App
The Sonicare Toothbrush App is a luxury tool to enhance user experience and ultimately improve oral care. However, it’s not compatible with many Sonicare toothbrushes, including the ProtectiveClean 4100. It’s compatible with the DiamondClean Smart Toothbrush, ExpertClean Toothbrush, FlexCare Platinum Connected Toothbrush, and Sonicare Kids (Only compatible with Sonicare Kids App). Although our review focuses on the ProtectiveClean 4100, we determined that it is important that we inform you of how the Sonicare App works.
Sonicare app for Android
Sonicare app for Apple
The application can be downloaded and installed from iOS and Android app stores on a smartphone. Compatible toothbrushes have Bluetooth connectivity integrated into their handles. This connectivity links them to the smartphone app. The toothbrush and the app are synched by turning on the brush’s connectivity and the smartphone’s Bluetooth.
The app displays real-time images that show the movement of your cleaning, thus helping you clean better. It tells you the parts you have cleaned and the parts you have missed to ensure that you achieve a complete clean. This app can also help younger users develop better brushing habits because they can see a graphic display of their cleaning session.
In addition, the compatible toothbrushes store data temporarily and ensure that the Sonicare app can keep track of past brushing sessions.
How Does The Philips Sonicare Protectiveclean 4100 Compare To Other Products?
The Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 possesses several simple features that make it function impressively. These features combine to clean the teeth just as you want. However, this toothbrush lacks some extra or fancy features you may find in other products. How does the ProtectiveClean 4100 compare to the ProtectiveClean 5100 and ProtectiveClean 6100, for example?
While the ProtectiveClean 4100 has a single brushing mode, both the 5100 and 6100 feature three cleaning modes. So, if you want a variety to a single brushing mode, you may want to ignore the 4100, although its one cleaning mode does the job just fine. Also, the 4100 doesn’t come with a travel case like its counterparts. The 4100, however, has other similar top features with the 5100 and 6100. They include the Smartimer, Quadpacer, and Pressure sensor. These functions are very vital to improving oral care and health. All the Sonicare ProtectiveClean models also have two-week battery life.
How does the Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 compare to the Oral-B Pro 1000? These products are quite similar. They both have one cleaning mode that cleans effectively and delivers the required results. They also feature the pressure sensor, timer, and pacer. While ProtectiveClean 4100 uses sonic vibration to clean, the Oral-B Pro 1000 uses the 3D cleaning action, which involves oscillation, rotation, and pulsation. Another notable difference between them is their battery life. The 4100 has a two-week battery life, while the Oral-B 1000 has one-week battery life.
The Sonicare ProtectiveClean 5100 features densely-packed and high-quality bristles to deliver extra gentle brushing to remove plaque along the gum line. The toothbrush features three brushing modes that allow the user to customize their cleaning to their needs. The Clean mode offers standard, superior cleaning, while the White mode is ideal for eliminating surface stains. The Gum Care mode adds one extra minute of less-power brushing to help massage gums gently.
It also features a two-minute timer and a Quadpacer that ensures the user brushes for the recommended time and completes a complete clean. There’s also the pressure sensor in place. The brush’s battery lasts for two weeks.
Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 6100
Like the ProtectiveClean 6100, this model features densely-packed, stain-removal bristles that are clinically proven to whiten teeth in only one week. It also comes with three cleaning modes and adds three intensities. The Clean mode delivers the standard, superior cleaning while the White mode helps remove surface stains. Also, Gum Care helps to massage the gums. As present in other top electric toothbrushes, the 6100 features the pressure mode, the two-minute timer, and the Quadpacer.
Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 5100
The Sonicare ProtectiveClean 5100 features densely-packed and high-quality bristles to deliver extra gentle brushing to remove plaque along the gum line. The toothbrush features three brushing modes that allow the user to customize their cleaning to their needs. The Clean mode offers standard, superior cleaning, while the White mode is ideal for eliminating surface stains. The Gum Care mode adds one extra minute of less-power brushing to help massage gums gently.
It also features a two-minute timer and a Quadpacer that ensures the user brushes for the recommended time and completes a complete clean. There’s also the pressure sensor in place. The brush’s battery lasts for two weeks.
Oral B Pro 1000
The Oral-B Pro 1000 offers the 3D cleaning action that oscillates, pulsates, and rotates, to clean as best as possible. It features one cleaning mode that ensures excellent cleaning results. Also, this toothbrush features a pressure sensor that protects from harm and a timer and Quadpacer that ensure proper cleaning. The battery lasts for seven days/one week.
Short Term Use Of Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100
The ProtectiveClean 4100 is a simple model that is quite easy to operate. Once you press down the power button to turn the toothbrush on, you can start brushing your teeth. You can make another push on the button to change the intensity. With only one push, you can change from low to high intensity and vice versa. To turn the brush off, you need to press the power button and hold on to it for a few seconds. Although if you don’t, the toothbrush is smart enough to turn itself off automatically after some minutes of idleness.
Features such as the inbuilt timer and Quadpacer work as soon as you turn the toothbrush on, so you don’t have to press any button to enable them. The downside is, you can’t disable them, but this is not exactly a bad situation because you can turn your brush back on easily.
This toothbrush combines very helpful features to help you enjoy excellent cleaning efficiency that promises improved dental care. All you need to learn is how to use this brilliant device, and you’re guaranteed rapid results.
Long Term Use Of Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100
We made the ProtectiveClean 4100 go through hands-on testing that involved regular use at home. The different tests reveal that this model meets the high standard Sonicare is known for. Feedback from users also reveals the device that can be trusted to serve for a long time. It feels well built and quite solid. Also, the construction appears spot on.
Naturally, things can go wrong with an electrical item, but the chances here are slim, and you can be confident your device won’t suddenly break down after months of purchase. However, if it fails, Sonicare offers a two-year warranty that can get you a free repair or replacement. If you register the 4100 online after purchase, you can get an extra six-month extension to the original warranty.
Caring For Your Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100
The ProtectiveClean 4100, like every other electrical device, requires proper care to last long and deliver top performance. There are things you shouldn’t do this device to ensure it stays operating. Although it is water-resistant, it is not completely waterproof. Sonicare advises against using it in a shower or bathtub to avoid damage from excessive water.
While the two-year warranty is valid, it only protects you against manufacturing errors and other related flaws. But it will not safeguard you against damage from accidentally immersing the device in water. It also won’t cover damage from dropping the toothbrush. Therefore, you have a responsibility to keep your device out of harm’s way so you can enjoy it for a long time.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Sonicare 4100 and 5100 are quite similar, but a few features separate them. The 4100 has one cleaning mode. Although it produces the desired results and some users like its simplicity, others may prefer a model that offers them various cleaning modes. The 5100 offers that variety with three different cleaning modes. The 4100 lacks in that aspect. Apart from that, this model does not come with a travel case, while the 5100 comes with one. Also, the 4100 comes with the C2 Plaque Control brush head, while the 5100 comes with the Gum Care brush head.
Many dentists favor the electric toothbrush because of its powerful cleaning action to remove plaque and eliminate surface stains. There’s no specific toothbrush mostly recommended by dentists, but they typically recommend toothbrushes with the best features. Dentists favor toothbrushes that offer convenient and safe features. For instance, a dentist will recommend a toothbrush with a pressure sensor over one without the sensor.
Dentists, who naturally recommend two minutes of brushing time, also recommend toothbrushes with the two-minute timer. In addition, they recommend toothbrushes with long battery life. Logically, a dentist will recommend a toothbrush with three-week battery life ahead of one with one-week battery life. Essentially, the electric toothbrush most recommended by dentists is one that delivers top functions and ensures user safety.
Yes and no. Yes, if you use the toothbrush incorrectly by failing to enable the pressure sensor. This sensor detects hard scrubbing and helps to protect the teeth and gums from harm. So, no, Sonicare can’t damage your teeth if you enable the sensor and ensure you do not apply too much pressure on your teeth.
The Philips Sonicare 4100 is quite easy to use. Thanks to its single mode, you can turn it on by pushing the button once and start brushing your mouth. The pressure sensor, timer, pacer are activated automatically and help you have a great brushing experience.
Final Verdict
As we have emphasized several times in this article, the right features ensure that the teeth and gums are cleaned properly. The Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 possesses these features and has what it takes to deliver top performance. It boasts an efficient cleaning mode that vibrates rapidly to remove plaque easily and whiten the teeth. This toothbrush also offers the pressure sensor, timer, pacer, BrushSync technology, and the Easy Start feature that ensure the ultimate brushing experience.
Dr Michael Jones is the proud founder of The Toothbrush Expert. He has been working as a dentist for 21 years now. Besides his work as a dentist, Michael wants to help people to find the right dental products. His goal is to provide everyone with honest expert reviews on all kinds of dental care products.
