Job Discussion Forums

[Joannda]

Ok, so this might sound like a bit of a silly/strange question, but do they sell electric toothbrushes in Japan? I have one at the moment (Braun) but thought it would probably be a bit of a waste of time and money trying to get an adaptor just so I can use my electric toothbrush, so I'm probably not gonna bring it. However, I'm very attached to it And would find it hard to revert to using a 'normal' toothbrush for the year (or more) I'll be in Japan... So, I figured it'd be easiest to get one once I'm there, but wasn't sure if these are actually available...? If yes, what kind of price range are they in? (both for the actual toothbrush, and then for the replacement heads.)
Thanks guys, look forward to your responses

[Celeste]

They absolutely have them here. I brought mine from Canada and it works. I am able to get replacment heads here also. I think a new one is about 10 000 yen and replacement heads are about 2000 yen for a package of 5.

[J.]

I have a Braun I bought here. Much cheaper than 10, 000 yen. I forget the exact price but I think around 4000 yen or less. They run on batteries so there is no cord and no sweat. I bought in the supermarket; they have them everywhere.

[buffy]

I think you'll find that your Braun will work anywhere in the world without a transformer or an adaptor.

[BradS]

I just bought a battery powered one for 100 YEN last week! Though I need to replace the batteries every 9 days or so.

[Eleckid]

I also have a Braun which I've been using in Canada. I didn't need any transformer when I got to Japan, it works. And the replacement heads are cheaper than in Canada, cuz the model is considered very old here. The new ones in Japan aren't that expensive.

Oh, btw the one which Lion came out late last yr has some function like sending some waves while you're brushing & it losens plaques hidden in your gum. Has anyone tried that? My old Braun is old (like 5-6 yrs ago) & I'd like to get a new one. Is that one good (for those who tried it)?

[Joannda]

Thanks for your replies guys, I'm glad to hear I'll be able to get one over there when I arrive Although a couple of you think I should be able to use my existing one, I already checked the power voltage or whatever, and it's much too high for Japan (220-240) so that won't work (I guess it's different if you're from America/Canada, but we have different power voltage here in NZ). I'll probably just invest in a new one over there Not sure about getting a battery one though... my flatmate had one and it runs out pretty quickly!!

[stillnosheep]

The same plaque-loosening effect can be obtained with a manual toothbrush by getting it good and wet, holding it against your front teeth and sticking the middle finger of your other hand in the plug socket...

[J.]

Yeah, sns, a cure for plaque and everything else in one's life at the same time. Good tip!

For the Original poster, I wouldn't worry so much about the batteries. I usually only have to change them once or twice a year. I think the guy with the hyakku-en shop toothbrush is using the cheap batteries too. What can you expect when you get 4 batteries for a 100 yen? (about a dollar).