Let’s be honest. Brushing your teeth for the dentist-recommended two minutes, twice a day, can feel like a chore. It’s that final, slightly boring task standing between you and bed, or you and your morning coffee.
Enter the SymplBrush.
You’ve probably seen it online. It looks less like a toothbrush and more like a prop from a sci-fi movie—a futuristic mouthguard lined with bristles. Its big promise? A complete, effective, all-teeth-at-once clean in as little as 30 seconds.
It’s a compelling idea, especially for those of us who are time-poor, a bit lazy, or for individuals who find traditional brushing difficult due to dexterity or sensory challenges.
But here’s the catch (there’s always a catch): it’s not a magic wand you just bite down on. To get the clean it promises, there is a specific technique. As part of our “How To” series, we’re breaking down exactly how to use the SymplBrush to maximise its potential and avoid the common pitfalls.
First, What Is This Bit of Kit?
Unlike a standard electric toothbrush that you move from tooth to tooth, the SymplBrush is a “whole-mouth” or “auto-brushing” device. The starter kit typically comes with:
- An ergonomic, easy-grip handle (the motor).
- A magnetic charging stand.
- Two flexible, medical-grade “bristle cradles” (usually Adult Small and Adult Large) to help you find your best fit.
The marketing highlights that its 20x bristle coverage and unique motor (which creates a back-and-forth brushing motion, not just a sonic vibration) is what sets it apart. It’s designed to remove “user error” by brushing all surfaces—front, back, and chewing—at the same time.
But that “user error” part is only true if you follow the new set of instructions.
The Step-by-Step Guide to a SymplBrush Clean
Here’s the drill. Follow these steps precisely to get a clean your dentist would be (mostly) proud of.
Step 1: Charge and Assemble
This one’s a no-brainer. Make sure your SymplBrush handle is fully charged on its magnetic stand. Once it’s juiced up, select the bristle cradle size that feels most comfortable and click it onto the handle.
Step 2: The Great Toothpaste Debate
You can’t just glob your regular toothpaste on here.
- The Problem: Most standard toothpastes (especially those with SLS – sodium lauryl sulfate) are designed to foam up. When you use them in a contained device like this, you create a foam-pocalypse in your mouth.
- The Solution: SymplBrush has its own “SymplPaste” and “SymplChews” (chewable tablets) that are low-foam. However, you don’t have to use their brand.
- Your Best Bet: Use a low-foaming gel, a kids’ toothpaste, or a specialised toothpaste for electric brushes. The Australian site also rightly advises that any benefits rely on using a fluoride toothpaste to protect against decay.
Step 3: Apply the Paste
Don’t put a giant blob in one spot. For the best coverage, apply small dots of your low-foam paste directly onto the bristles on both the top and bottom of the cradle. If you’re using tablets, chew it into a paste first, swish it around, then insert the brush.
Step 4: The Insertion and “The Bite”
Place the device in your mouth, fitting your teeth into the bristle channel. Now, bite down… but lightly.
This is crucial. The brush has a pressure-sensitive motor. If you chomp down like it’s a piece of steak, the bristles will be crushed against your teeth, and the motor will stall (or pause) to protect your gums. You want a gentle bite, just enough to hold it in place.
Step 5: The 30-Second “Wiggle” (THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP)
Press the single button to start the 30-second cycle.
DO NOT just stand there.
This is the number one mistake new users make. If you just bite and hold, the bristles will clean your tooth surfaces, but they will not effectively reach the most important part: the gumline, where plaque loves to hide.
To get a proper clean, you must perform a “Sympl Wiggle”:
- While the brush is running, gently move the handle from side-to-side.
- This small, lateral movement (left and right) engages the “stretch-fit” design and allows the bristles to sweep into the gumline and the spaces between your teeth.
- Think of it less as an “automatic” clean and more as a “power-assisted” clean. You still have to provide the all-important gumline technique.
Step 6: Rinse and Clean Up
After 30 seconds, the brush will stop. Spit out the remaining toothpaste (don’t rinse your mouth—leave that good fluoride on your teeth!).
Now, clean your device. Detach the bristle cradle from the handle. Rinse the cradle thoroughly under warm water, making sure to get any paste residue out of the bristles. Wipe the handle clean and place it back on its stand.
Pro-Tips to Maximise Your Clean
- Don’t Ditch the Floss: Let’s be very clear. This is a toothbrush. It is not, and will never be, a replacement for flossing or using interdental brushes. Plaque between the teeth is still your responsibility.
- Focus on the Wiggle: We’re saying it again because it’s that important. If you just bite and hold, you are not getting an effective clean. The side-to-side wiggle is the technique.
- Who is this Really For? This device is a fantastic option for people who struggle with a traditional brush. Its thick, ergonomic handle and simple one-button operation are ideal for those with arthritis, Parkinson’s, or other dexterity challenges. It’s also a great tool for carers and individuals with sensory sensitivities.
- Is it a Replacement? For the average, healthy adult, many dentists would argue it’s not a full-time replacement for a high-quality electric toothbrush used with perfect, two-minute technique. However, it’s undeniably better than a 45-second lazy scrub with a manual brush.
The Verdict
The SymplBrush is a very clever bit of kit. It solves the problem of coverage by brushing all your teeth at once. But it doesn’t entirely solve the problem of “user error.”
It simply changes it.
The error to avoid with SymplBrush isn’t missing a spot; it’s forgetting to wiggle. If you can master the light bite and the 30-second side-to-side motion, it’s a genuinely fast and effective way to brush.
Couldn’t agree more!