THE GOODS : Whiter and Brighter, Faster

Now there’s a new electric toothbrush that’s about six times faster than anything on the market.

Just introduced by Teledyne Water Pik, the SenSonic Plaque Removal Instrument--that means toothbrush--operates at a speed of 30,000 brush strokes a minute. Other automatic brushes clock in at 3,000 to 5,000 per minute.

Through an electronic feedback system run by a microchip, SenSonic automatically adjusts the speed. If you aren’t brushing hard enough, it increases its speed; it decreases it if you’re applying too much pressure. The speed, say Teledyne reps, also makes toothpaste foam more so it penetrates hard-to-reach places.

During in-house testing, Teledyne found the high speed of the contoured brush not only removes plaque, but also reduces stains such as those caused by coffee and tea.

Similar favorable results were found in outside clinical testing that has just been completed, but not yet released, according to Sara Harms, vice president of oral health at Teledyne.

Denver dentist John Abrams, was among a number of dentists the company invited to try SenSonic (the dentists were not paid). He says SenSonic “has a lot of potential. I never endorse anything, but they asked me to try it and I do feel that my teeth are cleaner than with manual brushing.”

Abrams says, “Most people do not spend as much time brushing as we’d like. The speed of sonic technology means that patients can save time brushing and still do an effective job of cleaning their teeth and massaging their gums.” SenSonic has a rechargeable battery that enables the brush to last up to two weeks without its plug-in base if you charge it for 24 hours before taking it on a trip. SenSonic ($129-$149) is available in the Los Angeles area at Robinsons-May. To order from Teledyne Water Pik in Fort Collins, Colo., call (800) 706-2266.

Your Car as a Source of Power

Pocket Socket is a unique little gadget that plugs into a car’s cigarette lighter and lets you run appliances ranging from lights and small drills to TVs, VCRs, laptops and fax machines.

An eight-ounce power inverter, Pocket Socket would be ideal for camping or useful in a power failure. Plugging it into the cigarette lighter converts the car’s 12-volt DC battery to the same 115-volt AC power that comes out of the electrical outlets in your home, so you can run a lamp or TV with an extension cord from your car until power is restored to your house.

About the size of a garage door opener, Pocket Socket can provide 100 watts of electricity, enough for lights, or deliver the 800 watts of ultrasurge needed to start up PCs, TVs, VCRs, faxes and small power tools.

Pocket Socket ($79) is manufactured by PowerStar Products in Sunnyvale, Calif. It’s sold at Camping Word and REI stores and selected auto supply, hardware, department, sporting goods and RV stores nationwide. Or order it from the company by calling (800) 645-4004 or (800) 922-3410.

Tools Literally at Your Feet

In the category of “why didn’t somebody think of this before” is Rubbermaid’s clever Step Stool Tool Box, a 13-inch step stool you can fill with tools.

The stool, which can support up to 300 pounds, has a lift-out tray inside that can hold a hammer, screwdrivers, pliers, tapes, glue gun, scissors and more. On top is a recessed handle for easy carrying.

Weighing 6 1/2 pounds empty, Step Stool Tool Box ($20) comes in gray or navy and is available nationwide at Home Depot, Kmart, Wal-Mart, Fedco, Target and Builders Square mass merchandise stores and True Value and Ace hardware stores.