I would love to use the electric toothbrush, but I hate the idea of having to have it sit out on the counter, plugged in all the time and recharging, which is what the one I used to have needed.

As far as being too rough on your gums, you can do that with a regular toothbrush....as well. I have a tendency to *scrub* instead of brush. I also heard that with a Sonicare you had to use specific kinds of toothpaste or else something would happen to the plastic handle. Anybody heard of this?