Written by Dr. Vaughn Teuscher at Two Rivers Dentistry
I just finished a “Lunch and Learn” by our Rep from Crest/Oral-B on all the new products from this renowned company. While eating a Greek salad, I listened as he extolled the virtues of the new IO electric toothbrush that they have offered for sale. They have the top of the line, the IO-8 with all the bells and whistles on down to the IO-6, IO-4 and their entry level IO-2, which is offered at Costco at a pretty good deal.
The IO-8 retails for almost $300 on Amazon and features technology that is far quieter than its predecessor. The electronics are quite novel, featuring differing lights and modes and a red light that comes on when you press too hard. The timer expires at two minutes and gives you a “frowny” face if you cut short the brushing time. There are modes for regular brushing, sensitive brushing, whitening mode (which is increasing and decreasing in frequency) and full-on all-out power mode, etc. There is a traditional charger and a “power” charger, a black and white interface on the handle, and a travel case.
The basic unit does not have the electronics and fancy features, just an on-off button, but it has the same great technology as the power toothbrush.
Years ago, I saw an article on trials that showed that manual vs. electric brushing is the same. I asked my Rep that question, and he responded that recently, those clinical trials have shown that it is not the case. Today I looked it up and sure enough, he was right.
The electric toothbrush is shown to reduce plaque in one to three months by 11% compared to a manual toothbrush. After three months, there was a 21% reduction in plaque levels, so there is something to that. Our elderly patients and younger patients who do not have manual dexterity benefit from the electric toothbrush, as well as our periodontal patients who just need more help with their oral hygiene routine to improve it and change things up.
Our staff have purchased the high-end unit for themselves and also to give away to children and family members, and there is nothing but high praise for the unit. I have used both the Oral-B and the Sonicare in the past, and my personal preference is the Oral-B, by far. I ordered a bundle of three of the entry-level electric brushes that are offered at Costco for sale in our practice for a very reasonable price. They also offer the “water flosser,” which, in my opinion, is false marketing because it really does not floss your teeth or mechanically remove the plaque.
A better term for a water flosser would be a “water jet,” which is great for debriding around bridges and dental implants, and reducing the inflammation and bleeding of the gums, along with removing the heavy food debris as an adjunct to brushing and flossing.
The manual brushes we are giving out to our patients are my favorite, with the Orab-B indicator brush, which shows a blue marking that, after three months, goes away, indicating that it is time to replace the toothbrush. We are also getting half our order in the new “sensitive” toothbrush with a smaller head and silky, extra soft nylon tufts or bundles in it.
This toothbrush is great for anyone, but especially those with exposed tooth roots, sensitive roots, erosion areas or anywhere there is wear on the teeth. We are still recommending the Reach waxed floss by Johnson and Johnson, which, in our opinion, is better than the Oral-B Glide floss brands, although they are coming out with a new nylon floss that does not shred as easily.
The toothpaste we are giving away is the Crest Complete with 3D white technology and the Crest Gum Detoxify for those with gum issues. We also love to give out the Sensodyne Pro enamel with Active Shield technology when it is available.
It is sometimes a hard decision to decide on which brush, floss and toothpaste to use–but for those without a caries (cavities) issue that need a prescription-strength toothpaste with the 5000 fluoride and the Nanohydroxyapatite technology–these are great options. If you have any questions about these products, call us at 360-256-1202 or email me at teuscher@tworiversdentistry.com, and we will respond to any questions you might have.
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At Two Rivers Dentistry in Vancouver, Washington, our dedicated dentist, Dr. Vaughn Teuscher, along with the rest of our team is here to help you achieve a healthy, vibrant smile!