The Latest in Toothbrush Technology

The world of technological toothbrushes just got a little bigger with the introduction of the Sonicare FlexCare Platinum Connected brush from Philips Oral Healthcare. This is their first “smart” toothbrush, and it features Bluetooth wireless technology that connects to a smartphone app. The feedback from the app includes personalized coaching, tips and alerts based on brushing history. When you pair this useful information with the patented sonic technology, which is said to remove up to 10 times more plaque than a manual toothbrush, this could just be the best toothbrush currently available.

The brush and app also feature:

• 3-D Mouth Map: a visual of the “trouble spots” to help improve brushing efficiency. This information can also be shared between patients and dentists, a huge bonus.
• The AdaptiveClean brush head has flexible rubberized sides, allowing bristles to conform to the shape of the teeth and gums. There are three brushing modes to choose from: clean (a thorough everyday clean, white (to remove stains), and deep clean (for hard-to-reach areas).
• Smart Sensor technology tracks and displays daily brushing habits and even stores data for later review. Location sensors can show the user where they might be brushing too much or too little. Motion sensors analyze scrubbing or optimized technique, and pressure sensors track brushing pressure, complete with alerts when too much pressure is applied. The SmartTimer ensures that the user is reaching the recommended 2 minutes each time they brush.

“I see this as a home run for the patient and for the dental professional alike,” said Dr. Richard Nagelberg, a Philips key opinion leader and general dentist, in a recent article from DentistryIQ. “The technology is as intuitive as the introduction of the e-book. The features are well thought out, and with the patient-facing components, Philips Sonicare FlexCare Platinum Connected will help us all meet our end goals: better patient compliance and therefore better oral health.”

While Philips has officially launched the product, it is not available to consumers just yet. Stay tuned for updates.