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September 2007 | MH
Feel the power As technology continues to improve, power brushes continue to become more attractive to professionals and patients.   More dental hygienists are recommending them. More patients are using them. Power brushes just keep getting more popular, and as they do, manufacturers are introducing more advanced, patient-friendly options to the market. From battery-operated to rechargeable, there are plenty of power brushes that boast a variety of features, all aimed to increase patient compliance, remove more plaque biofilm, and reverse gingivitis — and to do it all more effectively than a manual toothbrush. Studies show that power brushes do all these things better, says Michelle Hurlbutt, RDH, BS. Using one at every brushing can benefit most of your patients, including the elderly, patients with special needs, patients who have periodontal disease, and even patients who have healthy mouths. “If I could change one thing in the world today, it would be that almost everyone would use a power toothbrush over a manual toothbrush,” says Hurlbutt, whose power brush of choice is the new Philips Sonicare FlexCare. “I rarely recommend a manual toothbrush any more.” Three of the newest electric toothbrushes on the scene—the FlexCare, the Oral-B Triumph with SmartGuide, and the Ultreo—all come with advanced features to help your patients achieve a healthy mouth. THE TECHNOLOGY Power brush features continue to grow in sophistication and innovation, with all three of these latest brushes offering something a little different, a little beyond the older models. Here are the highlights: The Ultreo. combines sonic bristle action with ultrasound waveguide technology. As patients brush with Ultreo, the waveguide, located in the center of the brush head, channels ultrasound into the bubbles created by the bristle movement. The bubbles are activated by the ultrasound and, as shown in laboratory studies, while the bubbles expand and contract, they can gently remove plaque bacteria. The company, in collaboration with the University of Washington, spent four years developing the brush. The Oral-B Triumph with SmartGuide.from Procter & Gamble tells your patients exactly how long they’ve brushed in each quadrant. Instead of looking at the handle to see the timer, patients can put the new SmartGuide on their mirror to see exactly how long they have left to brush. If they’re using too much pressure, the guide tells them that, too. The brush incorporates a second sense, sight, to help motivate patients to brush the way you know they should. The Philips Sonicare FlexCare. took the best features from the Elite and made them even better. The brush boasts 80% less vibration in the handle and is 30% smaller and 16% lighter. It has three brushing modes, including the new sensitive mode. The integrated sanitizer, also new, kills 99% of bacteria that can form on the brush head. Patients take the brush head off, put it in the sanitizer, leave for 10 minutes, and come back to a clean brush that’s ready for the next round. PROMINENCE Dental hygienists and dentists are recommending power brushes like these more often. Jeri Starrett, professional relations manager for Ultreo, says that’s mainly because they see the positive results first-hand. In 2005, 73% of dental professionals recommended power toothbrushes, with that number increasing to 83% in 2006, according to Cindy Sensabaugh, manager of professional and scientific relations for Procter & Gamble, North America, citing an internal 2005 Gillette Usage and Recommendation report. The increase was even higher for hygienists, jumping from 80% in 2005 to 91% in 2006. Customers of all ages are more knowledgeable and more concerned about oral health than ever before, making them more likely to ask about savvy home care options. With all the power brushes out there selling at a variety of price points, it’s easy for oral health- and appearance-conscious patients to get their hands on one of these brushes. The Baby Boomer generation is also more interested in brighter, healthier teeth, adding to the increased interest in power brushes. Sensabaugh says 21% of U.S. households owned a power brush in 2006, (according to Nielsen Homescan research), and she only expects that percentage to go up. No matter what fuels the demand, these patients depend on oral healthcare professionals to guide them to the brush that best fits their needs. “There are a lot of different options from which patients can choose and from which dental professionals can recommend. The responsibility is on the dental professional to determine which ones can provide the best results for their patients based on clinical efficiency,” Sensabaugh says. “There will always be new introductions to the market as long as we’re brushing our teeth, and I don’t see that stopping any time soon.” Many dental offices keep power toothbrushes on hand to educate patients about their benefits and to show them how to use the brushes properly, Starrett says. This allows the hygienist to customize brushing recommendations specific to the patient and to demonstrate how they can get the best results from the power brush. It also lets the patient get a feel for how the brush works so that they’re more confident when they try it at home. THE FUTURE As high-tech as power brushes seem to be today, this isn’t where it stops. Starrett, Sensabaugh, and Hurlbutt agree that the technology will just keep improving, and that will hopefully generate more interest. These days, consumers are eager to try the latest technology in whatever products they use, so as brushes become more advanced, it likely will pique your patients’ interest. Even if patients start out with the less expensive power brushes, Starrett says that could lead to the use of the more advanced brushes—like these three new additions to the market just mentioned—taking residence in more bathrooms across the country. This means more people will experience the health benefits and cleaning power that high-end power toothbrushes offer. “We’re going to be seeing more and more improvement in the area of power toothbrushes,” Hurlbutt says. “I know the science is there. With companies, such as Philips Sonicare, that do extensive research before they launch these products into the marketplace, the consumer will undoubtedly continue to benefit.” STAYING INFORMED As a hygienist, you know that most of your patients simply don’t brush long enough, especially if their tool of choice is a manual brush. You also know how much more plaque biofilm a quality power brush can remove, but getting that information to your patients is key. It’s important for hygienists to stay current on the latest power brush offerings and to be familiar with the latest research. Knowing and being able to explain the benefits to your patients will help them experience cleaner, healthier mouths. “As hygienists are key influencers of oral hygiene behavior, staying current with new technologies and advancements in power brushing is essential,” Starrett says. “When it comes to recommending and encouraging patients to use a power brush, read the research and learn about the product, and most importantly, try the various power brushes and use personal experience with the brush to base recommendations and encourage patient usage.” THE POWER BRUSH ADVANTAGE ✽ Removes more plaque biofilm ✽ Can lead to whiter teeth through better stain removal ✽ Helps reverse gingivitis ✽ Increases patient compliance ✽ Simple to use ✽ Promotes gum health Renee Knight is an associate editor for Modern Hygienist.
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