When a child first visits the dentist, a hygienist usually explains with textbook precision the proper way to brush – 45-degree angle, small circles, at least two minutes. Yet, somehow, those good brushing habits seem to deteriorate as most people move toward adulthood. As a result, teeth get neglected, gums get abused and most brushings last for less than 30 seconds. But Oral-B® recently delivered a new toothbrush that may help get brushers back on track.
The Triumph™ with Smart Guide™ Professional Care™ 9900 has everything a serious brusher needs to get the most out of home dental care. The idea behind the new technology is that, by using the system repeatedly, a person can be conditioned to brush properly until proper brushing techniques eventually become second nature. The Professional Care system is the equivalent of having a dentist in the bathroom watching every brush stroke and providing critique. The system also gives people a clear visualization of their brushing habits, making it easier to correct the bad ones.
Each Professional Care set includes the Triumph brush, a variety of different brush heads, a travel case, a portable charger, an innovative base station and a Smart Guide wireless monitor. While all the components are designed to increase convenience, the stars of the show are the Triumph toothbrush and accompanying Smart Guide monitor. The Triumph is a rechargeable electric toothbrush with four different modes of use: clean, sensitive, massage and polish (for use with the different brush heads). But the major innovation of the brush is the Pressure Sensor Alert that wirelessly notifies the Smart Guide when a person is brushing too hard. The Smart Guide receives the information and relays it to the brusher via an LED-display monitor.
The Smart Guide monitor can be set on a countertop or attached to a mirror for more convenient (and visible) use. When a person is brushing too hard, the monitor displays an icon and makes a sound to let them know. The Smart Guide also times a person’s brushes, notifying them every thirty seconds when it’s time to switch to brushing a different area of the mouth. And, to make sure the brush is always equipped with an effective head, the Smart Guide notifies the user when it’s time for a replacement - and then notifies the user again in 10 days after he or she has forgotten. When the Smart Guide is not in use, the monitor functions as a digital clock.
This brushing system seems to be the first to address two major shortcomings of everyday brushers: brushing too hard and not brushing long enough. According to Oral B’s statistics, 46 percent of people brush too hard, which can inflame the gums and strip tooth enamel. And Oral B claims that in a clinical study the system was shown to reduce hard brushing in 9 out of 10 users, and users were also four times more likely to brush the recommended full two minutes while using the system. Despite these valuable benefits, with a retail price of $139.99 (and that doesn’t include replacement brush heads), the Triumph costs about the same as 15 years worth of standard toothbrushes. Still, it’s probably cheaper than an extra trip to the dentist.
The Triumph™ with Smart Guide™ Professional Care™ 9900 is currently available in stores and from select online retailers .
