While the thoroughness of brushing is dependent on the nature of the user, power brushes may help simplify the brushing process. The individual will still need to prop- erly angle the brush in the mouth, but once in place, the brush head motion will do all the work. Since a power brush generates more strokes per minute than a manual brush, the individual may remove more biofilm in the same amount of brushing time.3
Because there are different types of units available, be sure to review the manufacturer’s complete instruction guide PRIOR to recommending or demonstrating the product. Recommending and instructing is easier if you have read all instructions and tried the product yourself.
Oral Health Outcomes
A toothbrush is the most frequently used
•Superior at removing biofilm
•Effective at reducing gingivitis
•Likely to enhance stain removal
•As safe as a manual brush for soft and hard tissue
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Waterpik® Power Toothbrushes
Waterpik Technologies entered the power toothbrush market more than thirty years ago. From the original
Vibe® Electric Toothbrush
The Vibe® toothbrush is quiet and small enough to take everywhere. See Figure 2. Up to 15,000 brush strokes per minute clean better than a manual toothbrush.19
Features include: | Figure 2 |
•Gentle
•Ergonomically designed for ease and comfort
•Disposable, like a manual brush. No need to replace batter- ies or brush heads
•Internal battery lasts up to six months
•Includes a handy travel brush cover
•Available in four colors
SenSonic® High |
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Performance Sonic Plaque Remover | ||||||
The SenSonic® tooth- |
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Figure 3 | ||||||
brush is a brush with | ||||||
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sonic |
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technology | producing |
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30,000 | gentle | brush |
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strokes per | minute. See |
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Figure 3. It has a soft, |
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compact, |
| contoured |
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brush head design, elec- |
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tronic feedback | system |
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that automatically adjusts |
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speed to | maintain peak |
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performance, a | power |
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indicator | light, | and | a |
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dishwasher | safe, | easy | to |
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clean storage carousel. |
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Several | clinical | trials |
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have been conducted on the SenSonic® toothbrush including studies that show its ability to alter bacteria, reduce biofilm, stain, and gingivitis, and equivalency to the Sonicare® toothbrush.13,14,15,16,17
Ability to alter bacteria
•Blanco and
4