Brushing Duration of Two Power Toothbrushes

Objective: Compare the brushing duration compliance with the Sonicare FlexCare+ (SFC+) versus an Oral B Triumph Power Toothbrush with SmartGuide (OBT+SG) following two weeks of home use. Methods: Seventy-six healthy subjects (53 female, 23 male), average age of 46 years, were enrolled in an IRB-approved randomized, parallel design 2-visit study. Informed consent was obtained and eligible subjects were randomized to a treatment group; SFC+ with GumCare mode or OBT+SG. Subjects then brushed under supervision to demonstrate understanding of brushing instructions. All brushing sessions were timed using a chronometer and recorded via concealed video as a redundant measure to evaluate brushing duration compliance. The assigned product was then used for two weeks at home for acclimation. Subjects returned to the research facility and were asked to repeat the brushing session with the assigned toothbrush. The recording procedure was repeated. Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. Results: Thirty-nine subjects were randomized to SFC+ and thirty-seven to OBT+SG. A longer median brushing duration was observed for SFC+ users at both time points. SFC+ (154 seconds) as compared to OBT+SG(121 seconds) at visit 1 and (146 seconds) as compared to (121 seconds) respectively for visit 2 (p<0.0001). Conclusion: Following two weeks of home use, subjects brushed significantly longer with the SFC+ using GumCare mode than with OBT+SG. Supported by Philips Oral Healthcare.