CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Cochrane Collaboration, an independent healthcare research group, recently announced the results of a systematic review of power toothbrushes, evaluating the impact different cleaning technologies have on plaque reduction and gingival health. The analysis concluded that, in the short term (four to twelve week period), power brushes with rotating-oscillating technology, pioneered by Oral-B, reduce plaque and gingivitis more than power brushes that move laterally from side-to-side, known as sonic.
Furthermore, the analysis reiterated that no other powered designs are consistently superior to manual toothbrushes. This finding was originally reported in the Collaboration’s 2003 “Power versus Manual” toothbrush systematic review, which was the most comprehensive review of power toothbrush studies ever undertaken. The most recent report also found that oscillating-rotating technology alone is consistently superior at removing plaque and reducing gum inflammation in not only the short-term, but over the long-term as well.
Oral-B, a Procter & Gamble (P&G) Oral Care brand, led the development of oscillating-rotating technology in 1991, and has since published over 90 clinical studies demonstrating the superior efficacy of oscillating-rotating technology.
“Oral-B continuously aims to provide consumers and professionals with products that meet their needs and deliver superior oral health benefits,” said Dr. Leslie Winston, Global Director of Professional and Scientific Relations, P&G Oral Care. “The Collaboration’s conclusions that oscillating-rotating technology reduces more plaque and gingivitis than both manual brushing and side-to-side power brush technology are a testament to the innovation and research occurring at P&G Oral Care and Oral-B.”
In 2005 the Cochrane Collaboration reported that clinical research shows that rotating-oscillating toothbrushes reduce plaque and gingivitis more than manual toothbrushes. In 2011, a separate Cochrane review reported a small but significant difference in plaque and gingivitis reduction for oscillating-rotating power toothbrushes versus side-to-side power toothbrushes. The report did not reach any conclusion about the clinical importance of these results.
Oral-B enhanced its power toothbrush functionality and efficacy further by applying its unique, 3D action to the ProfessionalCare power brush series. It combines oscillating-rotating technology with gentle in-and-out pulsations that have been shown to remove even more plaque than oscillating-rotating technology alone. Additionally, the company’s flagship model, the ProfessionalCare SmartSeries 5000 with SmartGuide, incorporates many compliance-enhancing features that maximize brushing performance and increase compliance by tracking how long a person brushes and guiding users through the four quadrants of the mouth as they brush. Patients who use the ProfessionalCare SmartSeries 5000 with SmartGuide are, on average, five times more likely to adhere to the two minutes twice a day brushing recommendations and are less likely to use excessive brushing force1. Research has shown that 92 percent of patients will significantly improve their brushing thoroughness in 30 days with the ProfessionalCare SmartSeries 5000 with SmartGuide1,2.
Study Background
The Cochrane Collaboration is an international non-profit organization whose goal is to help people make well-informed decisions about healthcare by preparing, maintaining and promoting accessibility of systematic reviews of the effects of healthcare interventions.
The Collaboration conducted a systematic review of studies comparing the performance of power toothbrush technologies in regards to plaque reduction and gingival health only. To qualify for review, studies had to be at least four weeks in length, randomized, controlled and compare two or more power brushes with different modes of action. After applying their selection criteria, 17 trials with 1,369 total participants qualified for evaluation and inclusion. Seven of these trials were up to three months in length and compared oscillating-rotating power brushes and side-to-side brushes directly. The full report can be accessed at www.cochrane.org.
Further research is required to assess long-term data and determine if other types of power brushes are better at reducing plaque and gingivitis.
About Oral-B
The Oral-B brand is a worldwide leader in the over $5 billion brushing market. Part of the Procter & Gamble Company since 2006, the Oral-B brand includes manual and power toothbrushes for children and adults, oral irrigators, oral care centers and interdental products, such as dental floss. Oral-B toothbrushes are used by more dentists than any other brand worldwide.
About P&G
P&G touches and improves the lives of about 4.4 billion people around the world with its portfolio of trusted, quality brands. The Company's leadership brands include Pampers®, Tide®, Ariel®, Always®, Whisper®, Pantene®, Mach3®, Bounty®, Dawn®, Fairy®, Gain®, Pringles®, Charmin®, Downy®, Lenor®, Iams®, Crest®, Oral-B®, Duracell®, Olay®, Head & Shoulders®, Wella®, Gillette®, Braun®, Fusion®, Ace®, Febreze®, and Ambi Pur®. With operations in about 80 countries, P&G brands are available in more than 180 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.
1 Data on file, P&G.
2 Study measured
thoroughness as the time spent brushing lingual vs buccal surfaces and
amount of time spent brushing in each quadrant.
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