Sonicare Technology as a Modern Means for Good Oral Hygiene

Principle of Sonic Technology

The cleaning effect of a sonic toothbrush is based on high-frequency scrubbing in the vertical direction. For Sonicare, this frequency is 31,000 strokes per minute. This generates a dynamic wave, creating a mixture of fluid (water and saliva) with air in the form of microbubbles. The force of this wave has a cleaning reach (up to several millimeters) even in areas that are not in direct contact with the brush bristles, ensuring cleaning of the gingival sulcus and partially the interdental spaces.

However, it is always necessary to remember that dynamic waves alone are not sufficient for perfect interdental cleaning. It is therefore essential to supplement cleaning with a sonic toothbrush with separate hygiene of the interdental spaces using appropriate tools. For the proper function of the brush, its trimming is important, and the fact that the bristles have optimal hardness to prevent folding when in contact with the tooth surface during rapid oscillation.

How to Choose the Right Tool for a Specific Type of Patient

Sonicare toothbrushes have replaceable heads with different shapes and sizes of heads and various arrangement and trimming of bristles. In addition to the toothbrushes, the Sonicare range is also supplemented by the Power Flosser oral shower.

Periodontological Patient

Gingivitis

In active gingivitis with swollen and sensitive gums, the optimal choice is the Premium Gum Care head, which has soft bristles. After the acute inflammation subsides, it is appropriate to switch to the Prestige head. For significant crowding of teeth and irregularities in the dental arches, the Optimal Plaque Defense head is even more suitable. Cleaning can be supplemented by using the Power Flosser oral shower, which allows targeted application of antibacterial mouthwash to the gums.

Exposed Roots

In advanced periodontitis with exposed roots, the Premium Plaque Defense head performs best due to its wide range of bristle strokes. The hygiene of open interdental spaces is best ensured by the longest bristles of the InterCare Standard head. The Sensitive Mini head may be an unsuitable choice.

In the case of periodontal pockets, it is necessary to avoid directing the oral shower nozzle directly into them.

Child Patient

For children, there is Sonicare for Kids, which is adapted to children both in size and design. It can also be connected to an app that helps children build and maintain regular and proper tooth cleaning habits in a fun way. Of course, parents play a significant role in a child's attitude towards oral hygiene. Therefore, it is necessary for parents to learn how to use the child's sonic brush themselves and understand that their role in daily tooth cleaning does not end with the acquisition of a modern tool.

Cleaning Technique for Children

For primary teeth, it is sufficient to slowly move the brush head from one tooth to another, ideally maintaining a 45˚ angle to the gum. The chewing surfaces can be easily cleaned by placing the bristles on the surface and moving back and forth. For mixed dentition, it is suitable to add a scrubbing motion across the entire surface of the permanent tooth crown. This complicated terrain can be supplemented by parents cleaning with the solo technique.

Suitable Heads

Available heads are categorized by the child's age: For Kids Mini - for children from 3 years, For Kids Standard - for children from 7 years, and Optimal Plaque Defense - from 12 years or also recommended is the ProResults pressure sensor for older children from 12 years.

Patients with Fixed Orthodontic Appliances

A fixed orthodontic appliance creates a difficult terrain with many areas for plaque retention along with more challenging cleaning. The ProtectiveClean Complex Care and ProtectiveClean Plaque Defense heads are suitable, together with the Power Flosser oral shower, which is appropriate for cleaning interdental spaces from both vestibular and oral sides of the teeth.

For maximum effectiveness, it is essential to place the ends of the bristles from the upper and lower sides of the brackets separately at an angle of about 45°. Additionally, it is necessary to clean the area along the gum line separately. The orthodontic bracket must not be wedged in the middle of the head between the bristles. The front part of the brackets should be cleaned using the solo technique.

Patients with Prosthetic Work

Types of prosthetic work vary, and so do the suitable heads. However, in general, sonic technology is gentle both on the surface of prosthetic work and on the surrounding tissues. For poorly accessible areas around prosthetics and especially under prosthetics (e.g., between members), it is appropriate to supplement cleaning with the Power Flosser.

Non-Carious Defects and Pigmentation

For gentle removal of pigmentation and prevention of the development of cervical defects and abrasive defects of hard tissues, brushes with a pressure sensor and/or adjustable intensity are optimal. In combination with the DiamondClean Smart and ProtectiveClean Complex Care heads, they are ideal for complementing both office and home teeth whitening. Along with them, low-abrasive whitening pastes based on enzymes, which help dissolve pigments, can be used.

Conclusion

The Sonicare product line offers tools for effective oral hygiene in virtually all oral conditions. However, it is always necessary to instruct the patient on proper use of the tool, and it is also important to supplement cleaning with effective interdental hygiene and possibly complementary cleaning of particularly difficult-to-access areas, for example, using the solo technique.

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Source: Modern dental care tools. A guide for dentists and dental hygienists. Philips, 2018.