At the recent Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting, Philips Sonicare introduced a new rechargeable electric toothbrush for children, the Philips Sonicare for Kids. The company also announced the results of a two-month, practice-based study on the effectiveness of its Philips Sonicare AirFloss on oral hygiene in patients with mild to moderate gingivitis who did not regularly floss.
In a practice-based study that was overseen by 340 registered dental hygienists, 670 patients with mild to moderate gingivitis and who did not floss consistently were provided with the Philips Sonicare AirFloss.
Each participant was asked to use the product for 60 days, as directed, filling it with BreathRx as the mouthwash. The hygienists conducted a pre- and post-treatment assessment of the patients' oral health condition and measurements of clinical markers, including levels of gingival inflammation and number of bleeding sites.
In the study, the hygienists reported that 96% of patients showed improved oral hygiene, and that 95% of their patients had improved periodontal health -- a reduction of gingival inflammation and bleeding. Almost three-quarters of patients had a reduction in bleeding sites and 95% showed a reduction in gingival bleeding and inflammation. These results led 95% of the hygienists to say they would recommend Philips Sonicare AirFloss to patients who do not currently floss.
