By Kim Miller, RDH, BSDH
Sonicare DiamondClean Smart
The Sonicare DiamondClean Toothbrush, which recently launched at the California Dental Association meeting and was highlighted at RDH Under One Roof, delivers an advanced interactive brushing experience. According to Philips, this smart brush offers complete care for a healthier mouth through intuitive brushing and personalized coaching based on feedback from the radio-frequency identification brushheads. Simply download the app and sync the brush with your smart phone and begin the experience. Features from the Philips brush include:
- A smart timer paces each quad for two minutes of brushing. The three intensity settings are low, medium, and high. Five modes provide different types of brushing experiences, including one for tongue care. A pressure sensor alerts the user with a pulsating handle and a light on the handle.
- The smart sensor technology syncs with the cell phone. Location is tracked in facial and lingual segments.A scrubbing sensor prompts the user to use less motion.
- The personalized coaching on the phone’s app provides information on needed touch-up areas, as well as areas requiring more focus. A 3D map of the mouth and a progress report is also available. In addition, there’s a brush head performance monitor.
DiamondClean Smart comes in four colors - black, pink, white, and silver. Visit sonicare.com for more information.
Ugly Toothpaste
Personal care products formulated with non-psychoactive hemp and cannabidiol oils are starting to hit the market. I recently came across one such product. Let me introduce you to Ugly by Nature, a raw, whipped toothpaste made with all organic and natural ingredients.
Ugly toothpaste was developed by Dr. Paul Herman who set out to make a nonallergenic toothpaste. Initially, Ugly consisted of three ingredients. Over a period of 18 months, the formula evolved to include 10 ingredients that Dr. Herman chose for their efficacy, consistency, and flavor: bentonite clay, purified water, coconut oil, birch xylitol, diatomaceous earth, coconut activated charcoal, hygdrogen peroxide, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, organic flavors, and hemp derived cannabidiol oil.
Ugly does not contain fluoride, sodium sulfates, parabens, artificial colors, preservatives, foaming or thickening agents, stabilizers, artificial sweeteners, glycerin, gluten, or GMOs. Ugly is PETA-certified, cruelty-free, and vegan.
Choose from eight flavors, including chaotic coconut, mixed berry madness, savory cinnamon, wacky watermelon, xtreme mint, spankin’ spearmint, primal peppermint and epic cinnamint. To order a tube, visit uglybynature.com.
The Daily 4 Year Around!
The Wrigley Oral Healthcare program recently launched The Daily 4 campaign: “Brush. Floss. Rinse. Chew.” This campaign is designed to help start a conversation with our patients about the four simple ways to keep a healthy and clean mouth.
Brush twice a day, floss daily, rinse with mouthwash, and chew sugarfree gum after meals. Wrigley believes the message of maintaining oral health with the Daily 4 should be a daily, year-round conversation!
TrollByte Sensor Holders
Taking high quality x-rays with bulky sensors can be challenging. Bitewings must show maxillary and mandibular alveolar bone and have open contacts. PAs must show the tip of the root. One of my clients was actually “back billed” by an insurance company for 12 months of nondiagnostic films.
TrollByte Kimera and TrollByte Rayzor both offer great solutions for great films. The TrollByte Rayzor, exclusively made to fit Dexis sensors, is a versatile holder allowing the clinician to take bitewings and periapicals without removing the holder from the sensor. The holder can be used with an arm or a tab, and, when used with TrollByte bags, keeps the sensor and the holder sterile.
The TrollByte Kimera uses two different high grade polymers in a one-piece holder with a stiff arm and a softer adjustable claw which is very patient friendly. The softer claw allows for tension adjustment, which reduces the risk of tearing the sensor cover. The stiff arm ensures accuracy when placing the sensor. The most unique aspect of Kimera is that the sensor holder is designed specifically for each individual imaging sensor manufacturer. Visit their website for a list of manufacturers.
TrollByte also makes sensor bags/covers specifically for use with both Kimera and Rayzor systems. These bags are the softest, strongest, and most patient friendly bags available on the market. They keep your sensors sterile, and they won’t “poke” the patient. In addition, the bags help to secure the sensor in the claw to prevent slipping, even when the patient bites down.
Visit trolldental.com for instructional videos. For free samples and more information, please call (800) 537-8765.
Homecare Favorite
Perio-Aid toothpick holder by Marquis Dental Mfg. Co. has long been a favorite of mine. While working for a periodontist, it was the number-one home care aid recommended, and patients who used it always had a favorable result. Perio-Aids are also a great option for ortho patients who struggle with cleaning around brackets, bands, and wires.
Perio-Aid 2 is adjustable and double ended. Perio-Aid 3 is adjustable and single ended with a wider handle. Both versions provide the correct angulation for posterior teeth. Among other things, I really appreciate the access to furcation involvement that Perio-Aid provides. By holding the toothpick securely at the correct angle with Perio-Aid, the patient can also access difficult to reach interproximal spaces and problem areas.
Perio-Aid can accommodate any round toothpick at any length, which is secured in place with the end lock screw. Removing a wet or broken toothpick is easy and quick with a simple twist.
Perio-Aid comes with its own vinyl pocket carrier which holds one perio-aid and a supply of toothpicks. Perio-aids can also be purchased in bulk and each comes with an instruction sheet, although I have always preferred the ‘hands-on’ approach to demonstration in the patient’s mouth.
Marquis also offers a 3-6-9-12mm silver/black color coded periodontal probe which features a small point with a rounded tip to minimize discomfort. These probes can of course be autoclaved, and good news, they can also be re-blacked.
Visit perio-aid.net for pricing information or call (800) 359-3206.
As always, email me at [email protected] with questions or products you would like to see featured here. RDH
KIM MILLER, RDH, BSDH, is the co-founder of PerioFrogz.com, an information-based website providing free current oral-systemic research summaries and patient education downloads. Kim is also a coach with Inspired Hygiene, delivering customized hands-on training. She speaks internationally, writes articles and webinars, and enjoys clinical dental hygiene. Kim lives in Arizona and welcomes you to contact her at [email protected].
