By Danny Chan
Every dentist in the world recommends daily flossing. While dentists and dental hygienists might be able to convince patients about the benefits of dental flossing for effective interproximal cleaning, getting them to stick to the daily regime is a lot trickier. Part of the reason for the reticence is the perceived hassles involved – compared to brushing, flossing admittedly demands more time and skill. So is there an easier way to achieve the healthy outcomes? Well, the answer may be Philips’ latest commercially available interdental cleaner, Sonicare Airfloss Ultra.
The Philips Sonicare AirFloss Ultra harnesses air and micro-droplet technology to easily clean the entire mouth – in less than 60 seconds! Boasting a high performance nozzle and spray, the portable handheld device powerfully yet gently cleans between teeth and along the gumline. To experience the high speed floss-like cleaning action, all the user has to do is point, press and clean. Compare that to winding a minty thread around your index finger then struggling to find the grooves in which to insert it, the difference can be rather substantial.
Put simply, the Airfloss Ultra takes the chore out of flossing without compromising on the results that routine flossing delivers. It also serves as a persuasive nudge for the reluctant flosser.
“AirFloss Ultra is not designed to directly replace floss in all aspects, for example, the removal of large debris from between teeth. Nonetheless, it is an excellent alternative for daily interdental cleaning for inconsistent flossers,” says Dr. Maha Yakob, Director of Clinical and Scientific Affairs – Philips Oral Healthcare.
Exciting as the product is, the idea behind the Airflosser Ultra is not new: Bursts of compressed air accelerates micro-droplets of water (or mouthwash) to clean every nook and cranny. The micro-droplets of air reach speeds of 111mph / 180 kph, unleashing a stream of compressed air and water-droplets able to physically disrupt plaque from the interproximal space and push it out from between teeth.
The unique technology combines air and mouth rinse or water to gently burst away plaque that normal brushing fails to reach. Although it offers high speed cleaning, the air and micro-droplet cleaner is safe and gentle for everyday use – triple-burst customizable settings offer different levels of intensity as preferred. Children under the age of 12 may use the device but should be supervised to ensure proper use. AirFloss Ultra helps prevent cavities from forming in the spaces between teeth – delivering clinically proven results of up to 99.9% plaque removal.1
AirFloss Ultra has been designed with key barriers to daily flossing in mind, Dr. Yakob confirms:
“Consumers complain that they do not floss because it takes too much time – perceived to take over 2 minutes. They do not feel a significant difference after flossing and they don’t like sticking their fingers in their mouths – it hurts (fingers and gums). They also tend to forget to floss because the floss hides away in their bathroom drawer.”
It is not surprising then that the Philips Sonicare AirFloss Ultra was specifically designed using floss as a benchmark for effectiveness. As far as clinical tests and user surveys are concerned, the product has exceeded most, if not all, of the expectations:
Not only will patients get to enjoy the easy and effective cleaning sensation that Airfloss Ultra offers, it may be just the technology that inconsistent flossers need in order to form a healthy habit.
At the time of this writing, the Australian launch of the latest airflosser is set for November 2015. The recommended patient price is $219.95. Dentists may contact Philips Oral Healthcare on 1800 621 448 for dental professional pricing.
This article first appeared in Australasian Dentist
Every dentist in the world recommends daily flossing. While dentists and dental hygienists might be able to convince patients about the benefits of dental flossing for effective interproximal cleaning, getting them to stick to the daily regime is a lot trickier. Part of the reason for the reticence is the perceived hassles involved – compared to brushing, flossing admittedly demands more time and skill. So is there an easier way to achieve the healthy outcomes? Well, the answer may be Philips’ latest commercially available interdental cleaner, Sonicare Airfloss Ultra.
The Philips Sonicare AirFloss Ultra harnesses air and micro-droplet technology to easily clean the entire mouth – in less than 60 seconds! Boasting a high performance nozzle and spray, the portable handheld device powerfully yet gently cleans between teeth and along the gumline. To experience the high speed floss-like cleaning action, all the user has to do is point, press and clean. Compare that to winding a minty thread around your index finger then struggling to find the grooves in which to insert it, the difference can be rather substantial.
Put simply, the Airfloss Ultra takes the chore out of flossing without compromising on the results that routine flossing delivers. It also serves as a persuasive nudge for the reluctant flosser.
“AirFloss Ultra is not designed to directly replace floss in all aspects, for example, the removal of large debris from between teeth. Nonetheless, it is an excellent alternative for daily interdental cleaning for inconsistent flossers,” says Dr. Maha Yakob, Director of Clinical and Scientific Affairs – Philips Oral Healthcare.
Exciting as the product is, the idea behind the Airflosser Ultra is not new: Bursts of compressed air accelerates micro-droplets of water (or mouthwash) to clean every nook and cranny. The micro-droplets of air reach speeds of 111mph / 180 kph, unleashing a stream of compressed air and water-droplets able to physically disrupt plaque from the interproximal space and push it out from between teeth.
The unique technology combines air and mouth rinse or water to gently burst away plaque that normal brushing fails to reach. Although it offers high speed cleaning, the air and micro-droplet cleaner is safe and gentle for everyday use – triple-burst customizable settings offer different levels of intensity as preferred. Children under the age of 12 may use the device but should be supervised to ensure proper use. AirFloss Ultra helps prevent cavities from forming in the spaces between teeth – delivering clinically proven results of up to 99.9% plaque removal.1
AirFloss Ultra has been designed with key barriers to daily flossing in mind, Dr. Yakob confirms:
“Consumers complain that they do not floss because it takes too much time – perceived to take over 2 minutes. They do not feel a significant difference after flossing and they don’t like sticking their fingers in their mouths – it hurts (fingers and gums). They also tend to forget to floss because the floss hides away in their bathroom drawer.”
It is not surprising then that the Philips Sonicare AirFloss Ultra was specifically designed using floss as a benchmark for effectiveness. As far as clinical tests and user surveys are concerned, the product has exceeded most, if not all, of the expectations:
- AirFloss Ultra has been clinically proven as effective as floss for gum Health 2
- Clinically proven as effective as string floss for gum health 2
- Up to 97% of patients experienced improved gum health in 4 weeks 2
- 89% of users surveyed said AirFloss Ultra is easier to use that string floss
- 95% of users surveyed said AirFloss Ultra is easy to use
- 82% of users surveyed said AirFloss Ultra is easier to use than Waterpik 4
Not only will patients get to enjoy the easy and effective cleaning sensation that Airfloss Ultra offers, it may be just the technology that inconsistent flossers need in order to form a healthy habit.
At the time of this writing, the Australian launch of the latest airflosser is set for November 2015. The recommended patient price is $219.95. Dentists may contact Philips Oral Healthcare on 1800 621 448 for dental professional pricing.
- Removes up to 99.9% of plaque from treated areas
- In a lab study. Actual in-mouth results may vary
- When used in conjunction with a manual toothbrush and anti-microbial mouth rinse in patients with mild to moderate gingivitis. AirFloss is designed to help inconsistent flossers develop a healthy daily interdental cleaning routine
- Versus Waterpik Aquarius
This article first appeared in Australasian Dentist
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