Speak to the toothbrush

With AI and a sleek design, the Oral-B iO series powers up the fight against bad brushing habits

So my love-hate relationship with my dentist picked up where we left off pre-pandemic. Where I drop the mask, close my eyes and lie back. For a thorough professional clean-up, with 80’s rock playing in the background. Barring the saliva ejector, an inquisitive straw-like suction tube that sucks out moisture from the oral cavity, I can almost visualise a mini spa session. Till the hygienist drops her verdict — a hundred fillings or prepare for possible pain in the near future, a root canal, the removal of a tooth, an implant, thank you. Despite all that brushing and daily water flossing, perhaps pandemic snacking did me in. Which is why, armed with a dental plan for those fillings and squeaky clean teeth (for now), I decide to once again swap manual for electric and get on top of my brushing game. In the past, heavy vibration, the noise factor and maintenance have seen me repeatedly return to the simple toothbrush; often bamboo, for sustainable reasons. But the Oral-B iO8 from the world’s biggest electric toothbrush maker promises six times more plaque removal around the gumline, with the oscillating rotation and micro-vibrations of its round brush head. Another winning factor: the smart pressure sensor. Dentists’ concerns about gum recession and enamel loss are real, so the ring on the handle that lights up when there is excess pressure is a big plus (the red light is the one to avoid). By connecting via Bluetooth to my phone, I track my brushing technique in real time and can review improvements. The dentist-recommended two minutes is the default on this self-care gadget. Even with the teeth divided into zones on the phone and visual aid, it seems rather endless. For those who can’t get enough, the app allows changes to the timer from two minutes to four!