CES 2020: Oral-B and Colgate Unveil New iPhone-Connected Smart Toothbrushes - MacRumors
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CES 2020: Oral-B and Colgate Unveil New iPhone-Connected Smart Toothbrushes

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Oral-B and Colgate, two major oral health brands, have announced new iPhone-connected electric toothbrushes at CES 2020 in Las Vegas.

A ‌CES 2020‌ Innovation Awards honoree, the new Oral-B iO toothbrush uniquely features a frictionless magnetic drive, which distributes energy more efficiently to the tips of the bristles for a smoother and quieter brushing experience, according to parent company Procter & Gamble.

oral b io
The toothbrush also features a redesigned brush head with twisted bristles that has been engineered to combine oscillating and rotating cleaning motions with micro-vibrations to ensure a deep clean.

Through the Oral-B app, the Bluetooth-enabled toothbrush provides real-time individual tracking and coaching, based on artificial intelligence from thousands of recorded brushing sessions. The app guides users through a two-minute brushing session with 3D teeth tracking to ensure the best cleaning possible.

Equipped with a smart pressure sensor, the Oral-B iO provides positive brushing feedback, identifying and guiding users to brush in the optimal pressure range. A tiny display on the toothbrush greets and motivates users throughout the cleaning process, with up to seven personalized brushing modes available.

Procter & Gamble says the Oral-B iO will be available for purchase beginning August 2020. Pricing has not been disclosed.

The recipient of a ‌CES 2020‌ Best of Innovation Award, Colgate's new Plaqless Pro toothbrush features new optic sensor technology that can detect plaque in the mouth so that it can be removed while brushing. The toothbrush will flash blue when buildup has been found in an area of the mouth, and then white when that area is clean.

colgate plaqless pro
Like the Oral-B iO, the Plaqless Pro is a Bluetooth-enabled toothbrush that can be paired with the Colgate Connect app for a personalized brushing experience. Sensors embedded in the toothbrush handle create a comprehensive map of the user's mouth, showing areas that are clean or may need further brushing.

Colgate says the Plaqless Pro will be available at some point later this year. Pricing has not been disclosed.

Top Rated Comments

Justanotherfanboy Avatar
81 months ago

Its all bullcrap. Any dentist will tell you that all you need is just a simple brush that you frequently changed once the fiber gets messy. These high tech gadgets are usually useless. It really is only for the purpose to get your money. Nothing else. Good brushing, flossing and those little dental brushes are key for healthy gums and teeth. :)
Nope.
Don’t know what who your “any” dentist is... but a Sonicare works SIGNIFICANTLY better than a simple brush & no dentist I’ve ever met is shy to make their patients aware of that fact.
It’s like midway between a normal toothbrushing & an actual teeth cleaning.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
81 months ago
I know this will make me sound old and outdated, but is this really needed? If you don't know how to care for your teeth on your own you need to buy something more than a Bluetooth toothbrush...
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
81 months ago
a totally unnecessary gadget with only one purpose in mind - getting your money.
Why not go all the way and make smart toilet paper too?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BigMcGuire Avatar
81 months ago

Nope.
Don’t know what who your “any” dentist is... but a Sonicare works SIGNIFICANTLY better than a simple brush & no dentist I’ve ever met is shy to make their patients aware of that fact.
It’s like midway between a normal toothbrushing & an actual teeth cleaning.
Correct. Been using Philips Sonicare and Oral B Pro 1000s for the last 15+ years. Haven't had a cavity or any problems during that entire time and I (and my dentist) definitely attribute it to these toothbrushes (usually brush 2x a day). If I brush 3 times I use a normal toothbrush (also use a normal toothbrush at work/travel).

While this toothbrush interests me, if you follow the 30 second quadrant rule most of these things have, you don't really need an app telling you what you missed.

The Oral B ones are REALLY loud (they don't bother me). The Philips Sonicare ones are much more quiet, but also much more expensive - and tickle like hell until you get used to them. Definitely need to watch videos on proper use.

Take care of them and they'll last forever (years and years and years). I think I used my first Sonicare 7 years before I got rid of it for an Oral B - which I used for another 7 years before deciding to get a Philips Sonicare again recently (I use the Oral B and Sonicare back and forth).
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ruslan120 Avatar
81 months ago
Needed? No.

It could save a ton down the line on dental costs by identifying problematic areas*.

*Assuming the toothbrush is smart enough to identify those areas correctly, sadly there's a gap between how well Smart/IOT devices are advertised to function and how well they do.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
81 months ago
People saying electric toothbrushes are unnecessary have clearly never tried them. Maybe the bluetooth and coaching features are a bit over the top, but the first time I used an electric my teeth felt like they came straight from the dentist. I was shocked at how much junk I had been leaving on my teeth that came off after one brushing! Now that I think about it, a toothbrush that helped improve my brushing technique would probably help my mouth stay even cleaner between dentist cleanings.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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