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

[MacRumors]

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.

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.

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.

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

 

[retta283]

I know this will make me sound old and outdated, but is this really needed?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...

 

[mnsportsgeek]

Does the app support HealthKit?

 

[ruslan120]

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.

 

[now i see it]

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?

 

[pweicks]

Lol who woulda ever thought a toothbrush would have a dirt finder...

I got an Oral B 7000 five years ago and neither of these have any practical improvements over it... besides maybe the “quieter” magnetic operation.

 

[TheSkywalker77]

Nobody asked for this.

 

[ginstergti97]

Does it have HomeKit? I want to be able to ask Siri to do it for me lol

 

[Freida]

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.

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...

 

[guzhogi]

Where's the smart toilet paper? Use the app to tell where you missed a spot. Or a smart toilet? At least with that, it could have some medical applications. Need to hydrate, need more fiber, or detect blood?

But all these smart devices are getting a little weird. Just don't buy all these things and then complain how all the companies know too much about you.

Edit: I just checked, and there ARE smart toilets.

 

[Justanotherfanboy]

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.

 

[SteveJUAE]

Is this new ? or just an upgrade ?

I am sure my Wife's brush has some BT connectivity app which any sane person would ignore............... so I'm surprised she has not used it LOL

 

[BigMcGuire]

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).

 

[oneMadRssn]

I'm all for improved mechanics and brushing. Wish it was possible to buy these innovations without the bluetooth connected crud.

 

[BigMcGuire]

I'm all for improved mechanics and brushing. Wish it was possible to buy these innovations without the bluetooth connected crud.

All of mine (Oral B and Sonicare - under $100) have been without bluetooth - including the Sonicare ones (set of 2 for my wife and I) I got at Costco recently for $100. I have no interest in the bluetooth abilities of these things either.

 

[guzhogi]

I'm all for improved mechanics and brushing. Wish it was possible to buy these innovations without the bluetooth connected crud.

Same thing with TVs & their accessories. Nowadays, smart TVs have Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, etc., and DVD/BluRay plays have that too, along with AppleTVs. I would love a dumb TV that doesn't have anything except a coaxial plug, and a couple HDMI ports. That's it. I'll add an AppleTV or an antenna myself so I get only what I want.

 

[Justanotherfanboy]

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).

Yep.
Agree with all!
If I could add one more tidbit- I have to give a hat tip to the powdered charcoal products currently gaining traction.
Using that on my teeth, once a month, makes an improvement that is noticeable, for sure. Stellar product.

 

[Freida]

I have the Sonicare too but it really is not about the toothbrush but about the correct technique etc.
No brush will save you and the Sonicare is no better than a manual brush. Its just convenient but thats about it. The rest is just marketing etc.

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.

 

[Justanotherfanboy]

I have the Sonicare too but it really is not about the toothbrush but about the correct technique etc.
No brush will save you and the Sonicare is no better than a manual brush. Its just convenient but thats about it. The rest is just marketing etc.

That is incorrect.
A Sonicare does NOT require “scrubbing” or “brushing” in the conventional sense whatsoever. That is to say, you don’t have to apply pressure as you brush... the vibration of the bristles does a much more thorough cleansing and gets in between teeth, etc. to places a normal brush simply couldn’t- regardless of how hard you’re pressing or whatever technique you think you’re using.
There’s definitely not a trick to Sonicare. You just hold it in your mouth & move it.

 

[oneMadRssn]

All of mine (Oral B and Sonicare - under $100) have been without bluetooth - including the Sonicare ones (set of 2 for my wife and I) I got at Costco recently for $100. I have no interest in the bluetooth abilities of these things either.

Right, but it seems the non-bluetooth models are often mechanically inferior. The model discussed in OP with the magnetic drive and twisted briscles, probably will not be offered in a non-bluetooth model.

 

[Freida]

Incorrect. Yes, you do move it but the angle and position matters.
Also, that "inbetween" cleaning you refer to is just marketing. The difference is negligible. You need to floss and use inbetween teeth brushes to clean those areas. No brush will clean that for you.

That is incorrect.
A Sonicare does NOT require “scrubbing” or “brushing” in the conventional sense whatsoever. That is to say, you don’t have to apply pressure as you brush... the vibration of the bristles does a much thorough cleansing and gets in between teeth, etc. to places a normal brush simply couldn’t- regardless of how hard you’re pressing or whatever technique you think you’re using.
There’s definitely not a trick to Sonicare. You just hold it in your mouth & move it.

 

[Analog Kid]

In the past couple years this trend toward connected everything has transitioned from fun and frivolous to creepy and ominous.

I just assume that everything with an app is dumping my biometrics to the big database in the sky and every statistic and notification makes me wonder if I’ve compromised something I wish I hadn’t.

 

[BigMcGuire]

Right, but it seems the non-bluetooth models are often mechanically inferior. The model discussed in OP with the magnetic drive and twisted briscles, probably will not be offered in a non-bluetooth model.

Ah I see... You're right. Well. Guess I'm keeping mine for as long as I can. Wonderful.

 

[H3LL5P4WN]

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.

My Oral B 8000 killed off the beginnings of gingivitis and in year I’ve had it, my teeth are noticeably whiter and maintain a dentist-clean feel. Even my dentist was surprised at how clean they were.

 

[Zen_Arcade]

I was long a skeptic of powered toothbrushes, but having switched I am surprised at how much cleaner and whiter my teeth are.

I agree that bluetooth on a toothbrush seems a bit much . . .