Blog

Apr 23, 2024

Oral

By Sarah Han A lot about my life has changed since I was little, but one thing that hasn't is the reluctance—and palpable anxiety—I feel when it comes time to head over to my biannual dental cleaning.

By Sarah Han

A lot about my life has changed since I was little, but one thing that hasn't is the reluctance—and palpable anxiety—I feel when it comes time to head over to my biannual dental cleaning. My teeth have been far from bright-white beacons of light, but I have been lucky enough to avoid anything that deviates from the typical maintenance routine. Still, I haven’t been outstanding at that, either. When I’m in that dentist’s chair, there’s nowhere to hide. Inconsistent flossing, rogue cavities—it’s all on display.

Until recently, that is. The Oral-B iO electric toothbrush has single-handedly set my oral-care routine on the track to success. Trying it was a no-brainer: It won an Allure Best of Beauty Breakthrough Award—our highest accolade that involves a panel of expert judges — in 2020. And thanks to my experience, I'm calling it now: The Oral-B iO is the perfect holiday gift for just about anyone in your life.

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Who wouldn't appreciate a technology-packed toothbrush that basically does the deep-cleaning for them? After all, we start and end our days tending to our teeth, so why not improve a loved one's experience? I wasn't even introduced to my first electric toothbrush until I was well into my postgrad life, but I don't think I can ever go back to the manual kind. In fact, Oral-B says that iO gives you 100% cleaner teeth and healthier gums—within the span of a week—compared to a manual toothbrush. With every use of my Oral-B iO, I can safely say that my teeth feel as clean as they do after visiting the dentist.

To get a professional point of view on the topic of electric vs. manual devices, I tapped Kate Zoumboukos, DMD, a dentist based in Austin, Texas. She confirms that manual and electric toothbrushes are both solid options, but adds that “electric toothbrushes are great for patients with dexterity challenges and patients undergoing orthodontic treatment such as braces.” While I don't fall into either of those categories, I really appreciate the wildly innovative features that make the Oral-B iO toothbrush so easy to use. If there's one less barrier to me brushing my teeth properly, I'm all for it.

My favorite feature is the smart display that greets you every time you brush and is loaded with up to seven brush modes. (Note: I use the Series 9, but the number of modes varies a bit between the different models.) While I typically opt for the standard “Daily Clean,” I have been known to switch to the “Whitening” and “Sensitive” modes, with the latter usually following one of my in-office visits. Regardless, the high-density twisted bristles of the round Oral-B brush head offer consistent rotations and top-notch cleaning, so all I have to do is guide the brush where I want it to go. While Dr. Zoumboukos says settings are a personal preference, she recommends patients “approach their new electric toothbrush with a lighter, less intense setting out of the box,” which makes sense. As with all at-home devices, every user should take some time to figure out which settings work best for them.

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Most of us know the recommended brush time is two minutes twice a day, but according to Dr. Zoumboukos, research has shown the average brushing time for most people is about 45 seconds. I never have to worry about this, because the Oral-B iO keeps me accountable. The brush pulsates every 30 seconds, and then pulsates with a bit more force when you reach the full two minutes. The digital screen also displays my brushing time and celebrates hitting the two-minute mark with a cute smiley-face icon.

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If the person you're gift-shopping for is especially tech-savvy and/or always on their phone, they'll love that the Oral-B iO Series is Bluetooth-compatible and pairs with its own (free) AI-powered app configured to give you real-time tracking and coaching. The Bimodal Smart Pressure Sensor helps you determine how much pressure to apply and aids in keeping your gums and enamel safe. When I'm connected to the app, watching the 3D teeth-tracking diagram as I brush, I'm a lot more cognizant of applying pressure. Dr. Zoumboukos adds that “applying too much force on the teeth has been shown to result in gingival [gum] abrasion.” The diagram lets me know which areas of my mouth are good to go and which ones I should revisit and give more love to. There's something oddly satisfying about watching the sections of your teeth become increasingly lighter until, bam, they start “sparkling”—which signals “100% coverage.”

So, as you're making your list, checking it twice, and venturing out to the stores—whether physically or online—keep the Oral-B iO Series toothbrushes top of mind. In addition to gifting all the technological innovations and features, you'll know that whoever is lucky enough to receive one will feel properly indulged and have a healthy, beautiful smile to show for it—a priceless gift. Shop Oral-B iO Series toothbrushes at Walgreens.com, starting as low as $49 this holiday season.