Meeting Patients Where They’re at With Innovations in Interdental Care
Farah Mirza, BDS, MS
Patient interdental care is an intricate balance of providing treatment in the chair and landing resonating at-home recommendations for effective patient follow-through. Each patient presents with specific individual needs based on where they are in their oral health journey. One patient may have a history of periodontal disease and associated diabetes, while another could present as a healthy individual undergoing orthodontics with inflamed gums. A pregnant patient can suddenly show signs of pregnancy gingivitis, and a relatively healthy person might show signs of gum disease that is getting progressively worse. These patients may also have different levels of education, differing financial needs, and may be going through transitional and new phases of life. Clinicians should consider these individualized needs when presenting and providing options for interdental care.
Despite being recognized for decades as a useful adjunct to standard oral hygiene practices, oral irrigators have not always been implemented as a standard recommendation for at-home interdental care. When used in combination with a toothbrushing regimen, oral irrigation with water has been found to aid in prevention and treatment of gingivitis and further the prevention of periodontitis when compared to the use of standard string floss.
To support patients with various needs, Philips Sonicare has added the Power Flosser (Figure 1) to its existing portfolio of preventive oral healthcare products, an innovative oral irrigation option for effective removal of debris and biofilm to maintain and improve gum health. The Power Flosser in combination with the patented Quad Stream nozzle technology provides patients with the unique "power of X" experience (Figure 2), consisting of pressurized shear and jet forces to create high-velocity sheets of water that have an elongated shape. This novel technology creates a consistent interdental cleaning experience for patients at varying technique levels that reaches interproximal spaces and buccal, lingual, and marginal surfaces. Another key feature of the Power Flosser is the Pulse Wave technology, which creates brief pauses in the cleaning pulsations that prompt patients to glide the nozzle to the next interproximal space, allowing for a precise tooth-by-tooth, whole-mouth clean.
This innovation in the Philips Oral Healthcare portfolio comes with the same commitment the company has always had: to maintain the safety and performance of each new product. This special supplement is aimed at providing transparent evidence on the safety and efficacy of the Philips® Sonicare® Power Flosser as a solid at-home interdental cleaning option for patients.
Philips Oral Healthcare is a trusted, integral partner of dental professionals. Together, we are active contributors and collaborators in patient care, which is not just a practice but an art, a science, and a celebration of wellness.
About the Author
Farah Mirza, BDS, MS
Senior Clinical Development Scientist and Medical-Dental Safety Officer,
Philips Oral Healthcare, Bothell, Washington
