Help Patients Kick Brushing & Flossing Excuses to the Curb

Like peanut butter and jelly, Mickey and Minnie, and brushing and flossing, some things are just simply better together. To eradicate plaque and keep biofilm at bay, all patients should include toothbrushing and between-teeth cleaning in their daily oral care routines—but the reality is that many people skip these all-important steps. Whether they simply lack the time, have limited dexterity, or find the process painful and inconvenient, patients come up with a never-ending list of excuses for not brushing and flossing.

By introducing 4 new brushing and between-teeth cleaning solutions, Sunstar GUM aims to equip clinicians and their patients with easy-to-use tools that help kick those excuses to the curb.

Here, several dentists and hygienists share their initial thoughts after trying out these toothbrushes and interdental cleaners for themselves.

GUM Sonic Power Toothbrush

While not quite as fast as the speed of sound, the rapid sonic vibrations of the GUM Sonic power toothbrush certainly outperform any manual toothbrush in terms of effective and efficient cleaning. With dual action sonic motion and 12,000 vibrations per minute, the brush thoroughly removes plaque between the teeth, on the enamel, and below the gumline.

In fact, Sunstar reports that the soft bristles reach 45 times deeper below the gumline1 and are 50% more effective at removing plaque between teeth1 compared with traditional string floss.

Praising the slim, soft bristles of the GUM Sonic power toothbrush, hygienist Lydia Palmer said, “The bristles clean well and get between the teeth, and the brush removes plaque well.” Michael Wong, DDS, a pediatric dentist in Lansdale, PA, added, “The good, soft bristles and compact head easily access between the teeth and below the gumline.”

Available in white or black, the Sonic brush handles and refill heads are sold separately and use 80% less plastic than other power toothbrushes.2 The handle includes 3 colored rings for personalization and houses a AAA battery, which is included with the purchase.

“It was easy to assemble and operate, and the size is great for travel or to keep in a purse,” said Palmer. Dr. Wong also appreciates the brush’s compact size, especially for his pediatric patients, and said, “I would recommend this brush as a good travel toothbrush due to its compact size.”

Both clinicians commended the brush’s ergonomics, with Palmer noting, “The grip and vibration are comfortable. I really enjoyed using the GUM Sonic power toothbrush.” Dr. Wong summed up his experience with the brush by saying, “With a compact handle and head and very little vibration, the GUM Sonic power toothbrush was very comfortable to use.”

GUM Multi-Clean Toothbrush

For a thorough brushing experience every day, every time, the GUM Multi-Clean Toothbrush is an exceptional manual toothbrushing option. Its multi-level bristles with interdental cut help access hard-to-reach areas in the mouth, and the soft bristles are gentle on the gums while efficiently cleaning all areas.

The GUM Multi-Clean Toothbrush is a perfect alternative for Annandale, VA, general dentist Dr. Steven Berk and his patients. Dr. Berk appreciates the medium size of the toothbrush head, which is between a full and compact head, and how ergonomic it is to reach all his teeth. He believes it works well compared to other manual toothbrushes and said, “It is very easy to fit into hard-to-reach places inside my mouth—especially on the distal aspects of my second molars.”

Hygienist Linda Alton also tried out the GUM Multi-Clean Toothbrush and said, “I like the style of the toothbrush head, which is narrow at the tip and has longer bristles that wrap around to the back of the molars.

”Available in 4 contemporary, fun colors—blue, yellow, red, and green—the GUM Multi-Clean Toothbrush has an ergonomic, dual-material handle for exceptional control during cleaning. “The handle works well and fi ts into my hand very easily," said Dr. Berk. "It is easy to manipulate in my hand as well as clean my teeth."

A tongue cleaner built into the GUM Multi-Clean Toothbrush makes it easy for patients to clean this often-overlooked area of the mouth.

“I always try to encourage patients to scrub their tongues to kill all of the bacteria that is harboring on it,” Dr. Berk added. “I would recommend the GUM Multi-Clean Toothbrush to my patients because of its ease of use and the ability to get the toothbrush into hard-to-reach places."

GUM Soft-Picks Advanced Tight

Just like the old saying “different strokes for different folks,” different mouths have different spaces. Since every patient’s dentition is unique, a product or technique that works for one patient may not work for another, especially when cleaning between the teeth.

To satisfy patients with all different mouth shapes and sizes, Sunstar has an array of GUM Soft-Picks tailored for specific needs—from tight spaces to wide spaces, flavored and unflavored, and with various levels of flexibility.

The latest addition to the GUM Soft-Picks Advanced family is GUM Soft-Picks Advanced Tight, designed for patients with tight interdental spaces who may not be able to use regular floss, floss picks, flossers, and other between-teeth cleaning products.

With a tip diameter that’s 35% smaller and a base diameter that’s 23% smaller than Soft-Picks Advanced, GUM Soft-Picks Advanced Tight is a convenient flossing solution for close-fitting interproximal areas or to access orthodontic wires more easily.

Designed for comfort, convenience, and ease of use, GUM Soft-Picks Advanced Tight “allows patients to clean hard-to-access interproximal areas that may be too tight for floss,” said Dr. Berk, who also said that he appreciates “the design of the picks as well as the softness on the gingiva.”

He pointed out that the ergonomic design of the handle and grip is great for allowing people with limited dexterity to floss interproximally. Specifically, he believes that his orthodontic and geriatric patients could benefit significantly from using GUM Soft-Picks Advanced Tight.

Naming the curved handle as her favorite feature of GUM Soft-Picks Advanced Tight, Alton explained, “They have a long handle with a nice curve that is easy to hold on to. I love it!” Agreeing with Dr. Berk that the picks are “great to use around braces and implants,” Alton found them useful for both anterior and posterior teeth and said, "They could benefit people who have open contacts or areas that need special attention.” She also appreciates that the picks can be used multiple times and likes that they come with a case.

When asked if he would recommend GUM Soft-Picks Advanced Tight to his patients, Dr. Berk replied, “I would recommend these picks because they are easy to use, allow patients to clean interproximally, and they are made by a proven dental company that helps with oral health.”

GUM Twisted Mint Floss Picks

While hearing the lyrics to “The Twist” might just make you want to jump up and twist and shout, Sunstar’s version of “the twist” has nothing to do with music and everything to do with efficient between-teeth cleaning. With its patent-pending twisted dental floss, Sunstar has created a new meaning for “let’s do the twist.”

Featuring 2 intertwined strands of floss that cover 30% more surface area than traditional string floss,* GUM Twisted Mint Floss Picks combine the efficiency of a twisted floss with the convenience of a pick and handle.

The twisted floss is resistant to shredding and breaking and cleans deeply between teeth and below the gumline. At the same time, a burst of mint flavor stimulates the senses and helps fight bad breath.

The GUM Twisted Mint Floss Picks have a wide, ribbed handle that allows users to grasp it without it slipping. A sturdy pick on the non-flossing end helps remove food particles.

“The GUM Twisted Mint Floss Picks clean very well and really grab the plaque, unlike other picks that are heavily waxed,” shared Palmer, who said the floss slides between the teeth well. Praising the good mint flavor and the comfortable handle with finger rest, she noted, “The grip was good, and the picks on the end worked well and fit between all my teeth. I really enjoyed using the GUM Twisted Mint Floss Picks.”