Product Evaluation

SUNSTAR AMERICAS

GUM Soft-Picks for Wider Space Evaluation

Sunstar Americas' GUM Soft-Picks for Wider Spaces are 25% wider than Soft-Picks Original and provide an effective, convenient, easy-to-use alternative to flossing.

Sunstar Americas' GUM Soft-Picks for Wider Spaces are 25% wider than Soft-Picks Original and provide an effective, convenient, easy-to-use alternative to flossing.

“Great product. [I] have been using the regular Soft Picks in my practice for some time. Glad you have a larger one now,” said an evaluator who has been a hygienist for 24 years. An Iowa hygienist noted, “This product removed more plaque from around orthodontic brackets and from larger embrasure spaces in my clinical patients.”

Ideal for larger tooth spaces, Sunstar Americas' GUM Soft-Picks for Wider Spaces gently massage the gums, dislodge food, and are proven to remove plaque. Because they contain no metal parts, they are well-suited for patients with implants, bridges, crowns, or orthodontic appliances.

Twelve hygienists and 1 dental assistant participated in this evaluation of the GUM Soft-Picks for Wider Spaces. The evaluators used the picks themselves, used them on patients and sent some home with patients for longer-term use. They rated features such as comfort, ease of use, and improvement in gum health along with their overall satisfaction.

Ease of Use

Manufacturer Description: The ease and convenience of GUM Soft-Picks for Wider Spaces make them a great option for noncompliant flossers as part of their daily oral hygiene routine and for on-the-go spot cleaning. Easy to use for people of all ages, GUM Soft-Picks for Wider Spaces are conveniently packaged with 5 picks per package and 72 packages per box.

Evaluator Feedback: “The portability and ease of use of GUM Soft-Picks for Wider Spaces aids in compliance, which in turn, improves oral health,” shared an evaluator from Wisconsin. “[I] love the durability of the wider picks,” commented another hygienist. “Patients who had larger embrasure spaces found great ease in using them.”

When asked what they would like to see improved, 3 evaluators recommended increased bendability, 3 commented that the picks bend too easily, and 3 would like to see a longer handle. A West Virginia hygienist summarized her experience with the picks, saying, “I like products that actually make it easy for patients to use which makes for healthier tissues and patients can see the improvement their efforts have made.”

Comfort

Manufacturer Description: Each pick has 76 flexible rubber bristles that gently massage the gums, increasing blood flow and accelerating the body's natural healing process.

Evaluator Feedback: When asked what she liked best about the picks, a hygienist for 41 years shared, “I like the plastic instead of wire and the soft ribs instead of bristles.” A dental assistant said, “What I like best about this product is that the brushes are rubber so it's very comforting on the gums!” One evaluator said, “I like the feel and softness.” An evaluator with 18 years of experience said GUM Soft Picks for Wider Spaces are “very gentle.”

Patient Compliance and Improvements in Gum Health

Manufacturer Description: Sunstar Americas’ GUM Soft-Picks are effective, easy-to-use interdental cleaners that can lead to better compliance and oral health. The wire-free, tapered design dislodges food and is clinically proven to remove plaque.

Evaluator Feedback: An evaluator who has been practicing dental hygiene for 12 years likes that the “GUM Soft Picks are very thin and have no sharp, pointy end making them extremely portable, thus aiding in patient compliance.” When asked what they liked best, one evaluator said the picks “clean very well,” and another liked the “effectiveness,” and said, “Patients love the product.” A hygienist for 7 years summarized, “This product is perfect for those patients with diastemas and those with areas of food impaction that they have not been able to clean adequately with string floss.” Another evaluator added, “I feel this product will improve compliance more so than traditional flossing.”

Overall Satisfaction

“Great product, will continue to recommend to patients,” stated a hygienist who rated her overall satisfaction as excellent. All of the evaluators would definitely or probably purchase the product in the future, and all rated their overall satisfaction as excellent or very good. “The original Soft-Picks are great for most patients, but there have been occasions when I have wanted a wider product. This one is just what I need,” summarized a North Carolina hygienist.