Need to brush your teeth… There’s an app for that..?! Mobile technology for oral care
Speaking at the 2015 annual GSMA Mobile World Congress meeting in Barcelona, the oral care brand announced data from its Oral-B App one year on, and says that improvements will be made to it so that the app connects to its highest performing toothbrushes.
By doing so, users will then have access to brushing routines as well as professional guidance, from dentists.
The Dental Care Journeys and Professional Guidance option will personalise the app further when used with the Bluetooth-connected toothbrush.
“Mobile technology is having a transformative effect on billions of people around the world, in everything from wearables to health and fitness. Oral-B is a prime example of this,” says Michael O’Hara, Chief Marketing Officer, GSMA.
Consumer data
Since the SmartSeries and Oral-B App’s debut at Mobile World Congress last year, app data shows that Oral-B electric toothbrush users are now brushing on average for duration of 2 minutes 24 seconds.
Additionally, over half of the recorded brushing sessions included flossing, rinsing, and tongue cleaning.
Through a combination of these statistics and consumer feedback, Oral-B can deduce that with real-time feedback, users are encouraged to brush longer, with less force and more in-line with their dental professionals’ recommendations.
“We are encouraged by the consumer feedback and data regarding our App’s ability to improve and maintain oral care routines and have used this proof as inspiration to continue investing and innovating in this area,” says Stephen Squire, Global Brand Director, P&G.
“In partnership with dental professionals and consumers, Oral-B has created the next generation brushing experience that utilizes personal goals, unique dental considerations and entertainment to ensure our consumers are getting the best possible results outside a dentist chair.”
Brushing features
The two new features, Dental Care Journeys and Professional Guidance, were developed using this data from consumers and dental professional to offer a more personalised and recommended experience.
Dental Care Journeys helps users achieve their oral care goals: Fresh Breath, Plaque Fighter, Whitening, Gum Health or Ortho Care; and deliver a more active and engaged brushing routine for a pre-designated period of time, offering recommendations for corresponding products.
The Professional Guidance aspect sees a dental professional add extra brushing time for certain focus areas in the mouth, select dental conditions and provide specific brushing and interdental cleaning instructions for his/her patient to follow at home.
Patients can share their compliance statistics with their hygienist and dentist via e-mail, as a way to track and discuss improvement areas and help advance their oral care routines.
