Oral-B PRO 7000 Electric Rechargeable Toothbrush

Designed by Braun, the Oral-B 7000 electric toothbrush features pressure sensor, different brushing modes, wireless SmartGuide and charging station, replaceable brush heads, and some other functionalities that redefine users' brushing behavior.

There are two slightly raised buttons on the body that afford pressing - one for power, one for changing modes. Yes, it is fascinating that this toothbrush offers 6 brushing modes; however, there is no visible indicator that tells us which mode is currently being used, which lowers the visibility of the product because it does not clearly indicate user status.

Instead of displaying brushing mode on the toothbrush itself, designers place it on the wireless SmartGuide, which is a small display device separate from the brush (see image on the right). This increases performance load because it makes users ask questions like "Umm, I want to switch to Deep Clean Mode. Now how many times should I press this button?" and they would have to physically move closer to the display to check on status.

However, the inconvenience mentioned above could be countered by the overall reduced kinematic load : by automating task, the physical effort required to brush teeth significantly reduced, especially compared with manual toothbrushes which are more demanding on the movement of hands. This product is high on effectiveness as it does clean teeth well.

The toothbrush also provides a number of helpful feedbacks. Its haptic interface provides tactile feedback by applying vibration when users turn it on, so we know it's working properly. It also adds to the "electric" sensation that differentiates from conventional toothbrushes. What's more, the pressure sensor will light up as red to alert users when it senses them brushing too hard. The vibration sound will have a different tone as well. Therefore safety is high as it prevents users from harmful over-brushing.

Another advantages worth mentioning is that it encourages nudges of healthy behaviors. The SmartGuide will provide clear and immediate feedback of users' performance. For example, users are rated 5 stars and given a happy, smiley face when they do well (vice versa). The use of ratings and emoticon conveys affect by eliciting positive emotion - users feel happy when they know they do well, and are likely to be motivated to achieve 5 stars every time. In addition, the default built-in timer of the brush is set to 2 minutes, which is a recommended time for brushing teeth. After 2 minutes, the vibration becomes intermittent, which means it's time to finish up.

Overtime, users will form the habit of brushing teeth gently and thoroughly for the desirable duration.

This is an older generation of the PRO 7000 series that I purchased two years ago (the new version features a Bluetooth connectivity with Oral-B smart phone app), and the current market price is much lower at around $100 (compared to the new one which sells $180+). There's no doubt that It will cost more than manual toothbrushes, but if you want to develop better oral care routines and improve your everyday brushing experience, IT IS WORTH A TRY!