Philips’ new AI toothbrush uses real-time personalised guidance to help patients improve their brushing technique, remove more plaque and develop healthier oral care habits between dental appointments.
Good oral health has never been more important. Research increasingly links oral health with wider wellbeing, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cognitive health, yet many patients still struggle to know whether they’re brushing effectively between dental appointments.
Philips has found a way to remedy this and effect significant behavioural change with the launch of its most advanced electric toothbrush to date. The new Next-Generation DiamondClean 9900 Prestige is the brand’s first toothbrush to combine on-device artificial intelligence and real-time personalised brushing guidance to help users achieve more complete plaque removal and healthier gums.
Unlike conventional electric toothbrushes, the 9900 Prestige provides live coaching during every brushing session. An on-device 12-segment Mouth Map highlights areas which have been missed – in real time – before confirming a complete clean, whilst a light ring alerts users if they’re applying too much pressure or scrubbing. Combined with Philips’ SenseIQ technology, the toothbrush is designed to help remove up to 20 times more plaque and deliver up to 15 times healthier gums compared with manual brushing.
In these videos a number of leading dental professionals explain the significance of the new technological advances Philips has introduced in its next generation brush and the implications for the patients:
AI toothbrush technology brings professional guidance into the home
For Professor Iain Chapple, the technology represents a significant step forward in preventive dentistry.
‘Technology is like having a professional dental coach in your bathroom every day,’ he says. ‘Behaviour change becomes much easier when patients receive immediate feedback.’
The importance of improving daily brushing habits extends far beyond the mouth. Professor Chapple adds: ‘We’re no longer treating the mouth simply to save teeth, we’re protecting overall health.’
Helping patients change long-established habits is one of the greatest challenges facing dental professionals. Dental Hygienist Anna Middleton believes technology which provides visual feedback could be the missing link bridging the gap between advice given in the surgery and behaviour at home.
She says: ‘The problem usually isn’t that patients aren’t brushing, it’s that they’re not brushing effectively,’ she explains. ‘We’re not standing beside our patients every morning and every evening, but this technology almost can.’
How an AI toothbrush can improve daily brushing habits
One of the key innovations is Smart Coverage Feedback, which guides users back to areas they’ve missed before they finish brushing, reinforcing better habits every day.
The new toothbrush also tackles another common issue seen in dental practices: brushing too hard. Dr Chinwe Akuonu says excessive scrubbing can contribute to gum recession, tooth wear and sensitivity.
‘Many patients think scrubbing harder means cleaning better, but the opposite is true,’ she says. ‘It’s a simple feature, but it drives meaningful behavioural change.’
For patients with dental implants, intelligent pressure sensing may offer additional benefits. As Dr Nilesh Parmar notes, implants require meticulous home care to remain healthy.
He states: ‘Great oral health isn’t about brushing harder, it’s about brushing smarter,’ and adds, ‘The technology removes much of the guesswork.’
For him the stand outs of the new brush are the real-time pressure feedback and Mouth Map which can help patients clean thoroughly while avoiding unnecessary force around delicate implant tissues.
Prevention and patient empowerment
For Dr Ben Atkins, the launch reflects a broader shift towards prevention and patient empowerment.
‘Behaviour change is the biggest challenge in dentistry,’ he says. ‘The beauty of the new Sonicare brush is that it supports patients every day, even when I’m not there.’
He believes technology should simplify oral care rather than complicate it, helping patients build healthier routines between appointments.
The launch of the Next-Generation DiamondClean 9900 Prestige builds on Philips Sonicare’s wider next-generation portfolio and reflects growing interest in personalised oral healthcare powered by intelligent technology. By combining AI-driven coaching with clinically proven sonic cleaning, Philips hopes to give both dental professionals and patients greater confidence that brushing at home is as effective as possible.
As dentistry increasingly focuses on prevention rather than treatment, technologies that provide real-time guidance could play an important role in improving everyday oral health, one brushing session at a time.
Experience Next-Generation DiamondClean for yourself, and request a trial handle.
This article is sponsored by Philips.
