Oral-B
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Oral-B is a brand name of toothbrush and other dental care products (such as dental floss) manufactured by Procter & Gamble who acquired Gillette in 2005. The brand also includes power toothbrushes and interdental products (such as irrigators and oral care centers).
Gillette claims that Oral-B toothbrushes are "used by more dentists and consumers than any other brand in the U.S. and in many international markets."[1]
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[edit] Products
The Oral-B product line contains the following:[2]
| Power products | Manual toothbrushes | Floss and interdental | Toothpaste, Mouthrinse, Cleansers | On-the-go oral care |
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* Pulsar is a self-contained battery powered toothbrush which contains one vibrational motor that creates a pulsing effect in the bristles for added plaque removal. Once the non-replaceable battery is completely discharged the toothbrush is used like a non-powered toothbrush.
[edit] History
Pre-1980s
- 1950 - The first Oral-B toothbrush was designed and patented in California by Dr. Robert Hutson, a California periodontist. The first product was called "Oral-B 60," as it had 60 tufts. Dr. Hutson started a family-owned company based on the brush.
- 1969 - An Oral-B toothbrush is the first to go to the moon. It rode on the Apollo 11 mission.
- 1978 - The electric toothbrush called the "D1" was mass produced, simulating the manual side-to-side movements of a manual brush. It was sold predominantly in Europe.
1980s
- 1981 - The "Oral-B Right Angle" was introduced.
- 1984 - Oral-B was acquired by Gillette. Braun introduced the first power toothbrush that combined vertical and horizontal movements. The Star Wars toothbrush is released for children.
- 1986 - Muppets toothbrushes and toothpaste for children were launched.
- 1987 - The Oral-B Ultra Plus is released, the first Oral-B product design with Braun collaboration.
1990s
- 1991 - The D5 was released and clinically proven to clean better than a manual toothbrush. The Oral-B Indicator was released with fading bristles. The Chilean business Duralon was acquired.
- 1992 - The Oral-B Plaque Control Center, OC5, was released with a power toothbrush and oral irrigator.
- 1993 - The Oral-B Advantage toothbrush was released featuring multilevel trim patterns.
- 1994 - The D7 (with indicator bristles and nonslip gripping) and the Oral-B Compact Interdental brush were launched.
- 1995 - The Squish Grip and Gripper brushes were released. Oral-B UltraFloss dental floss is launched. The Pro business in Latin America was acquired.
- 1996 - The Advantage Control Grip toothbrush was released featuring micro-textured bristles and an ergonomic dual material handle. The D9 (Oral-B Plaque Remover) and the Oral-B Interclean Interdental Plaque Remover were launched.
- 1997 - Oral-B partners with Nickelodeon. Oral-B acquired the Prudent business in India.
- 1998 - The Oral-B 3D Plaque Remover, Oral-B CrossAction toothbrush and SATINfloss were released.
2000s
- 2000 - The Oral-B 3D Excel, Oral-B Kids' Power toothbrush, and the Oral-B Battery Toothbrush were launched.
- 2001 - Oral-B entered into an exclusive license agreement with Disney to release products including manual, battery, and rechargeable power toothbrushes, showcasing Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, Buzz Lightyear, and the Disney Princesses.
- 2002 - The Oral-B Stages line is introduced, marking the first time children's toothbrushes are designed for the four different stages of a child's dental development.
Oral-B acquires the Zooth brand of children's power toothbrushes which feature sculpted characters like Barbie, Hello Kitty, My Little Pony, Finding Nemo, and Hot Wheels.
- 2003 - The Oral-B CrossAction Power toothbrush is launched. The Oral-B CrossAction Vitalizer manual toothbrush and Stages Kids' Flossers are also introduced.
- 2004 - Oral-B introduces its first sonic toothbrush, the Oral-B Sonic Complete.
Other products introduced in 2004 are the CrossAction Power Max and ProfessionalCare 8000 series of electric toothbrushes, the Advantage Artica manual toothbrush, Stages power toothbrushes and Stages tooth & gum cleanser.
- 2005 - The Gillette Company is acquired by Procter & Gamble, uniting Oral-B and Crest beneath the umbrella of P&G Oral Care. P&G Oral Care becomes the only company to have offerings across all key segments of the category - providing consumers with a broad range of products for their full oral health regimen, including toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, dental floss, whitening and dentures.
An independent review by the prestigious Cochrane Collaboration, a British-based non-profit health research group, found oscillating-rotating technology, pioneered by Oral-B, to be consistently better at removing plaque and reducing gingivitis than manual toothbrushing.
Oral-B Triumph ProfessionalCare 9000 is introduced, featuring "smart technology".
Oral-B Pulsar is introduced featuring the first manual toothbrush with a pulse.
- 2006 - Oral-B Vitality is launched, marking the first time rechargeable power toothbrushes are available at an affordable price of less than $20, including Sonic technology.
Oral-B Sensitive Advantage is introduced - an extra soft brush for sensitive gums.
- 2007 - Oral-B introduces Pulsar Pro-Health, combining the bristle and brush head innovation from Oral-B Pulsar with new gentle ProSoft bristles.
Oral-B Triumph with SmartGuide is launched. It is the first rechargeable power toothbrush to combine cleaning and gum care with a wireless remote display to provide while-you-brush feedback for optimal brushing habits.
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes and references
- ^ About Oral-B and Gillette. OralB.com. Retrieved on November 21, 2005.
- ^ Toothbrushes, Toothpaste, Floss and more dental hygiene products from Oral-B. OralB.com. Retrieved on February 14, 2006.
- ^ Oral-B Toothbrush and Company History. OralB.com. Retrieved on November 21, 2005.
[edit] External links
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