Isn’t it Ionic? A 2 week test of SPARKLE’s hi-tech oral beauty line

This story is brought to you by SPARKLE.

Product photography by Perkin Gohio.

One of the most challenging things about this pandemic is being able to avail of regular healthcare services that require one’s physical presence at a clinic. When my mom was experiencing a toothache earlier this year, I was surprised to learn that her dentist could not even do fillings. It was straight to tooth extractions for emergency cases. Cleanings and regular check-ups were out of the question.

So now, more than ever, is the time to focus on stringent oral care at home. Regular brushing, flossing, and gargling is a given. But it’s also important to select products that are compatible with your oral health needs. I’ve recently started using the complete line of SPARKLE, an innovative Thai brand that includes Ionic Technology said to help loosen the grip of plaque on teeth. According to some of their literature, this is how it works:

Plaque is bonded to the teeth by positive ions that are contained in saliva. Negative ions released from SPARKLE Ionic Toothbrush loosen this bonding mechanism between the teeth and plaque, making it easier to remove plaque without harsh brushing.

The routine starts with the Ionic Toothbrush (P399 for 1 unit with brush head; P289 for a refill of 2 brush heads) and Whitening Toothpaste (P129 / 60g and P189 / 100g). The toothbrush itself is a step above the regular kind as this one is actually battery-powered. It doesn’t vibrate like an electric toothbrush, but it does automatically release said negative ions when you grip the metal band with wet fingers. And you have to keep your fingers positioned over the metal band for the duration of the brushing for the continuous release of the negative ions. Other than that, you don’t need to press any buttons while brushing  although there’s a small battery testing button that produces a red light.

The battery is estimated to last for a minimum of 1 year but can go up to 2 years. Do note, however, that the battery is not replaceable. You’ll have to purchase a new unit altogether when the time comes. The bristles are soft and have super fine ends, so they can reach the edges of the gums without a pricking sensation.

Meanwhile, the best way to describe the Whitening Toothpaste is a cross between a formula for sensitive teeth and one for whitening. It has that low foam, creamy quality (as opposed to the usual sudsy) while also having that sandy silica feel. The minty flavor is strong and doesn’t have any herbal taste. The cooling sensation sticks around for several minutes after brushing.

Another unusual invention, the White Dental Floss (P149) looks thick, puffy, and stringy from the container. But once you pull at it, it stretches out to reveal fibers that look like spun cotton. It’s the Expanding Floss Technology that gives it the flexibility to fit in regular or tight spaces. Personally, the gaps between my teeth are extra narrow from when I got braces, so this still felt a little tight. But those with regular-sized gaps should have no trouble flossing with this.

Finally, the Fresh & Cool Mouthwash (P279 / 500ml) requires 5 seconds of shaking the bottle to activate the negative ions. The Ionic Technology here is said to help remove or prevent stains as well as assist in whitening teeth. I got a strong cooling feeling while gargling, and it lightly foams up as opposed to other mouthwashes that tend to foam up too much and drip down the chin.

 After 2 weeks of use, here are my before and after photos:

Before Smile

Before Test

After Smile

After Test

I started my trial period by chewing on a plaque indicator tablet (purple dye) to see the areas that required extra attention when brushing and flossing. After two weeks, I officially ended the trials with another plaque indicator test to see how much progress was made.

Obviously, it’s tricky to measure the negative ion release from just brushing your teeth at home. But on the basis of user experience, I see myself continuing to enjoy these products. I feel that the cleaning capability of the SPARKLE collection is at par with other popular oral care brands sold locally. There is an improvement in the reduction of plaque build-up, and what’s left is mostly found between the teeth and IMHO will take professional cleaning to remove. But my mouth feels clean and my teeth even have that slippery smoothness after completing the entire routine. And for the record, I did not suffer any chin breakouts from the toothpaste and mouthwash.

You can witness for yourself the SPARKLE Ionic Technology over on Lazada and Shopee.

What are your  thoughts on this new breed of mouth care products?