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Brand origin
United States
Main production
Several countries, incl. Germany

Oral-B is an American oral-care brand that makes manual and electric toothbrushes, brush heads, dental floss, toothpaste, mouth rinses, and other dental-care products. Oral-B is ultimately owned by The Procter & Gamble Company, a publicly listed company headquartered in the United States.

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Updated: 9 October 2026 · Ownership verified: 13 September 2026 ·
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About Oral-B

What is Oral-B?

Oral-B is an oral-care brand known for toothbrushes, electric toothbrushes, replacement brush heads, dental floss, toothpaste, and mouth rinses. The brand originated in the United States and sells products in more than 150 countries. By 2025, Procter & Gamble described Oral-B as the worldwide leader in the brushing market valued at more than $5 billion. Oral-B’s official website is oralb.com. Oral-B’s product range includes manual toothbrushes and several electric-toothbrush families. The Oral-B Pro series includes the Pro 1000. The Oral-B iO range includes the iO Series 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. Oral-B also sells compatible replacement heads, although iO toothbrushes use iO-specific heads and standard Pro models do not accept iO heads. Oral-B became associated with Braun after Gillette acquired Oral-B in 1984. Braun was already part of Gillette, and the two names were later used together in electric oral-care products. Oral-B is now part of Procter & Gamble’s portfolio.

Who owns Oral-B?

Oral-B is ultimately owned by The Procter & Gamble Company, according to Made O’Meter’s ownership data verified on 13 September 2026. The Procter & Gamble Company is a publicly listed company headquartered in the United States. Procter & Gamble acquired The Gillette Company in 2005. That transaction brought Oral-B into Procter & Gamble’s portfolio because Gillette had acquired Oral-B in 1984. Gillette also owned Braun, the German electrical-appliance company, when it acquired Oral-B Laboratories. Oral-B is therefore associated with both the Oral-B and Braun names in parts of the electric-toothbrush range, but the ultimate owner is The Procter & Gamble Company. Oral-B’s ownership history includes earlier changes before the Gillette acquisition. After the founders withdrew from the business in the 1960s, Oral-B changed hands through Weco, Chemway, and Cooper Laboratories. Gillette acquired the Oral-B manufacturer in 1984. Procter & Gamble acquired Gillette in 2005.

Where does Oral-B come from?

Oral-B originated in California, United States, and traces its beginnings to a soft-nylon-bristle toothbrush developed by a California dentist in 1949. The dentist initially sold the toothbrush to dentist friends, who recommended it to patients. California periodontist Robert W. Hutson designed and patented the first Oral-B toothbrush in 1950. The first product was called Oral-B 60 because it had 60 tufts. In 1951, Robert W. Hutson, Paul E. Bahr, and John Murphy founded the Oral-B company in Santa Clara, California. The company initially sold mainly through dental practices. During the 1950s, Oral-B sold more than five million toothbrushes annually. This dental-practice distribution helped establish the brand among dentists and patients. An Oral-B toothbrush was taken to the Moon in 1969. Oral-B introduced the Oral-B Right Angle toothbrush in 1981. The Gillette acquisition followed in 1984, and Procter & Gamble acquired Gillette in 2005.

What products does Oral-B make?

Oral-B makes manual toothbrushes, rechargeable electric toothbrushes, replacement brush heads, dental floss, toothpaste, mouth rinses, and dental guards. Its electric-toothbrush families include the Pro series and the iO series. The Oral-B Pro 1000 is a rechargeable electric toothbrush in the Pro series. Oral-B lists compatible Pro-series heads including CrossAction, FlossAction, Precision Clean, 3D White, Sensitive Gum Care, Deep Sweep, and Dual Clean. Pro-series toothbrushes do not fit iO brush heads. The Oral-B iO range is a premium electric-toothbrush platform launched in 2019. Oral-B iO models use iO replacement heads only. Descriptions of the iO system identify a linear magnetic drive system and smart pressure sensors as features of the series. Oral-B also sells dental floss products, including Oral-B Glide and Oral-B Satin Floss, as well as oral rinses and toothpastes. The product portfolio has included Oral-B Mouth Sore Rinse and Oral-B Calm toothpaste. Product availability and formulations can vary by market.

What is Oral-B iO?

Oral-B iO is an electric-toothbrush platform launched in 2019. The platform uses a linear magnetic drive system and smart pressure sensors, according to descriptions of the iO series. The Oral-B iO lineup includes the iO Series 2, Series 3, Series 5, Series 6, Series 7, Series 8, Series 9, and Series 10. Oral-B iO toothbrushes require iO-specific replacement heads, which are not interchangeable with standard Oral-B Pro-series heads. The iO range includes models with different feature sets and price positions. The iO Series 9 and iO Series 10 are among the higher-numbered models, while the iO Series 2 and iO Series 3 are lower-numbered models. The model number alone does not establish that one toothbrush is medically or clinically superior to another.

Is Oral-B a good electric toothbrush?

Oral-B is an established electric-toothbrush brand with models in the Pro and iO series, but whether a particular Oral-B electric toothbrush is suitable depends on its features, brush-head compatibility, price, and the user’s needs. The American Dental Association has accepted or recognized Oral-B oscillating, rotating, and pulsating electric-toothbrush models, including the Oral-B Pro 1000 and Oral-B iO Series. The Oral-B Pro 1000 uses standard Oral-B replacement heads, while iO models use iO-specific heads. The Oral-B Pro 1000 is a rechargeable model in the Pro series. The iO platform adds a linear magnetic drive system and smart pressure sensors. These product differences matter when comparing an Oral-B Pro model with an Oral-B iO model.

Is Oral-B or Sonicare better?

Oral-B and Philips Sonicare use different electric-toothbrush designs, so neither brand is universally better for every user. Oral-B’s range includes oscillating, rotating, and pulsating models, while comparisons with Sonicare generally involve differences in brushing motion, feel, features, replacement heads, and price. Oral-B’s Pro 1000 uses standard Oral-B heads, and Oral-B iO models use iO-specific heads. A comparison should therefore include replacement-head cost and availability, not only the purchase price of the handle. The American Dental Association has accepted or recognized Oral-B oscillating, rotating, and pulsating electric-toothbrush models, including the Pro 1000 and iO Series. That recognition does not establish that every Oral-B model is better than every Sonicare model.

What recalls and regulatory matters involve Oral-B?

Regulatory records document recalls involving several Oral-B products, including certain electric toothbrushes, mouth rinse, and manual toothbrushes. In 2004, Gillette recalled Oral-B CrossAction Power and PowerMAX toothbrushes and refills because brush heads could become loose. The FDA-associated recall described brush heads becoming loose in the mouths of people with special needs, with some heads caught in the throat or swallowed. In 2023, an Oral-B Mouth Sore Rinse recall was initiated after products were stored outside their labeled temperature requirements. The recall covered 329,044 units sold at Family Dollar stores between 1 June and 4 October 2023. In 2025, products labeled Oral B Tooth Brush Shiny Clean Soft 12CT were included in a recall because of potential exposure to rodents and rodent activity at a distribution center. These recalls applied to specified products and lots, rather than establishing that every Oral-B product was affected.

Is Oral-B Glide floss waxed, and is Oral-B floss PFAS free?

Oral-B Glide is a dental-floss product, but the wax and PFAS status depends on the specific product formulation and market. A shopper should check the current package labeling and manufacturer information for the exact Glide product. The question of whether Oral-B floss is PFAS free cannot be answered for every Oral-B floss product from the brand name alone. Oral-B sells more than one floss line, including Glide and Satin Floss, and formulations can differ by product and country. Oral-B Satin Floss is also a specific floss product rather than a description of every Oral-B floss. Information about whether Oral-B Glide floss is safe or whether Oral-B Satin Floss is safe should be assessed against the exact product label, ingredients, instructions, and applicable regulatory information.

Frequently asked questions about Oral-B

Is Oral-B owned by Braun?

No. Oral-B is ultimately owned by The Procter & Gamble Company. Braun was owned by Gillette when Gillette acquired Oral-B in 1984, which is why the names became associated in electric oral-care products.

Is Oral-B cruelty free?

Oral-B’s cruelty-free status is not established here as a single status for every product and market. Claims about animal testing, suppliers, and regional requirements should be checked against current Procter & Gamble and product-specific policies.

Is Oral-B Glide floss safe?

Oral-B Glide floss is sold as a dental-floss product, but safety questions should be assessed using the exact product label, ingredients, and instructions for the relevant market. Different Oral-B floss products can have different formulations.

Is Oral-B Satin Floss safe?

Oral-B Satin Floss is a dental-floss product. Its use should follow the product labeling and instructions, and shoppers with allergies or specific medical concerns should review the listed ingredients and consult a dental professional.

Is Oral-B Calm toothpaste discontinued?

The availability of Oral-B Calm toothpaste can vary by country and retailer. A product listing or absence from one market does not establish a global discontinuation.

Do Oral-B electric toothbrush heads fit every Oral-B toothbrush?

No. Standard Oral-B Pro-series heads fit compatible Pro-series handles, while Oral-B iO toothbrushes require iO-specific heads. Oral-B’s product information states that iO heads are compatible with iO toothbrushes only.

What is the difference between Oral-B iO Series 9 and Series 10?

Both are higher-numbered models in the Oral-B iO range, but the exact features and included accessories depend on the market and package. The model names alone do not establish that every Series 10 package has the same specifications worldwide.

Is the Oral-B Pro 1000 an iO toothbrush?

No. The Oral-B Pro 1000 is a Pro-series rechargeable electric toothbrush, not an iO model. It uses compatible standard Oral-B heads and does not fit iO brush heads.

Sources: oralb.com: pro 1000 gum care rechargeable electric toothbrush, oralb.com: pro series, oralb.com: pro 1000 rechargeable electric toothbrush twin pack white and turquoise, oralb.com, oralb.com: about us, oralb.com: pro 1000 delta dental rechargeable electric toothbrush white, oralb.ca, brandslex.de, accessdata.fda.gov: res.cfm, en.wikipedia.org, accessdata.fda.gov: res.cfm, bionity.com, accessdata.fda.gov: res.cfm, portal.ct.gov, accessdata.fda.gov: res.cfm, fda.gov: recalls market withdrawals safety alerts, brandwiki.lazada.sg, thebrandhopper.com, us.pg.com, fda.gov: recalls data sets, scribd.com

Sources: en.wikipedia.org: Oral B, en.wikipedia.org: Procter & Gamble

Ownership data is compiled from public sources and verified where possible. Spotted an error? Suggest a correction below.

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