Gizmodo: Toothbrush

Oral Hygiene Game Maps Mouth, Makes Kids Brush Better

Jason Chen — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:30:00 EDT

As a guy with pretty horrible teeth, I can only wish that this computerized toothbrush was invented decades ago when I was a kid. When children brush using the system, the toothbrush's LEDs get mapped via webcam onto a representation of a mouth, which then shows kids which teeth have already been brushed and which teeth need more cleaning. The kids using the system were "twice as effective at cleaning their teeth following the trial." If only they could turn flossing into a game as well, I wouldn't have to go get a root canal in about a month. [New Scientist]

Shake-a-Brush Adds Vibro Function to Normal Toothbrushes

Kit Eaton — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 10:00:50 EDT

The Shake-a-Brush from iTouchless seems a strange concept right from the start: it customizes your normal everyday toothbrush into a battery powered vibrating one. You can buy battery powered brushes already can't you? And, ok, electric toothbrushes may be expensive, but they're also designed to cleverly clean your teeth, and shake-a-brush will just, um, shake your brush. Ah... now we understand: it's a highly moddable gadget, perhaps? If you have a big stockpile of toothbrushes ready, it's available now, but costs $39.95. [iTouchless via Chipchick]

Stephen Fry Reviews Oral B Professional Care Triumph, Loves It

Jason Chen — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 14:40:52 EST

Some of us may dabble in being funny to go along with our tech knowledge, but professional comedian Stephen Fry actually knows a thing about both fields. Today he reviews the Oral-B Professional Care Triumph, which has a special tech that allows it to wirelessly show how long you've been brushing each corner of your mouth and rate it according to what dentists recommend. He loves it. He also loves the idea of turning something mundane into something exciting via technology, and wants it to go further.

He says:

I want a treadmill that presents on screen a reality game that interacts with your exercise: an adventure in which you chase villains, rescue damsels or solve puzzles - this is where technology should be headed so far as humdrum chores are concerned. Come on, you eccentric British software geniuses and game designers. Help me to a brilliant white smile and slim fitness the fun way.

YES! Someone make a Running Hero game for Xbox 360 right now, complete with $300 treadmill attachment. We'd totally buy that if we could simulate running on screen, as opposed to the treadmill workout we do now where we just stare into the nearby lake and wished we were drowning instead. [Stephen Fry]

DIY Bristlebot: You Might as Well Use That Toothbrush For Something

Sean Fallon — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 20:15:30 EST

As long as your toothbrush is sitting around unused and unloved, you might as well put it to good use with this DIY Bristlebot courtesy of the folks at Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories. All you need is a brush with angled bristles, a pager motor and a watch battery. Minutes of fun and tooth decay will be your reward. To see the Bristelbot in action, and learn how to build one yourself, hit the video after the jump.

[EMSL via DVICE]

Solar Toothbrush Version 2.0 Packs Twice the Punch of Original

Charlie White — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 14:35:23 EST

When Canadian researcher Dr. Kunio Komiyama first rolled out his solar toothbrush, its light-gathering titanium dioxide rod must not have released enough plaque-busting electrons. Now the good doctor has announced the updated Soladey-J3X, which he says "packs twice the chemical punch compared to the original."

To use it, you'll need to brush your teeth in a well-lighted place, because there's a solar panel sticking out the end of this toothbrush, collecting those electrons that are transmitted to its business end for their bacteria-killing duties. The toothbrush is now being tested; there's no word on when it might hit the market or what its users might do for dental hygiene on cloudy days. Just kidding—it works with ordinary indoor lighting. [Canada.com, via bb Gadgets]

Sonicare FlexCare Toothbrush Reviewed (Verdict: Expensive, But Worthwhile)

Jason Chen — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 16:20:07 EST

We brush our own collective teeth with an older model Sonicare, which is why their FlexCare update with UV radiation seemed like a sure bet at improving what's already great. JJ from BBG stuck one in his mouth a couple times for 2 minutes each and found that it's cheaper to replace than before, stronger (with the new Massage mode), easier to cram into corners, and all in all a great buy at $180—unless you already have an old model and feel like waiting for a price drop. We agree. [BoingBoing Gadgets]

Bossy Toothbrush Tells You How to Clean

msparkes — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 05:43:46 EDT

If an electric toothbrush isn't high-tech enough for you, then you could kick it up a notch with the Triumph with SmartGuide. The brush monitors how you are cleaning your teeth - time, area and pressure, and sends that information back to a base station. This base station, which can be stuck on a bathroom mirror, then tells you where and for how long you should be focusing in order to get a thorough and even brushing.

This gadgetry doesn't come cheap though, costing as much as a trip to the dentist at $280. It will be available in the UK from next month.[Spuch]

VIOlight Travel Toothbrush Sanitizer, for Germophobes on the Run

Charlie White — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 12:11:12 EDT

Out here on the toothbrush beat, you run into all sorts of fear-mongering products such as the VIOlight Toothbrush Sanitizer. Now you can take that germophobia out on the road with the VIOlight Travel Toothbrush Sanitizer, a smaller version of that near-miraculous home version that probably does no good but might make you feel better anyway.

Just like the home version, this travel version works with ultraviolet rays, and its makers claim that 99% of the germs are killed in seven minutes. Never mind that the 1% of bacteria that are left are probably superstrong, and might just put the hurt on you 10 times as much. But then, the way you feel about this product is probably a whole lot more important than the way it actually works. But hey, it's your $27.99. [productdose]

Biodegradable Source Toothbrush Saves The World One Head At A Time

kthompson — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 21:27:10 EDT

In their quest to save our dying planet, ecologically concerned people are often forced to make sacrifices. If you're compelled to join them, you can start by getting rid of that fancy superstore toothbrush and replace it with the Source Toothbrush, an environmentally friendly hygienic tool constructed from wood fiber and a special plastic made from Nebraska corn. Its replaceable heads also feature the world's first "radial bristling" for maximum plaque-busting power. Nobody says you have to have bad breath to be a tree hugging hippie. $7.95 [Source Toothbrush via UberReview]

Hands On with the UV Sonicare Flexcare

Adam Frucci — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 16:15:43 EDT

Our own Charlie White got a chance to fiddle around with that fancy UV Sonicare Flexcare toothbrush we showed you this morning, and he came away impressed.

He says it runs as quiet as a mouse, which is good if you don't want to wake up your wife with a toothbrush that sounds like a chainsaw, and it feels nice and solid in your hand. It has a few different modes, including a timed three-minute brush and a click brush. The UV sanitizer that nukes germs is available separately, just in case you don't want to invest in a whole new brush setup.

Unfortunately, they wouldn't let Charlie stick the thing in his mouth to try to clean up the Dorito crumbs and whisky breath, so I guess we'll just need to wait till August to test their claim that it removes more plaque than any other electric toothbrush.–Adam Frucci

Sonicare Flexcare Toothbrush Brings Ultraviolet Radiation to Give Gums Super Powers

Jason Chen — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 13:20:26 EDT

We love our Sonicare toothbrushes. But how could you improve on a design that's prevented any cavities since we started using it? By adding a UV sanitizer. Peter Pachal at Sci Fi has the scoop.

Philips' Sonicare FlexCare combines the old Sonicare brush with a UV chamber where you store your two brush heads after you're done. The chamber floods the inside with UV radiation in order to kill germs and keep your brush head from being just a temporary home for bacteria between brushes.

If you want one, you'll have to wait till August and save up $180. If you've already got a Sonicare unit, you can buy the standalone UV bombardment unit for $50. – Jason Chen

Sonicare FlexCare toothbrush roasts germs with UV radiation [Sci Fi]

Oral-B's Triumph Keeps Your Chompers Clean by Telling You How to Brush

Louis Ramirez — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 17:30:09 EDT

We got the chance to play with Oral-B's new Triumph electric toothbrush this afternoon. The $149 brush comes with a palm-size wireless display (it uses RF technology to communicate) that provides real-time feedback as you're brushing so it lets you know how much time you've spent brushing and also what quadrant of your mouth you should be brushing.

The Triumph doesn't have any ultrasound waves like other brushes, but for all you sensitive gum types (like myself), the brush has four modes: polish, brush, clean and massage. There's even a built-in pressure sensor that keeps you from brushing too hard. The brush comes out this September for $149. – Louis Ramirez

Product Page

VIOLight's Toothbrush Sanitizer

Jason Chen — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 19:00:53 EDT

Remember that episode of Seinfeld where Jerry dropped his girlfriend's toothbrush into the toilet (played by Sex and the City's Kristin Davis, incidentally) and he never told her? If he had this VIOLight, he wouldn't have had to throw out the entire contents of his apartment.

The VIOLight kills 99.9% of germs (which incidentally breeds super germs that science can't kill, so you're screwed) and actually looks pretty great. There are four slots to fit four brushes, which means if you have two kids you'd better start using contraceptives again. – Jason Chen

Product Page [VIOLight via Popgadget]

Ultreo Toothbrush Uses Ultrasound Waves to Kill Teeth Goblins

Travis Hudson — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 14:15:15 EST

The $150 Ultreo toothbrush is a bit different than that $1.99 jobber you scrub the hooker's spit off your teeth everyday morning. This toothbrush uses a combination of ultrasound waveguide technology and precisely tuned sonic bristle action to keep those pearly whites white. Usually I don't say this about crazy products, but I am kind of sold. Something about using ultrasound waves and vibrating bristles seems like it would do a better job cleaning my teeth than a regular toothbrush. If it will keep me away from the dentist, then that $150 price tag may be well worth it. –Travis Hudson

Product Page [Via SCI FI]

TiFinity Titanium Toothbrush: Like a Metal Scouring Pad for Your Teeth

Charlie White — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 08:59:27 EST

If you're one of those do-gooders who follows your dentist's every whim, changing out your toothbrush every two months, then the TiFinity titanium toothbrush might be for you. Its inventor says it lasts ten times longer than ordinary toothbrushes, and keeps all those deadly bacteria at bay, too. But who wants to brush their teeth with metal bristles? Well, these titanium alloy bristles have supposedly "amazing properties."

These super elastic memory filaments of the bristle material constantly rebound instantly during brushing allowing for better penetration of the bristles in to the hard to reach areas between teeth and under gums!

Right when we first saw it, we assumed this must be some sort of status item. The big question is, how much does it cost? Take a look at this larger picture of the toothbrush, and find out:

Since I get a new toothbrush maybe once every couple of years, this one could last me a lifetime. Tempe, Arizona dentist Dane Robinson, the inventor of the TiFinity toothbrush, hopes to start shipping this product in six to eight weeks for between $35 and $50. – Charlie White

Product Page [TiFinity Toothbrush]

Rakuten Ultraviolet Toothbrush Cleaner

Gizloco — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 09:40:43 EST

Rakuten's latest gadget sterilizes your toothbrush in four minutes, preventing the buildup of bacteria and other nasty elements. When the toothbrush is inserted and the lid is shut, an ultraviolet lamp heats up and within four minutes, your brush is as clean as the day you bought it. Pretty handy, especially when you consider how often the average person really cleans their toothbrush.

This little UV wonder is only $45, but only available in Japan. At least it beats a trip to the dentist and having your teeth cleaned with a power saw. – Nicholas Deleon

Rakuten Japan UV Toothbrush Sterilizer [Fareastgizmos.com]

Exclusive Video: Hasbro Tooth Tunes MP3 Toothbrush

Brian Lam — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 15:20:27 EDT

Hasbro's Tooth Tunes toothbrushes have an MP3 player built in. Ya, they use bone-conduction to rattle the sound through your teeth for 3 minutes, making sure you brush for the American Dental Association's recommended time. The bristles are a bit hard, the head a bit small, and the handle sucks for reverse grip action, but I found it pretty damn cool to brush my teeth while listening to Black Eyed Peas. I wish you could swap songs, but they've got a pretty good variety of music. Gallery below, video above, and 18 song list, Including the Rocky theme, KISS, Queen, and Destiny's Child, after the jump.

The Toothtunes brushes come in these songs:

Beach Boys (Fun, Fun, Fun)
Destinys Child (Survivor)
Kelly Clarkson (Walk Away)
Queen (We Will Rock You)
Aly & AJ (Walking on Sunshine)
Black Eyed Peas (Let's Get It Started)
Hilary Duff (Wake Up)
Jesse McCartney (Beautiful Soul)
KISS (Rock & Roll All Night)
The Cheetah Girls (Shake A Tail Feather)
Theme Song from Rocky (Gonna Fly Now)
Village People (YMCA)

–Brian Lam

Tooth Tunes [Toothtunes]

Universal Sonic Toothbrush Turns Any Toothbrush Sonic

Jason Chen — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 21:30:10 EDT

As much as we love our Sonicare toothbrushes, we know that $100 may be a bit much for some people to spend on a toothbrush (it's totally worth it though). For those folks, there's the Universal Sonic Toothbrush that turns any old toothbrush into an automatic vibrating one.

All you have to do is stick in your brush, put in an AA battery, flick the switch, and you're brushing at 40,000 vibrations a minute. And it only costs $49.95, half the price of a "real" sonic toothbrush. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Solutions]

Gear Raves: Sonicare Elite 7750

Jason Chen — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 14:02:33 EDT

I'm a little late to the Sonicare party, but hot damn if these aren't great. I just picked one up last week and already my mouth feels cleaner than it's ever been before—even after a dentist's visit. It vibrates faster than Michael J. Fox after a coke binge back when he was alive—wait, what do you mean he's not dead? Apologies, Mr. Fox.

So, what do our readers think of the Sonicare? Do you guys love it as well, or do you lean more towards Oral-B? And do you have any tips/hacks on using or cleaning it? Let us know what you think in the comments. – Jason Chen

OHSO Marko Travel Toothbrush

gizmodo.com — Thu, 16 Mar 2006 15:45:41 EST

Usually when selecting images to use with posts we just grab the one the product looks most attractive in and go with that, but the photo of the male model on the go on the OHSO site made us laugh so hard it just had to come along with the toothbrush. Yes, that pretty boy with stylish hair and expensive clothes is demonstrating action in an urban environment to sell you a toothbrush—the Marko is a chrome-finish travel toothbrush that stores toothpaste within a reservoir and delivers it to the brush with a twist. $19.95 for one Marko; $6.95 buys you three replacement bristle heads.

OHSO Marko [GO! OHSO]

VIOlight Toothbrush Sanitizer

gizmodo.com — Tue, 27 Dec 2005 15:27:26 EST

There comes a time where you must sanitize some things. Sure, I've dropped my toothbrush in the toilet after Mexican night, but did that stop me from using it? Of course not. But when I walked in and saw the rapidly-growing fungus on it three weeks later, I decided that instead of buying a new toothbrush for $3, I could sanitize my current one with the VIOlight toothbrush sanitizer! To use it, you throw your brush inside a stylish metal case and then let the UV lights take care of the rest of the dirty work. After that, you're free to brush germ-free. It costs $24.95 and requires two AA batteries to run, so if OCD or germaphobia is your turf, this might be a nice investment.

VIOlight Toothbrush Sanitizer [Mobile Whack]

Purchase options for VIOlight Toothbrush Sanitizers

Brush and Poop Away to MP3 Tunes

gizmogo — Wed, 26 Oct 2005 12:28:40 EDT

So you want some tunes to listen to in the bathroom but don't want to limit yourself to boring ol' shower radios. Well now you'll never need to go music-free ever again while you're in the john. First there's this Twin Spin Toothbrush from Orawave that'll play an MP3 tune as a reward once you've brushed for two minutes. It sounds like the only MP3s available are the ones on the brush, but we're thinking there has to be a way to sneak in a couple notes of Green Day's "Pulling Teeth." For irony, y'know.

Then there's this crazy Japanese invention (aren't they all?), the Apricot series toilet seats from Toto Japan. It has all the usual Japanese toilet seat features: seat heater, automatic washer, electronic controlled seat. The toilet also detects usage patterns, and doesn't heat the seat when it's least used. But of course the bonus feature is, you guessed it, that this comes with an MP3 player along with an SD card slot built into the toilet's control panel. Now you can rock out while you're cutting off a few.

So there you have it, two bathroom devices that'll entertain you while you go about your morning routine. No idea what the toothbrush costs, but each MP3 toilet will run you 180,600 Yen ($1750). Play a little drum and bass to loosen up that chili. [Thanks, guy who sent us this. Send it again and we'll send you a comments invite.]

Orawave Twin Spin Toothbrush [Orawave via RedFerret]
Now Toilet Seats with MP3 Players [New Launches]

Tobacco Teeth Be Gone

tgrumet — Thu, 20 Oct 2005 16:09:06 EDT

I live in NYC, so even if I did still smoke, I'd be forced to cut down immensely since the new laws came into place a few years ago. The Japanese, however, are still puffin' away just about anywhere they can light up, god bless them. So it makes sense for Matsushita to announce a new electric toothbrush that it says can diminish tobacco stains using a special brush head that pulsates 3000 times per minute! The EW1300P should be about 5000 yen and if you find one next time you're in Tokyo, bring one back for me. I like blueberry pie and coffee.

BUSINESS SHOWROOM [Daily YomiYuri]

OHSO Toothbrushes - Brush Sexy

gizmodo.com — Thu, 13 Oct 2005 08:05:29 EDT

The OHSO toothbrush makes my Oral B look like the chicken bone used by my local street hobo uses to pick his teeth. This stylish and dildoesque toothbrush comes with nifty features such as self-dispensing toothpaste.

The toothpaste is self dispensing and easily refillable by turning the handle one direction which creates a suction, bringing the toothpaste into the handle.

Sweet dude. Now I don't even have to bother much with squeezing the hell out of my toothpaste. What about the actual toothbrush though? It snaps on to the head of the device and let's you brush with glee. The toothbrush comes in 3 models such as the MARKO (above), DIVO (geared torwards the ladies), and PRESTO. Another model codenamed ALLCAPSDOYOUTHINKTHISISTOOLONGMAYBEWESHOULDCHANGEIT was in the works, but never made it to production.

OHSO Toothbrush [JS]

HydraBrush Dual-Sided Toothbrush

Travis Hudson — Tue, 30 Aug 2005 09:25:15 EDT

This dual-headed toothbrush supposedly eliminates human error and also cuts down on brushing time (highly efficient, someone alert 43 Folders!). There are two versions: the HydraBrush Express and the HydraBrush Ultra.

With revolutionary 8 micro brushes that surround your teeth and gums, you will experience a technology that takes the guesswork out of brushing. You can get the job done in 60 seconds or less with CONFIDENCE that you have done a PERFECT job, everytime with HydraBrush Express.

So, in all reality you can pay $109 for the Express that all but irradiates your teeth in less than a minute. Sounds like a deal to me! But wait, for $50 more you can pick up the Ultra, which looks as though it could be turned upside down and used as a handheld milkshake blender.

HydraBrush cleans both sides [PopGadget]