Gizmodo: toothbrushes

40 Second Toothbrush Doesn't Use Torture, Just "Enhanced Cleaning Techniques"

John Herrman — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 09:20:00 EDT

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.On paper, the 40 Second Toothbrush, which de-plaques two rows of teeth at a time, looks like a fine idea. On paper. Would you put this in your mouth?

The thinking is that, by fitting around your teeth like some kind of bristly retainer, the 40 second toothbrush can decrease necessary brushing time by 66%. This assumes you were taking 120 seconds to brush your chiclets with a traditional toothbrush, which, let's be honest, you weren't.

This brush bears the two telltales marks of a Hammacher Schlemmer product, which it is: it solves a problem that nobody has (an inability to pay attention long enough to brush their teeth) with a method that probably doesn't work (wrapping your teeth in cupped brushes and vibrating like hell). Oh, I almost forgot about the third mark: it's $100. [Hammacher via RedFerret]

Omron Accelerometered Toothbrush Knows Exactly What It's Brushing

John Herrman — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 09:50:00 EDT

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.The Omron HT-B551 looks like any other electric toothbrush, but inside, it's got a tri-directional secret: an accelerometer. Hey, fancy-pants futurists! You didn't see this one coming, did you?

Omron's toothbrush uses its accelerometer to guess what exactly it's brushing against, whether it be soft tissue, big flat incisors, or scummy molars, and adjusts its vibrations accordingly. Also included is a standard set of features to encourage proper dental hygiene, like LED brush timers and instructive grip dents and contours for a variety of hands shapes, strengths and sizes. It's a Japan-only product for now, and probably forever, since I don't imagine there's huge market for $200+ toothbrushes anywhere else, anyway. [Tech-On]

Brush & Rinse Toothbrush Creates Mini Water Fountain

Charlie White — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 08:46:52 EDT

The Brush & Rinse toothbrush from Amron Experimental creates a little water fountain for you to sip from when it's time to rinse. Hey, this is a solution to a problem that's long overdue.

More pics and pricing on the next page.

An odd twist on the Amron Experimental website is the sale of 27 working prototypes, each for $1750 plus $30 shipping. Huh? Don't let that scare you away, though—once the toothbrushes are in widespread production, the company plans to price them at $3 apiece.

Excellent idea. Sign us up. [Amron Experimental]

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]