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Science Technology

'Whole Mouth' Toothbrushes Are a Thing Now (wsj.com) 75

Unnervingly futuristic, these bulky, high-tech toothbrushes promise to scrub your choppers thoroughly in 20 seconds. WSJ: Dentists like Dr. Lana Rozenberg are overly familiar with two eternal fibs: that their clients floss regularly, and that they brush their teeth for at least two minutes twice a day. "Most people don't brush their teeth for two minutes," said the Manhattan-based industry veteran. "Thirty seconds is more like it," or under a second for each of their 32 teeth. But what if, in those 30 seconds, a device could reach the front, back and sides of every tooth at once? That's the proposition of new "whole mouth" toothbrushes, which rely on vibration and a preponderance of bristles packed inside a structure resembling a mouthguard to deliver an up-to-snuff scrubbing in as little as 20 seconds -- 10 each for top and bottom sets of teeth.

"It helps make things way faster, way easier and feels a little more guaranteed because you actually feel it on each one of your teeth," said Kristopher Paul, a medical-transportation driver in St. Petersburg, Fla., who has bit down on a 360 Sonic Brush Pro ($70) each morning for the past year. Mr. Paul, 36, also likes the tool's 15-minute whitening mode, which combines a blue LED light and whitening gel to fade bothersome coffee stains.

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'Whole Mouth' Toothbrushes Are a Thing Now

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  • by Wrexs0ul ( 515885 ) <{moc.eninkcar} {ta} {reiemm}> on Friday August 27, 2021 @04:24PM (#61736727) Homepage

    They're the same product as was thoroughly reviewed. These devices just don't work as good as regular toothbrushes:

    https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601... [mdpi.com]

    Guessing this is a sponsored post, sorry about bringing science into this :(

    • I'm surprised 9 out of 10 dentists don't recommend this. Or that it's more effective than flossing like listerin. Nothing beats flossing at least once a day and brushing your teeth with a normal non carnival gimmick device.
      • by JustNiz ( 692889 )

        >> Nothing beats flossing at least once a day
        actually, water piks do. by a long way.

        • by BeerFartMoron ( 624900 ) on Friday August 27, 2021 @05:01PM (#61736867)

          >> Nothing beats flossing at least once a day

          actually, water piks do. by a long way.

          Ooh, waterpik vs. floss flame war! I'm getting some popcorn for this!

          Then I'm going to see who won since I'll need to get all the popcorn schmutz out of my teeth.

        • Nothing beats flossing at least once a day

          actually, water piks do. by a long way.

          I find both helpful because floss can actually scrub against the surface of the teeth -- like a brush, but in-between the teeth -- and a water pik can (gently) irrigate under the gum line, and clean places floss and/or a brush can't easily reach. So... floss, water-pik, brush.

        • by AmiMoJo ( 196126 )

          Water picks are not as good as flossing because they don't have as much abrasion.

          Also big toothbrush heads are not as good as small ones. Get the smallest ones you can, they get into all the nooks and crannies much better.

      • by Hadlock ( 143607 )

        We have these "Plackers Dental Flossers" which work way better than a spool of waxed string

        Definitely buying one of these whole mouth brushers when our kid's teeth grow in

      • I'm surprised 9 out of 10 dentists don't recommend this.

        Okay, but what about four out of five dentists [sunvalleyp...tistry.com]?

      • by ceoyoyo ( 59147 )

        There's no evidence that flossing has any benefit. The American Dental Association had to withdraw flossing from their recommendations after someone pointed this out.

        Your post is just monkey tales.

        • There's no evidence that flossing has any benefit.

          A 10 second Google search lists dozens of pages that contradict you and none that agree.

          The American Dental Association had to withdraw flossing from their recommendations

          Bullcrap. The ADA website recommends flossing.

        • by vivian ( 156520 )

          Flossing definitely helps. I can taste the difference in my mouth if I have only used a toothbrush and haven't flossed in a few days - little bits of calculus (the hardened plaque) build up between your teeth where your toothbrush can't get to properly, and make your breath a little more funky each day, if you don't get rid of it with flossing. Im a bit lazy so although I brush every day, sometimes I might go a day or two without flossing

          After flossing and brushing ( I prefer to brush, then floss then ano

          • by ebvwfbw ( 864834 )

            Sounds like you're not brushing right. Ask your dentist for a few of those dye packs. That'll dye your teeth red. Then brush. You'll be able to see where you've been brushing. Then keep one or two for holloween.

            • by vivian ( 156520 )

              Its the stuff at the contact points between your teeth that a brush can't get to right. My mum was an oral surgeon and I spent my fair share of time as a chairside assistant for family and friends, and occasionally public patients. I saw some horrors that make me brush very very carefully. Its important to use a brush that's small enough that can get right back and around your teeth easily, so I really doubt the ability of these one size fits all multi tooth brushing gadgets to really do a thorough job.

              My

              • by ebvwfbw ( 864834 )

                You're right. I wouldn't use that gizmo. I've had really good luck. I have all my teeth except two wisdom teeth. My last cavities were in the 1970s in the Nixon administration. I have used Crest and an electric toothbrush, floss only when something is stuck. Usually the toothbrush is good enough to get in between.

                I think a lot of people don't brush as they should. I run into people that don't brush every day. Mother always said - brush every day without fail. She had I think half her teeth and I think my da

    • by Ol Olsoc ( 1175323 ) on Friday August 27, 2021 @04:31PM (#61736755)

      They're the same product as was thoroughly reviewed. These devices just don't work as good as regular toothbrushes:

      https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601... [mdpi.com]

      Guessing this is a sponsored post, sorry about bringing science into this :(

      I'm guessing that it's main use will be turned sideways and used as a "relaxation device" if you know what I mean.

      • I'm guessing that it's main use will be turned sideways and used as a "relaxation device" if you know what I mean.

        That sure gives all new meaning to flossing.

    • by Luthair ( 847766 )
      It does mention though that electric brushes are better than manual.
      • by steveha ( 103154 ) on Friday August 27, 2021 @05:39PM (#61736961) Homepage

        electric brushes are better than manual

        In my experience this is true.

        I switched from a manual toothbrush to a Sonicare (a particular brand of ultrasonic electric toothbrush). After I used it for a month it was time for my checkup... the dental hygenist said "I can already tell you are doing something different, and whatever it is, I like it."

        I'm sure there are other good brands but I have had good results with Sonicare so I'm still using it. It also helps that Sonicare now offers USB-charging travel cases. I can charge my toothbrush with the same charger I use for my phone. (It's micro USB rather than USB C, alas. Someday I'll have all my devices on USB C.)

        I was able to buy a pack at Costco with two Sonicare handles, two USB travel chargers, and a few brush heads for a good price.

        • Yeah I started using a Sonicare and my dental hygienist said "You must not drink coffee!" I'm like... I drink a cup or two every morning...

    • by gweihir ( 88907 )

      Rather obviously so. The first obvious thing is that they give the toothpaste far too little time for remineralization.

      Note: When something "revolutionary" comes along in an area that is already well-solved, chances are somebody want to separate you from your money and the thing is not nearly as good as established solutions.

    • And there's no way in hell these are going to get back there. It's hard enough for a toothbrush to do that. I spend a bunch of extra time on my teeth because I have stupidly sensitive gums and it hurts like hell getting cleaned so I want my teeth is clean as I can get. But I do have pretty good dental insurance so I see a dentist every 6 months.
    • by AmiMoJo ( 196126 )

      I had this idea year ago but came to the conclusion that it wouldn't work, or rather that it wouldn't be mechanically possible to make it work well enough.

      These ones have a large number of brushes that are fixed, so they only clean the area under them and don't move to cover the areas in-between, or go around the whole tooth, or get in-between teeth.

    • Wow that's a pretty scathing study. No statistical difference between the whole mouth brush and no brushing at all. That's rough.

      "...the difference between the U and N groups was not significant (difference 5; 95% CI from â'2 to 12) favoring the U group."

      U is the whole mouth brush group, N is the no-brushing group.

  • Brush your teeth twice daily. It will make a night versus day difference in your oral health. Seriously, brush your teeth I cannot recommend this more.

    Also, is it just me or this is an odd one to appear on Slashdot?

    • by gweihir ( 88907 )

      Also, is it just me or this is an odd one to appear on Slashdot?

      Might be a slashvertisment. These things have been pushed in the usual "idiot section" advertising areas of web-pages for a while. Might not have worked well enough.

    • Actually you should brush after every meal.
  • by bryanandaimee ( 2454338 ) on Friday August 27, 2021 @04:30PM (#61736753) Homepage
    I don't have time for that. Between the WoW guild meetings and D&D campaigns, I'm lucky if I can get a shower more often than once a month. Now you're telling me I'm supposed to be brushing my teeth for two whole minutes not once but twice a day? I'm shocked! Shocked I tell you!

    Just so I know who to blame, is this a conspiracy by the Democrats to control my speech or a plot by the republicans to control my body?
    • Between the WoW guild meetings and D&D campaigns

      The trick is in the middle of the meeting to bow out and brush your teeth. You won't miss much. Just come back into the what is nearly the end of the meeting and shout "Alright chums, (I’m back)! Let’s do this LEERO O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O OY JE E E E E E N KI I I I I I I I I I INS! "

      Also fuck Slashdot's anti-ascii art filter.

    • I have a regular sonicare toothbrush (not whole mouth), and it runs for 2 minutes - 30 seconds for each quadrant. It does a quick pause every 30 seconds to tell you to move to the next quadrant. I don't know about whether I get a better cleaning (per second) than a traditional toothbrush, but to me the real benefit is that I know that I really am brushing for a full 2 minutes. 2 minutes with the sonicare feels quick, while 30 seconds with a traditional toothbrush feels like forever.

    • by Toad-san ( 64810 )

      You could use something like this at the same time you're playing WoW! You don't HAVE to be this guy: https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp... [arstechnica.net]

  • by e3m4n ( 947977 ) on Friday August 27, 2021 @04:31PM (#61736757)
    So much for that joke. . .

    Did you know the toothbrush was invented in West Virginia?

    Yea, anywhere else they woulda called it a Teethbrush. *ba dump dump*
    Thanks, I'll be here all week. Try the fish.
    • Re: (Score:2, Troll)

      Did you hear Florida just bought 100,000 septic tanks? DeSantis says as soon as they can figure out how to drive them they're going invade Georgia for voting Democrat.
      • Thats funny. I have some worse ones if you want to hear. Along the same hillbilly sort of lines.
        • Yeah, lets hear them! Also, can you call him "DeathSantis"? It is HILARIOUS!
          • So you can insert any backward area in here. Nearby county, Quebec, etc.

            How does a girl in Harlan County know when her mom is on the rag?

            When her brother's dick tastes funny!
      • Did you hear Florida just bought 100,000 septic tanks?

        Oh shit, did they need someplace to officially store DeSantis' political promises?

    • I first heard that joke living in VA 30 years ago, about WVa. 25 years ago, living in FL, I heard it said about GA. For the last 20 years, I've told it about KY. My dentist was very offended by that joke, said it's not at all funny. Some people just don't have access to good dental care. I think teeth brushing should be done at school, starting in preschool. It's a real solution, to a real problem.
  • by backslashdot ( 95548 ) on Friday August 27, 2021 @04:32PM (#61736761)

    Dear God, this is needed real bad. Too many stinky people do not brush their teeth properly. I would not care less about other people’s mouth rot, but then WE have to deal with their bad breath. Also, does it not increase everyones cost of dental services and insurance when there are more people needing to use a dentist thanks to their own negligence?

    • I dont know. Im one of those people irritated that dental, and vision, are not considered healthcare. Vision insurance is a joke. If you do the math youre literally just paying full cost for the services. Multiply the monthly cost of the plan by 12 and youve covered the basic refractive exam plus the amount they apply toward any correction. Youre better off just paying for the exam with Flex spending (FSA) and likewise buying your contacts or glasses (esp if you use zenni)
  • Shut up and take my paywall!

  • There was a skit about this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?... [youtube.com]
    It came true.
  • Hard to accidentally swallow this unlike, say, a Dentic [fandom.com] from Farscape [wikipedia.org]. At least dentics are "minty" [youtube.com]. (Though, not so much when fried/cooked.)

  • What to do. What to do. Post on ./ I guess.
    • No you don't.

      You had to work an extra n minutes a day to pay for it, to shop for it, to get it home, etc. ;)

      It's like one of those "life pro tips" that save you all of 2 seconds on a task you do once a month. Watching the video already lost you more time than that tip will save you in a lifetime. ;)

  • They come with a 2 minute timer.

  • How do they adapt?

    No, it is not possible to fit the same "whole mouth toothbrush" product for my mouth and that of a teenage girl.

  • Then you wouldn't need to rub each freaking tooth for 30 seconds just to get rid of all the bacterial that ate the candy and bread and pasta and rice on your teeth, and the stains that could form because your teeth weren't healthy. (Do people really get stains from coffee? How rough are their teeth??)

  • Just drop your teeth off at the dry cleaners in the morning, pick them up on your way back to work. No muss, no fuss.

  • Problems are:

    1) Getting toothpaste on it evenly.
    2) Fitting it into your mouth and removing it.

    Honestly, they need a less pasty, more liquid fluoride solution, and perhaps a button to narrow the brush while putting it in your mouth, then expand it.

  • Study: "Efficacy of a U-Shaped Automatic Electric Toothbrush in Dental Plaque Removal: A Cross-Over Randomized Controlled Trial" https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601... [mdpi.com] 5. Conclusions The UAET that was tested in this study proved to be not effective in removing dental plaque. In particular, the UAET was not significantly different from no brushing, while plaque removal with the UAET was significantly lower than with a powered toothbrush and a habitual tooth brushing procedure. Therefore, its use cannot be rec
    • Study:

      "Efficacy of a U-Shaped Automatic Electric Toothbrush in Dental Plaque Removal: A Cross-Over Randomized Controlled Trial"

      https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601... [mdpi.com]

      5. Conclusions

      "The UAET that was tested in this study proved to be not effective in removing dental plaque. In particular, the UAET was not significantly different from no brushing, while plaque removal with the UAET was significantly lower than with a powered toothbrush and a habitual tooth brushing procedure. Therefore, its use cannot be recommende

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