For decades, we’ve been told to brush our teeth twice a day, for 2-3 minutes. However, what often goes unnoticed is the importance of surface coverage during brushing. Many of us are unaware of whether we are effectively reaching all of the areas of our mouths. An alarming statistic finds that 20% of people aren’t brushing their teeth properly. This is where artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) can help. Both can revolutionize brushing habits by enabling oral care products to provide personalized insights and guidance, transforming the way individuals approach their oral hygiene routine.
Elevating Oral Hygiene with AI-Powered Toothbrushes
AI revolutionizes brushing routines, elevating them to a whole new level of precision and effectiveness. It initiates a remarkable transformation in the brushing experience by offering personalized feedback and invaluable tips, all aimed at optimizing oral hygiene to its fullest potential. Its ultimate objective is to enhance oral health by leaps and bounds, ensuring a radiant and confident smile.
Traditionally, when we brush our teeth, we rely on our judgment and estimation to ensure that all four quadrants of our mouths are covered. More often than not, this approach falls short. We unknowingly miss certain spots or don’t apply enough pressure to remove plaque effectively. Luckily, AI can help with:
- Real-time monitoring: AI-powered toothbrushes use built-in sensors to monitor brushing techniques in real time. They can track parameters like pressure applied, motion patterns, and time spent brushing. AI analyzes this data and provides immediate feedback on which techniques require improvement.
- Personalized guidance: AI algorithms analyze data from multiple brushing sessions and create a personalized brushing profile for each user. When sharing customized recommendations for optimal brushing, these devices consider individual factors like tooth sensitivity, gum health, and dental history. This guidance helps users address their specific oral care needs. AI can track the effectiveness and coverage of each brushing session. This information allows users to gain insights into their brushing habits, identify areas that require improvement, and ensure comprehensive coverage of all teeth and gums.
AI-enabled toothbrushes improve brushing techniques, address specific oral care needs, and enhance overall dental health. The integration of AI transforms the way we approach oral hygiene, empowering us to take control of our oral health with personalized insights and guidance
Augmented Reality (AR) to Make Tooth Brushing Fun
Augmented reality (AR) powered toothbrushes have the potential to improve kids brushing habits and enhance their oral hygiene. Take, for example, the Hum Kids by Colgate, specifically designed to make dental routines easy and fun for kids. By integrating AR into the brushing experience, children can enjoy a more interactive and engaging oral care routine.
With the help of computer vision and AR technology, these toothbrushes transform the way kids brush their teeth. By visualizing brushing as a battle against virtual monsters, children are motivated to fight them and earn coins. The AR guidance provides interactive instructions, highlighting areas that require more attention and guiding users toward achieving comprehensive surface coverage.
The use of AR in toothbrushes not only enhances the effectiveness of brushing but also makes the entire oral care routine more immersive and engaging for kids. The interactive nature of the AR guidance keeps children motivated and interested in maintaining proper oral hygiene practices. It turns brushing into a personalized experience, tailored to each child’s individual needs.
Another advantage of AR, which extends beyond children, is its ability to offer interactive tutorials. These tutorials provide a more comprehensive understanding of various activities, such as surface level brushing. While AR tutorials for toothbrushes have not been introduced yet, they are expected to become available in the near future. This innovation would allow adults to learn and improve their brushing techniques through immersive and engaging experiences facilitated by AR technology.
By leveraging AR, users can gain a deeper understanding of their brushing habits and receive real-time guidance to improve their oral hygiene practices. With AR-powered toothbrushes, the traditional approach to brushing is revolutionized, making it more effective, engaging, and personalized, ultimately leading to better oral health outcomes.
Bridging the Gap Between Dentists and Patients
Smart toothbrushes go beyond improving brushing techniques. They also have the remarkable ability to monitor and track the overall oral health of individuals by capturing crucial data such as gum health, plaque buildup, and specific oral conditions like gingivitis and periodontal issues. These intelligent tools revolutionize the way we approach dental care.
One of the significant advantages of smart toothbrushes lies in their ability to securely share the collected data with dentists. Patients can now provide their dentists with insights into their brushing patterns, enabling remote monitoring of oral habits outside the dentist’s office. This comprehensive view empowers dentists to offer personalized advice and recommendations tailored to each patient’s needs. The result is a more proactive and informed approach to oral care.
The integration of AI in oral care tools can create a sense of connection and empowerment for patients. With constant monitoring and personalized feedback, individuals feel more accountable for their oral health and motivated to maintain good oral hygiene practices. The access to professional guidance and recommendations further enhances this empowerment, ensuring that patients are well-informed and equipped to make informed decisions about their dental care.
By leveraging these technologies, patients can feel more connected to their oral health journey and empowered to take control of their dental care. The constant monitoring, personalized feedback, and access to professional guidance foster a sense of accountability and motivation. Patients become active participants in their oral health, reducing the risk of dental problems and contributing to better overall well-being.
About the Author
Thomas Serval is co-founder and CEO of Baracoda Group, based in Paris, France. He is a visionary entrepreneur who holds 50 patents and 10 CES Innovation Awards in connected technologies and daily health tech. Since 2012, Thomas has focused Baracoda’s innovation and user-centric product development practices on integrating new technologies into everyday objects – leveraging artificial intelligence, data analysis, machine learning, application development, as well as gamification of each product – building his vision of Daily Healthtech.
