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Microrobots can brush and floss teeth in a proof-of-concept study

penntoday.upenn.edu

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Re: Microrobots can brush and floss teeth in a proof-of-concept study

#51

Post by runnerup »

svantana wrote: post #3

I find it strange that there is so little innovation in the field of everyday tooth care. Particularly the inefficiency of brushing one tooth at a time. I like the idea of https://blizzbrush.com/ , has anyone tried it? It's a bit suspicious that the single-pack is "sold out", but the 5 and 10-packs are not.

For me the "unbreakable" floss string combined with a floss pick in this particular product: https://www.amazon.com/DenTek-Triple-Clean-Floss-Picks/dp/B0... was a massive innovation that finally allowed me to regularly floss easily at the age of ~30.

Prior to that I couldn't handle the floss string well, and all other floss picks (even nearly identical ones from the exact same brand) just snap apart between my very closely-spaced teeth.

Re: Microrobots can brush and floss teeth in a proof-of-concept study

#53

Post by prepend »

fileeditview wrote: post #4

I guess this is the first step to nanosites[1] from "Diamond Age" by Neal Stephenson. [1] https://en.gyaanipedia.com/wiki/Nanosite

I’ve been waiting, since reading that book, for nanobots that brush my teeth, trim my hair, shave, etc so I wake up every morning and not need to do this stuff.

Re: Microrobots can brush and floss teeth in a proof-of-concept study

#54

Post by MrYellowP »

I don't recall where this story is from, but I've read it somewhere.

It's a story about a guy who invents shaving microbots, which you apply in your face, who do all the work. Iirc they were on a gel, though ultimately that doesn't matter. At some point they supposedly deactivate themselves for some reason I've forgotten, to prevent them from doing harm in case they enter the body.

The end of the story is that the inventor, who kept using his microbots, eventually died of unknown cause. The autopsy showed that he had pneumoconiosis/silicosis, aka a dry, dusty lung.

Because he kept inhaling them. Microdroplets of liquid, containing microbots.

I believe this story isn't far fetched. Imagine you have thousands of these teeth brushing bots in your mouth. If you have some on the back of your throat, you will eventually have them in your lungs. All it takes to accumulate enough of them to cause issues is repeated use and time.

Re: Microrobots can brush and floss teeth in a proof-of-concept study

#55

Post by Komodai »

svantana wrote: post #3

I find it strange that there is so little innovation in the field of everyday tooth care. Particularly the inefficiency of brushing one tooth at a time. I like the idea of https://blizzbrush.com/ , has anyone tried it? It's a bit suspicious that the single-pack is "sold out", but the 5 and 10-packs are not.

This looks like a really bad dropshipping site...

Especially considering the fact they've imported reviews from elsewhere, like AliExpress (even has the same name format, C**e).

Re: Microrobots can brush and floss teeth in a proof-of-concept study

#56

Post by david_l_lin »

Forgeties79 wrote: post #36
f6v wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Have you seen how much it costs to get crowns or implants? There’s zero incentive for innovation, people keep bringing their money.

I would like to think that most dentists like their patients to have healthy, cared for teeth and that they play in important role in it. I would not like to think that most of them actually work to our detriment so that they can do more expensive, painful procedures on our mouths and teeth. That’s a pretty cynical outlook I’d need to see evidence for.

All you need to do is visit the dentistry reddit sub and look at threads like this: https://www.reddit.com/r/Dentistry/comments/vnv25a/how_is_he.... They all operate on "production" because billing is top priority.

Re: Microrobots can brush and floss teeth in a proof-of-concept study

#57

Post by stjohnswarts »

prepend wrote: post #47
Silica6149 wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Good idea, it's just I never thought twice about the cleanliness of a toothbrush. I guess it's been ingrained in me to think it's normal to run a toothbrush under water to "clean" it.

It has bacteria that was already in your mouth right? Unless the bacteria multiplies and grows outside of your mouth I don’t think it’s much of an issue.

It isn't but some people want things 100% germ free so they'll jump through hoops to sanitize. I wash my hands, rinse the head of the brush, and use a peas sized bit of toothpaste, brush a couple minutes. Twice a day. Electric toothbrushes are too complicated and annoying. Toss after three months. You can also use a stannous fluoride based tooth paste as well as it has germ fighting capabilities over and above regular fluoride based toothpaste if that's your jam. I use boka which is a nano-hydroxyapatite based toothpaste like is commonly used in japan. No cavities in the past decade and hygenist always complements me on making her job easy. I use stannous fluoride in the mornings and n-hdap at night before I go to bed.

Re: Microrobots can brush and floss teeth in a proof-of-concept study

#58

Post by bilsbie »

svantana wrote: post #3

I find it strange that there is so little innovation in the field of everyday tooth care. Particularly the inefficiency of brushing one tooth at a time. I like the idea of https://blizzbrush.com/ , has anyone tried it? It's a bit suspicious that the single-pack is "sold out", but the 5 and 10-packs are not.

It’s just an over regulated industry where it’s too expensive to try new things.

Re: Microrobots can brush and floss teeth in a proof-of-concept study

#59

Post by bmau5 »

gwbas1c wrote: post #20

If you're young, don't laugh. Once I turned 40 my dental hygienists really spent a lot of time educating me on how to properly brush my teeth. It really requires delicate care. (Remember, most of our ancestors didn't live to be old enough to need delicate dental hygiene.) If something like this works, it'll be wonderful. Carefully cleaning my teeth when I'm half asleep is not fun.

If it makes you feel better most people don't brush their teeth correctly (supposed to hold toothbrush at a 45 degree angle along the tooth/gum line). I think there's another future where brushing and flossing largely become obsolete. If we could develop a more effective mouthwash tailored to restoring each persons oral microbiome we could likely reduce the need for brushing and flossing (and instead replace it with a daily rinse). A lot easier than half asleep brushing!

Re: Microrobots can brush and floss teeth in a proof-of-concept study

#60

Post by bmau5 »

This is very interesting and has a lot of potential, especially for people who struggle to brush their teeth, but I think there's another future where brushing and flossing largely become obsolete. If we could develop a more effective mouthwash tailored to restoring each persons oral microbiome we could likely reduce the need for brushing and flossing and instead replace it with a daily mouth rinse that clears out food debris and selectively targets pathogenic bacteria while promoting healthy species.

I'm a bit biased, though, because this is something we're working towards building at my company down the road.

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