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

Post by godelski » Wed, Jul 06, 2022, 7:57 PM UTC

throwaway4837 wrote: post #111

bmau5 wrote: post #60

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 fo…

Wouldn't the mouthwash need abrasive particles as well? Part of why Listerine doesn't replace brushing and flossing is because it has a much smaller mechanical component in the washing process. The physical rubbing of bristles and wire through and around the teeth creates the physical abrasion that is necessary to remove large films of plaque. I imagine without any sort of abrasive, the liquid would need to be danger…

Post by moffkalast » Wed, Jul 06, 2022, 8:03 PM UTC

stjohnswarts wrote: post #108

throwamon wrote: post #103

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> most of our ancestors didn't live to be old enough to need delicate dental hygiene They also didn't consume so much tooth-destroying garbage as we do.

I think we consume 10-20 times as much sugar as people even 100 years ago. It's pretty crazy, although white bread isn't great for your teeth either since it's only one step away from sugar.

Post by knicholes » Wed, Jul 06, 2022, 8:13 PM UTC

criley2 wrote: post #67

liotier wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Are toilets in the bathroom common in your country ? Here, in France, they are a separate room - which also helps with multiple simultaneous uses.

It's considered luxury in the united states to have the toilet enclosed in a smaller room inside the bathroom. Most American cities are expensive enough per sqft that it's certainly not standard to have a larger bathroom capable of enclosed toilets. Even growing up in a lower cost of living area, I would associate a master bathroom with an enclosed toilet room as a luxury or wealthy amenity.

Post by rkagerer » Wed, Jul 06, 2022, 8:34 PM UTC

bmau5 wrote: post #98

coryrc wrote: post #80

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Some people rarely brush their teeth and never get cavities. Some people brush thrice daily and floss and still get cavities and need root canals. The working theory is we could all be in the first group with the right bacteria in our mouth.

That's it exactly. Some beneficial species play an active role in suppressing the pathogenic species (those that release acid or cause gum disease) and have other benefits including helping us break down dietary nitrate into nitric oxide, which is critical for heart/brain health. My company tests/researches the oral microbiome and we're starting to discover the signatures of what puts people in one group vs. the othe…

Post by dubswithus » Wed, Jul 06, 2022, 8:40 PM UTC

LeonM wrote: post #121

dubswithus wrote: post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How often do you change brush heads? They are quite expensive at $15/piece.

I have used it for about a year now, and haven't need to change them yet. It comes with 2 brushes in the box, and I'm still using the first brush, it is not showing any signs of wear. The main thing is that you do not need to brush with any friction. You just move the brush gently over your teeth, so they barely wear. For me this is also why I like it. With traditional hand brushes, I'd wear them out in 3 months or s…