This was envisioned in a science fiction story or novel decades ago, but I can’t remember where I saw it! It might have been a novel by Robert Heilein. It was just mentioned in passing in the story, but since that time I’ve wondered if it will ever be realized; I thought it might take the form of a small robot about the size of a June bug that would slowly crawl around in one’s mouth while we were asleep.
Microrobots can brush and floss teeth in a proof-of-concept study
161–170 of 224 posts
Re: Microrobots can brush and floss teeth in a proof-of-concept study
#162Earlier quoted context omitted.
There has been work done is creating GM S. mutans that don't produce biofilms, and that would replace your native S. mutans. It could be done by just brushing your teeth with a toothbrush treated with the bacteria so it would cost pennies per treatment.
That’s a long way from actually replacing brushing and flossing. For one thing, streptococcus sobrinus is more closely associated with cavity formation than streptococcus mutans. But more importantly these biofilms are a significant evolutionary advantage so this replacement is an unstable situation. Some positive benefits are likely, just don’t assume it can work alone.
Biofilms are an evolutionary advantage for the bacteria, not the host. Biofilms make the colony much, much harder to kill. How advantageous can it be to the host anyways, if 4 out of 5 dentists recommends obliterating it 2-3x a day?
Re: Microrobots can brush and floss teeth in a proof-of-concept study
#163Earlier quoted context omitted.
That’s a long way from actually replacing brushing and flossing. For one thing, streptococcus sobrinus is more closely associated with cavity formation than streptococcus mutans. But more importantly these biofilms are a significant evolutionary advantage so this replacement is an unstable situation. Some positive benefits are likely, just don’t assume it can work alone.
Biofilms are an evolutionary advantage for the bacteria, not the host. Biofilms make the colony much, much harder to kill. How advantageous can it be to the host anyways, if 4 out of 5 dentists recommends obliterating it 2-3x a day?
They may indirectly be an advantage for the host because if the bacteria aren't competitive they will get replaced by bacteria that are. The devil you know...
Re: Microrobots can brush and floss teeth in a proof-of-concept study
#164Earlier quoted context omitted.
Isn't the science on flossing not showing any benefit? Edit: looked it up. No solid scientific evidence flossing helps.
Bro, you don't need a paper to demonstrate the benefit of flossing. Just get right in there at the back with some decent floss (Oral B Satin Tape is good), and taste the rotten, disgusting food you remove. That's what the people around you are smelling every day when you exhale.
Don't be an ass, don't imply my breath smells. Be better than that.
Re: Microrobots can brush and floss teeth in a proof-of-concept study
#165ffs, that's about time.
I can brush my teeth just fine, I just hate doing it and I felt like this field had been lacking advances like this for a very very long time.
Re: Microrobots can brush and floss teeth in a proof-of-concept study
#166Earlier quoted context omitted.
That’s a long way from actually replacing brushing and flossing. For one thing, streptococcus sobrinus is more closely associated with cavity formation than streptococcus mutans. But more importantly these biofilms are a significant evolutionary advantage so this replacement is an unstable situation. Some positive benefits are likely, just don’t assume it can work alone.
Biofilms are an evolutionary advantage for the bacteria, not the host. Biofilms make the colony much, much harder to kill. How advantageous can it be to the host anyways, if 4 out of 5 dentists recommends obliterating it 2-3x a day?
This is trying to replace the bacteria population not the host.
It’s like trying to stop drug use by busting drug dealers. As long as the niche exists a city can’t stop and say we caught all the bad guys problem is solved.
Re: Microrobots can brush and floss teeth in a proof-of-concept study
#167Earlier quoted context omitted.
You can get it here for 99 euro in the Netherlands: https://www.bol.com/nl/nl/p/silk-n-toothwave-elektrische-tan...
https://silkn.eu/toothwave This site has them for 250 euro. I assume that's the cheapest for a US customer that is ordering? Oh, they don't ship to the US. How do US customers buy this?
They have a US page here: https://silkn.com/products/toothwave-1
Re: Microrobots can brush and floss teeth in a proof-of-concept study
#168Earlier quoted context omitted.
Bro, you don't need a paper to demonstrate the benefit of flossing. Just get right in there at the back with some decent floss (Oral B Satin Tape is good), and taste the rotten, disgusting food you remove. That's what the people around you are smelling every day when you exhale.
Don't be an ass, don't imply my breath smells. Be better than that.
If you don't floss, I can promise you that your breath smells.
Maybe not bad, but people notice it if you're in close quarters.
Re: Microrobots can brush and floss teeth in a proof-of-concept study
#169ProTip: I went from rarely flossing to basically every day with "this one weird trick": I now floss my teeth in the shower. I like staying in the shower a little longer, so the 2 minutes went from chore to luxury. And the amount of food I remove on a daily basis is astonishing!
I started using those floss picks with the handles. I resisted the idea for ages since it seemed wasteful but I really hate wrapping the floss around my fingers. The picks make it so much easier, you can get them made of non petrochemical plastics (PLA) as well making them slightly less bad for the environment.
Re: Microrobots can brush and floss teeth in a proof-of-concept study
#170Earlier quoted context omitted.
There has been work done is creating GM S. mutans that don't produce biofilms, and that would replace your native S. mutans. It could be done by just brushing your teeth with a toothbrush treated with the bacteria so it would cost pennies per treatment.
That’s a long way from actually replacing brushing and flossing. For one thing, streptococcus sobrinus is more closely associated with cavity formation than streptococcus mutans. But more importantly these biofilms are a significant evolutionary advantage so this replacement is an unstable situation. Some positive benefits are likely, just don’t assume it can work alone.
For sure, I don't think it would replace as much as supplement. And obviously your mouth flora can change based on any number of factors, so it might have to be something like a special toothpaste since it likely wouldn't be a one-time treatment.
Plus, I would imagine it would be a hell of a lot cheaper than nanobots once the bacteria strains are developed and tested.