Toothbrush
Can the Musical Toothbrush become the next big music format?
October 23, 2006 Parents are always up for another trick to get their children to develop good dental hygiene habits and we suspect this new Toothtunes toothbrush will become a two-edged sword. On one hand the ability to get your child to brush when the toothbrush plays great music from top artists (Black Eyed Peas, Hilary Duff, Destiny’s Child, KISS, Kelly Clarkson and The Cheetah Girls) is a winner, but we suspect the US$10 one-song-per toothbrush model will be found ill conceived in the longer term because US$10 a song is just too much. But they have a captive market and it might be some time before we see an MP3 toothbrush using the same Toothtunes patented technology which transmits songs and music vibrations through the teeth, which are then heard in the inner ear and they hence control this new musical medium. From vinyl to tape to CD-ROM, check out this fascinating Karl Hartig chart showing how we have consumed our music over the years. The chart finishes in 1998 and hence doesn’t include the MP3 phenomena. Hartig produces some of the most information-intense graphics the world has ever seen. His ability to visualise and who what's happening from large amounts of information is a beaty to behold - every school should have these charts on the wall. Some charts that will take your breath away include U.S. Population Changes, the Information Age, the history of Consumer Electronics, this 3D graph showing America's immigration patterns, energy production versus energy consumption, and business cycles. Read More
March 27, 2006 More than two thirds of the world population uses a toothbrush, with half those users replacing their toothbrush at least once annually. No wonder then that the global toothbrush market is worth US$5 billion annually and there’s a constant search for an edge which might garner a few percentage points. Market leader Oral-B has been pushing the boundaries recently with its disposable battery-operated “manual” Pulsar and now it has gone several steps better with electric toothbrushes by adding a microprocessor and a bunch of extra functionality. As such, being the first toothbrush with a microprocessor, the Oral-B Triumph is arguably the world’s most advanced toothbrush. Read More
August 31, 2005 You might find this hard to believe, particularly after we gave Oralbotics a bollocking for their overly zealous copywriting, but we’ve been trialing the new Oral-B Pulsar Manual Toothbrush for over a week now and we’re all incredibly impressed. Three people have been trying out the battery-operated toothbrush, and the company’s claims that the Pulsar will “redefine clean” have moved from ridiculous to reasonable . Specifically, the brush gives a result that has never been attained by any method of teeth cleaning this side of a dentist, and it is so good at getting in between teeth that you could almost go without flossing. Read More
January 2, 2005 A report by the U.S. Surgeon General in September 2000 directly linked oral hygiene to general health. The findings concluded that a single toothbrush can harbour millions of microorganisms that translate into bacteria - bacteria which thrive in the warm, moist environment of the average bathroom. The VIOlight Toothbrush Sanitizer & Storage System was created to address these problems. Most people simply rinse their toothbrush after each use and put it in a cup or holder, believing that they have removed these bacterial threats. This is not the case. As the Centers for Disease Control stated in their January 2002 report, "Even after being rinsed visibly clean, toothbrushes can remain contaminated with potentially pathogenic organisms." In addition, brushes kept in a common holder may cross-contaminate one another, spreading colds and flu among family members. The VIOlight Toothbrush Sanitizer & Storage System is a consumer product that utilises a Germicidal UltraViolet (UV) bulb - the same technology used in hospitals and dental offices - to eliminate germs and bacteria. Read More
First it went electric, now the humble toothbrush has gone digital with the Intelliclean System from Sonicare and Crest. This is the first integrated sonic toothbrush and liquid toothpaste dispensing system, which combines high-speed bristle motion with a new specially formulated liquid toothpaste. Sonic technology promises healthy breath, fresher gums and anti-cavity protection - and that just-from-the-dentist feeling everyday. The IntelliClean system uses Sonicare patented sonic technology to provide powerful cleaning action that gently and effectively reaches deep between teeth and along the gum line. Read More
Brushing one's teeth is a reviving experience which some of us just can't feel comfortable without. Now there's a new type of toothbrush which could extend the custom considerably - The Oral-B Brush-Up slips onto the human finger and performs most of the functions of a disposable pre-impregnated toothbrush except it doesn't need water. The textured teeth wipes give you a clean mouth and fresh mint breath when you're on the go-no water or sink required. Read More
Society is changing, and adopting new ways at an unprecedented rate - the recent launch and success of several subscription services to "life goods" indicates that society is re-evaluating every aspect of modern living. A socks subscription service and a toothbrush subscription service have shown promise by offering subscriptions to common everyday objects which require regular replacement. Read More
If wine, coffee, tobacco and other substances have dulled your pearly whites somewhat, this high-tech toothbrush might be just the solution. The HD-500 toothbrush uses sonic waves to fight plaque. Read More
