Proper tooth brushing and flossing should take about 10 minutes per day. It doesn’t seem like much time, however, when you think about it on a yearly scale, it adds up to just over 60 hours a year. In other terms that’s two and a half days. Seen from this perspective, it really makes one wish there was a faster way. Well, there is. A new brushing device allows the user to perfectly clean their teeth in just six seconds. It brushes, flosses and cleans the tongue perfectly all in under a minute, reducing the time spent on oral hygiene down to a 60th.
Half of American adults suffer from gum disease
According to data published in the Journal of Dental Research in 2010, half of American adults suffer from gum disease – that’s 64.7 million adults. The study found that 47.2 % of American adults suffer from periodontitis – a chronic inflammatory disease that affects gum tissue and bone supporting the teeth. Periodontitis is preceded by gingivitis. If left untreated, periodontitis leads to tooth loss, and has been associated with other inflammatory diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Gum disease risk factors
More recent data shows that the number of American adults suffering from gum disease is now up to 75%. A lack of oral hygiene is the number one cause of gum disease. Contributing factors include acidic foods, age, hormones, lifestyle factors such as smoking and stress, genetic history, and medical factors such as taking prescription drugs or being diabetic. Despite not being predisposed to gum disease and practicing a healthy lifestyle, some individuals may still develop gum disease. This is because most people do not brush or floss correctly or for the necessary length of time.
The revolutionary toothbrush
This new brush, known as the Blizzident, is a custom fit mouthguard-like device fitted with 800 soft, ultra fine bristles. It’s created via a 3D printer utilizing an impression of the patient’s teeth. The bristles are positioned at a 45 degree angle along the gum line to perfectly clean each tooth in just six seconds, and without harming the gums. The time-saving aspect of this revolutionary toothbrush was just a positive side effect of the brush’s design.
Brush your teeth correctly in six seconds
The user simply bites down on the toothbrush for about six seconds, or 10–15 times. Hundreds of bristles clean the teeth simultaneously. After six seconds the teeth are perfectly clean. Flossing is also a breeze with this device. The top of the toothbrush has small grooves that are used to fit and hold dental floss in place, then the user bites down and gently moves the jaw from side to side to floss. The top portion of the brush is fitted with bristles parallel to the tongue for easy tongue cleaning – an often overlooked, but very important part of oral hygiene.
There are many positives to this new product, but one major concern for most individuals seems to be the price-point. The Blizzident retails for $300 per brush, with replacement brushes costing half of that. Each brush is good for one year, and should then be replaced or can be fitted with new bristles for around $90. Many argue that the high price-point is still worth the purchase because of the brush’s efficacy in cleaning the teeth and gums. Over time it can save you large sums of money that would most likely be spent on professional oral care.
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