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Think you know how to brush your teeth? Doctor invents 18,000-bristle smartbrush for ‘overall health’ that works in 20 seconds
You may bristle at the thought, but our ancestors used frayed twigs to “brush” their teeth.
Toothbrushes have evolved a lot since then, from a cattle bone handle and swine bristles to a hard plastic handle and nylon bristles to the electric toothbrushes we use today.
Now we’re seeing the rise of full-mouth electric toothbrushes, which may reveal that you’ve been brushing your teeth wrong this entire time.
Tooth be told, there are such a simple act â€?you don’t hit all the spots, you don’t do it long enough and you don’t do it often enough.
That’s why one oral surgeon has invented a 18,000-bristle smart toothbrush that cleans all of your teeth at once â€?and does high-tech scans of your mouth to look for signs of problems.
“The mouth is the entryway to the rest of the body, and if we take care of it, it will reward us with our overall systemic health,” oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Kenny Brown, Feno’s CEO and co-founder, told The Post.
“It’s not just about white, straight teeth anymore, it’s about overall health.”
And according to Brown, plenty of people aren’t giving their teeth the care and attention they need.
“Be honest with yourself,” he encouraged shoppers. “Do you really feel like you’re brushing with the proper technique when considering time, pressure, motion, being able to do that consistently over and over and over again? That’s where Feno comes in.”
That is, the ($299), which Brown launched last summer.
It comes in three parts �a U-shaped mouthpiece that boasts about 18,000 nylon bristles, a handle that holds the brush in place, and a charger that attaches to the handle.
Now, it looks a little bizarre. The brush makes it seem like your chompers are larger than life, Ã la Jim Carrey in
But it seems to be resonating with male tekkies who enjoy convenience. Though he wouldn’t share customer numbers, Brown said his novel gadget is also gaining ground with women.
How does the smartbrush work?
To start, you take very unglamorous pictures of your mouth so Feno can send the right size brush.
The company, headquartered in Culver City, Calif., used data from over 20,000 mouths to design the mouthpiece to ensure the bristles reach all the right places.
comes with the mouthpiece, handle, charger, three tubes of foaming toothpaste, a tongue scraper and a free month of .
and charging the device, you’re ready to motor.
The process is pretty easy �put mint-flavored foam between the bristles, press the start button and move the device in a circular motion. The vibrations stop after 20 seconds, signaling your mouth has been thoroughly cleaned.
The speed is adjustable �it runs up to 250 strokes per 20-second cycle �and Brown said some patients opt to do 20 seconds each on the top and bottom of their mouth.
Users can track their oral health with Feno Plus membership, an extra $9.95 a month. A scanner embedded in the handle takes detailed pictures of the mouth, which are analyzed to provide personalized health insights and coaching.
Brown said the custom report can identify problem areas, like gum line recession, a lesion on the soft tissue and the yellowing of teeth, but does not replace a trip to the dentist.
How Feno stands out
Electric toothbrushes are generally than manual toothbrushes, but about the value of U-shaped automatic electric brushes.
â€?released years before Feno’s brush hit the market â€?determined these brushes don’t effectively remove dental plaque.
“Brushing with an electric U-shaped toothbrush may not be as good as a traditional toothbrush,” , section head of pediatric dentistry for Northwell Health, told The Post.
“The idea makes sense because all of the teeth are being brushed at the same time, but the outcome may not really work,” added Brofsky, who was not involved with the 2020 study.
Brown said Feno is more effective than other full-coverage toothbrushes because the mouthpiece is properly sized to the mouth, nylon is stronger than traditional silicone bristles and the motor in the device “delivers a sweeping motion with the proper brushing technique.”
What are the drawbacks?
Feno is not for everyone. People with braces or a temporary crown shouldn’t try it, Brown said, as well as kids under 15 because they don’t have an adult dental arch.
Those who take the plunge may experience bleeding for three to five days after making the switch.
“What’s typically happening there is that it’s brushing areas of your gum that may not have been touched in that way,” Brown explained.
Users also need a smartphone with at least iOS 11.0 or Android 5.0, otherwise, they’ll have trouble taking pictures of their mouth for the fit, downloading the app and receiving tailor-made recommendations.
The brush works regardless of the technology, with Brown pointing out that an efficient clean is the core aim followed by access and awareness afforded by the AI bells and whistles.
Another potential con is cost. Feno advises getting a new brush every three months to prevent bacterial buildup.
“What we’re seeing is that people are using it much longer,” Brown said. “It’s not going to fall apart on you and disintegrate, but we do recommend three months.”
What’s next?
Brown hopes the product evolves in a few ways.
Adding more sizes is a priority, as is accommodating children, people with missing teeth and those with braces.
Additional foam flavors are also on tap. The only offering right now is mint, which tastes medicinal and may turn off brushers who prefer froo froo flavors.
New versions of the device will have a longer battery life, Brown said, and be easier to pack in a suitcase.
He is also looking to get Feno into stores and dental offices.
Beyond the brush, Brown is considering launching other products. Imagine a lozenge or mint that can freshen your breath �and be good for your oral health.
“That’s something that we’re playing with,” he said.
