There has been a lot of debate regarding using fluor in toothpaste, how safe it is and should it be banned. All this may become passé with the advent of a new revolutionary toothbrush from Japan.
Dr. Kunio Komiyama developed a toothbrush which uses a titanium dioxide rod that releases electrons when it is exposed to light and water. Those electrons react with acids in your mouth to eliminate plaque and bacteria.
Komiyama’s first model, which was described 15 years ago in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology, contained a titanium dioxide rod in the neck of the brush, just below the nylon bristles.
His latest model, the Soladey-J3X, packs twice the chemical punch compared to the original. Protruding from the base of the brush is a solar panel, which transmits electrons to the top of the toothbrush through a lead wire. The brush needs about as much light as a solar-powered calculator would to operate.
In the lab, Komiyama tested the newer brush on cultures of two types of bacteria which are major culprits in periodontal disease.
“You see complete destruction of bacterial cells,” he said.
University of Saskatchewan are recruiting 120 teens willing to brush with a prototype light-powered toothbrush and sit in a dentist’s chair for a few extra inspections. The manufacturer, the Shiken company of Japan, is paying the researchers to investigate whether the brush does a better job of eliminating plaque and bacteria than a conventional toothbrush.
At the FDI Annual World Dental Conference in Dubai last month, the team’s poster describing the lab research won first prize out of 170 entries.
People with neural disorder, who cannot spit out when brushing the teeth and little children will benefit of it should it prove a success.
But what will happen to all the manufacturers of toothpaste?
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December 20th, 2007 at 11:27 pm
What happened to the first model that was made? By now it should be clear whether it works or not, even if it’s weaker.
January 12th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Finding your site was an accident thanks to google, but I like it
February 9th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
I am glad to know about this new use of TiO2. congratulations ! I am interested in the project about TiO2.
May 27th, 2008 at 10:14 am
I have been using the toothbrush without toothpaste for 2 weeks now and I love it!! I have more than 50% less plaque on my teeth between brushings. I tried to use my electric toothbrush a few days ago with toothpaste and 2 hours later I had so much plaque. I brushed the next day with the soladey brush and my teeth felt like I stepped out of the dentist’s chair. My breath even tastes and smells much better without the toothpaste.
That’s one less chemical I am using!!