Sensors and Bluetooth - the Technological Revolution of Toothbrushes

It doesn’t matter what type of product I’m considering purchasing – if it has any kind of technological innovation it catches my attention. Some people love to play video games, others prefer to chat on the phone, but myself I enjoy wasting away my free time catching up on the latest technological news. It’s true, and I make no apologies for it. That’s why this article is probably the one I looked forward to writing the most.

Electric toothbrushes have come a long way since they were first introduced in the early 1960s. In those days there was a simple on/off switch and the brush rotated to clean the teeth. Today there are all kinds of technical innovations featured in electric toothbrushes, and some of it’s really quite amazing. Yes, you’ll even find Bluetooth technology being used in toothbrushes. If you’re wondering what use you would have for Bluetooth technology in a toothbrush, read on. Oh, and we’ll also look at some other pretty cool innovations you might find in an electric toothbrush.

Intelligent Sensors

Unfortunately there are far too many people today with sensitive teeth. This may be hereditary in some people, but for others it’s a result of failing to take care of their oral hygiene properly. If you find yourself in this latter category don’t despair, your teeth are not about to fall out – if you do a better job of brushing in the future. Fortunately, there are some built-in technological innovations found within the most popular electric toothbrush brands that can help you do a better job of taking proper care of your teeth.

I’m not talking about different toothbrush modes specifically designed for a person with sensitive teeth, as that’s been discussed in another article on the site. What I am referring to here are toothbrushes that include pressure sensors. These pressure sensors are designed to tell you when you’re placing too much pressure on your teeth and gums. When you’re applying too much pressure, the sensor may pulse in a certain pattern to indicate to you that it’s best to ease off a bit.

Pressure Sensor

This really is one of the best technological innovations you’ll find in a toothbrush. If you apply too much pressure, especially around the gum line, you can do significant damage, especially if you’re already experiencing issues with your gums. Yes, you may think you can judge this yourself by the level of irritation you feel around your gums, but by the time you realize you’re doing damage, the damage may already be done. This built-in technology lets you know about the potential risk factor before it ever becomes a problem.

Innovative Charging

How electric toothbrushes are charged may vary from one product to the next, but what’s not in doubt is that several of the leading brands include some cool charging technology. Sure, there are plenty of models with the standard charger that you’re used to; they simply have an adapter that you plug into a standard wall outlet. But there’s also some pretty innovative technology out there.

One thing you’ll find more and more common in the higher-end electric toothbrushes is the ability to charge your toothbrush via USB. The great advantage of this is that you can plug it in no matter where you travel. Many countries operate on different electric voltages, but USB technology is common right across the globe. This means that you simply have to buy the appropriate USB plug-in for the country you’re visiting and your device will work with that adapter. It’s a simple solution that will work anywhere.

Charging Cup

The other cool charging technology that you may find in one or two of the available electric toothbrush models in the higher-end category is the ability to charge a toothbrush using your rinsing cup. In this type of setup, your rinsing cup slots onto the toothbrush base that comes with your device and the bottom of the cup is charged from the wall. When you place your toothbrush in the cup it automatically charges the device. This is kind of similar to the cell phone technology that allows you to charge your phone using a charging mat instead of a wall outlet.

Bluetooth Tracking

The first time I came across Bluetooth technology being used in a toothbrush it really got me excited. Oral-B has been the pioneer of this technology, using it to sync your brush with your smartphone in order to upload vital information about your brushing sessions. The information is then synced with an app you download to your phone.

The way this information is used is actually quite straightforward. You can see the information viewed in graphs showing over time how often you brushed and how often you brushed for the appropriate length of time. They also encourage you to set goals for yourself, as far as brushing habits are concerned, in order to continue to improve your oral hygiene. For some it may seem like a gimmick, but I thought it was a great idea.

Blootooth Technology

Technology Really Is Changing How We Brush Our Teeth

It doesn’t matter whether you like the technological innovations found in the toothbrushes mentioned above or not – they are here to stay. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if you find more and more innovative technology introduced into toothbrushes in the coming years. You simply can’t stop the March of Progress!