The relentless search for unique health tech aids, enhancements, gadgets, and software encompasses everything from robotic exoskeletons to neuro-stimulating spinal implants to devices to assist us in daily health maintenance and care. But let’s talk about teeth. Most people in the U.S. brush their teeth at least once a day, if not for health or comfort, at least for appearance’s sake. According to the 2014 Delta Dental Oral Health and Well-Being Survey, 69% of American adults brush twice a day for an average of one minute and 52 seconds. That brushing duration falls just short of the American Dental Association’s recommended two minutes.
We wrote recently about Oclean One’s “world’s fastest toothbrush.” In 2016 we covered Prophix by ONVI, a smart toothbrush that records real-time streamable video of brushing habits. San Francisco-based Amabrush has developed the eponymous Amabrush toothbrush, billed as “a revolutionary new toothbrush that brushes your teeth automatically and in just 10 seconds.” Physically, the business end of the Amabrush, called the mouthpiece, looks like one of those dental trays that dentists use to build molds for analysis or dental appliances. It’s also similar to protective mouthpieces many people wear while playing sports. In this case, the tray is lined with brushing filaments for both top and bottom teeth. There’s a slightly-ovoid diamond-shaped handle that holds the batteries to power the Amabrush and clips onto the mouthpiece. The handle also holds toothpaste capsules that force the paste through narrow channels for distribution to all parts of the mouthpiece. The toothpaste capsules last for one month and are available in three varieties that Amabrush claims are FDA-approved: Extra Fresh, Whitening, and Sensitive.
Brushing your teeth with Amabrush takes just 10 seconds. The shorter time is justified because the unit brushes all teeth at the same time. According to the developer, the net brushing in 10 seconds with Amabrush is equal or better to brushing section by section with a conventional toothbrush. To use Amabrush, you attach your mouthpiece to the handle, put it in your mouth, push the button on the handle, wait 10 seconds, remove, spit, and rinse. When not using the handle and mouthpiece, store them on an included wireless charging station that keeps the battery in the handle charged with Q1 wireless charging; a fully charged handle lasts about a month.
Amabrush ran a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign earlier this year in which almost 27,000 backers pledged more than 3.7 million Euros (in response to a goal of just 50,000 Euros). The first units are estimated to ship in December 2017. The Kickstarter campaign is closed now, but during the campaign, backers pledged for single units ranging from 81 to 93 Euros (about US$95 to US$110). The expected retail price is 152 Euros (US$180). Mouthpieces last three months – replacements cost 7 Euros ($8.35). The replaceable toothpaste capsules will cost about $4 each. Amabrush makes it clear its device cannot do anything more than a regular toothbrush can do; both are just tools. However, because of its ease-of-use and time-savings, the company believes people will get their teeth cleaner faster with Amabrush than with conventional toothbrushes.
