• On last.fm: Taylor Swift photos and free music!
August 18, 2008 5:00 AM PDT

This toothbrush ditches the bristles

by Leslie Katz
  • Font size
  • Print
  • 3 comments
Giro Sponge (Credit: Fabio Dabori)

In the evolution of the toothbrush, will the standard bristle model end up being the Australopithecus afarensis of the tooth-cleaning species? With a new concept device that replaces bristles with sponges, Fabio Dabori seems to suggest that today's brushes could one day go the way of that early human ancestor.

Monkey brush (Credit: Fabio Dabori)

The Brazilian industrial designer says his patent-pending Giro Sponge can carry water, massage gums, and polish teeth at the same time. It's especially suited to babies, the elderly, denture wearers, and people with gum disease, he says, and can even be used for pets.

He's made two models of the electric toothbrush: one for adults and one for children. The latter comes with cute little animal-embossed sponges--monkey (pictured), pig, koala, dog, and lion--to liven up the brushing experience (or possibly make it more frightening, if you're a pet).

Dabori says he hopes to get his Giro Sponge to market soon. Once he does, we bet kids will get a kick out of it, but we'll be curious to see if dentists feel the same.

Leslie Katz, senior editor of CNET's Crave, covers gadgets, games, and most other digital distractions. As a co-host of the CNET News Daily Podcast, she sometimes tries to channel Terry Gross. E-mail Leslie.
Recent posts from Crave
Audio-Technica sets its sights on fashionable females
Digital City No. 58: Apple vs. Psystar; our fave laptop backpack; and New Super Mario Bros. Wii
Vizio's entry-level LCD not especially green, but still a good bargain
When BlackBerry developers play with robots
Microsoft opens app store to more phones
Mad Catz to offer cheaper muliplatform Wireless-N adapter for gaming
Toshiba LCD produces (slightly) deeper black levels
Android in the kitchen
Add a Comment (Log in or register) (3 Comments)
  • prev
  • 1
  • next
by masonx August 18, 2008 7:44 AM PDT
I bet it will soak up bacteria/germs... like a sponge. Or maybe that's the concept - selling the sponges for one time use.
Reply to this comment
by Lerianis August 18, 2008 10:27 AM PDT
If this does work correctly..... I could see where it would catch on. Oh, and to the first poster: I am sure that these sponges will have some kind of germicide in them, like most sponges for kitchen use today do.
Reply to this comment
by c|net Reader August 18, 2008 12:47 PM PDT
The chemicals used for antibacterial soap are carcinogens that can be absorbed through the skin. Putting something like that on a sponge to use in one's mouth would be even worse.
(3 Comments)
  • prev
  • 1
  • next

About Crave

The name says it all. Crave is our blog about gorgeous gadgets and other crushworthy stuff. If you would like to contact Crave with a tip or comment, please write to: crave@cnet.com

Add this feed to your online news reader

Crave topics

A CNET Conversation with Eric Schmidt

CNET's Tom Krazit and Molly Wood sit down with Google CEO Eric Schmidt to discuss the future of Android, the Chrome OS, the problem of real-time search indexing, and more.

Verizon tests sending RIAA copyright notices

The No. 2 phone company, known for its reluctance to intervene in antipiracy cases, strikes an agreement to forward copyright notices on behalf of the music industry.