This toothbrush ditches the bristles

(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.

(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.

[masonx]

I bet it will soak up bacteria/germs... like a sponge. Or maybe that's the concept - selling the sponges for one time use.

[Lerianis]

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.

[c|net Reader]

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.