(Credit:
Hammacher)
For reasons that are all too obvious to the OCD community, the toothbrush has been the object of seemingly endless technological innovations designed to sterilize this most hallowed of hygienic instruments. But one product just on the market puts a new spin on the concept, quite literally: It uses ultrasonic waves to clean teeth, not just the toothbrush.
This germaphobe's delight claims to emit nearly 4 million cycles of ultrasonic energy from its head every two minutes while removing up to 95 percent of plaque in the first 60 seconds of brushing. The only thing better would be one that ran by remote control.
But we're not sure about Hammacher Schlemmer's claim that this is the "only ultrasonic toothbrush," as a simple Web search immediately turns up other models. At $170, perhaps they meant to say that it's the most expensive version.
(Credit:
ProductDose)
We must admit that, as far as germ-centric issues are concerned, the toothbrush has to rank at or near the top of the list. And even though some uber-devices claim to sterilize practically any object they encounter, we'd feel more comfortable with something that's been developed specifically for oral hygiene.
Now we finally have just such an item that's made for travel--which is ideal because, as any bona fide germaphobe will tell you, the hotel room is the ultimate breeding ground for cooties. The scientific-sounding "Violight VIO200 Travel Toothbrush Sanitizer" is the portable version of the countertop station featured in this space earlier this year. It claims to zap 99 percent of germs with its UV death rays in 7 minutes, according to ProductDose, making it worth every penny of its $28 price if it works as promised.
Now if we can just figure out how to carry a touchless faucet with us, we might actually be able to use a hotel sink without a surgical mask.
(Credit:
CrunchGear)
We're not ashamed to admit that we like toothbrushes here at Crave, as well as anything else that promotes oral hygiene. (Note to co-workers: You know who you are.)
So nothing delights us more than an opportunity to combine technology with our favorite OCD subject. The new "Oral-B Triumph with SmartGuide" is kind of like a remote-controlled cleaning system for the mouth. Using a "sink-top LCD display that wirelessly guides your brushing," according to CrunchGear, "it clocks you to make sure you are moving your bristles long enough and makes sure you get each 'quadrant' of your mouth equally clean."
We never thought of the mouth divided into quadrants, but if it helps prevent halitosis, we're all for it. And don't forget to floss.
(Credit:
Herrington)
Now that you have the proper equipment to purify your air and water, we thought it appropriate to address the germaphobe's holiest of hygiene utensils: the toothbrush.
Using technology similar to that of the "SteriPEN" water purifier, Herrington's "Violight" toothbrush sanitizer uses UV rays to zap bacteria in the name of oral hygiene, according to Coolest-Gadgets. The device holds multiple brushes (up to four), which true 'phobes might find somewhat gross.
We're not fond of cliches here at Crave, but this really is one idea that's so crazy it just might work. Making it even more interesting, the product is made in China and distributed by company based in Chile (definitely un-cliche).
(Credit:
Ribalderrama)
It's a lighted toothbrush. Don't laugh. We're not talking about just any blinking gizmo toy, but a toothbrush with a "high-intensity LED white light" and a built-in mirror on the back of the bristles that distributor Ribalderrama says can make brushing and oral self-examination much easier.
The Chilean company isn't stopping there, either. Trend Hunter says it's working on a travelers' toothbrush that "comes with toothpaste, dental silk (floss) and a toothpick all in the same compact and colourful design package."
If it ever catches on, this could be the biggest change in oral hygiene since the electric toothbrush. But we still won't floss as much as we should.
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