While you’re busy looking up an address on Google Maps, checking out the latest hilarious cat video on Facebook and creating an awesome playlist on Spotify for your morning jog — have you remembered to brush your teeth? Have no fear, there’s an app for that! Yes, it’s true. Just as technology and smartphone apps have invaded nearly every other aspect of our lives, so too has it crept into our bathrooms to make sure we’re taking good care of our teeth. While this may seem a little “over the top,” tooth brushing, flossing and rinsing with mouthwash can sometimes seem like a tedious chore, and how do we know we’re doing it correctly? These smartphone apps for dental care can help — plus they’re a lot of fun.
Brush DJ
How boring is tooth brushing? The Brush DJ is a toothbrush timer application that plays two minutes of music from your device. Not only are you entertained while you’re taking care of your teeth — this free app also ensures that you spend enough time brushing. You can set reminders to brush two times a day, floss and rinse your mouth with mouthwash. The DJ also lets you know when it’s time to see your dentist. It even provides age specific, evidence-based information. This helpful app was developed by a dentist in the U.K.
Dental Desk
If you have questions about a dental issue and want to learn more about it, the Dental Desk is the perfect app for you. Think of it as a “help desk” for your mouth. It discusses various dental problems with detailed graphics and explanations. It shows you exactly what’s going on, so you can be better informed if you experience tooth or gum pain. It also provides information about how you can get temporary relief at home, until you can see your dentist. This app is also free of charge.
BracesHelp
Developed by BracesHelp.com, the BracesHelp smartphone app provides detailed orthodontic information for anyone who either has braces or plans to get them. There are pictures and videos to help you properly care for your braces, in addition to helpful advice on what to do if you experience a problem. This free app includes information on home care, food, terminology, comfort tips, orthodontic facts, elastics and what to do in case of an emergency. You’ll find braces FAQs, a color braces visualizer and doctor messaging capability. You can also choose to have the information recited to you, Siri-style.
The Bluetooth-Connected Toothbrush
Are you ready for some next-generation tooth brushing? For those who aren’t so tech savvy, Bluetooth is not something that will turn your teeth into a lovely shade of periwinkle. It’s a wireless technology that connects one thing to another — in this case, your electric toothbrush to your mobile device. If you wish you could have your dentist in the bathroom with you as you care for your teeth, here’s the next best thing.
From motivational reminders to tracking your progress with charts and diagrams, these “smartbrushes” are observing, analyzing and recommending as they clean. Your toothbrush will tell you when you’re using too much pressure or not enough. It will set goals for your oral hygiene and congratulate you when you’ve achieved them. The Oral-B 7000 and Philips Sonicare FlexCare Platinum Connected are two such toothbrushes with a mission to be your personal dental hygiene coach. One two, one two — get brushing!
Kids, however, require a gentler touch. The Kolibree Ara is heralded as the “first toothbrush with artificial intelligence.” While it monitors brushing performance and captures data about duration and areas brushed, it also has games that interact with the brushing, keeping kids fully engaged while they clean their teeth. It even directs them to brush neglected areas and teaches them about good dental habits.
Leave a Reply