A more elegant toothbrush, for a more civilized time
Posted 06.11.2009 at 4:29 pm
22 Comments
Coolest Toothbrush Ever
courtesy of the University of Southern California
For those of you who think that sonic micropulses are the future of tooth care, prepare to set your faces to stun. Scientists at the University of Southern California (USC) have developed a tiny, cool, plasma blowtorch that breaks apart the sticky bonds that holds plaque to a tooth. However, unlike the hot plasma at the center of stars and lightning bolts, this plasma torch is no warmer than room temperature, as demonstrated here by an especially daring dentist.
Plasma, the forth stage of matter along with gases, solids and liquids, is a soup of ions and electrons. Like a cross between a lightsaber and Listerine, the plasma flame creates free radical oxygen ions that tear apart the plaque membrane and kill the bacteria. Even better, the torch is so fluid and adjustable, it can get to bacteria in the mouth's most hard to reach places.
Because the device only uses short pulses of electricity, the gas in the flame ionizes without becoming hot. In fact, ten minutes under the torch only raised the temperature of the tooth by five degrees.
So far, dentists have only used the torch to sterilize a tooth during a root canal, but according to R and D, the creators already have some more uses in mind.
Unfortunately, the article doesn't answer the most important question: when can I trade in my toothbrush for one of those!
[via R and D]
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When you can afford the gas and what-not it uses up, I imagine.
Yeah and try fitting that thing in your travel bag
I think that I would wait until this has been on the market for awhile before tryng it. What would happen if a young child was to play with this in the bathroom.
"Kim - Talkingde...06/12/09 at 6:17 am
I think that I would wait until this has been on the market for awhile before tryng it. What would happen if a young child was to play with this in the bathroom."
Evolution.
"Kim - Talkingde...06/12/09 at 6:17 am
I think that I would wait until this has been on the market for awhile before tryng it. What would happen if a young child was to play with this in the bathroom."
Evolution.
I dont know if it would actually cause the kid to evolve, but I think the point he was trying to make was survival of the fittest. I got a good chuckle out of this.
I just love that it's purple =P my favorite color!
Does it also kill plague? The url for this article says "kills-plague" not "kills-plaque".
100% awesome...the future of oral hygiene!!
sweet.
what else can plasma be used for?
has anyone else noticed that it looks like a mini lightsaber ??
If it can be made small enough, cheap enough, and not consume too much energy, and if it were to be proven reasonably safe, I would buy this gizmo in a heartbeat. If you could generate a plasma sheet instead of just a thin beam you could also make a really nifty, no-contact hand sanitizer, just stick your paws through the device's opening for a few seconds to get them operating room clean. Perfect for these pandemic-fearful times we live in.
Whats next plasma showers?!
Looks cool, but I think my own toothbrush does just fine for me personally. I could only see the use of this in a dentist or oral surgeon's office before surgery to sterilize the area.
http://suzyjenkins.deviantart.com/journal/25268259/
OK...all very nice but one type of energy is missing Magnetic dynamos. Do not let the government fool you with propaganda bull. A zero point energy magnetic dynamo can be made with simple tools ...magnets and copper wire a few minor parts and you can run your entire house on a unit of predetermined size, no power grid needed. Do not be a slave to govermental interference. Make your own Magnetic generator. The only reason we dont have them now is because the government would not have control of us thru the power grid...
http://www.aglik.com/vb/
from Gulfport, MS
i would imagine it could be useful in other cleaning situations, such as gum stuck on shoes or pavement, or even to spot clean. Sterilization? Great for keeping labs, kitchens, and doornobs clean, or even DIY neutering. The possibilities are limited only by our imagination and physics.
Even that won't help millions of british smiles.
http://prosportnutrition.net/?a=633808700294218750
Somewhere in California there are laboratory rats with great smiles
One day you'll be able to pop a mouth-guard type device into your mouth with one for each tooth. Hit a button, and clean your teeth while reading your email.
http://beecherbowers.com
Cool technology, I will waiting for trying this great toothbrush.
http://beearticle.com
That torch is awesone. I think I'll let a few others try it out before I put the torch in my mouth. Technology is great! Austin Lawyer
Uh...ya, I'm probably going to wait before I put a blowtorch in my mouth. Sounds dangerous:)Austin Estate Planning
I imagine that they'll be people out there that would use it for something else rather than their teeth.