Plaque-detecting toothbrush

Real-time plaque detection toothbrush using fluorescent staining and optical sensors

This technology features a toothbrush that mixes toothpaste stored in the handle with a fluorescent staining agent, dispenses the mixture through nozzles in the head, and uses optical sensors between the bristles to detect fluorescent signals from plaque, alerting the user via LED flash patterns on the handle.

Plaque calcifies into tartar and is a primary cause of periodontal disease, but standard toothbrushes cannot identify where plaque remains on the teeth. Consequently, it has been difficult to sufficiently remove plaque through brushing alone.

This technology uses a push button to inject the fluorescent agent into the fluid path, and the control unit adjusts LED flash patterns based on the intensity of the received optical signal, allowing users to immediately identify remaining plaque while brushing. Since the pump dispenses toothpaste, no separate toothpaste is required. It can be applied to home oral care products and dental education tools, helping users form proper brushing habits by removing plaque even in hard-to-reach areas.

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Key Features:

• A toothbrush body featuring a handle with an internal toothpaste storage compartment and a pump that compresses and restores when pressed by a finger
• A push button that stores a fluorescent staining agent to highlight plaque and injects it into the fluid path
• A head unit equipped with multiple spray nozzles to dispense the toothpaste and fluorescent agent mixture, along with optical plaque-detection sensors between the bristles
• A control unit that analyzes the intensity of the fluorescent optical signal from the sensors to generate and manage LED flash patterns on the handle

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