A thousand-year-old tradition in oral health is changing: A battery-free toothbrush that produces its own electricity has been developed

Peking University researchers have developed a new generation toothbrush that produces electricity only by bending during the brushing movement, without the need for an external battery or charging unit. The findings, details of which were shared in Science Advances, revealed that the new technology was much more successful in eliminating bacteria that cause gum diseases and cavities compared to standard brushes.

While traditional toothbrushes try to clean dental plaque only through mechanical friction, the newly developed brush turns this process into a cleansing at the chemical and biological level. The research team produced brush bristles from polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymer, which was given "piezoelectric" properties by stretching and heating.

The bristles that bend on the tooth surface during brushing release micro-electric charges that interact with molecules in saliva and produce reactive oxygen species. These electrical charges destroy the cell membranes of harmful bacteria that cause tooth decay and dental inflammation. When the pressure on the bristles is removed, the material absorbs the released loads again.

In 3-month clinical tests conducted with the participation of approximately 100 volunteers, the data of individuals using piezoelectric brushes were compared with the control group using standard nylon brushes. At the end of the process, those who use the new generation brush; A noticeable decrease in dental plaque accumulation, gum inflammation and bleeding was noted.

In the examinations, it was determined that the micro electric current created by the brush did not damage the tooth enamel surface and did not have any toxic effects on human cells.

Evaluating the development, periodontist Dr., one of the experts at the University of Buffalo in New York. Frank Scannapieco stated that the study adds an innovative dimension to an old concept in oral health. Clinical scientist Thomas Flemmig from the University of Hong Kong acknowledged that the material used was highly innovative, but emphasized that the raw values ​​should be detailed so that the data reporting method in the study could be fully compared with other commercial toothbrush studies.

Experts state that long-term safety and cost analyzes must be completed before mass production of this biotechnological product, which does not have a battery and does not constantly release chemicals, unlike other rechargeable or chemical-containing brushes on the market.