Smart toothbrushes and their impact on oral health (Technology integration, and inclusive care)

Abstract

Introduction: Oral diseases affect over 3.5 billion people worldwide, impacting physical, emotional, and economic well-being. Smart toothbrushes are an innovative solution addressing the limitations of traditional manual and electric toothbrushes by offering real-time feedback, mobile application connectivity, and personalized oral health care. These features help improve oral hygiene across different population groups.
Objective: To examine the development and effectiveness of smart toothbrushes in promoting oral health, with a focus on their impact on diverse populations, technological features, benefits in plaque removal and gum care, as well as challenges, this review synthesizes existing research to present a concise overview of smart toothbrushes, their current capabilities, and their future potential in advancing oral hygiene.
Methods: This study conducted a systematic literature review, analyzing the development, application, and effectiveness of smart toothbrushes. Peer-reviewed research (2000-2024) was selected from PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar using search terms such as “smart toothbrush” and “oral health technology.” Studies focused on oral health outcomes in diverse populations, while non-English and non-scientific articles were excluded.
Results: Smart toothbrushes improve brushing techniques, reduce plaque, and help prevent gum diseases. They utilize artificial intelligence (AI) technologies such as real-time feedback and machine learning algorithms, enhancing brushing efficiency and increasing plaque removal rates by up to 87% compared to traditional toothbrushes. Interactive tools, including augmented reality (AR) and gamification (e.g., Brush Monster), promote oral hygiene behaviors in children and individuals with intellectual disabilities, allowing for greater independence and reducing caregiver burden.  Bluetooth connectivity and app-based data tracking enable personalized oral health care, especially benefiting individuals with cognitive impairments and chronic conditions like Type 2 diabetes. Additionally, smart toothbrushes improve the cleaning of oral prosthetics for edentulous patients and support gum health while aiding glycemic control in diabetic patients. However, challenges such as high costs and privacy concerns remain obstacles that need to be addressed, emphasizing the need for sustainable innovation and equitable access.
Conclusion: Smart toothbrushes are an innovation that enhances oral health care and improves the quality of life for different population groups. Integrating this technology with scientific advancements and supportive policies can drive accessibility, sustainability, and equitable oral health care.