A group of researchers from China has developed a new type of toothbrush that generates its own electricity to eliminate oral bacteria. Unlike current advanced electric brushes that rely on physical friction, these new bristles are designed to generate tiny electric currents that catalyse the production of reactive oxygen species to disrupt the spread of bacteria.
The researchers used polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) to create the self-charging bristles. According to the study published in the journal Science Advances, laboratory and animal experiments showed these bristles achieved a cleaning efficiency of over 99 per cent and demonstrated good biocompatibility, outperforming traditional nylon toothbrushes.
To test the device, the team conducted a clinical trial involving 115 volunteers who suffered from gum diseases such as periodontitis or dental caries. The volunteers were split into two groups: half were given regular nylon toothbrushes and the other half were given the new brushes. All participants received identical instructions regarding their toothpaste and brushing methods.
After a three-month period, researchers examined the volunteers' mouths. They found that the group using the new brushes showed significantly greater reductions in dental plaque, gum inflammation, and bleeding compared to those using regular toothbrushes. The study suggested that the increased removal of dental plaque contributed to the reduction in inflammation and bleeding.
The brushes were reported to be safe for use, as no volunteers reported experiencing pain, numbness, or electric shocks. Zhang Xuehui, the corresponding author of the article and director of the Dental Materials Laboratory at Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, stated that the new toothbrushes “combine physical cleaning with sustained antibacterial effect, thus highlighting the potential of self-charged materials in advancing oral healthcare.”
Zhang added that further comparisons with existing technology would be needed to establish the advantages of the new technique.
