Isolated pivoting bar-oscillating tooth brush with denta-haptic feedback

Abstract

A method of monitoring brushing of a tooth and gum surface includes sensing a brushing relative to the tooth surface during a brushing session and generating feedback in response to the brushing. In one embodiment, feedback is generated when a user, such as a child, starts brushing. In another embodiment, feedback is generated when the brushing technique deviates from a correct brushing technique, such as the Bass Technique. When a user uses a correct brushing technique, the bristles on the brush head of a tooth brush vibrate. When the user uses an incorrect brushing technique, the vibrations stop, alerting the user that her technique is incorrect. The user can be alerted about improper brushing techniques in other ways, such as by generating audible sounds such as chirps, interrupting audio signals such as music, generating flashing lights, or the like. Preferably, a user's brushing technique can be tracked for later evaluation.