Finally, a beneficial use for people's compulsion to take "selfies"
The next time you brush your teeth, consider capturing the action on your cell phone — and sharing it with your dentist.
The results might provide you with a
better shine and fewer cavities by helping you learn to brush more effectively.
This
was the initial finding from a pilot study to investigate tooth-brushing
behavior and to see how it may change after training. Inventors have been
intrigued by devices to measure toothbrushing for years, but only now with the
wide availability of smartphones, sensors and other wireless technologies have
they had the opportunity to measure the behavior in real-time and in the
real-world, where it counts.
An expert in health tracking technology, University of Rhode Island Associate Professor of Psychology Theodore Walls was asked to participate in the study, particularly to assist with the behavioral data analysis.
In partnership with
the Case Western Reserve University, School of Dental Medicine, the study
was facilitated by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
and conducted in India.
With
his combined background in statistics, movement and behavior, Walls said: “By
tracking peoples’ health behaviors, we have the opportunity to detect important
patterns with statistics and, in turn, intervene to help people with technology
or other interventions.”
For
this study, participants used stands to hold their smartphones and film
themselves as they brushed their teeth. Even though the period of time for
which the participants brushed did not change, the data suggested some
improvement in their skill after the images were shown to dentists.
The brush
strokes were noted to be more accurate and increased in number. The study was
published in the Indian Journal of Dental Research, July 2016.
“We’ve
used similar techniques to track smoking behaviors — using tools that indicate
when someone is smoking and how much, and where to set up early warning systems
to prevent a behavior. Although the selfie concept is being used in a variety
of health applications, we think this is the first time it’s been put to use to
assess how people are brushing their teeth,” said Walls.
“People recording
themselves as they brush might help to improve dental hygiene.”
So
open wide, and take out your cell phone as you brush!