It's a insanely simple idea, but Amron Experimental really captured a lot of hearts, minds and minty-fresh mouths with its Brush & Rinse toothbrush concept. Sporting the same boring bristles and molded plastic of every other toothbrush produced this century, the Brush & Rinse has a slightly indented back, which lets you redirect water and... well, brush and rinse. Unfortunately, the last time the thing was in the news, it was a prototype selling for $1,750, so we're happy to see it down to the much more reasonable pre-order price of $1.18 a pop -- though they need to presell 50,000 units before they can go into production. Regular people will be able to pick one up for $5 once they get that minimum out of the way. Exciting action video is after the break.
You want to keep fluoride on the teeth at least 30 minutes. So don't rinse, don't drink and don't eat after brushing your teeth. It takes 2 minutes twice a day with a really good electric toothbrush (Philips Sonicare, Braun), well used (45 degrees to the gums), to clean teeth of significant plaque build-up. It takes a well trained and careful adult with a manual brush applied vigorously to do the same. If you are taking less time you are not getting the job done, and paying many time the difference in caries or care.
There is significant correlation between tooth loss and reduced life expectancy. So if you enjoy life, or even if you just have things to live for, go and buy an electric toothbrush, drink your coffee or nightcap before you brush your teeth, brush twice a day and don't rinse afterwards. Which seems to leave this widget looking for a market.
With or without religion, you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion. - Steven Weinberg, 1999