".....You can synchronize a maximum of 2 handles with
one SmartGuide. To do so, push the ˓˓˓h/min˒˒˒ button in the battery
compartment for at least 3 seconds. The SmartGuide shows ˓˓˓L̵̵̵˒˒˒→. Turn on
your handle to start the synchronization process. It is finishes when ˓˓˓L̵̵-1-˒→.
Is displayed…”
So what was all that about? Is it a lecture in Harvard on
nanotechnology or a class in a military academy on how to fly an F-15 jet?! It’s
easy to think so depending on a lot of things. But before you think so, those
are instructions on how to set up an electric toothbrush. Yes, I said toothbrush.
World we live in today and the strides humankind have made using technology.
It is hard to believe that ancient civilizations used a
"chew stick," which was a thin twig with a frayed end. These 'chew
sticks' were rubbed against the teeth. The bristle toothbrush, similar to the
type used today, was not invented until 1498 in China. The bristles were
actually the stiff, coarse hairs taken from the back of a hog's neck and
attached to handles made of bone or bamboo. 1938. from 1400 to 1938! When the first nylon when nylon bristles were
introduced by DuPont de Nemours. From that point Americans were actually first introduced
to using of toothbrush by the soldiers who went to war in world war 2 and came
back with strict dental hygiene habits. If you have great grandfather or grandfather
who served in this war ask them.
 |
| First Toothbrush Used by Chinese |
Today, the above instructions from the Crest Oral Deep Sweep ™
5000-5550. Are
just but a proof what advancements have been made in that field of toothbrush. A
quick definition of toothbrush according to the British Oxford dictionary is “a small brush with a long handle, used for cleaning the teeth.” Maybe
it’s time they adjusted that meaning.
 |
| First toothbrushes ever used in the USA |
Too much of history lets now face the
future. Today in our class of 14 students, we each got a free OralB 5000-5550 electric toothbrushes with Bluetooth.
This means we are able to download an app in our phone that we can connect with
to enable us see how hard we are brushing, and if we are missing any spot. It
also comes with an alert system that lets you know how hard or deep you are
brushing. Now, this baby is worth $130
bucks per mr. Mark Jarocki of Crest OralB who was kind enough to give them to
us. Now, I’m so excited to be able to use this brush but it also reminds me of
my background in some ways. It reminds me that with just the cost of this one
Brush at that cost it would be possible to get a little over 1000 kids
toothbrushes and toothpaste in Kenya. If I compare it to what we all got in the
class we would be able to provide toothbrush and toothpaste to over 14,000
kids. I was lucky to have grown up with one of my parents being a dentist so
that means good oral hygiene was taken as seriously as homework but I saw my friends
who sometimes never used toothbrush until they got to high school or went to
university. Today the same has not changed much. The reason for all this is not
to seek sympathy or solicit for handouts. It is to challenge you the reader by
reminding you how privileged you are and how lucky you are. You have all the resources
and knowledge. So what would make you not floss your teeth? What would make you
not brush your teeth? Laziness and life happens,
but always remember you are so lucky to have all the knowledge and resources at
your disposal and use them to your full advantage. That way, you won’t be
preaching water and drinking wine to your patients when you get to your
practice. So a challenge to you, whenever you feel like you don’t need to use
that brush, remember its worth over a 1000 toothbrushes and toothpastes for
kids and so use it to your maximum benefit. As I type this, mine is in the
charger (it feels weird to say that, imagine someone who died 100 years ago
resurrects and hears you day you are charging your toothbrush? J
Anyway, I will be posting my full experience
with this brush soon as I get to use it for some time.
 |
| The electric Toothbrush used today. Courtesy of Crest OralB |
No comments:
Post a Comment