(By Dr. Joseph D. Lim and Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI)
THIS COULD be what may become a game-changer.
You know, a disruptor. A tool that changes the way things are. In this case, the toothbrush that we know it to be.
The first bristle toothbrush resembling what we know as the toothbrush today was first seen in China, during the Tang Dynasty (619–907). Hog bristles from Siberia and northern China were used because the cold regions produced bristles that were firmer. The bristles were attached to a bamboo or bone handle, resembling today’s toothbrush.
The first toothbrush to be mass-produced came out in the United Kingdom in 1780. While in prison, William Addis drilled small holes into bone, tied bristles into the holes and sealed the holes. After his release, Addis became rich making toothbrush. Today, the Wisdom Toothbrushes that he founded makes 70 million toothbrushes each year in the United Kingdom.
Now comes the “Clip Toothbrush”. The idea is so simple one wonders why no one thought of it all these years after Mr. Addis mass produced the conventional toothbrush.
It’s called the Clip because the bristles are clipped into a toothbrush handle. The bristles are replaceable once they become frayed, and one has to buy only the replacement “head” of bristles and attached it to the same toothbrush handle.
It’s not only simple, but in these times when people are more aware of the impact of plastic on the environment, the Clip toothbrush means less use of plastic materials if people hold on to their toothbrush handle and use replaceable bristles and clip them on.
This way, minimum material used, and less processing, and less use of energy and less pollution.
The clip and the handle need not even be made of plastic. It can very well be biodegradable bamboo or wood.
In this case, the Clip toothbrush is made of recycled polypropylene, a kind of plastic.
The Clip was developed by London designers Edo Kim and Yeseul Kim.
As trendhunter.com describes it:
“The Clip toothbrush is a minimalist solution to dental hygiene waste.
“The toothbrush boasts a replaceable head and is made from recycled polypropylene. When bristles fray, users can replace the toothbrush head without throwing away the rest of the body for an eco-friendly alternative.
“The Clip’s modular design lets users detach the bristles from the toothbrush handle to replace them with a fresh brush. With the push of a button, users can pop out their old bristles with ease.”
Another very popular brand of toothbrush has taken the idea several levels up with ergonomic designs that use 60 percent less plastic.
It is advertised as “beauty that lasts… Make the brush your own with your preferred combination of handle and replaceable brush head.”
The “clip” toothbrush is available online in the Philippines from popular e-commerce platforms on the internet.
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Dr. Joseph D. Lim is the former Associate Dean of the College of Dentistry, University of the East; former Dean, College of Dentistry, National University; Past President and Honorary Fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy; Honorary Fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists; and Honorary Life Member of the Thai Association of Dental Implantology. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515.
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Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI, graduated Doctor of Dental Medicine, University of the Philippines College of Dentistry, Manila, 2011; Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management, De la Salle University, Manila, 2002; and Master of Science (MSc.) in Oral Implantology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany, 2019. He is an Associate professor; Fellow, International Congress of Oral Implantologists; Member, American Academy of Implant Dentistry and Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail limdentalcenter@gmail.com/PN
