Abstract:
Addressing the intricacies of dental hygiene in the critical 3-5 age range
has presented a persistent challenge, marked by discomfort, taste aversion,
and a general lack of enthusiasm. Acknowledging the formative nature of
this age for establishing lifelong oral health habits, an exhaustive research
initiative unfolded to comprehend the nuanced dental hygiene struggles
faced by this demographic and craft an innovative solution.
Through direct interviews and comprehensive Google surveys involving 30
children and their parents, a notable 59.1% of children expressed a distinct
disinterest in the teeth-brushing ritual. Reasons varied from the perceived
hardness of bristles to the monotonous nature of the process, coupled
with elements of fear and a lack of parental supervision. Armed with this
nuanced data, the research delved into the realm of nature for inspiration,
focusing specifically on how animals’ inherent cleanliness habits could in-
form a groundbreaking approach to children’s dental care.
This journey of inspiration culminated in the conceptualization of “Teetoy”
– a visionary teeth cleaning device designed to infuse playfulness, enjoy-
ment, and efficacy into the brushing process for children. The device com-
prises three integral parts: the head, neck, and handle.
