Hygiene

Like many menial tasks, there may soon be a way to outsource brushing your teeth to robots. A new system of microrobots can change shape to form bristles or floss, and don’t just brush plaque away but release antimicrobials to kill bad bacteria.

The WHO is standing by its recommendation healthy members of the population need not wear face masks to protect against COVID-19. However, some experts are suggesting broad implementation of masks may be useful in curbing viral transmission.

A new study has found a plaque-identifying toothpaste can potentially lower levels of systemic inflammation – which has been linked to cardiovascular disease, stroke and hypertension – by improving a person’s brushing efficacy.

In order to combat the hundreds of millions of empty toothpaste tubes that are destined for landfill across the world each year, Canadian entrepreneurs Mike Medicoff and Damien Vince have created a toothpaste that comes in the form of a tablet.

Virtual reality headsets are increasingly being put to use at theme parks, in setups that move around in accordance to what wearers are experiencing in the VR world. A new headset is designed to make the experience more efficient and more hygienic.

Positioned as an answer to the environmental toll associated with toilet-paper and flushable wipes, a startup from Santa Monica in California has launched a portable, rechargeable bidet, which looks more like a powerbank. Something you may be thankful for if it ever fell out of your bag at brunch.

New research suggests that some of the dirt you may have eaten as a child could have contained a type of bacteria that strengthens the immune system. The study reveals the bacteria Mycobacterium vaccae can produce a unique anti-inflammatory fatty acid with anti-inflammatory properties.

Bar-shaped soap is great for sliding into your palm and all over your body, but as we all know it can be hard to keep a good handle on. Tetra Soap is a clever new solution to this little dilemma, taking the form of a tetrapod to more easily remain in your grasp.

The American Dental Association recommends cleaning between teeth at least once per day. Generally, this is done using a strand of dental floss. Though important, it does take time. What if you could floss all your teeth in one bite? That's what Blizzident is promising with its 3D-Flosser.

A recent study has placed kitchen sponges under the microscope and found them to be awash with bacteria, suggesting that a regular refresh mightn't be a bad move for one's health.

It might be time to stop using antimicrobial hand soap. According to a consensus statement signed by over 200 scientists and medical professionals, there’s no evidence that so-called antimicrobial chemicals do anything to prevent illness, and they might be harming your health and the environment.

​Sometimes, we end up focusing on fruitless pursuits that we should really just let go of. Well, the next time that you find yourself aware of being in such a situation, try washing your hands. According to scientists, doing so helps us to give up old goals and start pursuing new ones.