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Tooth be told, most people don’t brush their teeth well.
There are many ways to screw up such a simple act — you don’t hit all the spots, you don’t do it long enough and you don’t do it often enough.
A $299 full-mouth electric toothbrush may be just what the dentist ordered. The Feno Smartbrush brushes your teeth for you — and accompanying AI-powered technology scans your mouth for signs of problems.
“The mouth is the entryway to the rest of the body, and if we take care of it, it will reward us with our overall systemic health. It’s not just about white, straight teeth anymore, it’s about overall health,” Dr. Kenny Brown, Feno’s CEO and co-founder, told The Post.
Brown, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, launched the smartbrush last summer. It comes in three parts — a U-shaped mouthpiece that boasts about 18,000 nylon bristles, a handle that holds the brush in place and a charger that attaches to the handle.
Now, it looks a little bizarre. The brush makes it seem like your chompers are larger than life, à la Jim Carrey in “The Mask.”
But it seems to be resonating with male tekkies who enjoy convenience. Though he wouldn’t share customer numbers, Brown said his novel gadget is also gaining ground with women.
“Be honest with yourself,” Brown encouraged potential buyers. “Do you really feel like you’re brushing with the proper technique when considering time, pressure, motion, being able to do that consistently over and over and over again? That’s where Feno comes in.”
How does the smartbrush work?
To start, you take very unglamorous pictures of your mouth so Feno can send the right size brush.
The company, headquartered in Culver City, Calif., used data from over 20,000 mouths to design the mouthpiece to ensure the bristles reach all the right places.
The $299 package comes with the mouthpiece, handle, charger, three tubes of foaming toothpaste, a tongue scraper and a free month of Feno Plus membership.
After watching a two-minute video and charging the device, you’re ready to motor.
The process is pretty easy — put mint-flavored foam between the bristles, press the start button and move the device in a circular motion. The vibrations stop after 20 seconds, signaling your mouth has been thoroughly cleaned.
The speed is adjustable — it runs up to 250 strokes per 20-second cycle — and Brown said some patients opt to do 20 seconds each on the top and bottom of their mouth.
Users can track their oral health with Feno Plus membership, an extra $9.95 a month. A scanner embedded in the handle takes detailed pictures of the mouth, which are analyzed to provide personalized health insights and coaching.
Brown said the custom report can identify problem areas, like gum line recession, a lesion on the soft tissue and the yellowing of teeth, but does not replace a trip to the dentist.
How Feno stands out
Electric toothbrushes are generally considered more effective than manual toothbrushes, but concerns have been raised about the value of U-shaped automatic electric brushes.
A 2020 Italian study — released years before Feno’s brush hit the market — determined these brushes don’t effectively remove dental plaque.
“Brushing with an electric U-shaped toothbrush may not be as good as a traditional toothbrush,” Dr. Joseph Brofsky, section head of pediatric dentistry for Northwell Health, told The Post.
“The idea makes sense because all of the teeth are being brushed at the same time, but the outcome may not really work,” added Brofsky, who was not involved with the 2020 study.
Brown said Feno is more effective than other full-coverage toothbrushes because the mouthpiece is properly sized to the mouth, nylon is stronger than traditional silicone bristles and the motor in the device “delivers a sweeping motion with the proper brushing technique.”
What are the drawbacks?
Feno is not for everyone. People with braces or a temporary crown shouldn’t try it, Brown said, as well as kids under 15 because they don’t have an adult dental arch.
Those who take the plunge may experience bleeding for three to five days after making the switch.
“What’s typically happening there is that it’s brushing areas of your gum that may not have been touched in that way,” Brown explained.
Users also need a smartphone with at least iOS 11.0 or Android 5.0, otherwise, they’ll have trouble taking pictures of their mouth for the fit, downloading the app and receiving tailor-made recommendations.
The brush works regardless of the technology, with Brown pointing out that an efficient clean is the core aim followed by access and awareness afforded by the AI bells and whistles.
Another potential con is cost. Feno advises getting a new brush every three months to prevent bacterial buildup.
“What we’re seeing is that people are using it much longer,” Brown said. “It’s not going to fall apart on you and disintegrate, but we do recommend three months.”
What’s next?
Brown hopes the product evolves in a few ways.
Adding more sizes is a priority, as is accommodating children, people with missing teeth and those with braces.
Additional foam flavors are also on tap. The only offering right now is mint, which tastes medicinal and may turn off brushers who prefer froo froo flavors.
New versions of the device will have a longer battery life, Brown said, and be easier to pack in a suitcase.
He is also looking to get Feno into stores and dental offices.
Beyond the brush, Brown is considering launching other products. Imagine a lozenge or mint that can freshen your breath — and be good for your oral health.
“That’s something that we’re playing with,” he said.