Dyson’s New Toothbrush Has a Camera: What Does It Mean for Your Dental Routine?

Dyson has launched an innovative new toothbrush called the CameraJet, featuring a built-in camera and mouthwash dispenser. The device, which has undergone six years of development with 661 engineers and holds 38 patents, aims to improve how people clean their teeth.

Sir James Dyson explained the inspiration for the product came from his own struggles with dental hygiene. “I have to brush them, floss them, and I have this sort of interdental brush. Every time I go to the hygienist, she goes at me with a pickaxe, hacking hard lumps off my teeth,” he said. Realizing that many people dislike flossing, with only about one in ten actually doing it, Dyson sought to combine brushing and interdental cleaning into a single action.

The CameraJet inspects the inside of the mouth while vibrating at 58,000 times a minute. As it moves between teeth, it identifies gaps and sprays mouthwash from an internal reservoir to remove plaque. A key challenge in its development was enabling the camera to accurately locate tooth gaps in real-time, despite the brush head’s high speed. This required significant software development, totaling approximately 16 million lines of code, and a sophisticated camera system capable of seeing in low light and through toothpaste, foam, and saliva.

Instead of a narrow jet, the toothbrush uses a conical spray to dislodge plaque more effectively and gently. Dyson engineers also developed a non-foaming toothpaste formulation, as conventional foaming toothpastes could interfere with the camera’s vision. The system synchronizes light and camera frequencies to capture images and trigger the jet at the precise moment needed.

The company claims the CameraJet will lead to improved gum health and fewer dental issues. Dyson believes the novelty of the technology will make brushing more engaging, transforming it from a chore into an interesting activity. The toothbrush is priced at 419.99. While Dyson products are often premium-priced, Sir James suggested this cost could lead to long-term savings by reducing the need for dental procedures.