Ever wondered how astronauts brush their teeth? Often, they end up swallowing their toothpaste, just like children and people with special care needs, which can harm their overall health. Maxine Strickland, an associate professor of diagnostic sciences at the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, has a healthier solution: MaxVac.
MaxVac is a powered toothbrush created by Strickland. Unlike a regular brush, it has both brushing and suctioning capabilities, enabling the removal of liquids from the mouth. This is especially important for special needs patients as they might continuously ingest microorganisms during brushing that may lead to health issues such as pneumonia. “[MaxVac] removes potentially harmful and infectious materials … and thereby can be very useful for the elderly and disabled, in nursing or hospital settings, in dental clinics, for young children, and routine home use,” officials at the Rutgers Office for Research noted in a statement. To read the full story.