Table 6 Parents’ suggestions to improve the design of toothbrushes used by their children
Items | Brief comments/suggestions |
|---|---|
Bristles | • “The bristles are too long” • “The bristles are too thin” • “The bristles are too hard/stiff” • “The bristles are too soft, and the toothbrush cannot remove the debris efficiently” • “The bristles are too rough, and my child complains that toothbrushing causes pain” • “The bristles should be softer. The pressure of toothbrushing should not cause bleeding gums” • “The bristles should cover all the surfaces of the toothbrush head” • “Multi-dimensional bristles” • “Optimal bristle diameter” • “The procedure of toothbrushing might be simplified if there the bristles are distributed on the lateral sides of a toothbrush head” |
Handle | • “The toothbrush handle is difficult for my child to hold” • “The angle of toothbrush handles should be adjusted, so that the back teeth could be reached easily” |
Toothbrush head | • “Various sizes of the toothbrush head should be provided” • “The size of a toothbrush head should be adjusted properly, so that the back teeth could be brushed more efficiently. • “There should be a soft rubber pad on the toothbrush head. If children bite the toothbrushes, less damage will be caused to their teeth, and they can feel more comfortable” |
Additional function | • “It is better if the toothbrush can make toothbrushing fun for kids (help my child love teeth brushing)” • “We need a toothbrush which can simplify the toothbrushing steps (brush more areas with a single stroke)” • “…show the toothbrushing steps or provide instructions to children by using verbal or visual hints” • “Toothbrushing instruction is needed” |
Others | • “My child bites the toothbrushes, and the toothbrushes are distorted very soon” • “When I help my child to brush the buccal surfaces of the front teeth, my child does not know how to cooperate. I wish there is a toothbrush which is specialized in brushing the front teeth” • “The design of toothbrushes should make it more convenient for parents to help children brush their teeth” • “The individually-modified toothbrushes should be less expensive” |