HandiBrush

“HandiBrush” is a toothbrush specifically designed for people with limited mobility and motor functions, making the process of brushing teeth more effective with less needed movement and effort, while still keeping a classic style with eco-friendly materials.

This design solves the task of making brushing teeth easier and more effective as well as more comfortable for the elderly and people with limited motor functions in the hand and arm.

In general, toothbrushes are thin and slippery with generic shapes that don’t adequately support grip and comfort. Creating the HandiBrush with a grip that contours into the natural curve of every hand ensures a perfect fit and the elongated, flexible neck allows for less movement in the arm and shoulder when reaching the back teeth.

Assistive and Sustainable Design/production

14 Week Project, from concept to Final outsourcing

2023 iF DESIGN STUDENT AWARD PARTICIPANT

The Problem

Toothbrushes are quite thin and slippery, which can be troublesome for many people to use. The lack of variety in handle length, general design, and accessibility solutions in toothbrushes leave many design gaps of this necessity item. How might we make the task of brushing teeth easier and more comfortable for the elderly and people with limited motor functions in the hand and arm?

The Solution

A manual toothbrush that has every feature catered to those with limited mobility and motor functions, making the process of brushing teeth more effective with less needed movement and effort, while still keeping a classic style of a typical toothbrush.

The Design

The main idea for material selection was to reduce plastic waste associated with ordinary manual toothbrushes, while still enhancing the brushing experience given by the design. Thus, sustainability and product longevity were the two main focuses during this process.

Head and Grip = silicone (flexible, comfortable, waterproof)

Handle = Recycled aluminum cans (lightweight, durable, lower cost)

Bristle Insert = Plastic base and nylon bristles (nylon is the most effective material for cleaning teeth, and sticking with plastic for the only replaceable part keeps user costs down)