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Michigan Dentist Invents New Device
Reported by JoAnne Purtan
Web produced by Kelly Reynolds

	The Dental Air Force costs $400. Video To order a Dental Air Force, call 616-399-8511, or visit dentalairforce.com.

Chances are, you probably don't floss. A survey by the American Dental Association finds that only five percent of adults floss everyday. Now there's a new invention that let's you toss away your floss and your toothbrush.

The device is brand new, we're unveiling it for the first time. Invented by a Michigan dentist, it makes even the electric toothbrush look out of date.

The idea came to Dr. Piero Policicchio about 10 years ago. He was inspired by his professional teeth cleaning system, which blasted away plaque and bacteria with intense bursts of water and air.

"It cleaned teeth so well I had to get this to home use," said Dr. Policicchio.

So began the journey of developing what he's called Dental Air Force.

"It uses a precision jet stream of air, water, and baking soda," the dentist explained.

There's no brushing and no flossing. This one machine does it all in two and a half minutes. Nannette Splaine began using it over a year ago.

"It is abrasive and it's pressure. It cleans it like a scrubber," she said.

Dr. Policicchio says the teeth have ridges and grooves like corrugated cardboard, so when we brush, we only hit the top surfaces, leaving a lot bacteria behind. When we floss, we only remove 30 percent of the plaque between our teeth.

The machine works by disrupting the growth of bacteria we can't reach. And it does it without overbrushing, which can lead to receding gums and sensitivity.

"It flushes the organisms out. You get a longer period of time before those organisms repopulate your mouth," said Dr. Policicchio.

"In the morning, my teeth feel cleaner and it's fresher, my breath is fresher," said Nannette.

But it comes at a price of about $400.

"Do you miss your toothbrush and dental floss?" Health Reporter JoAnne Purtan asked Nannette.

"No, not at all."

But she has to become reacquainted with her toothbrush every time she travels.

Dr. Policicchio hopes to develop a portable version some day.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved Dental Air Force. It's not in stores, but you can buy it for $400 from the Dental Air Force website, or by calling 616-399-8511.

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