A scientific breakthrough in oral hygiene could spell the end of dentists as we know it.
Researchers have developed a 'handsfree' system for keeping your teeth and gums clean without the need for a toothbrush, using swarms of tiny robots.
A team at the University of Pennsylvania claims to have developed 'microbots' out of iron oxide nanoparticles which could swarm around your mouth and brush, floss, and rinse for you.
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These so-called microswarms can produce a chemical reaction that kills bacteria in your mouth by forming artificial bristles that scrub every nook and cranny of your mouth, eliminating harmful 'biofilm' which slowly rots your teeth.
One of the co-authors of the research, Hyun Koo, said: "You have to brush your teeth, then floss your teeth, then rinse your mouth; it's a manual, multi-step process.
"The big innovation here is that the robotics system can do all three in a single, handsfree, automated way."
To achieve the optimal oral cleanse, the robotic bristles can 'extend, sweep, and even transfer back and forth across a space, much like flossing', meaning that you don't even need to move your hands back and forth to get your teeth done before bed.
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Edward Steager, another author of the research, said: "The way it works is similar to how a robotic arm might reach out and clean a surface. The system can be programmed to do the nanoparticle assembly and motion control automatically."
The microbots were tested on real human teeth, and scientists hope to develop a device that can fit to users' mouths and deliver the microbots right into your gob.
They believe it could help older people and those with disabilities to maintain oral hygiene easily.
The UK is currently facing a major dentist shortage, with England facing its lowest number of NHS dentists in a decade.
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