From forks that tell you whether you’re eating too much, to toothbrushes which quantify your brushing, the post-New Year season always has a few hygiene-related tricks up its sleeve.
Perhaps 2015’s first such device is the so-called Breathometer Mint, which offers something that no other smart device has yet managed — by telling you whether or not you’re suffering from morning breath, as well as measuring your hydration levels.
To use the gizmo, simply pop it in mouth, wait a scant few seconds, and then read the results on the associated iOS app. The gadget itself works by measuring levels of hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercapthan and hydrogen disulfide — and using this to work out whether or not you need to see a dentist.
In doing so, the Breathometer Mint could actually turn out to be pretty useful. As the makers of the device are keen to note, good oral and dental hygiene can help prevent bad breath, tooth decay and gum disease. Poor dental hygiene has even been linked to other serious health problems, such as heart attacks, strokes, poorly controlled diabetes and preterm labor.
Breathometer Mint’s makers are currently raising money on Indiegogo. If the concept interest you, check out their page here. And remember to brush those hard-to-reach places.
Luke Dormehl is a U.K.-based journalist and author, with a background working in documentary film for Channel 4 and the BBC. He is the author of The Apple Revolution and The Formula: How Algorithms Solve All Our Problems … and Create More, both published by Penguin/Random House. His tech writing has also appeared in Wired, Fast Company, Techmeme and other publications.
2 responses to “Your iPhone will soon be able to tell you if your breath stinks”
I thought this was why we had friends.
Because anyone that needs an app to tell this is REALLY hygienic. Brush a few times a day and I’d bet it’ll help immensely.