Introduction: BEAT BACTERIA --Home Installation for Oral Care

By Yangying Ye
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Dentists suggest that people should brush their teeth twice a day for at least two minutes each time. An interactive art installation at home will emphasize good behavior encourage people to improve their good oral care practices.

Bacteria Beats is a device that makes brushing teeth entertaining during these two minutes. There are many existing electronic toothbrushes that stay on for two minutes, but sometimes people turn them off before the time ends if they are bored or in a hurry.

It will also have a timer that, when set, will count down the suggested 2 minutes and, will illuminate the bacteria lights when the toothbrush is picked up. Then, every 15 seconds, one light will shut off when you’ve conquered (might be clearer to say “brushed away the bacteria” instead of conquered) bacteria. After the 2 minutes have passed, all lights shut down (or turn off) leaving the brusher with the feeling that they’ve won the game!

If you feel as though two minutes is still too long, it will have the capability of ending the game sooner by setting the toothbrush on the other side of this device.

Step 1: GATHER MATERIALS

Materials

Arduino Software

Arduino Board

Button * 1

LED lights * 4

Wires

Plug

White Acrylic Board

Transparent acrylic balls * 4

Soldering kit

Step 2: SOLDER LEDs

I use NeoPixel LEDs because of different color changing. You can also use normal LEDs.

The first thing to do is solder them and don't forget to test one by one after soldering to make sure they work well.

Then connect LEDs to the Arduino board accordingly.

One thing to notice here is that don't forget to measure and estimate how long it is to match the size the physical object.

Step 3: CODE

To test LEDs with Arduino code.

Attachments

Step 4: DESIGN & MAKE THE LIGHT SHADE

The way I design and make the shade for lights is geometric and simple. After Laser cutting the acrylic board. I use acrylic glue and super glue to attach parts together. Be careful when you using acrylic glue.

Step 5: NOW INSTALL AND BEAT YOUR ORAL BACTERIA