Dental caries and periodontal diseases are among the most prevalent childhood health problems worldwide, with the WHO estimating that over 60% of school-aged children experience cavities . Poor brushing habits, high sugar intake, and low oral health awareness are the primary contributors. Despite strengthened public oral health education globally, adherence and engagement remain suboptimal . In China, surveys show that nearly 40% of 12-year-olds suffer from caries, while orthodontic adolescents face even greater challenges in maintaining oral hygiene due to braces . Thus, finding engaging and interactive approaches to foster long-term brushing habits is an urgent public health priority.
ToothyGuard Adventure is a gamified digital therapeutic designed for children and adolescents in orthodontic treatment. Using a “guidance + instant feedback + motivational rewards” loop, it transforms daily toothbrushing into an adventure quest. Children complete brushing tasks in a virtual world, unlocking rewards and titles while subconsciously learning proper oral care. The product requires no complex hardware or parental platform, lowering barriers to use and allowing children to build oral health awareness and habits independently through engaging play .
The app consists of four core modules: Brushing Guidance – animated visual cues guide brushing of all tooth zones, ensuring compliance with the 2-minute standard; Reward & Check-in – daily brushing unlocks badges and collectibles, reinforcing long-term motivation; Fun Oral Health Knowledge – post-brushing unlocks 1–2 minute micro-lessons and quiz challenges to reinforce learning; Monitoring & Feedback – weekly PROMs-style questionnaires (e.g., bleeding, breath, appliance cleaning) collect self-reports, supporting iteration and potential clinical validation.
Systematic reviews demonstrate that gamified interventions significantly improve children’s oral health knowledge and behaviors, with multiple RCTs showing superiority in brushing frequency and plaque reduction compared to traditional education . Studies report that interventions using rewards, real-time feedback, and interactive features increase oral hygiene adherence by 20–30% and significantly reduce plaque scores within 3–6 months . Pilot testing of ToothyGuard Adventure showed high user acceptance and daily engagement, confirming its potential as a sustainable, engaging, and effective digital therapeutic for pediatric oral health management .