Toothbrushing habit-formation support system and toothbrushing habit-formation support method

Abstract

Provided is a toothbrushing habit-formation support system with enhanced motivation.　A user terminal includes: a camera that captures an image of the oral cavity of a user to acquire a captured image; and a communication unit that transmits the captured image. A server includes: a communication unit that receives the captured image; a validity determination unit that determines whether the captured image is an image of the user that has been captured using a correct method at a time interval equal to or greater than a predetermined time since the previous capture; an image analysis unit that determines a teeth area and a plaque residual area from the captured image; a plaque removal degree calculation unit that calculates a numerical value indicating a plaque removal degree from the teeth area and the plaque residual area; a point management unit that imparts a point to the user on the basis of the numerical value indicating the plaque removal degree; and a privilege management unit that imparts a privilege according to the point.

Description

Toothbrushing habit support system and toothbrushing habit support method

[0001] The present invention relates to a tooth brushing habit formation support system and a tooth brushing habit formation support method.

[0002] Conventionally, various tooth brushing habit support systems have been devised to support the establishment of appropriate tooth brushing habits in order to promote dental health. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a system that detects physical quantities related to tooth brushing actions using a sensor attached to a toothbrush, calculates a score from the detected physical quantities, and determines a ranking for each user in order to increase interest in tooth brushing.

[0003] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses a non-face-to-face dental diagnosis and oral management system and method that utilizes tooth surface staining image data. This system calculates and visualizes the user's tooth surface staining image and other data, and creates an oral management report. Furthermore, Patent Document 3 discloses a system that performs an evaluation based on measurement information related to tooth brushing detected by a sensor and received information on the user's tooth brushing habits, and transmits the evaluation results to a user terminal.

[0004] JP 2023-6053 A JP 2023-70155 A International Publication No. 2021-107009

[0005] However, conventional tooth brushing habit support systems evaluate the degree of tooth brushing achievement with a score and send oral care reports, but do not offer any additional benefits, so there is a problem that they are not sufficiently motivating.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and its object is to provide a tooth brushing habit formation support system that provides increased motivation.

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the tooth brushing habit formation support system (1) of the present invention is a tooth brushing habit formation support system (1) including a server (20) connected to a user terminal (10) via a network, wherein the user terminal (10) includes a camera (11) that photographs the user's oral cavity to obtain a photographed image, and a communication unit (12) that transmits the photographed image, and the server (20) includes a communication unit (21) that receives the photographed image, a validity determination unit (22) that determines whether the photographed image is an image of the user photographed in a correct manner at a predetermined time interval or more from the previous photograph, an image analysis unit (23) that determines the range of teeth and the range of remaining plaque from the photographed image, a plaque removal degree calculation unit (24) that calculates a numerical value indicating the degree of plaque removal from the range of teeth and the range of remaining plaque, a point management unit (25) that grants points to the user based on the numerical value indicating the degree of plaque removal, and a reward management unit (26) that grants rewards according to the points.

[0008] According to the tooth brushing habit formation support system of the present invention, points are awarded to users based on the degree of plaque removal, and benefits are given according to the points, which increases customer motivation and helps to develop proper tooth brushing habits.

[0009] The tooth brushing habit formation support system (2) is a tooth brushing habit formation support system (2) including a server (120) connected to a user terminal (110) via a network, wherein the user terminal (110) includes a camera (11) that photographs the user's oral cavity to obtain a photographed image, a validity determination unit (22) that determines whether the photographed image is an image of the user photographed in a correct manner at a predetermined time interval or more from the previous photograph, an image analysis unit (23) that determines the range of teeth and the range of remaining plaque from the photographed image, a plaque removal degree calculation unit (24) that calculates a numerical value indicating the degree of plaque removal from the range of teeth and the range of remaining plaque, and a communication unit (12) that transmits the numerical value indicating the degree of plaque removal, and the server (120) may include a point management unit (25) that grants points to the user based on the numerical value indicating the degree of plaque removal, and a benefit management unit (26) that grants benefits according to the points.

[0010] This configuration also gives users points based on the degree of plaque removal, and offers benefits according to the points, which increases customer motivation and helps them develop proper tooth brushing habits. Furthermore, the amount of communication between the user terminal and the server is reduced, which has the added benefit of saving on communication fees.

[0011] The validity determining unit (22) may determine that the photograph was not taken in a correct manner if the teeth portion is not sufficiently visible in the photographed image.

[0012] This configuration can prevent, for example, erroneous determination of the degree of brushing caused by the mouth not being sufficiently open.

[0013] The validity determination unit (22) may determine that the photographed image was not photographed in a correct manner when the area of ​​the colored portion in the photographed image is smaller than a predetermined value.

[0014] This configuration can prevent, for example, erroneous determination of the degree of brushing caused by forgetting to stain the inside of the oral cavity.

[0015] The validity determination unit (22) may determine that the captured image is not an image of the user himself / herself if the shape of the teeth in the captured image does not match the shape of the teeth of the registered user.

[0016] This configuration can prevent, for example, an act of taking an image of another person with less plaque in order to obtain points or benefits.

[0017] The validity determination unit (22) may determine that the photographed image is not an image of the user himself / herself if the face of the customer in the photographed image does not match the registered face.

[0018] This configuration can also prevent, for example, an act of taking an image of another person with less plaque in order to obtain points or benefits.

[0019] The image analysis unit (23) may execute the steps of identifying a tooth range from the captured image, binarizing the identified tooth range based on gradation, and identifying a plaque remaining range from the binarized image.

[0020] According to this configuration, the range of teeth and the range of plaque can be identified from the captured image, and a numerical value indicating the degree of plaque removal, which will be described later, can be obtained.

[0021] The plaque removal degree calculation unit (24) may calculate a plaque area ratio, which is the area ratio of the area of ​​remaining plaque to the area of ​​the teeth, as a numerical value indicating the degree of plaque removal.

[0022] According to this configuration, the plaque area ratio is a numerical value that indicates the degree of plaque removal and is easy for the user to understand, so it is expected to have the effect of increasing motivation to brush one's teeth.

[0023] The point management unit (25) may refer to a plaque remaining degree point conversion table (28) stored in a database (27) in the server (20), award points to the user based on the numerical value indicating the degree of plaque removal and the plaque remaining degree point conversion table (28), update the point balance in the user file (29) stored in the database (27), and notify the user terminal of the awarded points and the point balance.

[0024] According to this configuration, the points earned by sending a photo and the remaining points can be immediately known, thereby improving convenience for the user.

[0025] The benefit management unit (26) may refer to a benefit list (30) stored in a database (27) in the server, notify the user terminal (10) of the benefits that can be used with the point balance, and, in response to a request from the user terminal (10) to use a benefit, send electronic information that enables the benefit to be used to the user terminal (10), and subtract the used points from the point balance of the user file (29) stored in the database (27).

[0026] According to this configuration, the user can immediately use the benefits according to the point balance, which can increase the motivation of the user to brush their teeth.

[0027] The tooth brushing habit formation support method of the present invention is a method for supporting the user of a user terminal (10) in forming a tooth brushing habit using a server (20) connected to the user terminal via a network, and includes the steps of: the user terminal (10) photographing the inside of the user's oral cavity after staining with a plaque stain and brushing the teeth to obtain a photographed image; the server (20) determining whether the photographed image is an image of the user photographed in a correct manner at a predetermined time interval or more from the previous photograph; the server (20) determining the extent of teeth and the extent of remaining plaque from the photographed image; the server (20) calculating a numerical value indicating the degree of plaque removal from the extent of teeth and the extent of remaining plaque; the server awarding points to the user based on the numerical value indicating the degree of plaque removal; and the server (20) awarding a benefit according to the points.

[0028] According to this method, points are awarded to the user depending on the degree of plaque removal, and benefits are given according to the points, thereby increasing customer motivation.

[0029] According to the tooth brushing habit formation support system and tooth brushing habit formation support method of the present invention, points are awarded to users based on the degree of plaque removal, and benefits are given according to the points, which increases customer motivation and helps to develop proper tooth brushing habits.

[0030] Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a toothbrushing habit formation support system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 8 is a sequence diagram showing the communication procedures of the toothbrushing habit formation support system of Fig. 1. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing of an effectiveness determination unit. Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing of an image analysis unit and a plaque removal degree calculation unit. Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing of a point management unit. Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing of a benefit management unit. Fig. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a toothbrushing habit formation support system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 14 is a sequence diagram showing the communication procedures of the toothbrushing habit formation support system of Fig. 7.

[0031]

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. (First Embodiment) Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a toothbrushing habit formation support system according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a sequence diagram showing the communication procedure of this toothbrushing habit formation support system. The toothbrushing habit formation support system 1 shown in Fig. 1 includes a user terminal 10 and a server 20 connected to this user terminal 10 via a network.

[0032] The user terminal 10 is a device equipped with a camera 11 capable of taking photographs and a communication unit 12 capable of connecting to a network, such as a smartphone or tablet terminal. The camera 11 is a device capable of photographing the user's oral cavity and acquiring the photographed image. Since the presence or absence of a pink colorant in the user's oral cavity is to be determined, a color photographing function is required. In this embodiment, the photographed image is a still image, but the system may also accept video.

[0033] The communication unit 12 is a device that transmits captured images to a server 20 (described later) and is capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from the server 20. The communication unit 12 may be a device that performs wired communication by connecting a LAN cable or the like, but from the standpoint of usability, it is desirable that the communication unit 12 is capable of wireless communication such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), LTE, or 5G. The user terminal 10 further includes a display unit and operation unit such as a touch panel 13, a CPU (not shown) for operation control, a memory (not shown) that stores operation programs, a memory (not shown) that saves data, and the like.

[0034] The server 20 is a device that analyzes photographed images of the user's oral cavity received from the user terminal 10, calculates the degree of plaque removal, awards points to the user, and, upon request by the user, awards a special benefit to the user in exchange for the points. The server 20 includes a communication unit 21, a validity determination unit 22, an image analysis unit 23, a plaque removal degree calculation unit 24, a point management unit 25, and a special benefit management unit 26. In this embodiment, all of these units except the communication unit 21 are configured as programs that operate a CPU. The server 20 further includes a display unit and an operation unit (not shown), a CPU (not shown) for operation control, a memory (not shown) for storing operation programs, a database 27 for saving data, etc.

[0035] The communication unit 21 is a device that can receive captured images from the user terminal 10 and can transmit and receive data to and from the user terminal 10. The communication unit 21 may be a device that performs wired communication by connecting a LAN cable or the like, or may be a device that can perform wireless communication such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), LTE, or 5G.

[0036] The validity determination unit 22 is a program that determines whether the captured image received from the user terminal 10 is an image of the user taken in a correct manner at a predetermined interval or more from the previous capture. As shown in FIG. 3 , the validity determination unit 22 first checks the metadata of the file of the received captured image to determine whether it was taken at a predetermined interval or more from the previous capture. This is to prevent the user from earning points by sending images more frequently than necessary. For example, the interval may be set to six hours or more so that images can be taken three times a day while brushing teeth after meals. Alternatively, the number of transmissions may be further limited to three times a day.

[0037] The validity determination unit 22 then checks whether the teeth are sufficiently visible in the captured image, and if not, determines that the image was not captured correctly. The recognition of the teeth in the captured image can be performed using a known image recognition method using AI, for example. This configuration can prevent erroneous determination of the degree of brushing due to, for example, the mouth not being open enough.

[0038] If the area of ​​the stained portion in the captured image is smaller than a predetermined value, the validity determination unit 22 determines that the image was not captured correctly. Because some stained portion may occur even when the teeth are clean, if the stained portion is extremely small, it is likely that some procedural error occurred. This configuration can prevent erroneous determination of the degree of brushing due to, for example, forgetting to stain the oral cavity.

[0039] In this embodiment, the validity determination unit 22 determines that the captured image is not an image of the user if the tooth shape in the captured image does not match the tooth shape of the registered user. This match determination also uses, for example, a known image recognition technology using AI. This configuration can prevent, for example, attempts to obtain points or benefits by capturing an image of another person with less plaque. However, without being limited to this function, the validity determination unit 22 may, for example, capture a photo of the user's entire face as an identity verification operation, and determine that the captured image is not an image of the user if the customer's face in the captured image does not match the registered face. This configuration can also prevent, for example, attempts to obtain points or benefits by capturing an image of another person with less plaque. Alternatively, the user may be trusted and the captured image may be determined to be an image of the user if the login ID and password entered when logging in to the server are correct.

[0040] The image analysis unit 23 is a program that determines the tooth area and the remaining plaque area from the captured image. As shown in FIG. 4 , the image analysis unit 23 executes the following steps: identifying the tooth area from the captured image; binarizing the identified tooth area based on gradation; and identifying the remaining plaque area from the binarized image. This step of identifying the tooth area can be performed using, for example, a known image recognition method using AI. The tooth area information obtained by the processing of the validity determination unit 22 described above may also be used. In the step of binarizing the identified tooth area based on gradation, the RGB gradation of each pixel is filtered with the pink dye color, and then binarized by applying a predetermined threshold. This results in a binarized image in which each pixel in the colored portion of the tooth area is represented by a value of 1 (white in FIG. 4 ) and each pixel in the uncolored portion is represented by a value of 0 (black in FIG. 4 ). Note that this binarized image may also use the information on the colored portion obtained by the processing of the validity determination unit 22 described above. According to this configuration, the range of teeth and the range of plaque can be identified from the captured image, and a numerical value indicating the degree of plaque removal, which will be described later, can be obtained.

[0041] The plaque removal degree calculation unit 24 is a program that calculates a numerical value indicating the degree of plaque removal from the tooth area and the remaining plaque area. As shown in the lower part of Figure 4, in this embodiment, the plaque removal degree calculation unit 24 calculates the area (number of pixels) of each of the tooth area and the remaining plaque area obtained by the image analysis unit 23, and calculates a plaque area ratio, which is the area ratio of the remaining plaque area to the tooth area, and uses this as a numerical value indicating the degree of plaque removal. The plaque area ratio is a numerical value that is easy for the user to understand as a numerical value indicating the degree of plaque removal, and is therefore expected to have the effect of increasing motivation to brush their teeth.

[0042] The point management unit 25 is a program that awards points to users based on a numerical value indicating the degree of plaque removal. As shown in FIG. 5 , the point management unit 25 references a plaque remaining level point conversion table 28 stored in a database 27 in the server 20 and awards points to users based on the numerical value indicating the degree of plaque removal and the plaque remaining level point conversion table 28. In the plaque remaining level point conversion table 28 of this embodiment, the awarded points increase stepwise as the degree of plaque remaining decreases. However, this configuration is not limited to this, and a certain number of points may be awarded when the degree of plaque remaining falls below a certain target value, or the awarded points may increase linearly as the degree of plaque remaining decreases. The point management unit 25 also updates the point balance in the user file 29 stored in the database in the server and notifies the user terminal of the awarded points and the point balance. This configuration allows the user to immediately know the points earned and the point balance for sending a photo, thereby improving user convenience.

[0043] The reward management unit 26 is a program that grants rewards based on points. As shown in FIG. 6 , when the user terminal 10 requests reward information that can be used with the current point balance, the reward management unit 26 references a reward list 30 stored in the database 27 of the server 20, which lists rewards available for each point, and notifies the user terminal 10 of the available rewards. Furthermore, when the user terminal 10 requests the use of a reward, the reward management unit 26 transmits electronic information enabling the use of the reward to the user terminal 10 and subtracts the used points from the point balance in the user file 29. Examples of the electronic information enabling the use of the reward include a password for purchasing products, train tickets, airline tickets, and hotel vouchers from a website, or points for a general-purpose reward service. This configuration allows the user to immediately use rewards based on the point balance, thereby increasing the user's motivation to brush their teeth.

[0044] Next, a description will be given of a tooth brushing habit formation support method using the tooth brushing habit formation support system 1 of this embodiment configured as described above. Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing the tooth brushing habit formation support method.

[0045] First, the user terminal 10 photographs the inside of the user's oral cavity after staining with a plaque staining agent and brushing the teeth to obtain a photographed image. The user may start a dedicated app pre-installed on the user terminal 10 and take a photograph according to the instructions of the app. In this case, only the plaque area in the user's oral cavity is stained, and the extent of the plaque presence can be determined from the size of the stained area.

[0046] Next, the user terminal 10 transmits the captured image to the server 20 in response to an operation by the user.

[0047] When the server 20 receives a captured image, the validity determination unit 22 determines whether the captured image is an image of the user captured in a correct manner at a predetermined interval or more from the previous capture. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 3, the validity determination unit 22 checks whether the time interval since the previous capture has passed, whether the teeth are sufficiently visible, whether there are a predetermined number of discolored areas or more, whether the tooth shape matches the pre-registered tooth shape of the user, etc. If the captured image does not meet these requirements, the validity determination unit 22 notifies the user terminal 10 that the captured image is invalid, and no further processing is performed.

[0048] Next, the image analysis unit 23 of the server 20 identifies the tooth range from the captured image, as shown in Figure 4, and then binarizes the image of this tooth range based on gradation, thereby determining the remaining plaque range.

[0049] Next, the plaque removal degree calculation unit 24 of the server 20 calculates the area of ​​each of the tooth area and the plaque remaining area, as shown in the lower part of Figure 4, and calculates the plaque area ratio, which is the area ratio of the plaque remaining area to the tooth area, and uses this as a numerical value indicating the degree of plaque removal.

[0050] Next, the point management unit 25 of the server 20 refers to the plaque remaining degree point conversion table 28 in the database 27 in the server 20, and awards points to the user based on the numerical value indicating the degree of plaque removal, as shown in Figure 5. The point management unit 25 further updates the point balance in the user file 29 stored in the database 27, and notifies the user terminal 10 of the awarded points and the point balance.

[0051] The user terminal 10 displays the awarded points and the remaining points notified by the point management unit 25 on the touch panel 13. If the user wants to know what benefits can be used with the current points, the user follows the instructions of the app to request a list of available benefits from the server 20.

[0052] Upon receiving this request, the privilege management unit 26 of the server 20 refers to a privilege list 30 stored in the database 27 of the server 20, which shows the available privileges for each point, as shown in Figure 6, and notifies the user terminal 10 of the privileges that can be used with the current point balance.

[0053] The user terminal 10 displays a list of available benefits notified by the benefit management unit 26 on the touch panel 13. When the user wishes to use a benefit, the user requests the use of the benefit from the server 20 in accordance with instructions in the app.

[0054] Upon receiving the request to use the benefit, the benefit management unit 26 transmits electronic information that enables the benefit to be used to the user terminal 10 and subtracts the used points from the point balance in the user file 29 .

[0055] The electronic information that enables the use of these benefits may be, for example, a password for purchasing products, train tickets, airline tickets, hotel vouchers, etc. from a website, or points from a general-purpose point service, etc. The user accesses the relevant website by following the instructions in the app and receives the benefit of the product, etc. In this way, the benefit can be immediately used according to the point balance, which increases the user's motivation to brush their teeth.

[0056] (Second embodiment) In this embodiment, the effectiveness determination unit 22, image analysis unit 23, and plaque removal degree calculation unit 24 in the tooth brushing habit support system 1 of the first embodiment are provided in the user terminal 10 (110 in this embodiment) instead of the server 20 (120 in this embodiment). The other configurations of this embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, and similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described in detail.

[0057] Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a toothbrushing habit formation support system 2 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 8 is a sequence diagram showing a communication procedure of this toothbrushing habit formation support system 2. In this toothbrushing habit formation support system 2, instead of transmitting images of the user's oral cavity taken by the camera 11 of the user terminal 110 to the server 120, the validity determination unit 22 of the user terminal 110 determines their validity, i.e., whether the images are of the user themselves and were taken in a correct manner at a predetermined time interval or more since the previous image capture. The images that have been certified as valid are analyzed by the image analysis unit 23 of the user terminal 110, which identifies the area of ​​teeth and the area of ​​remaining plaque in the captured image, and the plaque removal degree calculation unit 24 calculates a plaque area ratio (a numerical value indicating the degree of plaque removal), which is the area ratio of the area of ​​remaining plaque to the area of ​​the teeth.

[0058] Next, this plaque area ratio (a numerical value indicating the degree of plaque removal) is transmitted from the user terminal 110 to the server 120, and the point management unit 25 of the server 120 awards points to the user based on the numerical value indicating the degree of plaque removal, as in the first embodiment. Also, as in the first embodiment, the benefit management unit 26 notifies the user terminal 110 of a list of benefits available with the current points in response to a request from the user terminal 110, and performs a benefit issuance process upon receiving a request to use a benefit. This configuration also awards points to the user based on the degree of plaque removal and provides benefits according to the points, thereby increasing customer motivation and encouraging proper tooth brushing habits. Furthermore, the amount of communication between the user terminal and the server is reduced, which has the advantage of saving on communication fees.

[0059] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims and the technical ideas described in the specification and drawings. For example, in the above embodiments, the plaque area ratio, which is the area ratio of the area of ​​plaque remaining to the area of ​​the teeth, is used as a numerical value indicating the degree of plaque removal, but the present invention is not limited to this and, for example, the number of observation points where plaque was present among several observation points on the teeth may be used.

[0060] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the method of issuing a benefit is to send electronic information that enables the benefit to be used to the user terminal 10, but a method of mailing a service voucher or product directly to the user may also be used.

Claims

1. A tooth brushing habit formation support system including a server connected to a user terminal via a network, wherein the user terminal includes: a camera that photographs the user's oral cavity to obtain the photographed image; and a communication unit that transmits the photographed image; the server includes: a communication unit that receives the photographed image; a validity determination unit that determines whether the photographed image is an image of the user photographed in a correct manner and at a predetermined time interval or more since the previous photograph; an image analysis unit that determines the extent of teeth and remaining plaque from the photographed image; a plaque removal degree calculation unit that calculates a numerical value indicating the degree of plaque removal from the extent of teeth and remaining plaque; a point management unit that awards points to the user based on the numerical value indicating the degree of plaque removal; and a reward management unit that awards rewards according to the points.

2. A tooth brushing habit formation support system including a server connected to a user terminal via a network, wherein the user terminal includes: a camera that photographs the user's oral cavity to obtain the photographed image; a validity determination unit that determines whether the photographed image is of the user photographed in a correct manner and at a predetermined time interval or more since the previous photograph; an image analysis unit that determines the extent of teeth and the extent of remaining plaque from the photographed image; a plaque removal degree calculation unit that calculates a numerical value indicating the degree of plaque removal from the extent of teeth and the extent of remaining plaque; and a communication unit that transmits the numerical value indicating the degree of plaque removal; and the server includes: a point management unit that awards points to the user based on the numerical value indicating the degree of plaque removal, and a reward management unit that awards rewards according to the points.

3. A tooth brushing habit support system as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the validity determination unit determines that the photograph was not taken in the correct manner if the teeth are not sufficiently visible in the captured image.

4. A tooth brushing habit support system as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the validity determination unit determines that the image was not taken in the correct manner if the area of ​​the colored portion in the captured image is smaller than a predetermined value.

5. A tooth brushing habit support system as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the validity determination unit determines that the captured image is not an image of the user himself / herself if the shape of the teeth in the captured image does not match the shape of the teeth of the registered user.

6. A tooth brushing habit support system as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the validity determination unit determines that the captured image is not an image of the user himself / herself if the customer's face in the captured image does not match the registered face.

7. A tooth brushing habit support system as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the image analysis unit executes the steps of identifying the tooth range from the captured image, binarizing the identified tooth range based on gradation, and identifying the remaining plaque range from the binarized image.

8. A tooth brushing habit support system as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the plaque removal degree calculation unit calculates a plaque area ratio, which is the area ratio of the area of ​​remaining plaque to the area of ​​the teeth, as a numerical value indicating the degree of plaque removal.

9. A tooth brushing habit support system as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the point management unit refers to a plaque remaining degree point conversion table stored in a database in the server, awards points to the user based on the numerical value indicating the degree of plaque removal and the plaque remaining degree point conversion table, updates the point balance in the user file stored in the database, and notifies the user terminal of the awarded points and point balance.

10. A tooth brushing habit support system as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the benefit management unit refers to a benefit list stored in a database in the server, notifies the user terminal of the benefits that can be used with the point balance, and, in response to a request from the user terminal to use a benefit, sends electronic information to the user terminal that enables the benefit to be used, and subtracts the points used from the point balance of the user file stored in the database.

11. A method for supporting a user of a user terminal in developing a tooth brushing habit using a server connected to the user terminal via a network, comprising: a step in which the user terminal photographs the inside of the user's oral cavity after staining with plaque stain and brushing the teeth to obtain a photographed image; a step in which the server determines whether the photographed image is of the user himself / herself photographed in a correct manner and at a predetermined time interval or more since the previous photograph; a step in which the server determines the extent of teeth and remaining plaque from the photographed image; a step in which the server calculates a numerical value indicating the degree of plaque removal from the extent of teeth and remaining plaque; a step in which the server awards points to the user based on the numerical value indicating the degree of plaque removal; and a step in which the server awards a bonus according to the points.

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