Tooth Protectors

Tooth Protectors title screenshot

Tooth Protectors is a video game developed for the Atari 2600 video game console, representing a unique intersection between gaming and dental health education. Released in the early 1980s, it was part of a wave of educational video games aimed at promoting healthy habits among children. Unlike most commercial video games, Tooth Protectors was not available in stores but was distributed directly by Johnson & Johnson, a company primarily known for its healthcare products.

Gameplay

In Tooth Protectors, players control a toothbrush, tasked with defending teeth from an onslaught of food particles and bacteria. The game's antagonist, a character known as the "Snack Attacker," drops food that sticks to the teeth and begins to form cavities. Players must navigate the toothbrush across the screen, brushing away the food particles before cavities can form. As the game progresses, the speed and frequency of the attacks increase, making the game more challenging.

The gameplay mechanics of Tooth Protectors are simple yet effective in conveying its educational message. By engaging children in the act of protecting teeth from decay, the game aims to instill the importance of regular brushing and dental hygiene.

Development and Distribution

Tooth Protectors was developed during a time when the video game industry was exploring the potential of games as educational tools. Its development was likely influenced by the success of other health-related promotional games, such as Kool-Aid Man and Pepsi Invaders, which were also distributed through non-traditional means.

The distribution of Tooth Protectors was unique, as it was not sold in retail stores. Instead, it was available through a mail-order offer, a common practice for promotional items at the time. This method of distribution limited its availability and has since made Tooth Protectors a sought-after collectible among retro gaming enthusiasts.

Legacy

While Tooth Protectors may not have achieved the commercial success of mainstream video games, its legacy lies in its innovative approach to combining gaming with health education. It stands as an early example of how video games can be used as educational tools, a concept that has expanded significantly in the years since its release.

The game also contributes to the history of promotional video games, a niche category that includes games created for advertising or educational purposes rather than for profit. As such, Tooth Protectors occupies a unique place in the annals of video game history, remembered not just for its gameplay but for its role in pioneering the use of video games as a means of health education.