We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Menghai Xia about their original and creative Oral Care design work. Menghai Xia is an award-winning product designer, that makes our world a better place with their original oral care works.
Menghai Xia ("MX") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Aquaclean Oral Care. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
MX : The principle behind Aquaclean Oral Care is simplification. Oral hygiene today often requires multiple products — toothbrushes, water flossers, toothpaste, and mouthwash — each producing waste and requiring separate use. The inspiration came from imagining an all-in-one solution where water alone, enhanced by smart technology, could deliver comprehensive care. The hydrogen peroxide generator at the heart of Aquaclean transforms ordinary water into a safe antibacterial solution, challenging the conventional reliance on chemical-based or disposable products.
MX : Our main focus was to merge effectiveness, convenience, and sustainability in a single compact device. We wanted to achieve professional-grade cleaning while reducing plastic waste and unnecessary chemical processing. The goal was not only to create an oral care device that performs well but also to make oral hygiene easier, more intuitive, and more environmentally responsible for everyday users.
MX : Future plans include further refinement of the hydrogen peroxide generator for speed and efficiency, and potentially developing different models tailored to various user groups — such as children, seniors, and frequent travelers. We are also exploring integration with mobile health apps for personalized oral care routines. In the long term, we envision Aquaclean becoming part of a larger family of sustainable personal care products.
MX : The design process began in early 2024 and progressed through months of research, prototyping, and iteration. Altogether, the initial concept to refined prototype took nearly a year. The process included not just technical development, but also ergonomic testing and form factor adjustments to ensure the device was comfortable for a wide range of users.
MX : The origin of Aquaclean Oral Care is really a combination of collaboration and inspiration. On one hand, we had the privilege of working with outstanding technical partners who developed and patented the hydrogen peroxide generator technology. Their innovation opened the door to new possibilities that we might not have reached on our own. On the other hand, our role as designers was to recognize the broader potential of that technology — to see beyond its original applications and imagine how it could transform oral care. In this sense, the project was neither purely commissioned nor purely self-driven; it was the synergy of cutting-edge technology and design vision that inspired us to pursue this concept.
MX : At this stage, Aquaclean remains in the advanced prototyping stage. We are in discussion with potential partners who specialize in oral health products for future production. While we would like to oversee design integrity, we are open to licensing or collaborations that will allow the product to reach a wider audience quickly and responsibly.
MX : We designed Aquaclean because oral hygiene is universal. Everyone has a mouth, and everyone faces the daily responsibility of keeping it healthy. By rethinking such a common activity, we saw an opportunity to make a significant positive impact — reducing waste, simplifying routines, and improving health outcomes. It’s the type of work that directly touches people’s lives.
MX : We were influenced by two categories of products: consumer electronics that emphasize sleek, ergonomic interaction, and medical devices that emphasize precision and safety. Electric toothbrushes and water flossers provided some reference points, but we aimed to go further by blending multiple functionalities into one. In terms of design philosophy, we were also influenced by the idea of “fewer but better” products that reduce clutter and simplify life.
MX : The target customers are individuals who value both effectiveness and sustainability in their personal care routines. That includes eco-conscious consumers, frequent travelers who need compact solutions, and families who want safe, child-friendly devices. Aquaclean is designed to serve a global audience — oral hygiene is universal, and so is the need for simpler, smarter solutions.
MX : What sets Aquaclean apart is its all-in-one approach. While traditional products focus on one aspect — brushing, flossing, or rinsing — Aquaclean unites them through water-based cleaning enhanced by hydrogen peroxide generation. The titanium nozzle with three modes and the intuitive dual-slider system also differentiate it, offering flexibility without complexity. It’s not just a tool; it’s a complete oral care ecosystem in one device.
MX : The name Aquaclean emphasizes the essence of the product: using water as the universal medium for cleanliness. “Aqua” represents the core element, while “clean” conveys both hygiene and simplicity. Together, the name highlights the vision of a product that makes oral care as straightforward and natural as water itself.
MX : We used CAD software such as Rhino for 3D modeling and KeyShot for rendering. Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop were applied for visualization and interface mockups. For validation, 3D printing was critical to testing form, ergonomics, and nozzle configurations. These tools enabled us to move fluidly between conceptual design, technical engineering, and real-world prototyping.
MX : The most unique aspect is the hydrogen peroxide generator, which allows the device to transform plain water into an antibacterial cleaning solution. This innovation eliminates the need for separate mouthwash and chemical products. Combined with the modular titanium nozzle and dual-slider interface, it delivers a truly holistic solution that has never been offered in one compact device before.
MX : Yes, collaboration was key. We worked closely with technology partners specializing in hydrogen peroxide generation, as well as dental professionals who provided feedback on usability and effectiveness. Engineers helped us refine the internal mechanisms, while industrial designers shaped the ergonomic and visual aspects. The final product reflects this multidisciplinary effort.
MX : Technology is at the core of Aquaclean. The hydrogen peroxide generator is its most critical feature, turning water into an antibacterial cleaning agent. The dual-slider interface is another technological innovation, simplifying complex functions into intuitive gestures. The role of technology here is to amplify natural resources — in this case, water — into a complete oral care solution without overwhelming the user.
MX : Yes, the design was informed by both professional and consumer research. We conducted interviews with dentists and healthcare providers to understand the effectiveness of various cleaning methods, as well as surveys with everyday users to assess pain points in their routines. We also analyzed environmental data on plastic waste from toothbrushes, floss, and mouthwash packaging. This combination of medical, behavioral, and environmental research shaped the design direction.
MX : One of the greatest challenges was balancing advanced technology with ease of use. The hydrogen peroxide generator had to be safe for children and adults alike. Another challenge was designing a form factor that was compact yet capable of housing multiple components — the pump, generator, and nozzle system. Finally, aligning sustainability goals with manufacturing realities required careful selection of materials and modular design strategies.
MX : We chose to submit to the A’ Design Award because it emphasizes both innovation and impact. Aquaclean represents a significant shift in how we approach oral care, and we wanted it to be part of an international dialogue about design for health and sustainability. The competition provides not only recognition but also a platform to inspire others in the industry to rethink established practices.
MX : This project reinforced the importance of designing holistically. We learned that oral care is not just about cleaning teeth, but about addressing health, behavior, sustainability, and emotional experience together. Personally, I improved my ability to merge technological complexity with user-centered simplicity, ensuring that innovation does not overwhelm usability.
MX : Perhaps the most important point is that Aquaclean represents a philosophy of reduction. By reducing the number of tools, the number of chemicals, and the amount of waste, we also reduce barriers to better health. It is a small device with the potential for large-scale impact — making oral care easier, cleaner, and more sustainable for everyone.
