Measuring health parameter using tissue recovery time

An oral care device configured to assess a health parameter of gingival tissue of a user, the oral care device comprising:

• a force-generating module configured to apply a momentary force to the gingival tissue by applying a burst of compressed air or a burst of liquid to the gingival tissue;
• a sensor configured to obtain a plurality of optical signals from the gingival tissue over time after the momentary force has been applied;
• a controller configured to quantify, based at least in part on an analysis of the plurality of optical signals, a health parameter of the gingival tissue, wherein the health parameter is based at least in part on an amount of time the gingival tissue takes to recover to the application of force;
• and
• a feedback module configured to provide information to the user indicative of a health condition of the gingival tissue detected by the quantified health parameter based at least in part on an amount of time the gingival tissue takes to recover to the application of force.