HK1169574A - Dental cleaning device - Google Patents

Description

Tooth cleaning device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a tooth-cleaning device.

Background

Periodontal disease is a disease of the gums that affects the tissue and bone that supports the teeth. Contraindications for periodontal disease include inflammation of the gums in the area around the teeth and bleeding of the gums when brushing the teeth. As the condition progresses, the gums recede and the supporting bone under the gums is lost, resulting in tooth loosening and loss. Periodontal disease is caused by bacteria present in the gums and teeth and can be treated by specific oral hygiene methods and specialist cleaning performed by dental surgeons or dental hygienists. In disease-prone populations, treatment and prevention of disease can be improved if proper cleansing can also be achieved by the patient.

Disclosure of Invention

One aspect of the present invention provides a tooth-cleaning device comprising a cleaning element and a guide element, the cleaning element being spaced from the guide element and the cleaning element being angled generally towards the guide element to form a space between the cleaning element and the guide element, at least one of the cleaning element and the guide element being movable to increase the space so that the cleaning element and the guide element are located on either side of a portion of a tooth, respectively.

The tooth cleaning device passes through the angled cleaning elements to facilitate cleaning between the teeth and adjacent gums. The guide elements are used to control the angle of the cleaning elements relative to the teeth and gums to ensure that the cleaning elements engage the teeth and gums at an angle so that the cleaning elements can clean between the teeth and gums.

Preferably, the cleaning element is provided on a first arm and the guide element is provided on a second arm, the first and second arms being spaced apart from each other. The cleaning elements can thus be easily used with respect to the teeth in the rear of the mouth.

At least one of the first and second arms may comprise a portion of flexible material towards one end thereof, at least one of the cleaning element and the guide element being provided substantially at said end so as to be movable by deflection of said portion.

Preferably, each of the first and second arms includes a first portion at the end and a second portion at the other end, the first portion being disposed at an angle relative to the second portion. The cleaning elements and guide elements can thus be positioned on the teeth at the back of the mouth without the need for the arms to contaminate the front teeth.

Preferably, the guide element comprises a further cleaning element which is substantially angled with respect to the cleaning element. The tooth cleaning device can thus be used on the teeth on both sides of the mouth. The other cleaning element may also be moved to increase space.

The or each cleaning element may comprise a flexible cleaning element and is therefore moved by deflection. The or each cleaning element may comprise a group of bristles. The bristle set may have a generally circular cross-section and be pointed generally at its ends. The bristle set is preferably of the type commonly used in space brushes and is smaller than adult molars, which is adapted for cleaning. The or each cleaning element may further comprise an additional bristle set provided around the bristle set, the additional bristle set having a length less than the bristle set such that the bristle set extends beyond the additional bristle set.

Preferably, the or each cleaning element is provided on a movably mounted cleaning head. The cleaning head may be moved linearly so that the or each cleaning element can be moved linearly to increase space. The cleaning head may alternatively or additionally be rotationally movable, and the tooth cleaning device may further comprise a drive means operable to effect rotation of the cleaning head.

The tooth cleaning device may further comprise a connecting device adapted to connect the device to the handle.

Alternatively, the tooth cleaning device can further include a handle that can have an angled shape to facilitate positioning the cleaning elements and guide elements on the teeth at the back of the mouth without contaminating the front teeth.

Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a tooth-cleaning device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic end view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of the use of the device of FIG. 1 at a set of lower teeth;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a cleaning head and cleaning elements for a tooth cleaning device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; and is

Fig. 6 is a schematic view of a tooth-cleaning device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1-3, a first embodiment of the present invention provides a tooth cleaning device 10 including first and second cleaning elements 12 disposed in spaced relation to one another, the cleaning elements 12 being generally angled relative to one another such that a space 14 is defined between the cleaning elements 12.

In this example, the cleaning elements 12 comprise sets of bristles (bristlesets), but it will be appreciated that other suitable cleaning elements may alternatively be used. Each cleaning element 12 is provided on a cleaning head 16. The bristle pack 12 has a first portion 12a of generally cylindrical shape which is connected to the cleaning head 16, and a generally rounded pointed end portion 12b, similar to the form of bristle packs used in space brushes (Interspace Brush). The ends 12b of the bristle set are smaller than the molars 22, 24 so that the bristle set 12 is adapted for cleaning. Each bristle group 12 has a maximum height of 12-15mm, a maximum diameter of 3-6mm, and a width of 1-2mm across the rounded pointed end portion 12 b.

The cleaning head 16 is carried by first and second arms 18. Each arm 18 includes a first portion 18a at one end and a second portion 18b at the other end. The cleaning head 16 is provided on the first portion 18a and forms the end of the first portion 18 a. The cleaning head 16 is angled generally downwardly (as oriented in figure 2) and away from the first portion 18 a. The cleaning heads 16 are also angled inwardly (as oriented in figures 1 and 3) so that the two cleaning heads 16 and bristle pack 12 are generally angled toward each other and generally downwardly (as oriented in figures 2 and 3). Attachment means (not shown) are provided on the interior of the second portion 18b and are adapted to attach the device 10 to a handle.

As shown in fig. 2, the first portion 18a of the arm 18 is angled relative to the second portion 18 b. This provides a clearance height where second portion 18b is positioned in front of the teeth when bristle set 12 is positioned over the rear teeth, as shown in fig. 4.

The second portions 18b of the arms 18 are connected to each other at their other ends, while the first portions 18a of the arms 18 are disposed in spaced relation at an angle, as shown in fig. 1 and 3.

The first portion 18a of the arm 18 is made of a flexible material which in this example comprises a thermoplastic, but may alternatively comprise nylon. The end of the first portion 18a, and thus the cleaning head 16, can thus be deflected generally outwardly (as oriented in the figures) so as to increase the size of the space 14 between the bristle sets 12. The bristle pack 12 is also flexible and can deflect outwardly to be positioned around the teeth, as shown in fig. 4.

The space 14 defined by the set of bristles 12 is substantially less than the width of the junction 20 between the two molars 22-24, as shown in fig. 4. In use, the bristle pack 12 is positioned around the junction 20 and the device is gently pushed down onto the teeth 22, 24, the resulting force deflecting the first portion 18a of the arm 18 and deflecting the bristles 12 so that the bristles 12 pass through the junction 20 and the teeth 22, 24 into contact with the gums surrounding the teeth 22, 24.

The bristle sub-set 12 positioned inside the teeth 22, 24 acts as a guide to ensure that the bristle sub-set 12 positioned outside the teeth 22, 24 is at the correct angle to clean between the teeth 22, 24 and the surrounding gums. Similarly, bristle set 12 located outside of teeth 22, 24 acts as a guide for bristle set 12 located inside of teeth 22, 24. The set of bristles 12 is thus arranged at an acute angle relative to the generally vertical sides of the crown in use to ensure that the bristles 12 can be located between the crown and the surrounding gums and thus be cleaned between the crown and the gums.

The tooth cleaning device 10 provides advantages over toothbrushes and space brushes by providing bristles 12 at the correct cleaning angle between the crown and the surrounding gums. Due to the known shape and arrangement of the brush, it is very difficult for unskilled users to position the bristles at the correct angle to clean between the crowns of the teeth and the surrounding gums.

The tooth cleaning device 10 can be used to prevent and/or treat periodontal disease. In this regard, the tooth cleaning device 10 has been tested for use in the treatment of teeth having a degree of tooth mobility of 3. With normal cleaning using the tooth cleaning device 10, the degree of tooth mobility is reduced to level 1.

In another example, the cleaning head 16 may be rotatably mounted to the arm 18 so that the bristle pack 12 can be rotated during cleaning in a known mechanical toothbrush manner.

A second embodiment of the present invention provides a tooth-cleaning device, as shown in figure 5, wherein the cleaning element 30 further comprises an additional set of bristles 32 provided around the bristle set 12. The additional set of bristles 32 has a length that is substantially equal to the height of the first portion 12a of the respective bristle set such that the rounded pointed ends 12b of the bristle sets 12 are positioned approximately at the center of the additional set of bristles 32 and extend generally outwardly therefrom.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the bristle pack 12 could be replaced by any other suitable cleaning element. Furthermore, only a portion of the length of the first portion 18a may comprise a flexible material, rather than the entire length of the first portion 18a of the arm being flexible. In addition, it may also be sufficient that the cleaning elements are flexible to allow them to be positioned around the teeth, so that the arms 18 themselves need not be flexible. Alternatively, the bristle pack 12 or cleaning elements move linearly in the cleaning head 16 so that the bristle pack 12 can move linearly into the cleaning head 16, thus increasing the size of the space 14 between them.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, periodontal disease generally affects more posterior teeth than anterior teeth, but the cleaning device 10 can be adapted to clean anterior teeth, particularly by providing less space between the bristle pack 12.

The tooth cleaning device 10 shown in figures 1-4 can be mounted to any suitable handle, including the handles of known mechanical toothbrushes. When a rotatably mounted cleaning head 16 is provided, drive means for the cleaning head 16 is provided in the cleaning device 10, which is connected to a drive source provided in the handle, to drive the cleaning head 16 in rotation in a known manner.

Fig. 6 shows a tooth-cleaning device 40 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The tooth-cleaning device 40 comprises a tooth-cleaning device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention and a handle 42. The tooth cleaning device 10 and the handle 42 comprise a composite body such that the device 10 cannot move relative to the handle 42.

In this example, the handle 42 is angled to provide more clearance over the front teeth, as described above.

Various modifications may be made to describe the tooth cleaning devices 10, 30 without departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, the arms 18 may have different arrangements and may be, for example, substantially parallel to each other and connected at their other ends by a connecting element. The bristle set 12 can be replaced by other suitable cleaning elements. The cleaning head 16 may be oriented at different angles relative to the first portion 18a of the arm 18 so that the spaces 14 formed between groups of bristles or cleaning elements are of different sizes. The angle of the first portion 18a of the arm 18 relative to the second portion 18b may be different than shown. When the cleaning device 10 is provided with an angled handle, the first portion 18a of the arm 18 may be disposed at a smaller angle or no angle relative to the second portion 18 b.

Claims (12)

1. A tooth-cleaning device comprising a cleaning element and a guide element, the cleaning element being spaced from the guide element and the cleaning element being angled generally towards the guide element so as to form a space between the cleaning element and the guide element, at least one of the cleaning element and the guide element being movable to increase the space so that the cleaning element and the guide element are located on either side of a tooth, respectively.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the cleaning element is provided on a first arm and the guide element is provided on a second arm, the first and second arms being disposed in spaced relation to one another.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein at least one of the first and second arms comprises a portion of flexible material towards one end thereof, the at least one of the cleaning element and the guide element being disposed generally at the end so as to be movable by deflection of the portion.

4. A device as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein each of the first and second arms comprises a first portion at the end and a second portion at the other end, the first portion being disposed at an angle relative to the second portion.

5. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the guide element comprises a further cleaning element which is angled generally towards the cleaning element.

6. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the or each cleaning element comprises a flexible cleaning element.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the or each cleaning element comprises a group of bristles.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the bristle set has a generally circular cross-section and is pointed at its ends.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the or each cleaning element further comprises an additional set of bristles disposed about the bristle set, the additional set of bristles having a length less than the bristle set such that the bristle set extends beyond the additional bristle set.

10. The device of any one of claims 7-9, wherein the bristle set is smaller than an adult molar.

11. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the or each cleaning element is provided on a movably mounted cleaning head.

12. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the tooth-cleaning device further comprises a connecting device adapted to connect the apparatus to a handle.