Dental device

Abstract

The present invention provides a dental device preferably for infants and small children. A dental device in accordance with the present invention includes a handle portion and a head portion joined by a joinder. The head portion includes a plurality of projections and a plurality of bristle bunches. In one embodiment, the plurality of projections encircle a core in an about 190 to about 280 degree circumference and the plurality of bristle bunches encircle a core in an about 190 to about 80 degree circumference. In another embodiment, the plurality of projections encircle a core in a plurality of alternating segments interspaced with the plurality of bristle bunches. The plurality of projections can include, but are not limited to a plurality of raised wave-shaped projections, a plurality of circular disks, a plurality of circular grooves, a plurality of ribs, a plurality of spikes and combinations thereof.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 703,357 titled, “Dental Device,” filed 7 Nov. 2003.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to dental devices. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Teeth are covered with a sticky film of bacteria, called plaque. Within this film live thousands of different types of bacteria. Of all these many different types of bacteria, one causes tooth decay: that bacterium is called Strep Mutans. [0004] After eating a meal, small crumbs of food are left in mouths. The Strep Mutans bacteria eat these crumbs and produce harmful acid. This acid can attack tooth enamel for as long as 20 minutes or more. Repeated acid attacks cause the enamel of the teeth to break down, resulting in tooth decay. [0005] If left untreated, the decay will continue to progress through the tooth structure until it reaches the pulp. The pulp chamber houses the nerve and blood sup...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0023] A device in accordance with the principals of the present invention provides parents with an improved tool to maintain dental hygiene in infants and small children. A device in accordance with the principals of the present invention also provides small children with an improved tool to clean their own teeth without the need to orient the brush perpendicular to the teeth. A device in accordance with the principals of the present invention provides small children with a tool to train as well, empowering children to brush their own teeth.

Problems solved by technology

The Strep Mutans bacteria eat these crumbs and produce harmful acid.

Repeated acid attacks cause the enamel of the teeth to break down, resulting in tooth decay.

When decay reaches the pulp, an abscess ensues which is associated with tremendous pain.

If there is no food for the Strep Mutans bacteria to digest, then the bacteria cannot create the acid needed to cause decay.

At first, even if there were many advantages to using this new brush instead of the one made with wild boar hairs (which fell out, did not dry very well and became full of bacteria), consumers were not entirely satisfied.

This is because the nylon bristles were very stiff and hurt the gums.

Despite these dental advances, cleaning small children's teeth continues to be a problem.

Many parents assume that decay does not matter in primary teeth because the teeth will fall out anyway, but decay in primary teeth poses risks.

If a child loses his primary teeth too early because of decay or infection, the permanent teeth will not be ready to erupt.

When the permanent teeth are ready to come into the mouth, there may not be enough room.

As a result, teeth may erupt out of their proper positions, leading to malocclusion, crooked or crowded.

It can destroy the teeth and most often occurs in the upper front teeth.

It is caused when sugary liquids are frequently consumed from a nursing bottle for a prolonged period of time.

Breast-fed children may be at risk if fed on demand during the night and especially if the child sleeps with the mother so that nursing can continue at will.

Many sweet liquids cause problems, including milk, formula and fruit juice.

After many attacks, the teeth can decay.

This problem is acerbated when a child falls asleep with a bottle during naps or at night.

Traditional toothbrushes have proved difficult to adapt for use by parents in infant and small children's mouths, even when downsized.

In addition, small children have trouble utilizing traditional toothbrushes to clean their own teeth because of the need to orient the brush perpendicular to the teeth.

Images