Photocatalyst toothbrush using advanced oxidation process

Abstract

The present invention relates to a photocatalyst toothbrush using an AOP (advanced oxidation process) which is configured such that a light source unit 113 such as UV lamps is attached to a photocatalyst reaction unit 114 coated with a photocatalyst such as TiO2, superoxide anion and OH radical are generated by a photocatalyst action, and the generated superoxide anion and OH radical are collected and are transferred together with external air to an oral cavity by using an air pump 115. In this way, organic substances, such as food, viruses, bacteria, plaque, tartar, etc., existing in the oral cavity are decomposed and removed so as to provide a clean oral-cavity state. Since the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is innovative in the generation and transfer configuration of anion and OH radical and has a simple configuration, the manufacturing is easy.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to a photocatalyst toothbrush using an advanced oxidation process (hereinafter, referred to as an AOP), and more particularly, to a photocatalyst toothbrush which removes an organic substance in an oral cavity by adding a photocatalyst effect using a UV lamp and a photocatalyst and particularly has a sterilizing function, a whitening function, a plaque removing function, and a bad breath removing function. Further, the present invention also relates to a photocatalyst toothbrush capable of preventing external viruses and bacteria, which can be generated on bristles, through an interlocking operation with a toothbrush holder, so as to always maintain a clean state.[0002]Various eating habits appeared with recent changes of lifestyles influence oral health and cause problems such as gum diseases and bad breathe which cause problems in interpersonal relationships, resulting in rising of interest in oral health. These problems r...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0021]The present invention has been made in an effort to provide a photocatalyst toothbrush having advantages capable of being used in the same way as general toothbrushes, preventing tooth wear, unlike electric toothbrushes, being simply used without a vibration phenomenon during use, unlike ultrasonic toothbrushes, and having a sterilizing effect, a plaque removal effect, a whitening effect, and a bad-breath removal effect by using a photocatalyst such as ZnO, CdS, WO3, SnO3, ZrO2, Cu2O, CdSe, and TiO2, and the sun's light, black light, a fluorescent lamp, an LED lamp, a UV lamp, etc., serving as a light source, and adding a photocatalyst effect and an AOP to innovatively compensate partial and inefficient sterilizing power of existing photocatalyst toothbrushes.

[0022]Further, the present invention has been made in an effort to provide a photocatalyst toothbrush having advantages capable of always maintaining a clean state by hanging the toothbrush in a toothbrush holder, capable of just holding the head part of the photocatalyst toothbrush, with the head part of the photocatalyst toothbrush downward and sterilizing toothbrush bristles and the inside of the toothbrush holder by operating the photocatalyst toothbrush during a predetermined time period.

[0030]According to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a large amount of superoxide anion and OH radical are generated, and the generated superoxide anion and OH radical are transferred into an oral cavity and functions to decompose and remove organic substances, such as food, viruses, bacteria, tartar, etc., existing in the oral cavity. Meanwhile, since these processes are performed while brushing the teeth, it is possible to solve the problems of existing general toothbrushes and electric toothbrushes such as poor plaque and tartar removal effect and provision of causes of periodontal diseases according to tooth waste, and ensure a clean and healthy oral-cavity state.

[0031]Further, according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the photocatalyst toothbrush is mounted in a toothbrush holder, capable of just holding the head part of the photocatalyst toothbrush, with the head part of the photocatalyst toothbrush downward, and then the photocatalyst toothbrush is operated during a predetermined time period, whereby the generated superoxide anion and OH radical prevent contamination by external viruses or bacteria capable of acting on the inside of the toothbrush holder and the toothbrush bristles, which makes it possible the functions of a toothbrush sterilizer always maintaining clearness. Therefore, the exemplary embodiment of the present invention has an advantage in which effort and cost for additionally buying a toothbrush sterilizer do not occur.

Problems solved by technology

Various eating habits appeared with recent changes of lifestyles influence oral health and cause problems such as gum diseases and bad breathe which cause problems in interpersonal relationships, resulting in rising of interest in oral health.

These problems result from incorrect tooth-brushing habits.

If neglecting this, plaque and tartar irritate thinned blood vessels in gums, causing inflammations.

Most people don't know the seriousness of plaque and tartar and often do not take measures to prevent such problem.

In addition, nasty viruses may cause systematic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, heart diseases, pneumonia while moving to other tissues and organs of the body through the inflammations.

However, if plaque and tartar are not efficiently removed due to incorrect teeth-brushing habits, etc., the plaque and tartar may cause tooth-decay and periodontal diseases.

However, since electric toothbrushes adapt a rotation manner, there is a disadvantage in which long-term use of electric toothbrushes may cause dental attrition.

Further, if electric toothbrushes are incorrectly used, which can continuously irritate dental roots, a problem in that dental nerves are exposed may occur.

Further, in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 672,979, there is disclosed an electric toothbrush in which a tissue cleanser is added on a surface of a head opposite to a surface, where a tooth cleansing element is disposed, in a toothbrush according to the related art to clean a tongue, thereby adding a bad breath removing function.

However, even though the ultrasonic wave toothbrushes reduce irritation as compared to the electric toothbrushes, there is still the inconvenience of use due to unique vibration of ultrasonic waves as a problem to be solved.

However, among current techniques, a method of directly irradiating an ultraviolet ray may seriously damage skin in an oral cavity, and an indirect irradiation method through toothbrush bristles coated with a photocatalyst has a technical limit in which its effect is poor and has never a huge impact on sterilizing power.

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