Toothbrush/toothpaste fluoride dosing toothbrush, system and method

Abstract

A toothbrush, system and method for use of same are provided to enable a user to deliver a consistent volume of toothpaste to deliver a correct dosage of fluoride to children to avoid fluorosis. It is particularly advantageous to employ the toothbrush which indicates a predetermined length of toothpaste to be applied matched to a dispenser having an orifice of a predetermined diameter so the diameter of the toothpaste applied to the predetermined length results in the correct fluoride dosage.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61 / 565,804 filed 1 Dec. 2011, incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This application relates generally to toothpaste dosing systems, and more specifically to toothbrush dosing systems able to meter the volume of dentifrice (toothpaste in gel or paste form) and fluoride dispensed onto a toothbrush.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends caregivers use fluoridated toothpaste for children over the age of 24 months, but the ADA also recommends children from two years to six years of age have only a “pea-sized” amount of toothpaste placed onto their toothbrush once or twice per day for brushing. Neither the amount of toothpaste nor the frequency of brushing is to be exceeded. Limiting the volume of toothpaste to a “pea-sized” amount is so important, that toothpaste tubes must be labeled with a statement regarding t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The invention relates to a toothbrush, system and method for use of same are provided to enable a user to deliver a consistent volume of toothpaste to deliver a correct dosage of fluoride to children to avoid fluorosis. It is particularly advantageous to employ the toothbrush which indicates a predetermined length of toothpaste to be applied matched to a dispenser having an orifice of a predetermined diameter so the diameter of the toothpaste applied to the predetermined length results in the correct fluoride dosage.

Problems solved by technology

A risk of exceeding 0.25 mg of toothpaste is that developmental problems with tooth structure can emerge.

Dental fluorosis occurs because of the excessive intake of fluoride.

Especially among children, ingestion of toothpaste is a cause of dental fluorosis.

Ingestion of fluoride can severely damage tooth development in children between the ages of 3 months to 8 years.

Excessive fluoride can cause white spots, and in severe cases, brown stains or pitting or mottling of enamel.

The recommendation to apply a “pea-sized” amount of toothpaste is not sufficient to protect children from the dangers of dental fluorosis.

The problem with the “pea-sized” instruction is that different individuals will interpret “pea-sized” differently.

Therefore, the instruction provides no guarantee that the correct amount of toothpaste will be dispensed.

If much less than the 0.25 mg of toothpaste is dispensed, then the dosage of fluoride can be insufficient to be clinically anti-cariogenic.

If more than 0.25 mg of toothpaste is dispensed, then the risk increases exponentially for dental fluorosis.

Moreover, as children mature and begin to dispense toothpaste without parental supervision the problem of dispensing a “pea-sized” amount of dentifrice is compounded, because a young child will be even less likely than an adult to determine the proper amount of dentifrice to be dispensed to equal 0.25 mg of toothpaste.

This can be especially problematic when a child shifts to a larger toothbrush head size after becoming habituated to dispensing toothpaste onto a small toothbrush head.

For example, if the child is used to covering the toothbrush head of a small toothbrush, the child is likely to cover the toothbrush head of a larger toothbrush, thereby applying too much toothpaste.

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