Oral hygiene device

Abstract

An oral hygiene device characterized in that it comprises a flexible tubular body (1) with a closed end (2) and an open end (3) with a reinforcing ring (4), the outer surface of the tubular body (1) having a smooth area near the open end (3) and an active area that includes the closed end (2) and part of the outer surface and is provided with a plurality of flexible bristles (5) integrated as a single piece with the tubular body (1).

Description

Oral hygiene device OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The invention, as the title of this descriptive document states, is an oral hygiene device. It is an innovation that offers advantages previously unknown within current techniques. TECHNICAL SECTOR The present invention falls within the sector of everyday needs, specifically in the field of medical or veterinary sciences and hygiene, and more specifically in the field of dental technique, devices or methods for oral or dental hygiene. STATE OF THE ART The present invention arises from observing that, in the field of daily oral hygiene, there are difficulties associated with the correct cleaning of the dental, gingival and lingual surfaces when using conventional devices that do not adapt directly to the user's anatomy. In particular, it is noted that many known systems do not guarantee uniform pressure or adequate stability during use, which can reduce the effectiveness of debris removal and cleaning action in hard-to-reach areas. In everyday use situations, the manipulation of rigid elements or non-adaptable configurations can generate unstable movements, involuntary displacements, or an irregular distribution of pressure exerted on the oral surfaces. Furthermore, certain devices have structures made up of assembled parts that can deteriorate over time or compromise hygiene, in addition to requiring larger storage spaces and not offering a protected presentation until the time of use. Accordingly, the invention provides an oral hygiene device in which the active surface maintains stable contact during brushing or sweeping, allowing continuous cleaning action by means of uniform pressure on the dental surfaces and soft tissues, promoting the removal of residues without altering the usual way of use by the user. Currently, there is no known existence of any oral hygiene device that presents structural and constitutive technical characteristics equal or similar to those described in this descriptive report, as claimed. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is the creation of an oral hygiene device that provides a notable innovation within its field of application in the current state of the art, the characterizing details that make it possible being conveniently included in the final claims that accompany this description. The invention relates to an oral hygiene device comprising a flexible tubular body with a closed end and an open end, the open end being provided with a reinforcing ring. The tubular body is preferably rollable from the reinforcing ring to facilitate its placement by unrolling. The outer surface of the tubular body has a smooth area near the open end and an active area that includes the closed end and part of the outer surface, and which is provided with a plurality of flexible bristles integrated into the tubular body. This invention offers an effective solution to the limitations of conventional oral hygiene devices, improving anatomical fit, stability during use, and the uniform distribution of pressure on the dental and gingival surfaces. Furthermore, it prevents displacement and deterioration, ensuring more efficient hygiene by keeping the active area protected until use. This innovation is especially beneficial for the comprehensive cleaning of teeth, gums, and tongue, allowing for effective removal of plaque in hard-to-reach areas. Its flexible design ensures even pressure, providing a comfortable and controlled experience. It is also compact and easy to store, improving its portability without disrupting oral hygiene habits. The tubular body is designed with a continuous revolution geometry (i.e., a circular cross-section with evenly distributed bristles) that facilitates uniform expansion around the anatomical support during use and promotes homogeneous distribution of contact pressure. This design helps maintain geometric stability during cleaning movements. Furthermore, the tubular body can be made of a medical-grade elastic polymer material, such as latex or silicone, providing adaptability, repetitive elasticity, and compatibility with soft tissues during mechanical interaction. This feature allows for the preservation of structural integrity after successive cycles of use. Furthermore, the tubular body can have a reduced thickness, allowing the pressure exerted by the anatomical support to be transmitted to the active surface without appreciable loss of deformation. This configuration enhances control sensitivity during cleaning. For example, the thickness can range from 0.05 mm to 0.3 mm, establishing a balance between flexibility and mechanical resistance to tearing or material fatigue. This dimensional ratio improves the overall durability without compromising its adaptability. Furthermore, the reinforcing ring can be shaped as a perimeter ring at the open end, defining a rigid structural edge that facilitates initial handling and progressive unwinding of the tubular body. The reinforcing ring allows for controlled unwinding of the tubular body during application, which can be performed with the user's assistance of a finger, with the device remaining securely in place during use. This configuration ensures hygienic and precise application. Similarly, the smooth area can be located in the third proximal to the open end, creating a soft contact region for handling and positioning prior to use. This arrangement reduces unnecessary friction during application and avoids placing bristles where breakage is most likely. The active zone can then be extended from the closed end to the middle of the tubular body, defining a continuous surface of interaction capable of simultaneously acting on teeth and soft tissues through sweeping movements. This extension allows large areas to be covered in a single operation. The bristles can also be conical or cylindrical, creating different penetration points between interdental spaces and irregular surfaces. This geometry facilitates the mechanical removal of adhered debris. Their tips can be rounded to prevent damage to the gums. Furthermore, the bristles can have a height between 1 mm and 4 mm, allowing controlled flexion under load and adaptation to varying contours without generating excessive pressure. This dimension contributes to the cleaning efficiency. Similarly, the bristles can be more densely packed at the closed end and less dense along the sides of the tubular body, creating a functional gradient between intensive cleaning and surface sweeping. This distribution improves contact efficiency depending on the area being treated. Finally, the tubular body and bristles can be manufactured by dipping or injection molding of elastomer, ensuring material continuity between both parts and avoiding joints or assemblies susceptible to deterioration. This manufacturing process promotes dimensional repeatability and structural hygiene of the device. To use the oral hygiene device, the tubular body is placed on the anatomical support by progressively unwinding it from the reinforcing ring at the open end until the closed end is positioned at the front contact area. The smooth area facilitates initial handling and positioning, while the active area, equipped with integrated flexible bristles, comes into contact with the tooth surfaces and soft tissues during natural cleaning movements. During use, the flexibility of the tubular body maintains the fit and allows the bristles to sweep away debris and perform controlled friction on the oral surfaces, with cleaning carried out through normal movements without the need for additional mechanisms. Consequently, the device maintains continuous contact between the active area of ​​the tubular body and the surfaces to be treated, providing uniform mechanical cleaning through the combined action of the flexible tubular body, the reinforcing ring, and the integrated bristles. EXPLANATION OF THE FIGURES To complete the description being made and in order to help in the better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, this descriptive report is accompanied, as an integral part thereof, by a figure in which, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented. Figure 1 illustrates an overview of the oral hygiene device. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION The oral hygiene device comprises a flexible tubular body (1) with a closed end (2) and an open end (3), the open end (3) being provided with a reinforcing ring (4), and being rollable for easy placement. The outer surface of the tubular body (1) has a smooth area near the open end (3) and an active area that includes the closed end (2) and part of the outer surface, and which is provided with a plurality of flexible bristles (5) integrated as a single piece with the tubular body (1). The monoblock arrangement of the bristles (5) ensures structural continuity and prevents detachment, while the flexibility of the tubular body (1) allows for stable adjustment on a movable anatomical support, maintaining uniform cleaning pressure during use. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular body (1) has a cylindrical configuration, which provides homogeneous stress distribution during radial expansion and ensures continuous perimeter contact of the active zone with the dental and gingival surfaces, improving stability during the sweeping motion. Preferably, the tubular body (1) is made of latex or silicone, providing biocompatibility, repetitive elasticity without permanent deformation and tear resistance during continued use, maintaining the integrity of the bristles (5) as they are part of the same piece. Preferably, the tubular body (1) has a reduced thickness, allowing direct adaptation to the anatomical contour and facilitating the transmission of controlled pressure from the anatomical support to the active area without loss of tactile sensitivity. This thickness is generally between 0.05 mm and 0.3 mm, a range that establishes a balance between mechanical strength and elastic deformation capacity, ensuring dimensional stability without compromising the flexibility necessary for effective cleaning. Generally, the reinforcing ring (4) is shaped as a perimeter ring at the open end (3), providing localized rigidity that facilitates the progressive unwinding of the tubular body (1) and keeps the opening stable during placement. Alternatively, the smooth zone is located in the proximal third of the open end (3), defining a friction-free manipulation and gripping region that allows precise positioning of the device before contact of the active zone with the oral surfaces. Preferably, the active zone extends from the closed end (2) towards the middle of the tubular body (1), establishing a continuous cleaning surface capable of acting on both dental surfaces and gingival and lingual tissue through sweeping movements. In another preferred embodiment, the bristles (5) have a conical or cylindrical configuration, generating different contact points that favor interdental penetration and the removal of debris in hard-to-reach spaces. Preferably, the bristles (5) have a height between 1 mm and 4 mm, allowing controlled flexion under load and avoiding aggression on soft tissues while maintaining drag efficiency. Preferably, the bristles (5) have a higher density in the closed end area (2) and a lower density in the lateral areas of the tubular body (1), establishing a functional gradient where the tip performs intensive cleaning action and the lateral areas perform gingival massage and surface sweeping. Generally, the tubular body (1) and the bristles (5) are obtained by immersion or injection of elastomer, a process that ensures uniformity of thickness, complete structural integration and dimensional repeatability of the assembly. Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as the manner of putting it into practice, it is not considered necessary to make its explanation more extensive so that any expert in the field may understand its scope and the advantages that derive from it, it being noted that, within its essentiality, it may be put into practice in other modes of embodiment that differ in detail from the one indicated as an example, and which will also achieve the protection sought provided that its fundamental principle is not altered, changed or modified.

Claims

1. An oral hygiene device characterized in that it comprises a flexible tubular body (1) with a closed end (2) and an open end (3) with a reinforcing ring (4), the outer surface of the tubular body (1) having a smooth area near the open end (3) and an active area that includes the closed end (2) and part of the outer surface and is provided with a plurality of flexible bristles (5) integrated as a single piece with the tubular body (1).

2. An oral hygiene device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tubular body (1) has a cylindrical configuration.

3. An oral hygiene device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tubular body (1) is made of latex or silicone.

4. An oral hygiene device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tubular body (1) has a thickness between 0.05 mm and 0.3 mm. 5.Oral hygiene device according to claim 1, characterized in that the reinforcing ring (4) is shaped as a peripheral rim.

5. Oral hygiene device according to claim 1, characterized in that the smooth area is located in the third proximal to the open end (3).

6. Oral hygiene device according to claim 1, characterized in that the active area extends from the closed end (2) towards the middle of the tubular body (1).

7. Oral hygiene device according to claim 1, characterized in that the bristles (5) have a conical configuration.

8. Oral hygiene device according to claim 1, characterized in that the bristles (5) have a cylindrical configuration.

9. Oral hygiene device according to claim 1, characterized in that the bristles (5) have a height between 1 mm and 4 mm. 10.Oral hygiene device according to claim 1, characterized in that the bristles (5) have a higher density in the area of ​​the closed end (2) and a lower density in lateral areas of the tubular body (1).