Flosser attachment for dental tools

Abstract

The dental flosser includes a flosser member configured to secure a portion of dental floss. The flosser member includes a shoulder portion having a hinge and two arms coupled to the shoulder portion, each arm configured to secure a respective end of the portion of dental floss. The flosser also includes an adjusting body coupled to the flosser member, whereby linear movement of the adjusting body articulates the arms of the flosser member about the hinge.

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 991,224, filed March 18, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to devices for oral care, including manual care associated with orthodontics. The devices of the present disclosure may also find use for users who do not practice orthodontics.

[0003] Orthodontic treatment appliances, such as braces and fixed appliances, can be difficult or even impossible for users (e.g., people who wear the treatment appliances) to clean and maintain their teeth. Even in the absence of orthodontic treatment, existing tools (e.g., tools other than toothbrushes) for spot cleaning of a user's teeth may not be sufficiently reusable or of sufficient quality to meet the user's needs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0004] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a double-ended dental tool having an accessory tool. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the exemplary double-ended dental tool of FIG. 1 without any accessory tools. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a side view of the exemplary double-ended dental tool of FIG. 1 without any accessory tools. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partial exploded view of the exemplary double-ended dental tool of FIG. 1 without the accessory tools. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary double-ended dental tool of FIG. 1 with an accessory tool. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a transparent perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a bristle brush tool attachment that may find use with a double-ended dental tool according to the present disclosure. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is a transparent perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an orthodontic brush tool attachment that may find use with a double-ended dental tool according to the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a transparent perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a sealer tool attachment that may find use with a double-ended dental tool according to the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a transparent perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a scaler with a mirror tool attachment that may find use with double-ended dental tools according to the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a transparent perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a scraper tool attachment that may find use with a double-ended dental tool according to the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a transparent perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a scraper with a mirror tool attachment that may find use with a double-ended dental tool according to the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a transparent perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a mirror tool that may find use with double-ended dental tools according to the present disclosure. [Figure 13] 13 is a bottom perspective view of the mirror tool attachment of FIG. 12. FIG. [Figure 14] 14 is a top view of the orthodontic brush tool attachment of FIG. 7. FIG. [Figure 15] 15 is a cross-sectional view of the sealer tool attachment of FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an exemplary double-ended dental tool including an exemplary flosser attachment and an exemplary brush attachment. [Figure 17] 17A, 17B, and 17C are perspective views of an exemplary flosser attachment in a neutral position, a rearward position, and a forward position, respectively. [Figure 18] 18A, 18B, and 18C are various views of the flosser member of an exemplary flosser attachment, respectively. [Figure 19] 19A and 19B are perspective views of a portion of an exemplary flosser attachment, with certain exterior components shown semi-transparently. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an exemplary adjustment portion and an exemplary flosser member of an exemplary flosser attachment. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a portion of a housing for a flosser attachment. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a top view of the adjustment portion of the flosser attachment. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a top view of the components including the housing portion of FIG. 21, the adjustment portion of FIG. 22, and the flosser member. [Figure 24] 24A and 24B show the flosser attachment in an open position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The instant disclosure provides a bi-bridge dental tool for oral care, including cleaning a user's teeth and orthodontic treatment. The tool includes opposing ends, one or both of which can have removable and interchangeable tool attachments, including one or more scrapers, mirrors, scalers, brushes, etc. The tool attachments may be interchangeable to allow a user to configure their preferred attachment configuration (e.g., scraper and scaler, or scaler and mirror, or mirror and brush, etc.). The tool attachments may also be durable, allowing each attachment to be used multiple times by a user before requiring replacement. Additionally, the tool may include a light source at one or both ends for illuminating the attached tool.

[0006] 1-5 show various views of an exemplary embodiment of the double-ended dental tool 10. FIGS. 1 and 5 illustrate the double-ended tool 10 with an attachment, whereas FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 illustrate the double-ended tool 10 without an attachment. The double-ended tool 10 may include a body portion 12, a first longitudinal end 141, and a second longitudinal end 142. A first attachment 161 may be removably coupled to the body portion 12 at the first end 141, and a second attachment 162 may be removably coupled to the second end 142. When attached, the first tool 161, or a portion thereof, may extend at an angle from the body portion 12, and the second tool 162 may extend at an opposite angle.

[0007] The body portion 12 may include an outer cylindrical portion 18 and an inner cylindrical portion 20 (shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) disposed radially inward of the outer cylindrical portion 18. The outer cylindrical portion may define a central longitudinal axis A (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3). References to longitudinal or radial relationships in this disclosure relate to the direction defined by the axis A. The body portion 12 may have an outer surface profile that is substantially cylindrical along the entire longitudinal length of the body portion 12. The body portion 12 may further include switch portions 221, 222 on radially opposing sides of the body portion 12 and on opposing longitudinal ends 141, 142 of the body portion 12. The switch portions 22 may include respective buttons 241, 242 and switch surfaces 261, 262. Each button 24 may operate a respective light source (as described below).

[0008] Although the switch portion 22 is shown and described herein as including a button 24, other switch types may find use in the tool 10. For example, a slider switch, a twist switch, or any other suitable type of switch may be included in the tool 10 for actuation by a user to operate a light source of the tool 10.

[0009] Each end 141, 142 of the body portion 12 may include a respective reduced diameter portion 281, 282. In one embodiment, the reduced diameter portions are part of the outer cylindrical portion 18, as shown in Figures 1-5.

[0010] The attachment 16 may mate with the reduced diameter portion 28 to mate the attachment with the body portion 12. In embodiments, each reduced diameter portion 281, 282 may include a mating formation 301, 302 that may mate with a corresponding formation on the attachment 16 (as described below). In embodiments, each connection formation 30 may be a protrusion on the reduced diameter portion 28.

[0011] The double-ended tool 10 may include one or more light sources 321, 322 (shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) for selectively illuminating the attachments 161, 162. The light sources 321, 322 may be located at the first end 141 and the second end 142, respectively. The light sources 32 may be located within the body portion 12. In embodiments, the light sources 32 may be or include light-emitting diodes (LEDs). In other embodiments, the light sources 32 may be or include alternative types of light sources, such as halogen, fluorescent, or other light source types. In some embodiments, one or both of the light sources may emit light in the visible spectrum when coupled to a power source. In embodiments, one or both of the light sources 32 may emit ultraviolet light when coupled to a power source. The light sources 32 may be positioned to illuminate a working portion of a tool attachment when the tool attachment is coupled to the body portion 12 and the light sources are electrically coupled to a power source.

[0012] The light sources 321, 322 may be in physical contact with the buttons 241, 242 and may further be electrically coupled to respective electrical switches 341, 342, which may be electrically coupled to the power source such that when a user activates a button 241, 242, the electrical switch 34 electrically couples or disconnects the respective light source 321 to or from the power source (e.g., via one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs), electrical contacts, and / or other suitable electrical coupling devices). The power source may be a battery 36 (shown in FIG. 5 ) in some embodiments. In the example of FIGS. 4 and 5 , the first button 241 activates the first electrical switch 341. When activated, the first electrical switch 341 couples or disconnects the first light source 321 to or from the battery 36. Similarly, the second button 242 activates the second electrical switch 342. When activated, the second electrical switch 342 couples or decouples the second light source 322 to the battery 36 .

[0013] The double-ended tool 10 may further include a respective light housing 381, 382 associated with each light source 321, 322. Each light housing 38 may be radially disposed about its respective light source 32. Each light housing 38 may be disposed within the body portion 12, radially inward from the outer body portion 18. The light housings 38 may be waterproof when properly disposed within the body portion 12. Accordingly, each light housing 38 may have a gasket or other sealing device coupled to its periphery to prevent liquid from entering the body portion 12. The body portion 12, in embodiments, may be liquid-tight to prevent liquid exposure to electrical components within the body portion 12. A fluid-tight structure may be provided, for example, by the tightness of the fit between and among the cylindrical portions 18, 20 of the body portion, the battery housing, and the light cover (described below), as well as one or more gaskets or other sealing devices described herein.

[0014] Each light housing 381, 382 may include a respective light-transmitting cover 401, 402 that transmits light from the respective light source 32, such that the light source 32 emits light through the light-transmitting cover 40 to illuminate the attachment 16. In embodiments, the light-transmitting cover may be made of, for example, acrylic. Each light-transmitting cover 40 may be positioned at a longitudinal end of the body 12 such that light is emitted from the longitudinal end of the body 12 when the light source 32 is coupled to the power source. Furthermore, each light-transmitting cover 40 may be disposed within the narrow diameter portion 28 of the body 12 such that the light source 32 projects light from the narrow diameter portion of the body 12. Each light cover 401, 401 and light source 321, 322 may be oriented such that the attachment is illuminated by the light source 32. For example, in some embodiments, the light cover 40 may be angled between 30 and 60 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis A. In some embodiments, the light cover 40 may be angled between 35 and 55 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis A. In some embodiments, the light cover 40 may be angled between 40 and 50 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis A. In some embodiments, the light cover 40 may be angled at approximately 45 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis A. In some embodiments, the light covers 401, 402 may be angled in opposite directions from the axis A, with the absolute value of the angle being the same, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-5. In other words, the light covers 40 may be disposed on radially opposite sides of the body 12, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-5. In some embodiments, the light source 32 may project light at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis A that is the same as the angle between the axis A and the light cover 40 associated with that light source 32.

[0015] Each light housing 38 may include a reduced diameter portion at a longitudinal end thereof radially spaced from the reduced diameter portion of the outer cylindrical portion 18 to define an annular space therebetween. As described below, an attachment 16 may interact with the annular space between the reduced diameter portion of the light housing 38 and the reduced diameter portion 28 of the outer cylindrical portion 18 to secure the attachment 16 to the body portion 12.

[0016] In some embodiments, the outer cylindrical portion 18 may be constructed solely from a thermoplastic polymer, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, while in other embodiments, the outer cylindrical portion 18 may be constructed from a metal or other rigid material.

[0017] The switch portion 22 may be constructed from a thermoplastic elastomer, a thermoplastic polyurethane, and / or other material, and in some embodiments, may be constructed from a softer and / or more tacky material than the material that constructs the outer cylindrical portion 18.

[0018] Figures 6-15 illustrate various attachments that may be utilized with the body portion 12. Specifically, Figure 6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a bristle brush tool attachment 60, Figures 7 and 14 are perspective and top views, respectively, of one embodiment of an orthodontic brush tool attachment 62, Figures 8 and 15 are perspective and cross-sectional views, respectively, of one embodiment of a sealer tool attachment 64, Figure 9 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a sealer with mirror tool attachment 66, Figure 10 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a scraper tool attachment 68, Figure 11 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a scraper with mirror tool attachment 70, and Figures 12 and 13 are perspective views of an exemplary embodiment of a mirror tool attachment 72, each of which may be utilized with a double-ended dental tool 10 according to the present disclosure.

[0019] Any of the attachments 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 84, 90, or other suitable attachments (such as flosser attachments 100, 200, described below) may be utilized as attachments 141, 142 to the body portion 12. In embodiments, the attachments 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 84, 90, 100, 200 may be utilized interchangeably at either end 141, 142 of the body portion 12.

[0020] Each attachment 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 84, 90, 100, 200 may include a base portion 74, a working portion 76, and a neck portion 78 extending from the base portion 74 to the working portion 76. The respective working portion 76 of each attachment 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 84, 90, 100, 200 may include one or more components for observing or treating a user's oral cavity. For example, the working portion 76 of the bristle brush tool attachment 60 may be comprised of a plurality of soft bristles for brushing, the working portion 76 of the orthodontic brush tool attachment 62 may include two sets of stiff bristles separated and shaped for orthodontic cleaning, the working portion 76 of the sealer tool attachment 64 may include a stiff, pointed working tip for cleaning between teeth and at the gum line, etc.

[0021] The base portion 74 may define a longitudinal opening 80. As shown in Figures 5, 13, and 15, an inner surface of the base portion 74 may include a receiving formation 82 or other mating structure complementary to a mating structure on the body portion 12, such as a protrusion 30. The base portion 74, and thus the attachment 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 84, 90, 100, 200, may be coupled to the body portion 12 by inserting the base portion 74 over the longitudinal end of the body portion 12 such that at least a portion of the reduced diameter portion 28 of the body portion 12 (e.g., the light housing 38) extends into and at least partially through the longitudinal opening 80 of the base portion 74, as shown in Figure 5. Note that the base portion 74 may be secured to the body portion by coupling (e.g., snap-fit) between the receiving formation 82 and the protrusion 30, or by frictional contact between the base portion 74 and the outer cylindrical portion 18 and between the base portion 74 and the light housing 38. As described above, the outer cylindrical portion 18 and the light housing 38 may be spaced apart to define an annular space, and the base portion 74 may be inserted into the annular space to be held by friction with both the outer cylindrical portion 18 and the light housing 38. When an attachment 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 84, 90, 100, 200 is coupled to the body portion 12, the longitudinal axis A may extend through the opening 80.

[0022] In addition to providing a means for the coupling means and light source 32 to project light onto the working portion 76 of the attachment 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 84, 90, 100, 200, the opening 80 also functions as a safety measure. While the attachments 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 84, 90, 100, 200 include robust features to ensure a secure connection between the attachment 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 84, 90, 100, 200 and the body portion, the opening 80 allows air to pass to prevent choking by the user in the unlikely event that the attachment 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 84, 90, 100, 200 is inadvertently detached from the body portion 12 and partially swallowed by the user.

[0023] When an attachment 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 84, 90, 100, 200 is coupled to the body portion 12, in some embodiments, the attachment 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 84, 90, 100, 200 may be substantially radially flush with the body portion 12. That is, the outer diameter of the base portion 74 may be substantially the same as the outer diameter of the body portion immediately longitudinally adjacent the base portion 74, such that the base portion 74 of the attachment 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 84, 90, 100, 200 maintains the outer contour of the outer surface of the body portion 12, as shown in FIGS.

[0024] When attachments 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 84, 90, 100, 200 are coupled to the body portion 12, in some embodiments, the distal surface of the base portion 74 may be substantially flush with the light transmissive cover 40. That is, as shown in Figures 1 and 5, the base portion 74 and the light transmissive cover 40 may appear to collectively define a substantially flat surface.

[0025] One or more of the base portion 74, neck portion 78, and working portion 76 may, in embodiments, be constructed from a unitary body of material, which may be, for example, a polypropylene material or other polymer.

[0026] In some embodiments, a flosser attachment 100, 200 may be provided on the tool 10 and function as the attachment 14. A first exemplary flosser attachment 100 and its components are illustrated in FIGS. 16-20. A second exemplary flosser attachment 200 and its components are illustrated in FIGS. 21-24B. The first and second flosser attachments 100, 200 share many similarities and should be considered identical except as described below or as illustrated differently. Both flosser attachments 100, 200 may couple with the tool 10 in a manner similar to the other attachments illustrated and described herein, as shown in FIG. 16.

[0027] The flosser attachment 100 may include a movable flosser member 102 (best shown in FIGS. 18A-18D) including two arms 104A, 104B (which may be individually or collectively referred to as arms 104) joined to one another by a lateral shoulder 106, and a portion of floss 108 joined to and extending between the two arms 104. The shoulder 106 may define or include a hinge 110, which may be a nominal hinge in some embodiments. The arms 104 may extend downwardly from the lateral shoulder 106 and, in some embodiments, may be substantially perpendicular to the lateral shoulder 106. An axis of rotation A (shown in FIG. 18A) defined by the hinge 110 may, in some embodiments, be substantially parallel to the arms 104.

[0028] The flosser member 102 may further include one or more protrusions 120A, 120B or recesses formed on or in the lateral shoulder portion 106 that enable the head portion to be removably coupled to the body of the flosser attachment. The exemplary flosser member 102 of Figures 18A-18D includes two such protrusions 120A, 120B.

[0029] The flosser attachment 100 may further include an adjustment body 112 (best shown in FIG. 21 ) including a generally straight neck portion 114 and a pronged receiving portion 116 disposed at a distal end of the neck portion 114. The pronged receiving portion 116 may define two recesses or openings 118A, 118B configured to mate with protrusions 120A, 120B on the shoulder portion 106. In other embodiments, the pronged receiving portion 116 may include protrusions, and the shoulder portion 106 may include recesses or openings. Thus, the pronged receiving portion 116 may have zero or more recesses or openings and / or zero or more protrusions, and the shoulder portion 106 may have zero or more mating recesses or openings and / or zero or more protrusions. The adjustment body 112 may further include a user-accessible button 130 configured for user operation of the adjustment body 112 to actuate the flosser member 102. The button 130 may be rigidly coupled to the pronged receiving portion 116 such that user actuation of the button 130 results in actuation of the flosser member 102 between positions described below. In some embodiments, the button 130 may be rigidly coupled to the pronged receiving portion 116 via the neck portion 114.

[0030] The flosser member 102 may, in some embodiments, be removably coupled to the adjustment body 112 and may be intended for a single use or a few uses before disposal and replacement.

[0031] The flosser attachment 100 may further include a housing 122 including a head portion 124 and a neck portion 126. The housing 122 may be sized and shaped so that a light source of the dental tool illuminates the flosser member (and the portion of floss 108 secured by the flosser member 102) when the flosser attachment 100 is coupled with the tool. The head portion 124 may define a pivot 128 on which the hinge 110 of the flosser member is disposed and about which the hinge 110 of the flosser member articulates. The pivot 128 may be or include a slot in some embodiments.

[0032] The neck portion 126 may define a housing in which the adjustment body 112, or at least a portion of the adjustment body 112, is disposed. The neck portion 126 may further define an opening 132 through which a portion of the adjustment body 112, such as the button 130, protrudes.

[0033] The button 130 may be actuated by a user to move the flosser member 102 between two or more positions. For example, the flosser member 102 may be linearly movable between a neutral position (shown in FIG. 17A ), a rearward position (shown in FIG. 17B ), and a forward position (shown in FIG. 17C ). The flosser member 102 may deflect or otherwise articulate its hinge 110 when moved between positions in response to pressure from the adjustment body 112. The direction of movement of the adjustment body 112 may be perpendicular to the hinge axis of the hinge 110 in some embodiments.

[0034] The housing 122 and adjustment body 112 may have complementary features for securing the flosser member 102 in a desired one of the above-mentioned positions. For example, as shown in Figures 19B and 20, the housing opening 132 may define one or more detents 1341, 1342, 1343 (e.g., one detent 134 for each desired position), and the adjustment body 112 may include a protrusion 136 configured to mate with and move between the detents 134.

[0035] Figures 21-24B show various views of the second embodiment of the flosser attachment 200. Specifically, Figure 21 shows the housing 222 with its cover removed, Figure 22 shows the adjustment body 204, and Figure 23 shows an assembly including the portion of the housing 222 shown in Figure 21, the adjustment body 204, and the flosser member 102. Figures 21-23 show the flosser attachment 200 in a closed position. Figures 24A and 24B show the flosser attachment 200 in an open position to allow the flosser member 104 to be inserted or removed.

[0036] The flosser attachment 200 may include a flosser member 102, an adjustment body 204, and a housing 222. The adjustment body 204 may define three detents 2341, 2342, 2343 at an edge 238 of the adjustment body 204, and an opening 240 adjacent the detents 234 such that the edge 238, or a piece of material defining the edge 238, may flex to allow a protrusion 236 to move between the detents 234.

[0037] The housing 222 may include protrusions 236 that mate with the detents 234. As the adjustment body 204 is slid distally or proximally within the housing 222, the protrusions 236 are moved between the detents 234 (or, more specifically, the detents 234 are moved over the protrusions 236).

[0038] 25A and 25B show the open position of the flosser attachment. The head portion 224 of the housing 222 may include a hinged distal end 238 that opens to allow the flosser member 102 to be coupled or uncoupled from the adjustment body 204. When closed, the head portion 224 may secure the hinge 110 of the flosser member 102 to the pivot 128. The head portion 224 may include a mating feature, such as a protrusion 240 on a movable portion 244 of the head and a recess 242 on a fixed portion 246 of the head, and the protrusion 240 may be secured by the recess 242 to close the head portion 224. The pronged receiving portion 216 of the adjustment body 204 may include a gap 248, and the protrusion 240, or a portion thereof, may extend into the gap 248.

[0039] The tool 10 and attachments 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 84, 90, 100, 200 can provide many functional advantages. First, each of the attachments 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 84, 90, 100, 200 may effectively clean a user's teeth, portions thereof, or orthodontic treatment and / or provide visibility into the user's oral cavity. Second, the attachments 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 84, 90, 100, 200 may be selectively coupleable with the body portion 12, thus allowing a user to customize their personal tool 10 and use many different attachments with a single body portion 12. Third, in some embodiments, a wide variety of attachments may be utilized, further enhancing the customizability of the tool 10. Fourth, the tools available for tool 10 may be sufficiently durable so that a user can use each tool multiple times before the tool requires replacement. Fifth, the ends of the body portion may be curved in opposite directions so that the tools extend in opposite directions from the body portion, thereby allowing a user to quickly and easily flip tool 10 in their hand to use the opposite end of tool 10.

[0040] It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the present embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. Furthermore, it should be noted that references to the "present invention" throughout this specification are non-limiting, and that the limitations of the claims set forth herein are not intended to describe the present invention as a whole. Moreover, the invention illustratively disclosed herein may suitably be practiced in the absence of any element not specifically disclosed herein.

[0041] While the present disclosure has described particular embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to be limited to those embodiments, except as expressly set forth in the claims. On the contrary, the instant disclosure is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, in the detailed description of the present disclosure, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that systems and methods consistent with the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure various aspects of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A dental flosser, a flosser member configured to secure a portion of dental floss; The flosser member is a shoulder portion having a hinge; two arms coupled to the shoulder portion, each arm configured to secure a respective end of a portion of the dental floss; and an adjusting body coupled to the flosser member, wherein linear movement of the adjusting body articulates the arms of the flosser member about the hinge; A dental flosser having

2. 10. The flosser of claim 1, wherein the arms are generally parallel to one another and further comprising: A flosser wherein the axis of rotation defined by the hinge is generally parallel to the arm.

3. 2. The flosser of claim 1, wherein the shoulder portion has a first side and a second side, the first side separated from the second side by the hinge, and the adjusting body coupled to at least one respective attachment point on each of the first side and the second side.

4. 4. The flosser of claim 3, wherein at each attachment point, the shoulder portion has a protrusion or defines an opening with the shoulder portion having zero or more protrusions and zero or more openings; A flosser, wherein the adjustment body has zero or more protrusions configured to mate with the openings in the shoulder portion and zero or more openings configured to mate with the protrusions in the shoulder portion.

5. 2. The flosser of claim 1, further comprising: A flosser having a housing, the housing having a head portion, the head portion defining a pivot, the hinge being disposed at the pivot, and the adjustment body being coupled to the housing so as to be movable relative to the pivot.

6. 6. The flosser according to claim 5, wherein the housing further comprises: A flosser having a neck portion adjacent to the head portion, at least a portion of the adjusting body being disposed within the neck portion.

7. 7. The flosser of claim 6, wherein the adjustment body has a user-accessible, user-operable button, user operation of the button causing movement of the adjustment body.

8. 2. The flosser of claim 1, further comprising: A flosser comprising a housing, the flosser member and an adjustment body coupled to the housing, the housing configured to be removably coupled to a dental tool.

9. 2. The flosser of claim 1, wherein the hinge is a token hinge.

10. 2. The flosser of claim 1, wherein the adjustment body has a generally straight portion and a receiving portion at a distal end of the generally straight portion, the receiving portion being coupled to the flosser member.

11. 1. A dental tool comprising: a body portion having a light source; a flosser attachment coupled to the body portion; The flosser attachment is a flosser member configured to secure a portion of dental floss, a shoulder portion having a hinge; two arms coupled to the shoulder portion, each arm configured to secure a respective end of a portion of the dental floss; and an adjustment body coupled to the flosser member, wherein linear movement of the adjustment body articulates the arms of the flosser member about the hinge; A dental tool comprising:

12. 12. The dental tool of claim 11, wherein the arms are generally parallel to one another and further comprising: A dental tool wherein the axis of rotation defined by the hinge is generally parallel to the arm.

13. 12. The dental tool of claim 11, wherein the shoulder portion has a first side and a second side, the first side separated from the second side by the hinge, and an adjustment body coupled to at least one respective attachment point on each of the first side and the second side.

14. 14. The dental tool of claim 13, wherein at each attachment point, the shoulder portion defines a protrusion or an opening such that the shoulder portion defines zero or more protrusions and zero or more openings; The dental tool, wherein the adjustment body defines zero or more protrusions configured to mate with the openings in the shoulder portion and zero or more openings configured to mate with the protrusions in the shoulder portion.

15. 12. The dental tool of claim 11, wherein the flosser further comprises:

1. A dental tool comprising: a housing having a head portion defining a pivot; the hinge disposed on the pivot; and the adjustment body coupled to the housing so as to be movable relative to the pivot.

16. 16. The dental tool of claim 15, wherein the housing further comprises: A dental tool having a neck portion adjacent to the head portion, at least a portion of the adjustment body being disposed within the neck portion.

17. 17. The dental tool of claim 16, wherein the adjustment body includes a user-operable button accessible to a user, user operation of the button causing movement of the adjustment body.

18. 12. The dental tool of claim 11, wherein the flosser further comprises: A dental tool comprising a housing, the flosser member and an adjustment body coupled to the housing, the housing configured to be removably coupled to the body portion.

19. The dental tool of claim 11 , wherein the hinge is a token hinge.

20. 12. The dental tool of claim 11, wherein the adjustment body has a generally straight portion and a receiving portion at a distal end of the generally straight portion, the receiving portion being coupled to the floss member.

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