An apparatus may include one or more manifolds, each including a shell having an inner portion and an outer portion. Each shell may have a first set of outlets in a first wall and a second set of outlets in a second wall that approximately faces the first wall. Each manifold is shaped to accommodate a tooth. A rotating inlet joint, having an inlet channel and a rotating joint, may enable fluid flow into each manifold from the inlet channel at any angle relative to an axis of rotation defined by the rotating joint. In each manifold, the first set of outlets and the second set of outlets are oriented towards a tooth and/or gums associated with the tooth. The inner portion and the outer portion of each shell cooperate to direct fluid flow substantially horizontal to, and then substantially perpendicular to, the fluid flow exiting the inlet channel.

The device of the present invention allows for a method of treating a patient exhibiting sensitivity of gum tissue by treating gum tissue or treating a reflexology zone to reduce pain and inflammation of the gum tissue using pressure pulses or shock waves. The treatment method for gum sensitivity has the steps of placing an applicator head of an acoustic shock wave or pressure pulse generator or source on or near gum tissue or reflexology zone; coupling the applicator head directly or indirectly to an exposed surface of the region being treated; and activating the generator or source to emit pressure pulses or acoustic shock waves to the gum tissue or reflexology zone to treat the gum tissue exhibiting pain and inflammation to reduce the pain and inflammation.

An oral cleaning device (100) including: a nozzle portion (30) configured to direct a plurality of liquid droplets; an actuator (120); a mode selector (130); a liquid reservoir (38) wherein in operation liquid is moved from the liquid reservoir into an orifice (36) at the proximal end of the nozzle; a system (12, 13, 14, 24) configured to drive a plunger or piston element (16) toward the proximal end of the nozzle to create a spray of liquid droplets when the moving air comes into contact with the liquid; a control unit (15) configured to control the system to drive the plunger a predetermined number of times in response to a single actuation of the actuator, where the control unit is further configured to accept input from the user via the mode selector, and the mode selector is configured for the user to select a number of liquid bursts that will be delivered in response to a single actuation of the actuator.

A removable fluid connection fitting for an oral irrigator is provided. The oral irrigator may include a base unit including an opening formed therein, an oral irrigator handle including a handle inlet, a fitting removably coupled to the base unit and seated within the opening formed in the base unit, and a tube in fluid communication with the fitting and the handle inlet. The fitting may include a fitting inlet and a fitting outlet, the fitting inlet being in fluid communication with the base unit. The tube may be in fluid communication with the fluid outlet. Fluid from the base unit may flow through the fitting inlet, to the fitting outlet, into the tube, and into the handle inlet.

An oral cavity washing device according to the present disclosure includes: a nozzle having a flow passage structure including a flow passage that includes an inlet port and an outlet port; and a pump to feed washing liquid to the inlet port such that a flow rate of the washing liquid ejected from the outlet port falls within a range of 200 mL/min to 350 mL/min. The flow passage structure includes a first component, a reducer, and a second component. The first component, the reducer, and the second component are configured to generate cavitation in the washing liquid flowing through the flow passage when the flow rate of the washing liquid ejected from the outlet port falls within the range of 200 mL/min to 350 mL/min.

An apparatus may include one or more manifolds, each including a shell having an inner portion and an outer portion. Each shell may have a first set of outlets in a first wall and a second set of outlets in a second wall that approximately faces the first wall. Each manifold is shaped to accommodate a tooth. A rotating inlet joint, having an inlet channel and a rotating joint, may enable fluid flow into each manifold from the inlet channel at any angle relative to an axis of rotation defined by the rotating joint. In each manifold, the first set of outlets and the second set of outlets are oriented towards a tooth and/or gums associated with the tooth. The inner portion and the outer portion of each shell cooperate to direct fluid flow substantially horizontal to, and then substantially perpendicular to, the fluid flow exiting the inlet channel.

An oral irrigator has a separate high pressure water system and low pressure mouth rinse system to deliver two different fluids to a pick or other accessories. The water system and mouth rinse system are combined in a handle. The pick is connected to the handle. The water system has a blocking valve located in the handle and the mouth rinse system has a hand pump located in the handle. The hand pump sits next to a valve button for closing the blocking valve. When the hand pump is pressed, it presses against the valve button of the blocking valve to shut off the source of high pressure water to the pick. The pressure in the pick drops so that the hand pump can then introduce mouth rinse into the pick. When the hand pump is released, the blocking valve opens up and high pressure water returns to the pick.

An apparatus for providing a pressurized water stream for cleaning gums and teeth. The embodiment includes a base unit defining a cavity. The cavity contains a pump, which may move pressurized water from a reservoir to a tip in fluid communication with the pump. The pump may be secured within the cavity by at least one vibration reduction mount. Fluid may flow from the reservoir and ultimately into the tip to provide oral irrigation and/or cleaning of the teeth, gums, and tongue. The base may include a plurality of footings that elevate the base unit above a surface supporting the base unit. Also, the base may include a basin for receiving a reservoir. The basin may include a reservoir valve initially biased to a closed position and operationally attached to the reservoir, and a tube projection connected to the base unit and opening the valve when the reservoir is received within the basin. The basin and the reservoir are configured to guide the reservoir valve adjacent to the tube projection.

A periodontal cleaning device, including a cleaning head having a fluid outlet for releasing a cleaning fluid and a suction member for suction of a waste fluid, a cleaning fluid source, connected to the fluid outlet, a controllable suction device connected to the suction member, fluid feeding device for controlling a flow of the cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid source to the fluid outlet. The periodontal cleaning device further has a control unit, the control unit being arranged for controlling the controllable suction device in generating a vacuum pulse in the suction member, controlling controllable fluid feeding device in generating a fluid flow pulse in the fluid outlet in response to the vacuum pulse, and controlling the controllable suction means in generating a subsequent vacuum pulse in the suction member, and the control unit being arranged for introducing a time period between the cleaning fluid flow pulse and the subsequent vacuum pulse in the suction member.

A dental cleaning appliance includes a handle and a fluid delivery system. The fluid delivery system includes a nozzle for delivering a burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user. A contact member for engaging the teeth of the user is moveable relative to the nozzle as the appliance is moved along the teeth of the user. A sensor provides an output which varies with movement of contact member relative to the nozzle. A control circuit actuates the delivery of working fluid to the teeth of the user depending on the output from the sensor.