A method and apparatus permitting arbitrary, relative motions of a distal end of a toothbrush or flosser with respect to a handle with real-time selectable motions. The toothbrush has a handle and a post, with a mechanism mechanically coupling the handle to the post permitting relative translational movement of the post with respect to the handle.

A dental cleaning appliance includes a handle, and a cleaning tool detachably connected to the handle. The cleaning tool includes a nozzle for delivering a burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user, a stem extending between the handle and the nozzle, and a fluid reservoir for storing working fluid. The fluid reservoir is connected to, and extends around, the stem.

A dental cleaning appliance includes a handle, and a cleaning tool detachably connected to the handle. The cleaning tool includes a nozzle for delivering a burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user, a stem extending between the handle and the nozzle, and a fluid reservoir for storing working fluid. The fluid reservoir is connected to, and extends around, the stem.

A dental cleaning appliance includes a fluid delivery system for delivering a burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user; and a control circuit for controlling the delivery of the burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user. The appliance has a first operational mode in which the delivery of the burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user is inhibited and a second operational mode in which the burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user is permitted. During use of the appliance, the control circuit is arranged to effect a transition between the first operational mode and the second operational mode automatically depending on a detected operational parameter of the appliance.

A dental cleaning appliance includes a fluid delivery system for delivering a burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user; and a control circuit for controlling the delivery of the burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user. The appliance has a first operational mode in which the delivery of the burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user is inhibited and a second operational mode in which the burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user is permitted. During use of the appliance, the control circuit is arranged to effect a transition between the first operational mode and the second operational mode automatically depending on a detected operational parameter of the appliance.

A dental cleaning appliance includes a handle, a fluid reservoir for storing a working fluid, and a fluid delivery system for receiving working fluid from the fluid reservoir, and for delivering the working fluid to the teeth of a user. The fluid reservoir is delimited by a wall and a movable member which is moveable relative to the wall to vary the volume of the fluid reservoir. An expansion chamber is located adjacent to the moveable member. The volume of the fluid reservoir decreases, and the volume of the expansion chamber increases, as fluid is supplied to the fluid delivery system during use of the appliance.

A dental cleaning appliance includes a handle, a fluid reservoir for storing a working fluid, and a fluid delivery system for receiving working fluid from the fluid reservoir, and for delivering the working fluid to the teeth of a user. The fluid reservoir is delimited by a wall and a movable member which is moveable relative to the wall to vary the volume of the fluid reservoir. An expansion chamber is located adjacent to the moveable member. The volume of the fluid reservoir decreases, and the volume of the expansion chamber increases, as fluid is supplied to the fluid delivery system during use of the appliance.

A dental cleaning appliance includes a handle, a fluid delivery system for delivering working fluid to the teeth of a user, and a control circuit for actuating the delivery of working fluid to the teeth of the user depending on a received input. For each input, the control circuit is arranged to actuate the delivery of a series of bursts of working fluid to the teeth of the user.

A dental cleaning appliance includes a handle, a fluid delivery system for delivering working fluid to the teeth of a user, and a control circuit for actuating the delivery of working fluid to the teeth of the user depending on a received input. For each input, the control circuit is arranged to actuate the delivery of a series of bursts of working fluid to the teeth of the user.

An oral cleansing device including a handle, a brush head removably connected to the handle at a top end of the handle, a base unit that supports a reservoir to serve as a fluid source, a fluid tube extending from the base unit, and a fluid connector connected to the fluid tube and removably connected to the handle at a bottom end of the hand to connect the handle to the fluid source. The fluid connector includes a magnetic element configured to provide a magnetic attraction to the base unit, thereby assisting in securing the fluid connector to the base unit.