Toothbrush Head for Optimized Toothpaste Distribution

Abstract

The present invention relates to a toothbrush head design with modified bristles for optimal toothpaste efficacy. The modified bristles are specifically designed to accommodate an optimal quantity of toothpaste and comprise a central reduction in the length of the bristles defining either a pea-shaped or rice-shaped cavity, depending on the age of the user. This particular design can be combined to any existing toothbrush and, more particularly, to toothbrush heads with various modified bristles. The present invention will improve toothpaste delivery to dental surfaces and, in particular, difficult-to-reach regions. The present invention provides, for the first time, a clear and simple guideline for health professionals as well as manufacturers for promoting optimal dosage.

Claims

1. A toothbrush head, being connected to or connectable to a toothbrush grip handle, the toothbrush head comprising: a face and a longitudinal axis; and a plurality composed of a first and of a second type of tufts of bristles extending perpendicular to the face and each having a length; wherein: the first type of tufts of bristles is located close to the center of the face and to the longitudinal axis; the second type of tufts of bristles is located close to the perimeter of the face; and the tufts of bristles of the first type have shorter lengths than the lengths of the tufts of bristles of second type.

2. The toothbrush head of claim 1, the tufts of bristles of the second type encircling the tufts of bristles of the first type.

3. The toothbrush head of claim 1, the length of the tufts of bristles of the second type being of at least 1.0 cm.

4. The toothbrush head of claim 1, the tufts of bristles of the first type defining a pea-shaped cavity within the tufts of bristles of the second type.

5. The toothbrush head of claim 4, the cavity being from 1.5 to 2.5 mm deep compared to the length of the longest tuft of bristle of the second type and being from 2.0 to 4.0 mm long along the longitudinal axis.

6. The toothbrush head of claim 1, the tufts of bristles of the first type defining a rice-shaped cavity within the tufts of bristles of the second type.

7. The toothbrush head of claim 6, the cavity being about 1.0 mm deep from the length of the longest tuft of bristle of the second type and being about 2.0 mm long along the longitudinal axis.

8. The toothbrush head of claim 1, the tufts of bristle of the first type defining a rectangular cavity within the tufts of bristles of the second type.

9. The toothbrush head of claim 8, the cavity being from 1.5 to 2.5 mm deep compared to the length of the longest tuft of bristle of the second type and being from 2.0 to 4.0 mm long along the longitudinal axis.

10. The toothbrush head of claim 8, the cavity being about 1.0 mm deep from the length of the longest tuft of bristle of the second type and being about 2.0 mm long along the longitudinal axis.

11. The toothbrush head of claim 1, the toothbrush head comprising six tufts of bristles of the first type.

12. A method for effectively dispersing toothpaste on teeth, the method comprising: applying toothpaste in a cavity of a toothbrush head, the cavity being made by extending tufts of bristles encircled by longer extending tufts of bristles; pressing the tufts of bristles comprising the toothpaste over teeth; and brushing for at least 30 seconds.

13. The method of claim 12, the method further comprising: removing any applied toothpaste protruding out of the cavity prior to pressing the tufts of bristles over the teeth.

14. The method of claim 12, the method further comprising: stopping the brushing when the fluoride concentration of the toothpaste over brushed teeth is between 250 to 500 ppm.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the right-side of the TOOTHBRUSH HEAD according to the invention;

[0012] FIG. 2 is a left-side view of the TOOTHBRUSH HEAD of FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 3 is a right-side view of the TOOTHBRUSH HEAD of FIG. 1;

[0014] FIG. 4 is a front view of the TOOTHBRUSH HEAD of FIG. 1;

[0015] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the TOOTHBRUSH HEAD of FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 6 is a top view of the TOOTHBRUSH HEAD of FIG. 1;

[0017] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the TOOTHBRUSH HEAD of FIG. 1; and

[0018] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the TOOTHBRUSH HEAD taken along line 8 of FIG. 4.

[0019] FIG. 9 depicts the spreading of toothpaste along dental surfaces with a conventional toothbrush on the left compared to the toothbrush head of the present invention on the right.

[0020] FIG. 10 shows an example of fluorosis and its detrimental effects on the appearance of tooth enamel.

[0021] FIG. 11 depicts toothpaste applied to pea-shaped versus rice-shaped cavity disclosed in different embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0022] This invention consists of center-modified bristles 20 within a toothbrush head 10 which can be applied to all types of toothbrushes. The modification consists of a central reduction in the length of bristles 20 to define a pea-shaped cavity (approximately 2 mm deep3 mm long) 30 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8. This depression, or cavity, 30 in the bristles 20 allows the placement of the standardized required amount of toothpaste by the user or the caregiver. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, parents will be able to apply the amount of pea-sized quantity of toothpaste, as is currently recommended [20]. For the prevention of tooth decay or of dentinal hypersensitivity, the toothpaste must be distributed to the maximum number of dental surfaces to respect the topical optimal effect. The present invention will optimize the dispersal of toothpaste along dental surfaces to improve dental caries prevention and dentinal hypersensitivity.

[0023] The present invention will solve a professional standardization problem by helping practitioners and parents make appropriate decisions concerning the use of fluoride as part of a comprehensive oral health care for infants, children, adolescents, and persons with special health care needs. [23] Optimal fluoride concentration in toothpaste for fighting caries is set at 1000 ppm [24] but this concentration is associated with dental fluorosis [25]. To avoid that chemical risk, recommendations suggest using concentration of 250 or 500 ppm [25] even though these are not effective amounts to prevent active carious lesions [26]. A longer brushing time progressively reduces retention of toothpaste within the bristles, thereby increasing the amount delivered to most dental surfaces. Although the general consensus amongst oral healthcare professional is that individuals should spend at least 2 minutes carefully brushing their teeth, twice a day, estimates of actual brushing time vary between just over 30 seconds to just over a minute [27] [28].

[0024] This less-than-optimal time spent brushing increases toothpaste retention within the bristles 20, thereby decreasing the fluoride amount delivered onto dental surfaces [28]. The present invention will compensate by keeping the majority of the toothpaste (i.e. fluoride) within the bristles 20 at the starting point and promote an even-spreading by allowing a gradual exit of the toothpaste from the bristles 20 towards the dental surfaces. Thus, the present invention will create, for the first time, a clear and simple guideline for manufacturers to promote optimal dosage.

[0025] In an alternative embodiment, the pea-shaped cavity 30 can be reduced to the size of a grain of rice for younger children. Many parents are squeezing potentially unhealthy amounts of toothpaste onto their children's toothbrushes [18]. Indeed, verbal instructions to limit the dose are ineffective and most parents use more fluoridated toothpaste than is recommended for young children. [21] There is still a lack of awareness of the proper guidelines regarding the selection and use of toothpastes in children [19]. In this alternative embodiment, the central reduction in the length of bristles 20 define a rice-shaped cavity (approximately 1 mm deep2 mm long) 30. Studies have shown that the use of fluoride toothpaste before 6 years old was a risk indicator for fluorosis (FIG. 10) and, more importantly, brushing before the age of 2 years old with fluoride toothpaste increased the severity of fluorosis significantly [17]. Thus, the pea-shaped cavity 30 will accommodate an amount of toothpaste suitable for children older than 2 years old whereas the toothbrush head 10 having a rice-shaped cavity 30 will be suitable for children younger than 2 years old. The present invention will allow parents to easily control and limit the dose for her/his child and avoid irreversible dental fluorosis. [22]. In addition to these health hazards, this specially-designed cavity will prevent expensive toothpaste from going down the drain.

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