Device to Prevent or Reduce Early Childhood Caries

Abstract

A device for rinsing a child's mouth and teeth comprising a pliable vessel having a front end, a back end, and side walls defining a hollow interior space inside the vessel. The side walls contain a first depression near the front end and a second depression opposite the first notch. The first depression contains at least one front opening in fluid communication with the interior space, angled to face the front surface of the top teeth, and at least one back opening positioned closer to the front end from the front opening, in fluid communication with the interior space, angled to face the back surface of the top teeth. A removable cap to removably close the vessel mounted at the back end. When the vessel is filled with water and the front end is inserted into a child's mouth so that the first depression receives the portion of the top teeth and the child's second depression receives the portion of the child's bottom teeth, manually squeezing the vessel pushes water through the front opening and the back opening to rinse the portion of the top teeth and the mouth without directly rinsing the bottom teeth.

Claims

1. A device for rinsing a child's mouth having top teeth and bottom teeth, said top teeth having a front surface and a back surface comprising: a pliable vessel having a front end, a back end, and side walls defining a hollow interior space, said side walls containing at least one depression near said front end configured to receive a portion of said top teeth, wherein said vessel is open at said back end and narrows from said back end to said front end, wherein said depression contains at least one front opening in fluid communication with said interior space, angled to face said front surface of said top teeth when said front end is inserted into said child's mouth and said portion of said top teeth are engaged in said notch, and at least one back opening positioned closer to said front end than said front opening, in fluid communication with said interior space, angled to face said back surface of said top teeth when said front end is inserted into said child's mouth and said portion of said top teeth are engaged in said notch; and a removable cap to removably close said vessel mounted on said back end; whereby when said vessel is filled with water and said front end is inserted into said child's mouth so that said depression receives said portion of said top teeth, manually squeezing said vessel pushes water through said front opening and said back opening to rinse said top teeth and said mouth without directly rinsing said bottom teeth.

2. A device for rinsing a child's mouth having top teeth and bottom teeth, said top teeth having a front surface and a back surface comprising: a pliable vessel having a front end, a back end, and side walls defining a hollow interior space, said side walls containing a first depression near said front end configured to receive a portion of said top teeth and a second depression opposite said first depression configured to receive a portion of said bottom teeth, wherein said vessel is open at said back end and narrows from said back end to said front end, wherein said first depression contains at least one front opening in fluid communication with said interior space, angled to face said front surface of said top teeth when said front end inserted into said child's mouth and said portion of said top teeth are engaged in said first notch, and at least one back opening positioned closer to said front end from said front opening, in fluid communication with said interior space, angled to face said back surface of said top teeth when said front end is inserted into said child's mouth and said portion of said top teeth are engaged in said first notch; a removable cap to removably close said vessel mounted at said back end; and whereby when said vessel is filled with water and said front end is inserted into said child's mouth so that said first depression receives said portion of said top teeth and said second depression receives said portion of said bottom teeth, manually squeezing said vessel pushes water through said front opening and said back opening to rinse said portion of said top teeth and said mouth without directly rinsing said bottom teeth.

3. A device for rinsing a child's mouth having top teeth and bottom teeth, said top teeth and said bottom teeth having a front surface and a back surface comprising: a pliable vessel having a front end, a back end, and side walls defining a hollow interior space, said side walls containing a first depression near said front end configured to receive a portion of said top teeth and a second depression opposite said first depression configured to receive a portion of said bottom teeth, wherein said vessel is open at said back end and narrows from said back end to said front end, wherein said first depression contains at least one front opening in fluid communication with said interior space, angled to face said front surface of said top teeth when said front end is inserted into said child's mouth and said portion of said top teeth are engaged in said first notch, and at least one back opening positioned closed to said front end from said front opening, in fluid communication with said interior space, angled to face said back surface of said top teeth when said front end is inserted into said child's mouth and said portion of said top teeth are engaged in said first notch; wherein said second depression contains at least one second front opening in fluid communication with said interior space, angled to face said front surface of said bottom teeth when said front end is inserted into said child's mouth and said portion of said bottom teeth are engaged in said second notch, and at least one second back opening positioned closer to said front end from said second front opening, in fluid communication with said interior space, angled to face said back surface of said bottom teeth when said front end is inserted into said child's mouth and said portion of said bottom teeth are engaged in said second notch; a removable cap to removably close said vessel mounted on said back end; and whereby when said vessel is filled with water and said front end is inserted into said child's mouth so that said first depression receives said portion of said top teeth and said second depression receives said portion of said bottom teeth, manually squeezing said vessel pushes water through said front opening, said back opening, said second front opening, and said second back opening to rinse said top teeth, said bottom teeth and said mouth.

4. A device according to anyone of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein said cap is screwed onto said back end.

5. A device according to anyone of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein said cap is snapped onto said back end.

6. A device according to anyone of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein said cap is plugged into said back end.

7. A device according to anyone of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein said vessel is made out of food grade silicone.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0033] FIG. 1 is a perspective view from the front of a first embodiment of the invention, together with a removable plastic syringe that inserts into an aperture in the lip shield of the pacifier.

[0034] FIG. 2 is an elevational side view of the embodiment in FIG. 1.

[0035] FIG. 3 is a perspective view from the rear of the embodiment in FIG. 1, showing the beveled holes on the top of the body wall.

[0036] FIG. 4A is a front perspective view of the embodiment in FIG. 1, showing the aperture into which the removable syringe is inserted.

[0037] FIG. 4B is a detailed view of an alternate embodiment of the lip shield, in which the syringe can be inserted into external tubing attached to the lip shield, instead of an aperture in the lip shield.

[0038] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the pacifier.

[0039] FIG. 5A is an enlarged top view of area 5A in FIG. 5.

[0040] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a first alternative embodiment with a different branching pattern.

[0041] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a second alternate embodiment showing the enclosed channels or tubes on the top surface of the body and with a second alternate design for the branching of the enclosed channels or tubes.

[0042] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view from the side of the pacifier teat of FIG. 2, illustrating the direction of water movement when positive pressure is applied to the syringe.

[0043] FIG. 9 is an enlarged elevational view from the side of the pacifier, illustrating one enclosed channel and its beveled opening.

[0044] FIG. 10 is another top plan view of the pacifier, showing another alternate design for the branching of the enclosed channels or tubes.

[0045] FIG. 11 is another top plan view of the pacifier, showing still another alternate design for the branching of the enclosed channels or tubes.

[0046] FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of the pacifier in FIG. 11 along the line 12-12, showing the enclosed channels or tubes embedded in the walls of the pacifier teat.

[0047] FIG. 13 shows another alternative embodiment of the invention in the form of a baby bottle cap.

[0048] FIG. 14A shows a side elevational view of another alternative embodiment of the invention.

[0049] FIG. 14B is an enlarged cross sectional view of FIG. 14A along the line 14B-14B.

[0050] FIG. 15 is an elevational view from the side of another alternative embodiment of the invention.

[0051] FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 15.

[0052] FIG. 17 is another alternative embodiment of the invention that uses a squeeze bulb instead of a syringe.

[0053] FIG. 18 is an elevational view from the side of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

[0054] FIG. 19 is a cross sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 20.

[0055] FIG. 20 is a top plan view of the device shown in FIG. 18.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0056] The presently preferred best modes for carrying out the present invention are illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 1-16. Referring to FIGS. 1-11, shown is a first presently preferred embodiment of the invention comprising a pacifier having a body 8 with top side (top) 12, a bottom side (bottom) 14, a front side (front) 15 having a port 17 (shown in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8), a back side (back) 16, body walls 6 having an outer surface with beveled openings 7 along said body walls 6 that are angled toward the front 15, and enclosed channels 5 in fluid communication between the port 17 and the beveled openings 7. The enclosed channels or tubes 5 are preferably located entirely within the body walls as shown in FIGS. 6, 8, 9, and 12, for example, or entirely on the external surface of the body walls 6 as shown in FIG. 7. A lip shield 9 is mounted on the front 15 and has an aperture 3 that extends through the lip shield and connects to a port 17 as shown in FIG. 7. The lip shield 9 and the body walls 6 together define an inner lumen 18 (shown in FIGS. 8 and 9). A nipple 11 is mounted on the back 16, and an optional handle 2 can be mounted on the lip shield in the front 15.

[0057] A plastic syringe 1 that is filled with water is preferably inserted into an aperture 3 in the lip shield 9. The syringe 1 is a separate device that is not part of the pacifier. Its main purpose is to push water through the aperture 3, the port 17, and the enclosed channels or tubes 5 so that it can exit at beveled openings 7 located along the body walls 6 near a child's upper teeth when the device is inserted into a child's mouth. The beveled openings 7 are forwardly angled (as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9) so that water is preferably directed forwardly toward the lip shield 9 and the interior surface of a child's upper teeth. The syringe 1 preferably can be inserted into the aperture 3 or a tube 3a (shown in FIG. 4B) located in the lip shield 9. FIG. 8 illustrates the flow of water through the enclosed channels or tubes 5 and shows the beveled openings 7 in the body walls 6 angled to direct water towards the front 15. The enclosed channels or tubes 5 can either be preferably located entirely on the outer surface of the body wall 6, as shown in FIG. 7, with the beveled openings being on the top 12 or bottom 14, or entirely inside (within) the body wall 6 itself as shown in FIG. 9, for example. The enclosed channels or tubes 5 do not extend through the body walls 6 into the inner lumen 18. All the enclosed channel or tube 5 locations result in water flowing out of the body 8 to provide a rinsing effect.

[0058] There are many different branching patterns 13 that can be used with the invention. For example, FIGS. 5, 5A and 10 show a first preferred branching pattern wherein multiple distributaries break off from a single enclosed channel or tube and end in a plurality of beveled openings 7 arranged in a substantially transverse semi-circular convex configuration (“semi-circular convex pattern”). FIG. 6 depicts a second preferred branching pattern wherein a single enclosed channel or tube breaks off into four (4) distributaries, each ending in beveled openings 7 in a substantially linear configuration (“quaternary pattern”). FIG. 7 depicts a third preferred branching pattern wherein a single enclosed channel having a beveled opening has four break offs of distributaries resulting in a total of five beveled openings arranged in a substantially linear configuration (“quinary pattern”). FIG. 11 depicts a fourth preferred branching pattern wherein a single enclosed channel is connected to a plurality of beveled openings 7 arranged in a substantially semi-circular concave pattern (“semi-circular concave pattern”).

[0059] The primary goal of the presently preferred invention is to allow for the rinsing of teeth after feedings, especially at night and middle of the night. Once a child has fallen asleep during nursing or bottle use, and while keeping the child in the same semi upright position in which, the child was being fed, the device is preferably inserted into the child's mouth and the syringe is inserted into the aperture in the lip shield. The syringe is thereafter slowly depressed. It is preferable to pause during the depression so that there is no overflow of water in the child's mouth. One rinse or flush with water should be sufficient to dilute milk (or other liquids) from the teeth and other oral soft tissues. For children that swallow the water from the syringe, a second rinse or flush is preferred. For children that do not swallow the water, a bib or towel should be handy to catch any water that flows out of the child's mouth, and a second rinse should not be attempted. The same protocol can be preferably repeated at each feeding given during the night.

[0060] There are many alternative designs for the present invention, with the main difference being the different branching patterns 13 of the enclosed channels or tubes 5. The branching 13 serves the main purpose of ending in locations that will cleanse (rinse) the front teeth, but may optionally have enclosed channels that wrap around to the lateral (side) or inferior (bottom) portions of the pacifier to rinse the canines, molars, or tongue (not shown).

[0061] FIG. 13 shows another presently preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein the enclosed channels or tubes 5 are applied to a baby bottle cap. The aperture is located in the rim 4, which itself is configured to receive the cap. When a baby is close to finishing his/her milk from a bottle, water can be preferably added to the bottle via a syringe attached to an aperture 3 (or tube) on the bottle to rinse the teeth.

[0062] FIG. 14A is another presently preferred embodiment of the invention containing depressions or notches 30, 31 located in the body 8, in the approximate location of the upper and lower teeth when the pacifier is inserted into a child's mouth. The upper teeth preferably fit into the notch 30 located on the top 12 of the body 8, and the lower teeth fit into the notch 31 located on the bottom 14 of the body 8. The purpose of the notches is to ensure to the predictable rinsing of both the upper and lower teeth. There are multiple preferable designs of water flow through the vertical walls of the notch. FIG. 14B depicts a close-up of the notch 30 located on the top of the pacifier body for clarity purposes and provides an example of how flushing can be accomplished through enclosed channels in the vertical walls of the notch.

[0063] FIG. 15 is another presently preferred embodiment of the invention containing a modified rinsing design, which has a mouthpiece or retainer (mold) 32 rather than a pacifier nipple. The device uses the same concept of flushing with water, but is a better design for children ages 3 and older because more primary teeth are present at those ages. The retainer walls 34 preferably contain enclosed channels 5 which end in openings 36. The openings 36 are not beveled as in the other embodiments, but rather the openings face the top of the device. FIG. 16 is a top plan view of FIG. 15.

[0064] FIG. 17 is another presently preferred embodiment of the invention that uses a pacifier with a squeeze bulb 38, which can be prefilled with water by removing a plastic cap 40 on its end. When the bulb is squeezed, it will perform in the same manner as the syringe in other preferred embodiments.

[0065] Referring to FIGS. 18-20, shown is another alternative embodiment of the invention. It comprises a vessel 41 having a front end 42, back end 44, and side walls 46 all of which define a hollow interior space 48 inside the vessel 41. The vessel 41 is pliable and is preferably made out of food grade silicone or latex, but can be made out of any nontoxic material that is pliable enough to be manually squeezed and also safe enough to be placed in a child's mouth. The vessel 41 is tapered and narrows from the back end 44 to the front end 42. It is also open in the back end 44 and configured to retain a removable cap 50 that is mounted on the back end 44 to removably close the vessel 41. The cap 50 can be screwed on, snapped on, plugged into, or otherwise attached to the back end 44 in any manner that allows for removable sealing of the vessel 41. The cap 50 is preferably made out of plastic, but can be made out of any nontoxic material that can attach to the back end 44 to removably seal the vessel 41. There is a first depression 52 in the side walls toward the front end 42 to receive a portion of a child's top teeth, and optionally a second depression 54 opposite the first depression to receive a portion of a child's bottom teeth. In other preferred embodiments (not shown) there may only be a first depression 52 and no second depression 54. The first depression 52 preferably contains at least one front opening 56 in fluid communication with the interior space 48, which is preferably angled to face the front surface of a portion of a child's top teeth when the vessel 41 is placed in the child's mouth and the portion of the child's top teeth are engaged in the first depression 52. The first depression 52 also preferably contains at least one back opening 58 positioned closer to the front end 42 than the front opening 56, which is also in fluid communication with the interior space 48. The back opening 58 is preferably angled to face the back surface of a child's top teeth.

[0066] The optional second depression 54 may have at least one second front opening (not shown) in fluid communication with the interior space 48, which is angled to face the front surface of a child's bottom teeth when the front end 42 is placed in the child's mouth. The second depression 54 may also optionally have at least one second back opening (not shown) closer to the front end 42, in fluid communication with the interior space 48 and angled to face the back surface of a child's bottom teeth. In embodiments that either do not contain a second depression 54, or that contain the second depression 54 but do not have any second front openings and second back openings, manually squeezing the vessel after it has been inserted into a child's mouth preferably only pushes water through any front opening 56 and any back opening 58 to rinse a portion of the child's top teeth and mouth, without directly rinsing any bottom teeth.

[0067] However, in embodiments that contain a second depression 54 with at least one second front opening (not shown) and at least one second back openings (not shown), the water is preferably pushed through the front opening 56, back opening 58, second front opening and second back opening to rinse a portion of the top teeth, a portion of the bottom teeth and the mouth.

[0068] Preferably, when not in use, the device can be stored in an optional plastic base (not shown) for hygienic purposes.

[0069] In one preferred embodiment, shown in FIG. 20, there are four (4) front openings 56 and four (4) back openings 58, and the front openings 56 and back openings 58 are arranged in an approximate circular formation in the first depression 52. The same configuration can optionally be applied to any second front openings (not shown) and second back openings (not shown) in any second depression 54 that the device may optionally contain.

[0070] While the present invention has been disclosed in connection with the presently preferred embodiments described herein, it should be understood that there may be other embodiments which fall within this spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Accordingly, no limitations are to be implied or inferred in this invention except as specifically and as explicitly set forth in the claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0071] This invention can be used whenever it is necessary or desirable to rinse a child's teeth and mouth after nursing or feeding to avoid tooth decay.