Toothbrush with biofilm-removing touch points
A tooth brush device having bristle touch-points composed of a polymer material (e.g., silicone) provides improved biofilm removal from teeth. The tooth brush device comprises a head with an apex, a base opposite the apex, a front surface, and a back surface opposite the front surface. The front surface of the head includes bristle touch-points arranged along rows. The rows are arranged orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the head extending from the apex of the head to the base of the head. Each of a plurality of the bristle touch-points is a single solid elongate structure extending from the head and is composed of a polymer material. The device further includes a neck coupled to the base of the head and a handle coupled to the head via the neck.
1. A tooth brush device, comprising:
a head comprising an apex, a base opposite the apex, a front surface with bristle touch-points and a back surface, the bristle touch-points arranged along rows, the rows orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the head extending from the apex of the head to the base of the head, each of a plurality of the bristle touch-points being a single solid elongate structure extending from the head;
a shaft extending along at least a portion of the head;
a neck that couples the handle to the head;
a motor casing coupled to the shaft; and
a motor encased in the motor casing that is configured to create vibrations within the head of the toothbrush;
wherein the apex, base, front surface, bristle touch-points, back surface, and at least a portion of the neck comprise a single piece of polymer material.
2. The tooth brush device of claim 1 , wherein the motor is configured to create a vertical tapping motion of the bristle touch-points.
3. The tooth brush device of claim 1 , wherein the motor and the motor casing are disposed between an upper casing and a lower casing.
4. The tooth brush device of claim 3 , wherein the upper casing and lower casing are made of plastic.
5. The tooth brush device of claim 4 , further comprising a top covering coupled to the upper casing.
6. The tooth brush device of claim 5 , wherein the top covering comprises the same polymer material as the front surface and the back surface of the head.
7. The tooth brush device of claim 6 , wherein the polymer material comprises silicone.
8. A tooth brush device, comprising:
a head comprising an apex, a base opposite the apex, a front surface with bristle touch-points and a back surface, the bristle touch-points arranged along rows, the rows orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the head extending from the apex of the head to the base of the head, each of a plurality of the bristle touch-points being a single solid elongate structure extending from the head;
a handle comprising an upper casing, a lower casing, and a top covering, the top covering coupled to the upper casing and comprising the same material as the front surface and back surface of the head;
a neck that couples the handle to the head;
a shaft extending along at least a portion of the head and at least a portion of the neck;
a motor casing coupled to the shaft and disposed between the upper casing and the lower casing of the handle; and
motor encased in the motor casing that is configured to create vibrations within the head of the toothbrush;
wherein the apex, base, front surface, bristle touch-points, back surface, and at least a portion of the neck comprising a single piece of polymer material.
9. The tooth brush device of claim 8 , wherein each of a first plurality of the bristle touch-points has a substantially rectangular cross-section.
10. The tooth brush device of claim 9 , wherein each of a second plurality of the bristle touch-points has a substantially trapezoidal cross-section.
11. The tooth brush device of claim 10 , wherein each of the first plurality of bristle touch-points having a substantially rectangular cross-section is disposed closer to a center of the front surface of the head than is each of the second plurality of bristle touch-points having a substantially trapezoidal cross-section.
12. The tooth brush of claim 8 , wherein the neck couples the handle to the head via an arcuate surface that transitions smoothly from a handle-proximal region that is broader than a head-proximal region.
13. The tooth brush device of claim 8 , further comprising a decorative ring coupled to and disposed about the shaft.
14. The tooth brush of claim 8 , wherein the head is flexible and can bend along its length.
15. The tooth brush device of claim 14 , wherein the polymer material comprises silicone.
16. The tooth brush of claim 15 , wherein the back surface defines a series of smooth ridges.
17. A tooth brush device, comprising:
a head comprising an apex, a base opposite the apex, a front surface with bristle touch-points and a back surface, the bristle touch-points arranged along rows, the rows orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the head extending from the apex of the head to the base of the head, each of a plurality of the bristle touch-points being a single solid elongate structure extending from the head;
a handle comprising an upper casing, a lower casing, a top covering, and a base, the top covering coupled to the upper casing and comprising the same material as the front surface and back surface of the head;
a neck that couples the handle to the head;
a shaft extending along and disposed within at least a portion of the head and at least a portion of the neck;
a decorative ring coupled to and disposed about the shaft;
a motor casing coupled to the shaft and disposed between the upper casing and the lower casing of the handle; and
a motor encased in the motor casing that is configured to create vibrations within the head of the toothbrush;
wherein the apex, base, front surface, bristle touch-points, back surface, and at least a portion of the neck comprise a single piece of polymer material; and
wherein the polymer material comprises silicone.