Oral irrigation and/or brushing devices and/or methods
An oral hygiene device having, in one embodiment, a unique, peristaltic pump water streaming or jet action; and in another embodiment, a multi-headed toothbrush may also be disposed on the end of a handle on which the jet nozzle or nozzles are disposed.
1. A device for oral hygiene comprising:
an oral irrigation device including an elongated irrigation handle adapted to be held and moved by the user during operation of the oral irrigation device, the elongated irrigation handle having a distal end with a tripartite brushing head assembly; said tripartite brushing head assembly comprising a crown brush for brushing the occlusal surfaces of a row of teeth, a first lateral brush for brushing the lingual surfaces of the row of teeth and a second lateral brush for brushing the buccal surfaces of the row of teeth, said tripartite brushing head assembly further including first and second nozzles positioned between said crown brush and said first and second lateral brushes and said elongated irrigation handle having first and second fluid connections defined therein in fluid communication with said respective first and second nozzles;
one flexible tube portion connected to said first and second fluid connections in said handle; and
a fluid source connected to said oral irrigation device, said first and second fluid connections and said nozzles via said flexible tube portion, said flexible tube portion being in fluid communication with said first and second nozzles;
a peristaltic pump module having a first pump raceway and a first roller;
whereby said flexible tube portion is adapted to be disposed in said first pump raceway, said first roller being adapted to run in said first raceway and obstruct said tube portion therein; and
whereby said first roller is disposed to rotate in said raceway and thereby move the corresponding first obstruction along the flexible tubing portion.
2. A device according to claim 1 , in which said first and second nozzles are disposed in generally opposing relationship to each other.
3. A device according to claim 1 , in which each of said first and second nozzles is disposed at a discrete angle relative to each other.
4. A device according to claim 1 , in which each of said first and second nozzles is disposed at a discrete angle relative to an oral cavity feature.
5. A device according to claim 4 , in which said oral cavity feature is a gum line intersection of a tooth and gums.
6. A device according to claim 1 , in which said oral irrigation device has a guide member connected thereto.
7. A device according to claim 6 , in which said guide member is a bite block used to position the nozzles in a preferred pre-selected position.
8. A device according to claim 1 , in which said tripartite brushing head assembly is movable with said first and second nozzles.
9. A device according to claim 1 , in which said first and second nozzles are movable nozzles disposed in generally opposing relationship to each other.
10. A device according to claim 9 , in which said first and second nozzles are movable relative to said tripartite brushing head assembly.
11. A device according to claim 9 , in which said tripartite brushing head assembly is movable with said first and second nozzles.
12. A device according to claim 9 , in which said tripartite brushing head assembly is movable contrary to said first and second nozzles.