Abstract:
An oral cleaning device for removing tonsilliths lodged within the crypts of soft tissue within the buccal cavity which are typically the source of bad breath and the cause of sore throat is provided. The oral cleaning device includes a body, a head, and a contact member or portion for removing the tonsilliths through the application of pressure in a massage-like fashion. Operation of the oral cleaning device causes the crypts to contract in size which, in turn, causes the tonsilliths to be dislodged and expelled from the crypts.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of the filing date under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/191,853 filed Sep. 12, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    Provided is an oral cleaning device and method for using an oral cleaning device, and particularly, to a device and method for removing debris from soft tissue within the buccal cavity. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]      FIG. 1  shows a sagittal view of a human head  1  including the buccal cavity or mouth  2 , palate  4 , uvula  6 , tongue  9  and tonsils  10 . Many problems and diseases can arise within the soft tissue present within the mouth  2  and particularly within the tonsils  10 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the tonsils  10  are small collections of lymphoid tissue that are generally almond shaped and are located at the opening of the oropharynx near the entrance to the throat  11 . These tonsils  10  are known as the palatine tonsils  10 . Within the nasopharynx are soft tissue structures known as adenoids or pharyngeal tonsils. The back of the tongue  9  contains soft tissue structures known as the lingual tonsils. These soft tissue structures within the pharynx form a ring which functions to trap bacteria and other pathogenic microorganisms preventing them from entering the body through the throat  11 . 
         [0004]    The tonsils  10  and other soft tissue structures of the mouth  2  do not possess an afferent lymphatic system. Instead, the tonsils  10  and other soft tissue structures of the mouth  2  contain many folds, crevices, and “pits” or cavities (hereinafter referred to as “the crypts  15 ”) which are arbor-like structures that allow the tonsils  10  and other soft tissue structures to capture and process antigens entering from the nasogastric tract. The crypts  15  are formed when squamous cell epithelium (which covers the tonsils  10 ) invaginates into the tonsils  10  (Passo, 2004). The interior epithelium of the crypts  15  is interspersed with lymphocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells which function to protect the body from foreign material (Passo, 2004). Typically, the average person has from about ten to about twenty crypts  15  within each of their two tonsils  10  (Passo, 2004). 
         [0005]    Thus, the crypts  15  may contain caseous materials inside that have been known to contain leukocytes, epithelium cells, cellular debris, food debris, and colonizer bacteria, such caseous materials may include sulfur containing substrates that cause halitosis (bad breath) as they degrade. As shown in  FIG. 3 , this build-up of bacteria, particles, and other debris (hereinafter referred to as “the tonsillith  20 ” or “the tonsilliths  20 ”) generally appear as white or yellow spots on the tonsil  10  and may emit a foul odor causing bad breath. In addition, the presence of the tonsilliths  20  may lead to discomfort, sensation of a foreign body presence, and infection of the tonsils  10  (tonsillitis) which may lead to hyperemia, hypertrophy, and a sore throat  11 . 
         [0006]    There are many remedies available in the marketplace for addressing bad breath, such as mouthwashes, breath mints and other candies, breath-freshening sprays, and breath-freshening gums. While these remedies may mask the foul odor in the afflicted person&#39;s breath, the relief is often temporary and does not remove the tonsillith  20 . It has previously been determined that tonsilliths  20  contain a variety of anaerobic bacteria, including  Eubacterium, Fusobacterium, Megasphaera, Porphyromonas, Prevotella, Selenomonas  and  Tannerella  (Tsuneishi, 2006).  Prevotella  and  Fusobacterium  have also been isolated from the tonsils of patients suffering from tonsillitis or sore throat  11  (Kuhn, 1995). Removal of the tonsilliths  20  may decrease the incident of sore throat  11 . Techniques for removing the tonsilliths  20  include removing the tonsils  10  (tonsillectomy), opening up the crypts  15  through a tonsillotomy (i.e. laser cryptolysis), and application of a low frequency ultrasound. Attempts have been made to provide a device for the removal of tonsilliths  20  in a non-invasive manner, such as the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,475,172 issued to Hall (hereinafter referred to as “the Hall device”). The Hall device requires a user to position the device adjacent to the tonsillith  20  and apply pressure to the surrounding tissue to remove the tonsillith  20 . Other attempts have been made to remove tonsilliths  20 , such as the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. Publication No. 2008/0155771 filed by Agbaje (hereinafter referred to as “the Agbaje device”). The Agbaje device is merely a brush that is swept over the tonsils  10  to remove any exposed tonsilliths  20 . Therefore, the Hall and Agbaje devices are only capable of removing tonsilliths  20  that are on the surface of the tonsil  10  and visible to the user. 
         [0007]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , however, many tonsilliths  20  are positioned within the crypts  15 , and are not detectable upon a visual inspection of the tonsils  10 . Therefore, the tonsilliths  20  may remain in the crypts  15  and continue to cause bad breath and infections without the person or user of the device knowing. In addition, application of too great a force with the Hall or Agbaje device to the tonsils  10  can damage the soft tissue of the tonsils  10 . The Hall and Agbaje devices provide only a limited range of motion for removing the tonsilliths  20 . Accordingly, there is a continuing need for a device with a wider range of motion to remove tonsilliths  20  located in difficult areas, and which can remove the tonsilliths  20  in a non-invasive manner, even when they are not detectable upon a visual inspection of the tonsils  10 . 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a sagittal view of a human head showing the location of the tonsils. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a front view of a mouth showing the orientation of the tonsils. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the tonsils showing exemplary crypts and tonsilliths; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of the oral cleaning device. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4B  is a side view of the exemplary embodiment of the oral cleaning device of  FIG. 4A  in a neutral position. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4C  is a side view of the exemplary embodiment of the oral cleaning device of  FIG. 4A  in a lower position. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4D  is a side view of the exemplary embodiment of the oral cleaning device of  FIG. 4A  in an upper position. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5A  is a side view of a second exemplary embodiment of the oral cleaning device extended to a first distance. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5B  is a side view of the exemplary embodiment of the oral cleaning device of  FIG. 5A  compressed to a second distance. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a side view of a third exemplary embodiment of the oral cleaning device. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7A  is a side view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of the oral cleaning device in a neutral position. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7B  is a side view of the exemplary embodiment of the oral cleaning device of  FIG. 7A  in a lower position. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7C  is a side view of the exemplary embodiment of the oral cleaning device of  FIG. 7A  in an upper position. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a filth exemplary embodiment of the oral cleaning device having a plurality of contact members and a vacuum suction. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a side view of a first exemplary embodiment of the contact members. 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a front view of a second exemplary embodiment of the contact members. 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is a front view of a third exemplary embodiment of the contact members. 
           [0025]      FIG. 12A  is a side view of a sixth exemplary embodiment of the oral cleaning device and a cross sectional view of a tonsil with two tonsilliths. 
           [0026]      FIG. 12B  is a side view of the exemplary embodiment of the oral cleaning device of  FIG. 12A  as it is moved along the tonsil to dislodge the tonsilliths from the tonsil as depicted in  FIG. 12A . 
           [0027]      FIG. 13A  is a side view of a seventh exemplary embodiment of the oral cleaning device in the lower position and a cross sectional view of a tonsil with two tonsilliths. 
           [0028]      FIG. 13B  is a side view of the exemplary embodiment of the oral cleaning device of  FIG. 13A  in a neutral position dislodging the tonsilliths from the tonsil as depicted in  FIG. 13A . 
           [0029]      FIG. 13C  is a side view of the exemplary embodiment of the oral cleaning device of FIG.  13 A in an upper position dislodging the tonsilliths from the tonsil as depicted in  FIG. 13A . 
           [0030]      FIG. 14A  is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the contact member of  FIG. 9  and a cross-sectional view of a tonsil with two tonsilliths. 
           [0031]      FIG. 14B  is a side view of the exemplary embodiment of the contact member of  FIG. 9  rotating to dislodge a tonsillith from the tonsil as depicted in  FIG. 14A . 
           [0032]      FIG. 14C  is a side view of the exemplary embodiment of the contact member of  FIG. 9  rotating to dislodge a tonsillith from the tonsil as depicted in  FIG. 14A . 
           [0033]      FIG. 15A  is a side view of an eighth exemplary embodiment of the oral cleaning device in a lower position. 
           [0034]      FIG. 15B  is a side view of the exemplary embodiment of the oral cleaning device of  FIG. 15A  in an upper position. 
           [0035]      FIG. 16A  is a side view of a ninth exemplary embodiment of the oral cleaning device in a lower position. 
           [0036]      FIG. 16B  is a side view of the exemplary embodiment of the oral cleaning device of  FIG. 16A  in an upper position. 
           [0037]      FIG. 17  is a sagittal view of a human head and a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the oral cleaning device of  FIG. 8  as applied to the tonsils. 
           [0038]      FIG. 18  is a side view of a tenth exemplary embodiment of the oral cleaning device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0039]    Provided is an oral cleaning device for removing tonsilliths lodged in the crypts of soft tissue within the buccal cavity. The oral cleaning device comprises an elongated body having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis to allow the oral cleaning device to reach the tonsilliths; and, a pivotable head attached to the first end of the body at a pivot point, said pivotable head having a contact member. 
         [0040]    Also, provided is an oral cleaning device for removing tonsilliths lodged in the crypts of soft tissue within the buccal cavity. The oral cleaning device comprises an extendable elongated body having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis to allow the oral cleaning device to reach the tonsilliths, the first end terminating in an integral head having a soft tissue contact portion. 
         [0041]    Also, provided is an oral cleaning device for removing tonsilliths lodged in the crypts of soft tissue within the buccal cavity. The oral cleaning device comprises an elongated body having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis to allow the oral cleaning device to reach the tonsilliths; and, a head attached to the first end of the body and carrying at least one contact member rotatable along the longitudinal axis of the elongated body. 
         [0042]    Also provided is a process for removing tonsilliths lodged in the crypts in soft tissue within the buccal cavity comprising inserting an oral cleaning device into the buccal cavity, wherein the oral cleaning device comprises an elongated body having a first end and a second end, the body ergonomically designed to allow the oral cleaning device to reach the tonsilliths, and a head secured to the first end of the body, the head having at least one rotatable contact member; contacting the soft tissue with at least one contact member carried by the head of the oral cleaning device; rotating at least one contact member against the soft tissue to dislodge the tonsilliths present in the crypts of the soft tissue; and, removing the dislodged tonsilliths from the buccal cavity. According to certain exemplary processes, the process may further comprise biasing the at least one contact member against the soft tissue. According to certain exemplary processes, the process may further comprise moving the rotating contact member of the head along a soft tissue surface with an appropriate pressure in a massage-like fashion to remove the tonsilliths from the soft tissue. 
         [0043]    Illustrative embodiments of the oral cleaning device and method will be described in further detail with reference to the drawing figures. It should be noted that the embodiments show in the drawing figures are intended to be merely illustrative and should not be considered to limit the oral cleaning device or method in any manner. 
         [0044]      FIG. 4A  shows a perspective view of one illustrative embodiment of an oral cleaning device  30  (hereinafter referred to as “the device  30 ”). As shown in  FIGS. 4A-4D , the device  30  may be provided with an elongated body  35  and a head  39  having a contact member or contact portion  40  for removing the tonsilliths  20  from the tonsil  10 . 
         [0045]    Although shown as substantially rectangular, the elongated body  35  may be any shape and length allowing a user to contact the tonsils  10  with the contact member  40 . Generally, the elongated body  35  has a first end  35   a , a second end  35   b , and a longitudinal axis  35   c . The body  35  is ergonomically designed to allow the oral cleaning device  30  to reach the tonsilliths  20 . In an illustrative example, the elongated body  35  may be curved to facilitate movement in and about the mouth  2  and tonsils  10 . The elongated body  35  may be composed of any material, including, but not limited to, metals, plastics, composites, and the like. In one illustrative embodiment, the elongated body  35  is composed of a material, such as stainless steel, capable of undergoing sterilization processes. The elongated body  35  may further include any number of surface bumps, grips, grooves, handles, ridges, protrusions or the like which run either longitudinally along and/or circumferentially around the lateral section of the elongated body  35  to improve the handling of the oral cleaning device  30 . 
         [0046]    As shown in  FIG. 4A , the head  39  is secured to the elongated body  35  so that the contact member  40  is capable of contacting the tonsils  10  to remove the tonsilliths  20  from the crypts  15 . It is to be understood that the contact member  40  may be connected to or integral with the head  39 . As shown in  FIGS. 4B ,  4 C and  4 D, the contact member  40  may be pivotally secured to the first end  35   a  of the elongated body  35  with a connection member such as a pin, hinge, or the like (hereinafter referred to as “the pin  45 ”) along a pivot. Such a configuration may facilitate a greater range of movement than possible with a fixed head  39 , allowing for the head  39  and/or contact member  40  to be pivoted to a lower position relative to the longitudinal axis  35   c  of the elongated body  35 , a neutral position relative to the longitudinal axis  35   c  of the elongated hod  35 , and an upper position relative to the longitudinal axis  35   c  of the elongated body  35 . 
         [0047]    In an illustrative embodiment, the elongated body  35  may house a motor (not shown), such as an electric motor, capable of pivoting the head  39  and/or contact member  40 , between a lower position (as shown in  FIG. 4C ) and an upper position (as shown in  FIG. 4D ). It is to be understood that the elongated body  35  may house a battery or include a plug to electronically connect the motor to an external source of power. However, it is to be further understood that a variety of different mechanisms may be provided to pivot the head  39  and/or contact member  40 . For example, in an illustrative embodiment, the device  30  may be provided with a switch or trigger (not shown) that may be pulled or otherwise manipulated for pivoting the head  39  and/or contact member  40 . In another illustrative embodiment, the head  39  and/or contact member  40  may be freely pivotable through angular manipulation and application of pressure when in contact with soft tissue within a subject&#39;s mouth  2 . It is also to be understood that the head  39  may be capable of being rotated transverse to the longitudinal axis  35   c  of the elongated body  35  to provide increased maneuverability. 
         [0048]    In an illustrative embodiment, the head  39  and/or contact member  40  may extend outward from the elongated body  35  a distance “d 1 ” in the lower position (as shown in  FIG. 4C ) that is greater than the distance “d 2 ” that the head  39  extends from the elongated body  35  in the upper position (as shown in  FIG. 4D ). Such a configuration may be provided to accommodate the curvature of the tonsils  10 . 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the oral cleaning device  30  may simply comprise a biasing member or absorber  50  located within an elongated body  35  having an integral head  39  and contact member  40 . The absorber  50  is capable of regulating the pressure applied to the tonsils  10  with the contact member  40 . In an illustrative embodiment, the absorber  50  is a spring that may be compressed from a first distance “D 1 ” as shown in  FIG. 5A , to a second distance “D 2 ” that is shorter than the first distance, to regulate the pressure applied to the tonsil  10 . Although shown as integral with the elongated body  35 , it is to be understood that the absorber  50  may be integral with the head  39 , or positioned between the elongated body  35  and the head  39  (as shown in  FIGS. 12A and 12B ), and may be incorporated in any configuration of the oral cleaning device  30  herein described. In a non-limiting embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , it is to be understood that the oral cleaning device  30  may include a head  39  that is pivotally secured to an elongated body  35  which includes an absorber  50 . 
         [0050]    According to certain embodiments, the contact member  40  is longitudinally rotatable relative to the longitudinal axis  35   c  of the elongated body  35  and is capable of removing tonsilliths when in contact with the soft tissue within the buccal cavity. The contact member  40  may be comprised of any material capable of contacting the tonsils  10  to remove the tonsilliths  20 . Illustrative examples include metals, plastics, composites and the like. In an illustrative example, the contact member  40  is composed of a material, such as stainless steel, capable of undergoing sterilization processes. Although shown as substantially rectangular or oval-shaped, it is to be understood that the contact member  40  may be provided in a variety of shapes and sizes. Non-limiting examples of the contact member  40  include cylindrical, spherical, or barrel-shaped members as shown in  FIGS. 7A ,  7 B and  7 C. These contact members may have more than one different diameter. It is to be understood that the spherical or barrel-shaped contact members  40  may possess different diameters from a first end to a second end of the contact member  40 . For example, contact member  40  may comprise a first end, a second end, and a middle portion between the first and second ends, wherein the middle portion has a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the first and second ends of the spherical or barrel-shaped contact head  40 . It is also to be understood that the contact member  40  may be provided with one or more bumps, ribs, ridges, and the like, to massage the tonsil  10  and/or facilitate removal of the tonsilliths  20 . 
         [0051]    In another illustrative embodiment, the head  39  and the contact member  40  may be removeably secured to the elongated body  35  and interchangeable with a variety of different shapes and sizes of heads  39  and contact members  40 . In yet another illustrative embodiment, the head  39  and/or contact member  40  may be interchangeable with other fittings including, but not limited to, toothbrushes, dental floss, and the like. In a non-limiting embodiment, the device  30  may be provided with a motor  80  (as shown in  FIG. 18 ) that is capable of operating each respective fitting when connected to the elongated body  35 . For example, the motor  80  may be capable of operating a toothbrush fitting as an electric toothbrush. 
         [0052]    In one illustrative embodiment, the head  39  comprises a space between longitudinally divided first and second arms. Each of the first and second arms have a first end and a second end. Contact member  40  is attached to the first ends of the arms and is positioned within the space between the first and second arms. Thus, the contact member  40  is positioned between the two spaced apart arms. At least one contact member  40  is attached to the first ends of the first and second arms of the head  39  along an axis and is freely rotatable about the axis in either or both a forward or reverse direction along the longitudinal axis of the elongated body  35 . In one illustrative embodiment, at least two contact members  40  are rotatably mounted between the first ends of the first and second arms of the head  39  along an axis. As shown in  FIG. 7A , the head  39  may include one or more arms  60  securing the contact member  40  to the elongated body  35 . The arm  60  may be secured to a rotatable contact member  40  to allow the contact member  40  to roll across the tonsil  10 , thereby reducing friction and risk of injury or damage to the soft tissue. For example, the contact member  40  may be rotatably connected to the arms  60  with a pin  55 , bearing, or the like. Although shown as connected to the elongated body  35  with one or more arms  60 , it is to be understood that the contact member  40  may be rotatably secured to the elongated body  35  in a variety ways. As shown in  FIGS. 7B and 7C , such a configuration may also provide that the arms  60  are pivotable about the pin  45 , and/or include at least one type of absorber  50  as depicted in  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B,  6 ,  12 A and  12 B. 
         [0053]    In another illustrative embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 8-11 , the head  39  may include a plurality of contact members  40 . Although shown as having three contact members  40 , it is to be understood that any number (a plurality) of contact members  40  may be provided. The plurality of contact members  40  may be rotatably arranged about an assembly axis, wherein rotation of the assembly of the contact members  40  is driven by a switch, trigger, motor, or the like (not shown) allowing free rotation of each contact member  40  against the soft tissue about the contact member axis. As shown in  FIGS. 9 ,  10 , and  11  the contact members  40  may be secured to a drive member  65  via arms  70  in an arm and pin assembly. The drive member  65  may be operated by a switch, trigger, motor or the like (not shown). It is to be understood that as the drive member  65  rotates, the arms  70  rotate, causing the contact members  40  to be rotated about the arms  70 . It is to be further understood that the contact members  40  may be rotatably secured to the arms  70  so that the contact members  40  may roll or otherwise freely rotate across the tonsils  10  to minimize frictional forces against the tonsillar tissue which could result in abrading the tissue or other tissue damage.  FIGS. 10 and 11  provide non-limiting examples of different configurations for the drive member  65 , the arms  70 , and the contact member  40  in an arm and pin assembly. Specifically,  FIG. 10  shows an illustration of the arm and pin assembly of the contact member  40  wherein the drive member  65  comprising a rotating shaft while  FIG. 11  shows an illustration of the arm and pin assembly of the contact member  40  wherein the drive member  65  comprises a hub and spoke assembly directly connected to the arms  70  and contact member  40 . 
         [0054]    It is to be understood that a variety of other features may be provided with the oral cleaning device  30 . In an illustrative embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the oral cleaning device  30  may be provided with at least one vacuum suction port  75  in fluid communication with a vacuum (not shown). The vacuum suction port  75  may be located proximate to the contact member  40  for removing tonsilliths  20  dislodged from the crypts  15  of the soft tissue. Accordingly, after the tonsilliths  20  are removed from the tonsils  10  with the contact member  40 , the tonsilliths  20  may then be removed from the mouth  2  via the vacuum suction port  75 . In another illustrative embodiment, the oral cleaning device  30  may be provided with a fluid dispenser (not shown) in fluid communication with a liquid source, such as water, to rinse off the tonsilliths  20  and/or otherwise cleanse the treated area. In yet another illustrative embodiment, an ultrasonic device (not shown) may be provided to facilitate removal of the tonsilliths  20  from the crypts  15 . It is to be understood that such features may be used alone with the oral cleaning device  30 , or in any combination. 
         [0055]    Turning to the oral cleaning device  30 , an illustrative method of using the oral cleaning device  30  is depicted in  FIGS. 12A through 14C  set forth below. As shown in  FIGS. 12A and 12B , the contact member  40  may be positioned adjacent the lower portion of the tonsil  10  near the throat  11 . The contact member  40  may be pressed against the tonsil  10  and raised upward toward the palate  4  such that the contact member  40  applies pressure to the crypts  15  to remove the tonsilliths  20  therefrom (for example, by contracting the crypts  15  to dislodge and expel the tonsillith  20 ). The contact member  40  may be freely rotatable about the pin  55  to minimize friction with the tonsil  10 . A biasing member or absorber  50  is located between the first end  35   a  of the body  35  and the head  39  to regulate the pressure or force applied to the tonsils  10 . It is to be understood that the process may be repeated and that the contact member  40  may be moved up and down, or side to side, along the tonsils  10  in a massaging fashion. 
         [0056]    In another illustrative embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 13A ,  13 B and  13 C, the head  39  may be pivotably connected to the elongated body  35  to provide additional mobility. As shown in  FIG. 13A , the contact member  40  may be positioned adjacent the lower portion of the tonsil  10  near the throat  11 . The contact member  40  may be pressed against the tonsil  10  and raised upward along the tonsil  10  toward the palate  4  such that the contact member  40  applies pressure to the crypts  15  to remove the tonsilliths  20  therefrom (see  FIGS. 13B and 13C ). The contact member  40  may be rotatable about the pin  55  to minimize friction with the tonsil  10 . It is to be understood that the process may be repeated and that the contact member  40  may be moved up and down, or side to side, along the tonsils  10  in a massaging fashion. According to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 13A-13C , the contact member  40  is connected to the body  35  at pivot point  45  via spaced apart arms  60 . During use of the device, the arms  60  and contact member  40  pivot at point  45  from an upper, neutral, and lower positions. 
         [0057]    In another illustrative embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 14A ,  14 B and  14 C, the head  39  may be provided with an assembly comprising multiple contact members  40 . As shown in  FIG. 14A , the contact members  40  may be positioned adjacent the lower portion of the tonsil  10  near the throat  11 . The contact members  40  may be pressed or contacted against the tonsil  10  and the drive member  65  activated to rotate the arms  70  and contact members  40 . The contact members  40  are freely rotatable about the arms  70  to minimize friction with the tonsil  10 . As shown in  FIGS. 14A ,  14 B and  14 C, the contact members  40  apply pressure to the crypts  15  to dislodge the tonsilliths  20  therefrom. It is to be understood that the head  39  may be raised (or pivoted) upward along the tonsil  10  toward the palate  4  as described above. It is to be understood that the process may be repeated and that the contact member  40  may be moved up and down, or side to side, along the tonsils  10  and that such movement may be accomplished through the free rotation of the contact member  40 . The user of the oral cleaning device may bias the at least one contact member against the soft tissue with an appropriate pressure to remove the tonsilliths  20  with minimal irritation and damage to the soft tissue. The biasing may be accomplished in a massage-like fashion to remove the tonsilliths  20  from the soft tissue. Finally, the tonsilliths  20  are removed from the buccal cavity or mouth  2  either manually or through a vacuum suction port  75  as depicted in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0058]    In another illustrative embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 15A and 15B , the first end  35   a  of the elongated body  35  may be provided with at least one groove, opening or slot  72  for moveably securing the head  39  to the elongated body  35 . Such a configuration allows for movement of the head  39  in relation to the elongated body  35  of the oral cleaning device  30 . As shown in  FIG. 15A , pin  45  may extend through the slot  72  to secure the head  39  to the elongated body  35 . A biasing member  74 , such as a spring, may be provided to position the head  39  along the slot  72 . As the head  39  is pivoted about the pin  45 , as described above, the biasing member  72  may position the head  39  (and/or contact member  40 ) along the slot  72  so that the head  39  extends outward from the elongated body  35  a distance “d 1 ” in the lower position (as shown in  FIG. 15A ) that is greater than the distance “d 2 ” that the head  39  (and/or contact member  40 ) extends from the elongated body  35  in the upper position (as shown in  FIG. 15B ). It is to be understood, however, that one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a variety of different configurations of the biasing member  74  and/or slot  72  may be provided. 
         [0059]    In yet another illustrative embodiment, head  39  of the oral cleaning device  30  may be secured to the body with at least one connection member allowing for the head to be pivoted in relation to the body. As shown in  FIGS. 16A and 16B , the connection member may secure the head  39  to the elongated body  35  with one or more arms  60  in at least one arm and pin assembly. The arms  60  generally have a first end  60   a  and a second end  60   b , the first end  60   a  of the arm  60  attached to the head  39  with a first pin  45  and the second end  60   b  of the arm  60  attached to the elongated body  35  with a second pin  61 . The arm and pin assembly allows for the head  39  to be pivoted in relation to the elongated body  35 . The head  39  may be provided with a protrusion  76  and the first end  35   a  of the elongated body  35  may be provided with one or more recesses  78  capable of receiving the protrusion  76 . The protrusion  76  and recess  78  when engaged prevent the arm and pin assembly from pivoting the head  39  in relation to the body  35 . The arm  60  may be raised (for example, with a switch, trigger, motor, or the like) about pivot point  45  and/or pivot point  61  so that the head  39  (and/or contact member  40 ) may extend outward from the body  35  a distance “d 1 ” in the lower position (as shown in  FIG. 16A ) that is greater than the distance “d 2 ” that the head  39  (and/or contact member  40 ) extends from the elongated body  35  in the upper position (as shown in  FIG. 16B ). 
         [0060]      FIG. 17  shows the oral cleaning device  30  inserted into a subject&#39;s buccal cavity or mouth  2 . The subject&#39;s tongue  9  may be sticking out of the subject&#39;s mouth  2  and the subject&#39;s head  1  may be tilted back to allow for easier access to remove the tonsilliths  20  from the soft tissue. It is to be understood that the head  39  of the oral cleaning device  30  may be applied to a lower end of the tonsil  10  and moved upward along the tonsil  10  toward the palate  4  as described above. Also, it is to be understood that the head  39  of the oral cleaning device  30  may be pivoted to a lower position, a neutral position, or an upper position along pivot point  45 . It is to be understood that this process may be repeated and that the contact member  40  may be moved up and down, or side to side, along the tonsils  10 . 
         [0061]    As shown in  FIG. 18 , the oral cleaning device  30  may include a suction chamber  85  for collecting the tonsilliths  20  that are suctioned into the oral cleaning device  30  from the vacuum port  75 . The vacuum suction chamber  85  and/or head  39  may be detachable from the oral cleaning device  30  allowing for cleaning of the tonsilliths  20  from the vacuum suction chamber  85 . As shown in  FIG. 18 , the oral cleaning device  30  may contain an electric motor  80  powered by a battery  82  and rotatable shaft  81  for longitudinally rotating the contact member  40  relative to the longitudinal axis  35   c  of the elongated body  35 . The electric motor  80  and/or head  39  may include a plurality of gears (not shown) as required to longitudinally rotate the contact member  40  relative to the longitudinal axis  35   c  of the elongated body  35 . 
         [0062]    The oral cleaning device  30  as described above may be used directly by the person whose mouth is to be treated or by a third party. Examples of third party&#39;s who may use the oral cleaning device  30  include health care professionals such as dentists or physicians and their assistants as well as laymen. The oral cleaning device  30  may be used on a regular basis as desired such as every day, once a week, etc., or as required to treat halitosis and/or sore throat  11 . The person treated with the oral cleaning device  30  may rinse his or her mouth after each use to further remove any dislodged tonsilliths. The oral cleaning device  30  may be washed with soap and water or sterilized with any suitable cleanser after each use as desired. The oral cleaning device  30  may be fitted with a detachable head for use on multiple subjects. 
         [0063]    While the oral cleaning device  30  have been described above in connection with certain illustrative embodiments, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments may be used or modifications and additions may be made to the described embodiments for performing the same function without deviating therefrom. Further, all embodiments disclosed are not necessarily in the alternative, as various embodiments may be combined or subtracted to provide the desired characteristics. Variations can be made by one having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope hereof. Therefore, the oral cleaning device  30  should not be limited to any single embodiment, but rather construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the recitations of the attached claims.