Patent Publication Number: US-2011067192-A1

Title: Teeth and gum cleaning apparatus for persons with dexterity problems, such as limited, inexperienced, uncertain and/or tremulous finger, hand and/or arm motions

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
     Not applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
     No Federal Sponsorship. 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX  
     No separate information submitted. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
     This invention pertains to the field of toothbrushes and other inventions made for the care and cleaning of teeth and gums. 
     Most inventions for the care and cleaning of teeth and gums, invented to date, must be maneuvered into a position so that they clean the teeth intended by the holder. If the holder lacks the dexterity or experience to direct his hands, fingers or arms into the positions needed to brush these teeth or is uncertain or tremulous in his movements, then the tooth cleaning effort becomes frustrated and incomplete. 
     Toothbrush bristles often emanate from only one side of the toothbrush head. The other side may be harder than the bristles. This part can aggravate sore gums when it comes into contact with them through the teeth brushing process. 
     For persons having dexterity issues, range of motion limitations or tremulous hands, teeth and gum cleaning inventions with longer handles may be more frustrating to use than tooth cleaning inventions with shorter handles that minimize the distance between the cleaner&#39;s hands and the cleaner&#39;s teeth and gums. 
     The object of this invention is to provide a tooth and gum cleaning invention that eases the tooth and gum cleaning process for those with dexterity problems and allow these persons to more thoroughly clean their teeth and gums. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
     This invention eases the process of teeth and gum cleaning for individuals with dexterity problems, such as those who have limited, inexperienced, uncertain or tremulous finger, hand and/or arm motions. Bristles emanate from the entire head of the invention allowing the cleaner&#39;s teeth a much higher chance of making contact with the toothbrush head. Covering the entire invention&#39;s head in bristles and elongating the head lessens the chances that any hard parts that will aggravate sore or tender gums. A short handle portion also minimizes the distance between the cleaner&#39;s hand and mouth allowing the cleaner more control over the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING  
       FIG.  1 —Side view of the present embodiment for this invention which is a mirror image of the opposite side of the embodiment. 
       FIG.  2 —Perspective view of the present embodiment for this invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       FIG. 1  shows a side view of the present embodiment for this invention which is a mirror image of the invention&#39;s opposite side. The invention is comprised of a head portion  1 , neck portion  2 , and handle portion  3 . The invention&#39;s head is lengthened and is covered completely with bristles  4 . The embodiment shows nylon bristles but these bristles can be made with various materials. The embodiment shows the bristles forming a completely cylindrical shape. These bristles can be tapered to a conical or other shape to better teeth cleaning. 
       FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the present embodiment. The embodiment depicts multiple bristles emanating out in a cylindrical fashion from the invention&#39;s head. In future embodiments the bristles emanating from the embodiment&#39;s head can be tapered to a conical shape or otherwise shaped. 
     We presently contemplate for this embodiment that it has a short, thick handle. However, the invention can be made with an unlimited variety of shortened handles including handles that can be used with various cuffs or other devices that assist individuals with mobility, dexterity or other physical limitations. 
     The invention can be held in nearly any manner by the cleaner while the invention is in the cleaner&#39;s mouth without the invention&#39;s bristles losing contact completely with the cleaner&#39;s teeth or/and gums. 
     An individual with dexterity problems can clean his or her teeth and gums with less struggle to hold the invention in an appropriate manner. 
     This invention can clean the very back teeth of an individual without the gums encountering any hard parts. 
     The invention&#39;s head is beneficial for persons who do not have all their teeth, are teething, or who have sore gums as there are no hard parts on the invention&#39;s head to aggravate the gums.