Photocatalysis process toothbrush

A toothbrush having a light source which facilitates a photocatalysis process while brushing, the toothbrush comprising:

• a handle having a grip at a proximal end and a neck at a distal end thereof, the distal end of the neck having opening therein, and a violet light emitting source being located within the opening for emitting violet light in a direction generally normal to the neck and the handle;
• a completely replaceable brush head having an aperture formed therein and at least one group of bristles being permanently secured to the replaceable brush head, and the aperture of the replaceable brush head, once the replaceable brush head is installed on neck, overlies and is concentric with the violet light emitting source to permit the violet light to pass though the aperture and be emitted generally parallel to the bristles;
• a power source equipped with constant electrical current control electronics for energizing the violet light source and for radiating violet light with the violet light being modulated from 0% to 100% at a frequency of between a two (2) and two hundred (200) Hertz with an average optical output power level of less than 5 watts for radiating violet light in a wavelength band of about 410 nm;
• a perimeter surface of the violet light emitting source being sealed with respect to the opening to form a fluid tight seal therewith;
• and
• the handle at least partially accommodating at least one of control circuitry and a power source for the violet light source.

A method of forming a toothbrush having a light source which facilitates a photocatalysis process while brushing, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a handle having a grip at a proximal end and a neck at a distal end thereof, forming an opening in the distal end of the neck, and locating a violet light emitting source within the opening for emitting violet light in a direction generally normal to the neck and the handle;
• forming an aperture in a completely replaceable brush head and permanently securing at least one group of bristles to the replaceable brush head, and installing the replaceable brush head on the neck so that the aperture overlies and is concentric with the violet light emitting source to permit the violet light to pass though the aperture and be emitted generally parallel to the bristles;
• energizing the violet light source with a power source for radiating violet light which is modulated from 0% to 100% at a frequency of between a two (2) and two hundred (200) Hertz with an average optical output power level of less than 5 watts for radiating violet light in a wavelength band between 400 nm to 420 nm;
• sealing a perimeter surface of the violet light emitting source with respect to the opening to form a fluid tight seal therewith;
• and
• at least partially accommodating, within the handle, at least one of control circuitry and a power source for the violet light source.