Oral hygiene devices configured for use with orthodontics
AssigneePerioNovum LLC
InventorsJeffrey D. Glen, Joshua C. Glen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This application relates to oral hygiene and/teeth cleaning devices and associated methods configured for use with users having orthodontics such as braces. The devices can be configured to have a shape that allows all or substantially all of a user's teeth to be cleaned at once. In some embodiments, the devices are configured to be useable, for example, without access to water or a bathroom. The devices can be used to freshen up and clean the user's mouth on-the-go. In some embodiments, the devices are disposable.
Claims19
An oral hygiene device comprising:
- a U-shaped body comprising a first material, the U-shaped body comprising a channel configured to receive a user's upper or lower teeth, the U-shaped body comprising a first material;
- one or more teeth cleaning features over molded onto the U-shaped body, the one or more teeth cleaning features made of a second material that is softer than the first material and the one or more teeth cleaning features comprising:
- a plurality of ribs disposed within the channel, at least some of ribs comprising a finger that extends at an angle of approximately 90 degrees with respect to a front wall of the channel, wherein the finger is adapted to clean above and/or below orthodontia during use, and
- one or more reservoirs holding a dab configured to freshen the user's mouth, wherein the dab is configured to be useable without water;
- wherein the oral hygiene device is configured to be useable without access to water or a restroom.
A method for freshening or cleaning a user having orthodontia's mouth, the method comprising:
- inserting an oral hygiene device into a user's mouth, the oral hygiene device comprising a U-shaped body having a channel formed therein;
- positioning the oral hygiene device such that the user's upper or lower teeth and associated orthodontia are positioned within the channel;
- moving the oral hygiene device side to side and front to back to clean the user's upper or lower teeth, wherein moving the oral hygiene device distributes a formulation from dabs in reservoirs of the oral hygiene device and causes a finger extending from a rib of the oral hygiene device to clean above and/or below a bracket of the user's orthodontia;
- flipping the oral hygiene device such that the other of the user's upper or lower teeth are positioned within the channel;
- and
- moving the oral hygiene device side to side and front to back to clean the other of the user's upper or lower teeth and associated orthodontia.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.