Dental device

Abstract

A dental device ( 10 ) broadly comprises a center section ( 12 ) flanked by a first picking section ( 14 ) and a second picking section ( 16 ). The first picking section ( 14 ) and the second picking section ( 16 ) are relatively flat and may include a roughened surface ( 50 ). The device ( 10 ) is preferably constructed in one-piece and molded from semi-rigid thermoplastic which resists breaking. The first picking section ( 14 ) is thicker and stronger than the second picking section ( 16 ) in order to dislodge most any debris caught between teeth. The second picking section ( 16 ) is narrow enough to reach between closely spaced teeth. In use, a person holds the device ( 10 ) by the center section ( 12 ) and inserts either picking section ( 14,16 ) between their teeth. The person works the device ( 10 ) back and forth using the roughened surface ( 50 ) or angles of either section ( 14,16 ) to disturb bacteria and other foreign substances.

Having thus described a preferred embodiment of the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent includes the following:  
     
         1 . A dental device for disturbing bacteria and other foreign substances between teeth, the device comprising: 
 a center plastic gripping section having a first end and a second end; and    two flat plastic picking sections each flanking opposite ends, wherein the sections are between five thousands of an inch and thirty thousands of an inch thick and between fifty thousands of an inch and one hundred and fifty thousands of an inch wide.    
     
     
         2 . The dental device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the center section is between thirty thousands of an inch and eighty thousands of an inch thick and between thirty thousands of an inch and fifty thousands of an inch wider than it is thick.  
     
     
         3 . The dental device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein a first picking section is between twelve thousands of an inch and thirty thousands of an inch thick and between forty-five thousands of an inch and one tenth of an inch wide and a second picking section is thinner than the first picking section, between seven thousands of an inch and fifteen thousands of an inch thick, and between forty thousands of an inch and seventy-five thousands of an inch wide.  
     
     
         4 . The dental device as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the first picking section's width converges along its length such that a first tip is between thirty thousands of an inch and forty thousands of an inch narrower than a first base.  
     
     
         5 . The dental device as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the second picking section's width converges along its length such that a second tip is between ten thousands of an inch and twenty thousands of an inch narrower than a second base.  
     
     
         6 . The dental device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein at least one picking section includes at least one roughened surface.  
     
     
         7 . The dental device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein at least one picking section includes at least one rounded corner.  
     
     
         8 . A dental device for disturbing bacteria and other foreign substances between teeth, the device comprising: 
 a center plastic gripping section having a first end and a second end, wherein the center section is between thirty thousands of an inch and eighty thousands of an inch thick and between thirty thousands of an inch and fifty thousands of an inch wider than it is thick;    a first flat plastic picking section flanking the first end, wherein the first picking section is between twelve thousands of an inch and twenty thousands of an inch thick and between forty-five thousands of an inch and one tenth of an inch wide; and    a second flat plastic picking section flanking the second end, wherein the second picking section is thinner than the first picking section, between seven thousands of an inch and fifteen thousands of an inch thick, and between forty thousands of an inch and seventy-five thousands of an inch wide.    
     
     
         9 . The dental device as set forth in  claim 8 , further including a first transition section between the center section and the first picking section wherein the first transition section is between one hundred and seventy-five thousands of an inch and two tenths of an inch long.  
     
     
         10 . The dental device as set forth in  claim 8 , further including a second transition section between the center section and the second picking section wherein the second transition section is between one hundred and seventy-five thousands of an inch and two tenths of an inch long.  
     
     
         11 . The dental device as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the first picking section's width converges along its length such that a first tip is between fifteen thousands of an inch and fifty thousands of an inch narrower than a first base.  
     
     
         12 . The dental device as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the second picking section's width converges along its length such that a second tip is between ten thousands of an inch and forty-five thousands of an inch narrower than a second base.  
     
     
         13 . The dental device as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein at least one picking section includes at least one roughened surface.  
     
     
         14 . The dental device as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein at least one picking section includes at least one rounded corner.  
     
     
         15 . A dental device for disturbing bacteria and other foreign substances between teeth, the device comprising: 
 a center plastic gripping section having a first end and a second end, wherein the center section is between sixty thousands of an inch and eighty thousands of an inch thick and between thirty thousands of an inch and fifty thousands of an inch wider than it is thick;    a first flat plastic picking section flanking the first end, wherein the first picking section is between twelve thousands of an inch and twenty thousands of an inch thick, between forty-five thousands of an inch and one tenth of an inch wide, and wherein the first picking section's width converges along its length such that a first tip is between thirty thousands of an inch and forty thousands of an inch narrower than a first base; and    a second flat plastic picking section flanking the second end, wherein the second picking section is thinner than the first picking section, between seven thousands of an inch and fifteen thousands of an inch thick, and between forty thousands of an inch and seventy-five thousands of an inch wide, and wherein the second picking section's width converges along its length such that a second tip is between ten thousands of an inch and twenty thousands of an inch narrower than a second base.    
     
     
         16 . The dental device as set forth in  claim 15 , further including a first transition section between the center section and the first picking section wherein the first transition section is between one hundred and seventy-five thousands of an inch and two tenths of an inch long.  
     
     
         17 . The dental device as set forth in  claim 16 , further including a second transition section between the center section and the second picking section wherein the second transition section is between one hundred and seventy-five thousands of an inch and two tenths of an inch long.  
     
     
         18 . The dental device as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein at least one picking section includes at least one roughened surface.  
     
     
         19 . The dental device as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein at least one picking section includes at least one rounded corner.  
     
     
         20 . The dental device as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the picking sections are of substantially constant thickness.