Oral hygiene implement

Abstract

A one-piece thermoplastic oral hygiene implement includes a central grip having an interproximal brush projecting from one end. The brush includes an axial calamus having a planar fishbone array of graduated length bristles. Extending from the opposite end of the grip is a pick comprising a tapered wedge. Lateral flanks of the wedge include an array of spaced discrete transverse ribs. The interproximal brush and the pick are selectively employed to remove plaque, incipient calculus, food debris and the like from proximal surfaces and interproximal areas as well as for cleansing periodontal pockets and for gingival stimulation.

1 . An oral hygiene implement, the implement comprising a grip and an interproximal brush, the brush including an axial calamus and a planar array of bristles extending transversely therefrom, successive bristles of the array being of graduated lengths, the implement being unitarily formed of one piece molded thermoplastic construction.  
   
   
       2 . An oral hygiene implement as constructed in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the axial calamus includes a distal end, at least one bristle of the array being positioned adjacent the distal end, at least one other bristle of the array being spaced from the distal end, the bristles intermediate the at least one bristle and the at least one other bristle being of progressively longer lengths.  
   
   
       3 . An oral hygiene implement as constructed in accordance with  claim 2  wherein at least one further bristle of the array is positioned along the calamus between the at least one other bristle and the grip, the bristles of the array intermediate the one other bristle and the one further bristle being of progressively shorter lengths.  
   
   
       4 . An oral hygiene implement as constructed in accordance with  claim 3  wherein the bristles of the array extend in opposite directions from the calamus, whereby the array of bristles assumes a fishbone profile.  
   
   
       5 . An oral hygiene implement as constructed in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the bristles of the array include at least one first bristle positioned adjacent the distal end of the calamus and at least one last bristle spaced from the distal end of the calamus, the last bristle being spaced from the grip a distance of between 4 mm and 5 mm, whereby substantially all bristles of the array can extend completely through posterior interproximal spaces and engage lingual tooth surfaces.  
   
   
       6 . An oral hygiene implement as constructed in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the implement is molded of polyoxymethylene copolymer.  
   
   
       7 . An oral hygiene implement as constructed in accordance with  claim 4  wherein the bristles of the array include at least one first bristle positioned adjacent the distal end of the calamus and at least one last bristle spaced from the distal end of the calamus, the last bristle being spaced from the grip a distance of between 4 mm and 5 mm, whereby substantially all bristles of the array can extend completely through posterior interproximal spaces and engage lingual tooth surfaces.  
   
   
       8 . An oral hygiene implement as constructed in accordance with  claim 1  further including a tapered wedge pick, the tapered wedge pick extending axially from the grip, the interproximal brush extending from one end of the grip and the tapered wedge extending from the other end of the grip.  
   
   
       9 . An oral hygiene implement as constructed in accordance with  claim 8  wherein the grip is generally cylindrical in shape.  
   
   
       10 . An oral hygiene implement as constructed in accordance with  claim 9  wherein the grip further includes a pair of parallel side panels, the side panels being planar.  
   
   
       11 . An oral hygiene implement as constructed in accordance with  claim 8  wherein the tapered wedge pick includes a spine and a pair of sloped lateral flanks extending from the spine, the flanks intersecting one another along an edge, the edge intersecting the spine at a pointed tip, the tapered wedge pick further including an array of transverse ribs projecting from each of the flanks, each rib including a scraping edge for engagement against proximal tooth surfaces.  
   
   
       12 . An oral hygiene implement as constructed in accordance with  claim 11  wherein each rib is configured with a pair of tapered side walls which intersect to define the scraping edge.  
   
   
       13 . An oral hygiene implement as constructed in accordance with  claim 11  wherein the spine includes a transversely curved peripheral surface, whereby gingival irritation is reduced.  
   
   
       14 . An oral hygiene implement comprising a molded thermoplastic tapered wedge, the wedge including a spine, a pair of sloped lateral flanks extending from the spine, the flanks intersecting along an edge, the edge intersecting the spine at a pointed tip, an array of transverse trihedral ribs projecting from each of the flanks, each rib including a scraping edge for engagement against proximal tooth surfaces.  
   
   
       15 . An oral hygiene implement as constructed in accordance with  claim 14  wherein the spine includes a transversely curved peripheral surface, whereby gingival irritation is reduced.  
   
   
       16 . An oral hygiene implement as constructed in accordance with claim,  14  further including a sloped shoulder extending from each lateral flank to the spine.  
   
   
       17 . An oral hygiene implement as constructed in accordance with  claim 14  wherein each transverse trihedral rib includes a base, the scraping edges at the bases of opposed transverse trihedral ribs extending transversely beyond the flanks a distance greater than the width of the spine.  
   
   
       18 . A method of interproximal prophylaxis, the method comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing a molded thermoplastic pick having a flank and an array of spaced transverse ribs extending from the flank with each rib having a scraping edge,    b) inserting the pick into an interproximal space, and    c) contacting an interproximal tooth surface with successive scraping edges of the array by axially moving the pick with a reciprocal motion.    
   
   
       19 . A method of interproximal prophylaxis in accordance with  claim 18  wherein the pick further includes an interproximal brush having an axial calamus and a planar array of bristles, with successive bristles of the array being of graduated lengths, the method comprising the further steps of: 
 d) axially registering the calamus with an interproximal space and    e) contacting interproximal surfaces with successive bristles of graduated lengths by moving the pick in a lingual direction.    
   
   
       20 . A method of interproximal prophylaxis in accordance with  claim 18  wherein steps d) and e) are performed prior to steps b) and c).