Toothbrush for use with an orthodontic device

Abstract

A toothbrush comprises an elongate handle member. A head member is connected to one end of the handle member and at least one primary cleaning element and at least one secondary cleaning element extend from the head member. The secondary cleaning element include a body portion that extends substantially parallel to a plane of the head member, and first and second spaced legs fixedly extend between the body portion and the head member.

1 . A toothbrush, comprising:
 an elongate handle member;   a head member connected to one end of the handle member; and   at least one primary cleaning element and at least one secondary cleaning element extending from the head member,   wherein the secondary cleaning element includes a body portion that extends substantially parallel to a plane of the head member, and first and second spaced legs that fixedly extend between the body portion and the head member.   
   
   
       2 . The toothbrush of  claim 1 , wherein the body portion of the secondary cleaning element is spaced a first distance from the head member. 
   
   
       3 . The toothbrush of  claim 1 , wherein a proximal end of the body portion is spaced from the head member and a distal end of the body portion is coextensive with a distal end of least one of the primary cleaning elements. 
   
   
       4 . The toothbrush of  claim 1 , wherein a multiplicity of bristles extend radially from a centerline of the body portion. 
   
   
       5 . The toothbrush of  claim 4 , wherein a multiplicity of bristles extend radially form centerlines of the first and second spaced legs. 
   
   
       6 . The toothbrush of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second spaced legs are connected to opposing ends of the body portion. 
   
   
       7 . The toothbrush of  claim 6 , wherein the first and second spaced legs extend between the body portion and the head member in a direction substantially transverse to the plane of the head member. 
   
   
       8 . The toothbrush of  claim 1 , wherein a second secondary cleaning element having a second body portion extending substantially parallel to the plane of the head member is provided, and wherein the second body portion is substantially parallel to the body portion of the first cleaning element. 
   
   
       9 . The toothbrush of  claim 1 , wherein the primary cleaning element comprises at least one bristle extending from the head member in a direction substantially transverse to the plane of the head member. 
   
   
       10 . The toothbrush of  claim 1 , wherein the primary cleaning element comprises a plurality of bristles extending radially from a distal end of a member. 
   
   
       11 . The toothbrush of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary cleaning element includes a third leg spaced between the first and second spaced legs and wherein the third leg fixedly extends between the body portion and the head member. 
   
   
       12 . A toothbrush, comprising:
 an elongate portion extending between first and second ends, the elongate portion having a head portion on the first end thereof;   a multiplicity of bristles extending from a first surface of the head portion; and   at least one omnidirectional cleaning element extending from the first surface of the head portion,   wherein the omnidirectional cleaning element includes a stem extending substantially transversely from the first surface and a plurality of cleaning surfaces extending radially from a distal end of the stem.   
   
   
       13 . The toothbrush of  claim 12 , wherein the multiplicity of bristles extend substantially transversely from the first surface of the head portion. 
   
   
       14 . The toothbrush of  claim 12 , wherein a distal end of the omnidirectional cleaning element is coextensive with a distal end of one of the multiplicity of bristles. 
   
   
       15 . The toothbrush of  claim 12 , wherein a second plurality of cleaning surfaces extend radially from a medial portion of the stem. 
   
   
       16 . The toothbrush of  claim 12 , wherein the omnidirectional cleaning element is disposed proximate a second omnidirectional cleaning element. 
   
   
       17 . The toothbrush of  claim 12 , wherein the head portion includes a longitudinal axis defining opposing sides of the first surface, and wherein the omnidirectional cleaning element is spaced a first distance from the longitudinal axis on a first side and a second omnidirectional cleaning element is spaced a second distance on a second side. 
   
   
       18 . The toothbrush of  claim 17 , wherein the omnidirectional cleaning element is disposed adjacent a distal end of the head portion and the second omnidirectional cleaning element is disposed adjacent a proximal end of the head portion. 
   
   
       19 . The toothbrush of  claim 17 , wherein the first distance is equal to the second distance. 
   
   
       20 . A toothbrush, comprising:
 a brushing head including a brushing surface and a handle extending from a proximal end thereof;   a plurality of tufts disposed on the brushing surface, each tuft comprising a multiplicity of bristles extending substantially transversely from the brushing surface; and   at least two vertical posts extending from the brushing surface in a direction substantially transverse to same, wherein a plurality of bristles extend radially from the two posts.