Disposable oral hygiene applicator

Abstract

A disposable, dispensable oral hygiene applicator attachable to the ball of the user's fingertip whose finger then functions as a tactile-sensitive, articulated handle by which the applicator may be inserted in the oral cavity and applied omnidirectionally to the teeth, the interproximal areas and the gingival tissues, to clean the teeth and massage the gums. The applicator includes a circular flexible base dimensioned to cover the round ball of the fingertip, the underside of the base having a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive. Projecting upwardly therefrom is an array of soft, flexible, cut, end-rounded bristles, arranged individually or as tufts, that form a miniature circular brush, its crowned face forming a significantly improved surface for better interproximal access, and a charge of dentifrice is adhered to the bristles. The applicator to be used is peeled and lifted from the aluminum foil backing of the supply package.

1 . A disposable, dispensable oral hygiene applicator adherable to the ball of a fingertip of a user whose finger then functions as an articulated handle by which the applicator may then be swept in any direction over the teeth, interproximal areas and gingival tissues in the oral cavity of the user, said applicator comprising:
 A. a circular base of flexible material having coated on its underside a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive and having dimensions corresponding substantially to those of the round ball of the fingertip to which it is to be adhered and conformed; and   B. a circular array of soft, flexible, cut, end-rounded bristles anchored on the circular base and projecting upwardly and with a crowned top surface, to be highest at the center and therefore being an improvement to be especially adaptable for reaching into the interproximal areas.   
   
   
       2 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 1 , in which said base is flexible and is formed of woven nylon or other material and the upwardly projecting bristles therefrom are arranged individually or in tufts into a crowned circular array. 
   
   
       3 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 2 , further including a carrier disc of flexible material releasably adhered to the underside layer of the base of the applicator and having a larger diameter and this carrier disc is permanently adhered to the aluminum foil backing sheet of the supply package to facilitate the peeling of the applicator from the carrier disc. 
   
   
       4 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 1  further including a charge of a dentifrice embedded in the bristles of the brush whereby the dentifrice is released when the brush is moistened and pressed against the teeth. 
   
   
       5 . An array of three applicators as set forth in  claim 1  in a sealed supply package imprinted in accordance with the three meals of the day serving as both reminder and recorder of one's adherence to proper daily oral hygiene.