Toothbrush head for improved plaque removal

Abstract

The invention is directed to an improved toothbrush head designed to efficiently remove biofilm from dental surfaces. Advantageously, the improved toothbrush head is designed to be effective against the development of both caries and periodontal disease. The improved toothbrush head is designed so that at least one side bristle on each lateral side of the toothbrush head (for preventing caries) and at least one center bristle from the toothbrush head (for preventing periodontal disease) are removed or reduced in length relative to the other bristles of the toothbrush head.

1 . A toothbrush head, being connected to or connectable to a toothbrush grip handle, the toothbrush head comprising:
 a face having longitudinal and lateral axes; and   a plurality composed of a first, a second and a third type of tufts of bristles extending perpendicular to the face and each having a length;   wherein:
 the first type of tufts of bristles is located close to a lateral side of the face along the lateral axis; 
 the second type of tufts of bristles is located close to a center of the face along the longitudinal axis; 
 the third type of tufts of bristles is located in areas of the face not comprising the first or second types of tufts of bristles; and 
 the first and second types of tufts of bristles have shorter lengths than the lengths of the third type of the tufts of bristles. 
   
     
     
         2 . The toothbrush head of  claim 1 , the third type of tufts of bristles encircling the second type of tufts of bristles. 
     
     
         3 . The toothbrush head of  claim 1 , the length of the third type of tufts of bristles being at least 1.0 cm. 
     
     
         4 . The toothbrush head of  claim 1 , the first type of tufts of bristles having a shorter length than the second type of tufts of bristles. 
     
     
         5 . The toothbrush head of  claim 1 , the bristles of the first type of tufts of bristles having a width between 3.2 mm and 3.5 mm. 
     
     
         6 . The toothbrush head of  claim 1 , the bristles of the second type of tufts of bristles having a width between 3.2 mm and 3.5 mm. 
     
     
         7 . The toothbrush head of  claim 1 , the toothbrush head comprising four tufts of bristles of the first type. 
     
     
         8 . The toothbrush head of  claim 1 , the toothbrush head comprising four tufts of bristles of the second type. 
     
     
         9 . The toothbrush head of  claim 1 , the tufts of bristle of the second type defining a triangular cavity encircled by the third type of tufts of bristles. 
     
     
         10 . The toothbrush head of  claim 9 , the triangular cavity being from 1.5 to 2.5 mm deep compared to the length of the longest tuft of bristle of the third type and being from 2.0 to 4.0 mm long along the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         11 . The toothbrush head of  claim 9 , the cavity being about 1.0 mm deep from the length of the longest tuft of bristle of the third type and being about 2.0 mm long along the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         12 . The toothbrush head of  claim 1 , the location of the first and second types of tuffs of bristles being symmetrical about the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         13 . A method for effectively brushing teeth, the method comprising:
 applying toothpaste in a cavity of a toothbrush head, the cavity being located near a distal end of the toothbrush head and made by extending tufts of bristles encircled by longer extending tufts of bristles, the longer extending tufts of bristles being configured to prevent slipping upon contact with the tooth;   pressing the tufts of bristles comprising the toothpaste over teeth; and   brushing for at least 30 seconds.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , the method further comprising:
 removing any applied toothpaste protruding out of the cavity prior to pressing the tufts of bristles over the teeth.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , the method further comprising:
 stopping the brushing when the fluoride concentration of the toothpaste over brushed teeth is between 250 to 500 ppm.