DE19963692A1 - Toothbrush for babies and small children has mouth plate and curved, narrower section which fits over upper and lower gums and is connected to round end piece, bristles, small plates or sponge being fitted in narrow section to clean teeth - Google Patents

Abstract

The toothbrush for babies and small children has a mouth plate (11) and a curved, narrower section (13) which fits over the upper and lower gums and is connected to a round end piece (14). Bristles, small plates or sponge are fitted in the narrow section to clean the teeth. An Independent claim is included for the use of the toothbrush to clean the teeth of babies and small children.

Description

The invention relates to a dental care device, in particular especially for infants and toddlers who use teeth cleaning has suitable surface structures and during insertion efficient tooth cleaning in the mouth.

In the prior art there are numerous forms of suction cups and Pacifiers known for infants and toddlers. Are there The mouthpieces are often orthodontically shaped for optimal Function, e.g. B. to calm the baby or to stimulate tion of the suction reflex to ensure.

For example from DE 197 16 534 A1 it is also known at least one broad side of the teat (hollow pin) with one or more surveys and / or depressions to allow the infant’s tongue to Can better grip and hold nipples. The ones described there Suction nipples are therefore completely unsuitable for cleaning teeth.

A teething aid is known from EP-A-0 383 315, in which a horseshoe-shaped mouthpiece with flat knobs  is provided to allow a massage of the gums chen. These devices are also due to the design of the mouthpiece and the knobs for cleaning teeth perfectly not suitable.

From US-2,388,915 a still suction device is to be put on described a drinking bottle that has a teat with a Has cylindrical neck part, the teat a has a wart-like surface. That applies to the two the above-mentioned documents.

DE 197 01 969 A1 describes a teat for children, which has a hollow cylindrical sucker neck on its entire circumferential surface is provided with knobs. By the complete nub of the surface of the teat neck causes a mechanical stiffening of the suction neck, with the increased resistance to clenching both that Teeth speed up as well as a relief from having of complications associated with tooth formation for the child should. DE 197 01 969 A1 describes none for cleaning teeth suitable bristles, lamellas and / or sponge or foam fabric-like surface structures.

GB-2 292 688 A relates to a very similar device as DE 197 01 969 A1, which is also used as a teething aid Massage of the gums on the neck part has several nubs. The above applies to DE 197 01 969 A1 chatting.

Finally, WO 97/04736 is a liquid-releasing Suction unit for toddlers known, the suction pin has nub-like projections, and one ensure early intraoral stimulation and fluid delivery is accomplished. This device is also unsuitable for dental care is suitable.

The present invention was based on the object To provide a device for infants and (young) children, which enables a new functionality and by the children is accepted as well as possible.

This task is accomplished by the dental care device Claim 1 solved.

Advantageous embodiments are in the subclaims specified.

The dental care device according to the invention is from the mammals Surprisingly, children and toddlers are very pleasant perceived and associated with the generally popular pacifier iert. On the other hand, a sufficient and both for the child as well as the parents stress-free cleaning the first Teeth.

There is also the risk of injury, as is often the case with something rough handling of a conventional children's toothbrush or other cleaning tools by the child or parents exists, practically switched off.

The mouthpiece of the dental care device according to the invention is Overall designed so that it is easy in the mouth can be performed.

The neck section lies after insertion into the mouth between the upper and the lower row of teeth or, as far as in Areas have not yet been pierced between the teeth upper and lower gums.

According to the invention, the neck section is the dental care device with a surface suitable for cleaning teeth or Surface structure equipped that the teeth to be cleaned at least partially included. This is particularly true  around bristles, lamellae (lips) and / or sponge or foam fabric-like surface structures. Under "bristles" in the sense The invention also includes velvety surfaces, as well as general my surface structures with a variety of elongated Protuberances, including looped or spiral, Roger that.

The neck section faces at least on one side or in one Area of the surface structure suitable for tooth cleaning doors on. In many cases it can be beneficial to do this to be provided along the entire circumference of the neck section. Alternatively, however, by turning the mouthpiece with the Neck section of that provided with the surface structures Side facing the teeth to be cleaned one after the other become.

For the surface structures suitable for cleaning teeth can all known in the art and the expert common materials are used. For example those known per se for the bristles of conventional toothbrushes natural or synthetic materials are used, like plastic or natural bristles. The surface structures can be integrally formed with the neck portion (and if necessary also from the same material as silicone rubber or Latex) or in a suitable manner on the neck section be consolidated. The type of attachment can be any familiar to the expert, if ensured is that the surface structures do not change during the the teeth cleaning on them or the dental care device release acting forces.

The material should preferably be in accordance with oral hygiene aspects ten must be selected and must be so flexible that a Injury to the teeth or in particular the surrounding tooth meat is avoided.  

On the other hand, the upper suitable for tooth cleaning surface structure offer sufficient resistance to a to ensure effective dental care.

The cleaning effect can be achieved by "playing" the Kin with the dental care device in the oral cavity, a suction or Chewing movement of the child, as well as by slight back and forth move or move the dental care device back and forth done in the mouth. In the inventor's own experience is a such "playing" with a pacifier-like device Very popular with toddlers and certainly the conventional ones Toothbrush movements with an ordinary toothbrush pull.

In general, the present invention takes advantage of the fact that in the above movements also a relative movement of the surface structures suitable for dental care against the Teeth occur without this being the child's external constraint is felt.

The exact design, arrangement and orientation of the Dental care appropriate surface structures can be considered for effective tooth cleaning by a specialist routine considerations can be optimized.

For example, in the field of toothbrushes it is known that different bristles or bristle groups one under have different flexibility and / or length or in a different angle of attack to the tooth surface lie. Furthermore, the bristle heads can be different designed, in particular rounded. Similar About Layings can easily be made by the specialist for lamellar Surface structures are made.

For example, several rows of bristles in different Chen "angles of attack" must be arranged so that they to the rei  inclining teeth at least partially. In particular can before the insertion of the dental care device bristles, lamellae (lip pen) or other raised surface structures in one Angles less than 90 degrees from the surface of the neck section be attached so that they are to be cleaned Tooth surface are facing and not parallel to it. Corresponding considerations apply to those behind the row of teeth lying bristles, lamellae or other raised upper surface structures. According to a preferred embodiment the surface structures can be arranged so that the gums that surround the teeth to be cleaned or in the toothless areas of the tooth (meat) is covered be massaged while cleaning teeth.

In the case of bristles, the surface structures are in the Rule towards the surrounding surface of the neck section sublime. Also in the case of slats or foam or However, sponge-like structures can alternatively be used (partially) embedded in the surface of the neck section or be integrated, making an even better one in individual cases Enclosing the teeth to be cleaned or a better hold availability of the surface structures can be guaranteed.

According to an advantageous embodiment, several can Slat rows can be provided, which are parallel to the Extend tooth (meat) groin. This allows them to engage cleaning teeth between two rows of slats, making a particularly good contact and therefore a good one Cleaning is guaranteed. The slats can again with one suitable for effective tooth cleaning Surface.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention the neck section has a sponge-like or foam-like upper surface structures. This is advantageously ent  speaking material chosen so that it due to its Plasticity and elasticity properties both for provides effective resistance to effective tooth cleaning, on the other hand, however, an injury particularly to the Gums is excluded. Anyone in the state of the Material known to the art or apparent to the person skilled in the art to be selected. The ones to be cleaned are also preferred Teeth from the sponge or foam-like surfaces structure at least partially included.

In general, the tooth cleaning according to the invention directions on the neck section, preferably exclusively on the neck section, a surface suitable for cleaning teeth or surface structures suitable for cleaning teeth, which is (are) arranged so that they are the teeth to be cleaned at least partially includes.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention tion shape is at least one side of the neck section in the Longitudinal section designed concave or with a kind of gutter or Provide furrow that ver parallel to the tooth (meat) runs, and in which the teeth are particularly efficient at tearing can intervene. From the invention shaping the neck section with the surface structures, the The teeth can be at least partially enclosed Teeth can be cleaned particularly easily and effortlessly. So leads even the child's chewing motion to rub his teeth against the surface structures.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the Dental care device continues to enter even after insertion the distal end of the mouth outside the mouth piece on. With such an end piece, for example correct positioning of the neck section when inserting in the mouth or maintaining this position in the tooth cleaning process can be ensured. Typical examples  the conventional ones are suitable for a suitable distal end piece disc and / or ring-shaped elements of conventional cord for infants and toddlers.

However, the distal end piece can also be shaped differently be, for example, rod-shaped to rotate or back and forth Moving the mouthpiece with the neck section to ease tern.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention form the dental care device on the mouthpiece towards a proximal end piece that is attached to the neck section connects and which is preferably adapted to the oral cavity. A is particularly suitable without being limited thereto nipple-shaped or as a proximal proximal End piece, as it is known from suction or sedation pacifier is known.

Such a proximal end piece makes the child one hand the dental care device in the mouth is particularly pleasant feel, and on the other hand, when stimulating a suction or Chewing reflex, also a movement of the jaw and / or the Effect mouthpiece so that by the resulting movements the surface structures suitable for dental care against the teeth to be cleaned further improves the cleaning effect becomes.

For example, by pressing the tongue from behind against the proximal part of the neck section or the proxi male end piece a movement behind the teeth transferred to the surface structures of the neck section become. This makes cleaning the otherwise difficult accessible or optimized tooth backs. Before preferably the proximal part of the neck section or the proximal end piece so that it is one Movement transmission enables or strengthens.  

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, this is proximal end piece the other conventional pacifiers / Adapted suckers of the corresponding child as possible.

According to a further preferred embodiment according to the invention form the proximal end piece and the neck section lumpy. For example, both parts can be made from known suitable materials, such as latex or silicone rubber, be formed. The proximal end piece, the neck cut, the mouthpiece and / or the entire dental care direction can be symmetrical or asymmetrical.

According to a preferred embodiment, the neck section an elliptical cross-section so that the concave Surface or furrow or groove along the top or lower tooth (meat) bar can be extended accordingly.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the Neck section horseshoe-shaped to the sides along the Tooth (flesh) of the upper and lower jaws extended in order to be able to clean existing teeth there too nen. The concave surface advantageously extends or furrow or groove along these horseshoes shaped lateral formations.

According to a particularly preferred Aus The concave shape, which is advantageous for cleaning teeth, becomes the guide form Surface or furrow or groove on the neck section essentially compensate for the pressure exerted on clenching formed or thereby reinforced. So is the neck section preferably formed from a material that when put together bite the teeth an approaching (folding) of the two sides walls of the furrow or groove-like concave surface the front or back of the tooth enables.  

Thus, the concave surface or furrow / groove of the neck section both very flat and quite pointed his. The side walls of the gutter or furrow can be flat or also be concave or convex curved.

According to an advantageous embodiment, that is to the lips side of the concave surface facing the child or Furrow / gutter sloping more steeply and lying with a kind of bulge on the lips, so that the waiters are on it can "support" surface structures against the lips while the opposite side of the concave surface over the pressure against the child's tongue from behind the mouthpiece are supported. So the latter can Side in the relaxed state of the dental care device be flatter.

According to a further particularly preferred embodiment of the The present invention, the dental care device or more active substances for oral hygiene, in particular for prophylactic treatment of caries. Such Active substances are known per se in the prior art and include, for example, xylitol, fluorides such as sodium fluoride, and / or sorbitol. These active substances can advantageously be used zen by an appropriate impregnation or surface treatment surface structures suitable for cleaning teeth Be provided so that they are immediately on the right Place released or on the teeth to be cleaned can be worn. However, in some cases it can also be advantageous, these active substances in other places to be provided, for example inside the hollow mouthpiece, the release takes place via appropriate openings can. In principle, other active substances that are made up of hygienic or medical reasons advantageous for the child are contained in or on the dental care device his. Drugs that dispense medicinal products are in the state of the art Technology known (e.g. from DE 35 03 777 A1), just like  antimicrobial compositions for making nipples (E.g. from DE 44 04 680 A1). Dental care can do the same pre-mixing with a flavor that is pleasant for the child be provided as long as this is not the success of the tooth cleaning stands in the way.

According to a further preferred Aus according to the invention the dental care device consists of one Neck section, which is designed as a separate element, that are pulled over the mouthpiece of conventional suction cups can. The neck section preferably consists of a rubber-elastic material such as latex or silicone rubber and is tubular, d. H. it has a central bore or one Longitudinal channel on to the device via the teat one To be able to pull pacifiers.

The above embodiment, for example ensures that even children who have certain types of Soothers prefer to brush their teeth with the invented dental device according to the invention as pleasant as possible feel. Furthermore, an em for hygienic reasons recommended regular replacement of the neck section with the surface structures suitable for dental care or relieved. Furthermore, different types of Surface structures vary and also the type of added active substances can be changed at any time.

The invention will now be described with reference to the following embodiment examples with reference to the accompanying drawings explained.

Show:

Fig. 1A and B show two embodiments of the invention the dental-care device according to the insertion into the mouth of the infant or small child;

Figs. 2A and B show two further embodiments of the exporting approximately inventive dental-care device according to a result in the mouth of the infant or young child;

Fig. 3A, B and C show the orientation of the tooth cleaning suitable for surface structures (A, C: bristles or lamellae; B: sponge-like surface structure) from the tooth surface to be cleaned;

Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of the dental care device according to the invention, which consists of a neck portion formed as a separate part.

The shown in Fig. 1 and designated 10 dental care device has a mouth plate or disk 11 which is fixed or detachably attached to the mouthpiece 12 . The mouthpiece 12 has a neck portion 13 which is equipped in the hatched areas with the surface structures suitable for dental care. The cut to the Halsab 13 adjoining proximal end piece 14 is hollow-shaped and forms the end of the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece can also be symmetrical (not shown). The distal end piece designed as a mouth plate or disk 11 simultaneously represents a type of mouth lock and can be anatomically formed. It consists of plastics or other suitable materials and can have a ring (not shown) on the side facing away from the mouthpiece 12 in order to facilitate the handling or attachment of the dental care device 10 .

The mouthpiece 12 consists of a rubber or rubber-like plastic and is flexible in order to be able to adapt somewhat to the mouth.

According to the inventive configuration of the Zahnpflegevorrich device, the neck portion 13 is between the upper and lower teeth (meat) bar 21 and 22. To illustrate, an upper and a lower milk tooth 23 and 24 are shown. It can be seen that the regions of the neck portion 13 equipped with the surface structures suitable for dental care at least partially include the upper and lower milk teeth 23 and 24 . The concave surface or groove is formed in the embodiment shown on the top or bottom, ie facing the upper or lower teeth to be cleaned. However, this groove or concave surface can also be formed on only one side or can run around the entire circumference of the neck section.

The proximal end piece 14 can be anatomically adapted to the oral cavity 25 , as is the case with conventional sucking and nursing pacifiers. Due to the pressure of the tongue 26 against the proximal end piece, the area of the neck section which faces the back of the teeth to be cleaned is pressed somewhat against the back of the tooth, whereby the cleaning performance is further enhanced by means of the surface structures suitable for tooth cleaning.

In deviation from Fig. 1A 1B is, in Fig. 11 facing front bead 15 of the neck portion 13 more pronounced the mouth plate and can support and against the inside of the upper or lower lip 27 and 28, so pressure on the front side of the tooth facing Exercise areas of the neck section. Furthermore, in this embodiment of the dental care device 10 according to the invention, the part of the neck portion facing the proximal end piece 14 is not, as in FIG. 1A, separated from the latter by a bead. As a result, the pressure exerted by the tongue against the proximal end piece is transmitted directly to the regions of the neck portion facing the back of the teeth.

In Fig. 2A, another embodiment of the invention the dental-care device 10 is shown in which both of the mouth plate 11 than the proximal end portion 14 which faces part of the neck portion is also 13 is not deposited or hardly direction by a bead of the adjacent regions of the Zahnpflegevor. Rather, the neck section 13 is formed wider on the mouth plate, so that the concave surface or groove of the neck section 13 is a recess compared to this neck section.

In Fig. 2B, another embodiment of the invention is shown, in which the broad approach of the neck portion 13 relatively flat portion of the lip plate 11 in the region of the neck 13 passes, the strip (meat) between the upper and lower teeth 21 and 22 is and has surface structures suitable for cleaning teeth. This embodiment can have a practically flat surface (without a concave surface structure or furrow or groove) in a relaxed state, i.e. before leading into the mouth area, only after introduction into the oral cavity due to the flexibility of the material at the appropriate points the concave surface or groove / groove is formed under the pressure of the upper and lower milk teeth 23 and 24, respectively.

FIG. 3A shows schematically the area of the neck section 13 with the bristles 131 which are attached to it and are suitable for cleaning teeth and which surround the milk tooth 23 or its tooth surface pushed through the gum 27 . In the same way, the bristles 131 can be arranged such that they also grip the gum areas around the milk tooth 23 and massage them during tooth cleaning.

A similar embodiment is shown in FIG. 3B, the surface structure suitable for tooth cleaning being a sponge-like structure 132 .

In Fig. 3C, an alternative embodiment is shown, in which the neck region 13 has no concave surface or fur che / groove, but the encirclement of the milk tooth 23 is ensured by the appropriately adapted bristle length and alignment of the bristles 131 . The bristle length or its orientation can thus be selected differently in individual sub-areas depending on the particular design of the neck portion or the tooth surfaces to be cleaned and overall optimized with regard to tooth cleaning.

The dental care device according to the invention shown in Fig. 4 represents a neck portion 13 , which in turn is provided in the hatched areas or around the circumference with the surface structures suitable for cleaning teeth. The neck portion 13 is formed from a rubber-elastic material and has a central bore or a channel 30 , which makes it possible to pull the neck portion over the neck portion of a conventional sucking or nursing pacifier. This embodiment of the tooth care device according to the invention can be replaced particularly easily and environmentally friendly.

The above examples are for illustration only. Certain embodiments of the present invention are intended do not restrict them in any way. The protection area of the Invention results from the claims below.

Claims (15)

1. Dental care device, especially for infants and Infants, with a mouthpiece, the mouthpiece has a neck portion which, after insertion into the mouth between the upper and lower teeth or the upper and lower gums and the with bristles, lamellae suitable for cleaning teeth and / or foam or sponge-like structures Is provided. 2. Dental care device according to claim 1, characterized records that the upper suitable for tooth cleaning surface structures are arranged so that they too cleaning teeth at least partially include. 3. Dental care device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized characterized in that the neck portion at least on one Side a concave surface in cross section or a has a furrow or groove-like structure. 4. Dental care device according to one of the preceding An sayings, characterized in that in addition a insertion into the mouth outside the mouth lying distal end piece is present. 5. Dental care device according to claim 4, characterized indicates that the distal end piece is a plate, ring and / or has a rod-shaped element. 6. Dental care device according to one of the preceding An sayings, characterized in that to the neck section of the mouthpiece, preferably as a hollow spigot trained proximal end piece connects.   7. Dental care device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the neck portion a has an elliptical cross section. 8. Dental care device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the neck portion laterally along the tooth (meat) strips. 9. Dental care device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the concave surface essentially by the pressure of the upper and lower Tooth (meat) forms against the neck portion. 10. Dental care device according to one of the preceding An sayings, characterized in that for cleaning teeth suitable bristles or fins at an angle between Stand 45 and 90 degrees to the surface of the neck section. 11. Dental care device according to one of the preceding An sayings, characterized in that for cleaning teeth suitable bristles or lamella after the introduction in the mouth at an angle between 45 and 90 degrees Tooth surface. 12. Dental care device according to one of the preceding An sayings, characterized in that one or more Active substances for oral hygiene, especially prophy lactic treatment of tooth decay, medication and / or Flavors are included. 13. Dental care device according to one of the preceding An sayings, characterized in that the surfaces structures are arranged so that the gums, that surrounds the teeth to be cleaned or in the toothless Areas of the tooth (meat) is located, recorded and included the teeth cleaning is massaged at the same time.   14. Dental care device according to one of claims 1 to 3, 8 to 13, characterized in that the neck section as separate part is formed, preferably from a rubber-elastic material, and over the teat one conventional pacifier or teat can be pulled. 15. Use of a device according to one of the preceding Dental care claims for infants and young children.