Dental implement for removing stains from teeth

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Dentists have recommended that the teeth be well brushed every day to remove food particles, and to keep the teeth clean and to maintain their good appearance. It has been found, however, the even with regular brushing of the teeth with a usual toothbrush and dentrifice, the teeth can still become stained and discolored, and they are still subject to the build-up of tartar, and to the formation of plaques on the surface of and between the teeth.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an improved dental implement which can be used in the same manner as an ordinary toothbrush, and which is effective for the removal of stains, tarter and plaques from the teeth, and which also may be used as a gum stimulator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 1, turned through ninety degrees; and

FIG. 3 is an end view, taken along the line 3--3 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

The dental implement shown in FIG. 1 has an elongated handle 10 which is bifurcated at one end to receive a disc-shaped insert 12. The insert 12 may be formed, for example, of hardened rubber, plastic, or other appropriate material. An abrasive material such as carborundum particles, pumice, or the like, is embedded in the insert 12. As mentioned above, the insert may also contain fluoride compounds for the preservation of the teeth, and/or an appropriate flavoring, if so desired.

The disc-shaped insert 12 is convenient in that it can be turned to a new angular position as it becomes worn. However, it is clear that the insert 12 may be any type of tip for the handle of any appropriate configuration.

The other end of the handle 10 is shaped to define a pick 14 which is convenient for the removal from behind the teeth of plaque formations between the teeth. The other end of the handle is also shaped to define a hoe 16 which forms a convenient scraper for tartar or plaque formation from the front surfaces of the teeth.

The implement may be easily manipulated by the dentist, or by the patient, to rub the surfaces of the teeth with the insert 12 in order to remove stains from the surfaces. Moreover, the implement may be easily used by the dentist, or by the patient, to remove tartar or plaques as described above, and to stimulate the gums.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, modifications may be made, and it is intended in the claims to cover the embodiments which come within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

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