A dental floss holder and applicator of the type having an elongated handle and a pair of acutely angled tines projecting from one end of the handle incorporates a screw mechanism for securing the ends of a length of floss to the handle so that the length may be arrayed between the tines. The mechanism includes a screw which passes through a threaded hole at the base of the tines and has heads formed on its opposed ends to allow adjustment of position of the heads with respect to the base so that the ends of the length of floss may be captured between the heads and the base. A portion of the device is marked with color in contrast to the balance of the device to aid in identification of a specific device.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 010,402, filed Feb. 3, 1987, now pending.
A toothbrush comprising a floss bundle primary cleaning element instead of conventional bristles. The floss bundle, having no sharp tips, can clean, absorb and polish without risk of cutting gums. No toothpaste is required. Because of the soft, smooth nature of the floss bundle, the invention can be used dry as well as wet, and, thus, function safely and properly where no water is available. This floss bundle is held in a clamp, having upper and lower jaws, fixed at one end of a handle. The lower jaw comprises a sleeve which encircles a threaded bolt formed at this end of the handle. The clamp jaws are opened and closed by rotating a nut located just below the lower jaw, also encircling the bolt. In this way the floss bundle can be removed and replaced between uses. The other end of the handle is also formed into a threaded bolt, having a hole diametrically bored through it, into which the wide end of a half toothpick is removably fitted. The toothpick is secured in place by rotating a nut encircling this bolt unit the nut advances into contract with the protruding toothpick, forming a friction grip. Once used, the toothpick is released by rotating the nut in the opposite direction, and then removed with the user's fingers.
