Abstract: An oral care implement including a handle and a head with a tongue cleanser. The tongue cleanser has at least one ridge which is at least as wide as it is high. In one preferred construction, the ridges are shaped so as to define a concave surface facing generally toward the handle. The ridges also preferably include aligned segments from front to back that are oriented at different angular positions.

Abstract: An oral care implement includes a handle, a head mounted to one end of the handle that includes a first face having plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending therefrom and a second face, a store of dentifrice retained at the head, and a film matrix retained at the head containing at least one rapidly releasable agent. A soft tissue cleaner can be included on the second face. The at least one rapidly releasable agent can be provided to the first and/or second faces during use from the film matrix. In addition, dentifrice can be provided to the first and/or second faces during use from the store of dentifrice. The at least one rapidly releasable agent can include, for example, a flavoring agent, a dentifrice, or a therapeutic agent. The toothbrush can be small in size and lightweight so as to be readily portable for use away from the home.

Abstract: An oral care implement is provided having a head frame and a cleaning elements assembly attached thereto with tooth cleaning elements extending from one or more carriers. One or more central carriers can be suspended via a flexible bridge between a pair of support carriers attached to the head frame. The bridge may be formed from an elastomer and permit the one or more central carriers to move from an initial position toward the head frame during use. The bridge may include rigid supports and flexible elastomeric supports. The carriers and the bridge can be formed as a unitary assembly attached to the head frame, such as via mechanical connections. The mechanical connections could include snap-fit connections.

Abstract: A mechanical energy harvesting toothbrush may employ circuits and devices to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. Such conversion can be done using piezoelectric devices to convert stresses and strains from bending of the toothbrush head and/or bristles during use, and can be done using electromagnetic generators involving passing a magnet through a coil to induce current. The resulting electric energy may be rectified, and stored in a storage device, such as a capacitor or rechargeable battery. A switching circuit may be configured to detect the level of energy stored in the storage device, and to close an electrical connection when a predetermined level of energy (e.g., a charge) has been reached. The predetermined level may correspond to a desired amount of brushing (e.g., taking into account stroke length and force, and the number of strokes), and the closing of the electrical connection may be used to power output devices when that desired amount of brushing has been reached.

Abstract: The head of a toothbrush includes a first tuft block having bristles and a second tuft block having bristles. The first and second tuft blocks are mounted for counter-rotational or counter-rotational oscillating movement in a direction parallel to the outer surface of the head. The toothbrush head also includes a third section having bristles extending outwardly from the head to provide an extended field of bristles to support an elongated ribbon of toothpaste and for enhanced cleaning.

Abstract: An oral care toothbrush includes a head mounted to one end of the handle containing a plurality of oral care elements. An oral care accessory is mounted to the opposite end of the handle. An oral care dispenser is mounted in the head within the cleaning field defined by the oral care elements. The oral care dispenser may be held in place by a plurality of prongs located in the field defined by the oral care elements. The toothbrush may be made of small size and of lightweight so as to be readily portable for use away from the home.

Abstract: An oral care implement includes a head and a plurality of cleaning elements for enhanced cleaning of the teeth and soft tissue of the oral cavity. One tooth cleaning element has a plurality of bristles adapted to clean teeth. Another cleaning element is connected to the head and has structure defining a channel. The channel is configured to direct fluid in contact with the head toward an edge of the head when the implement is moved. The head also defines a reservoir that is configured to receive a dentifrice therein.

Abstract: An oral care implement includes a handle and a head connected to the handle. A tissue cleanser is positioned on the head and has a textured surface and a plurality of apertures extending therethough. Each of a plurality of tissue cleaning elements extends through one of the apertures and extends outwardly from the head.

Abstract: A toothbrush (100) may include an audio component (140) configured to operate as a microphone to receive an audio signal in a first mode of operation and to operate as a speaker to output the audio signal through the body (148) of the toothbrush (100) in a second mode of operation. Another toothbrush (100) may include a motor (271) for powering one or more moveable elements (227) and a processor (392) to monitor and maintain a variable, such as the motor speed or voltage applied, associated with the motor (271). Another toothbrush (100) may include a single operation mode button (FIGS. 13A-13C) to change a mode of operation of moveable elements (227) on the toothbrush (100) and audio signals transmitted through an output (148) of the toothbrush (100).

Abstract: An oral care implement includes a collection system for oral fluids. Some embodiments of the implement may include an oral care region having a wearable oral member having a thickness that is reduced during use, a reservoir for retaining an oral fluid, a receiver coupled to the oral member for receiving an oral fluid, and a fluid pathway in communication with the receiver to provide the oral fluid to the reservoir.

Abstract: A toothbrush includes a handle, and a head at an end of the handle having a thickness, a first surface, and an opposed second surface. Tooth cleaning elements extend outwardly from the first surface and have a length. A tissue cleanser is positioned on the second surface and has a plurality of tissue engaging elements and a height. A head height includes the thickness of the head, the length of the tooth cleaning elements, and the height of the tissue cleanser, and is less than 17.7 mm.

Abstract: An oral care implement includes a display and/or a plurality of other lighted regions, together with an element for inducing motion in a head region. The display and/or lights are used to provide instructions to the user regarding a periodically-performed oral care regimen. The motion-inducing element can be pulsed or otherwise selectively activated to signal different intervals in the regimen. Upon successful conclusion of the oral care regimen, the lights and/or display and the motion-inducing element are used to provide a game or other entertainment to the user.

Abstract: An oral care implement or toothbrush 100 includes a head 104, a tooth cleaning element region 116 and a tissue cleaning element region 114. The tissue cleaning element region 114 includes a plurality of flexible, angled projections 120. The projections 120 are configured to flex from an at-rest position to a substantially flat position when the tissue cleaning element region 114 is in contact with the tongue and is pushed into the mouth. The projections 120 are also configured to flex to a substantially upright position when the tissue cleaning element region 114 is in contact with the tongue and is pulled out of the mouth. This arrangement aids in preventing debris from being pushed into the mouth and in removing debris from the mouth and tongue. The flexible projections 120 may be used in conjunction with rigid projections 122 having a generally vertical configuration to aid in removing debris from the mouth and in engaging the cheek to improve saliva production during brushing.