Abstract: The present invention relates to a toothbrush with uniform diameter bristles containing a polishing agent with a particle size of from about 0.01 &mgr;m to about 100 &mgr;m, wherein cleaning of the teeth is improved without any of the adverse side effects associated with over aggressive abrasion. An embodiment of the present invention includes a toothbrush including a handle associated with a head having at least one tuft securely affixed in or attached to the head, said tuft including a plurality of filaments comprised of (a) a thermoplastic filament base material and (b) an effective polishing amount of a polishing agent having a particle size of from about 0.1 &mgr;m to about 10 &mgr;m. Particles less than 0.1 &mgr;m can be used if aggregation occurs such that the aggregate size on bristle is described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a toothbrush with uniform diameter bristles containing a polishing agent with a particle size of from about 0.01 &mgr;m to about 100 &mgr;m, wherein cleaning of the teeth is improved without any of the adverse side effects associated with over aggressive abrasion. An embodiment of the present invention includes a toothbrush including a handle associated with a head having at least one tuft securely affixed in or attached to the head, said tuft including a plurality of filaments comprised of (a) a thermoplastic filament base material and (b) an effective polishing amount of a polishing agent having a particle size of from about 0.1 &mgr;m to about 10 &mgr;m. Particles less than 0.1 &mgr;m can be used if aggregation occurs such that the aggregate size on bristle is described.

Abstract: A toothbrush for cleaning teeth, especially the interproximal region between adjacent, closely spaced or normally contacting teeth, has at least one fin extending from the body of the toothbrush through the bristled head. The fin is a thin, tapering, blade-like member with a distal edge for cleaning teeth by scraping motion. The fin is molded from plastic resin, and is constructed so as to resist buckling loads to tend to penetrate and clean the interproximal tooth surfaces, even to the point of temporarily separating lightly contacting surfaces of adjacent teeth. Various fin embodiments are presented, including one that has an outwardly-biasing loop portion. Methods of use and manufacture and preferred materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a toothbrush with uniform diameter bristles containing a polishing agent with a particle size of from about 0.01 .mu.m to about 100 .mu.m, wherein cleaning of the teeth is improved without any of the adverse side effects associated with over aggressive abrasion. An embodiment of the present invention includes a toothbrush including a handle associated with a head having at least one tuft securely affixed in or attached to the head, said tuft including a plurality of filaments comprised of (a) a thermoplastic filament base material and (b) an effective polishing amount of a polishing agent having a particle size of from about 0.1 .mu.m to about 10 .mu.m. Particles less than 0.1 .mu.m can be used if aggregation occurs such that the aggregate size on bristle is described.