Toothbrush and method of brushing

Abstract

The invention is directed to an improved toothbrush and methods of brushing. Many experts have noted that dental hygiene can be improved by brushing for a specified amount of time and replacing worn and used toothbrush bristles at regular intervals. The present invention addresses these and other needs. By way of example, the improved toothbrush includes a head portion having bristles, one or more or which extend radially outwardly from a surface of the head, a handle including a timer element and a use counter, wherein the head is removably coupled to the handle such that the head and the handle are connected during use and such that the head can be removed from the handle and replaced as desired.

1 . A method for indicating to a user of a toothbrush, an elapsed brushing time and a recommended brushing time using the toothbrush, the method comprising: 
 providing a toothbrush having a timer element and a switch for operating the timer;    initiating the timer upon initiation of the switch by the user;    determining an elapsed brushing time;    indicating to the user the elapsed brushing time;    determining when the recommended brushing time has elapsed; and    indicating to the user that the recommended brushing time has elapsed.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the recommended brushing time is two minutes.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of indicating the elapsed brushing time includes indicating the completion of a specified time interval.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the specified time interval is thirty seconds.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the indication steps comprise providing a visual display to the user.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the indication steps comprise providing a green light visible to the user.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the indication steps comprise providing an audible notification to the user.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the indication steps comprise providing an audible alarm which can be heard by the user.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the indication steps comprise providing playback of recorded music which can be heard by the user.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the indication steps comprise providing playback of a recorded voice message which can be heard by the user.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the indication steps comprise providing a tactile notification to the user.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the tactile notification is a vibration of the handle.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of indicating to the user that the recommended brushing time has elapsed comprises providing an audible display and a visible display to the user.  
   
   
       14 . A method for indicating to a user of a toothbrush, a recommended time for replacing a head portion of the toothbrush, the method comprising: 
 providing a timer element within the toothbrush, wherein the timer is initiated by the user upon each use of the toothbrush by the user;    determining an elapsed number of timer initiations;    determining whether the elapsed number of timer initiations exceeds a predetermined replacement parameter; and    providing an indication to the user that the elapsed number of timer initiations exceeds the replacement parameter.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the predetermined replacement parameter is one hundred eighty uses.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of providing an indication to the user further comprises providing a visual indication.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the visual indication is a red light.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the step of providing an indication to the user further comprises providing an audible indication.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the audible indication is a beep.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the audible indication is recorded music.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the audible indication is a recorded voice message.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of providing a further indication to the user when the head portion has been replaced.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the further indication is a visual indication.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the further indication is an audible indication.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the further indication is a tactile indication.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the further indication is provided until the elapsed number of timer initiations is re-set.  
   
   
       27 . A toothbrush comprising a head portion and a handle portion: 
 the head portion further comprising a plurality of bristles, at least one of the bristles radiating outwardly from a first head surface, the head portion being removably coupled to the handle portion such that the head portion can be attached to the handle portion during use and can be removed from the handle portion for replacement; and    the handle portion further comprising a timer element and a use meter.    
   
   
       28 . The toothbrush of  claim 27 , wherein the use meter counts an elapsed number of initiations of the timer by the user.  
   
   
       29 . The toothbrush of  claim 27 , wherein the handle further includes a visual indicator and an audible indicator for providing information to the user.  
   
   
       30 . The toothbrush of  claim 29 , wherein the visual indicator is a light source viewable by the user.  
   
   
       31 . The toothbrush of  claim 29 , wherein the audible indicator is an alarm.  
   
   
       32 . The toothbrush of  claim 27 , wherein the handle includes at least a partly transparent or translucent section, allowing light to pass through the handle.