Brush body and toothbrush

Abstract

Provided is a brush body for selectively applying localized currents, for oral care, to oral interstices such as periodontal pockets. Said brush body has a plurality of bristle bundles in a brush head. A bristle bundle contains a bristle having a core and a sheath. The core comprises a conductive member and the sheath comprises an insulating member that covers that core. At the tip portion of the bristle, the core protrudes further than the sheath and acts as an electrode.

1 . A brush body comprising a plurality of bristle bundles on a brush head, wherein:
 the plurality of bristle bundles includes a bristle that includes a core, which is formed by a conductive member, and a sheath, which covers the core and is formed by an insulative member; and   the core projects from the sheath at a tip portion of the bristle and functions as an electrode that energizes an oral cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The brush body according to  claim 1 , wherein a portion inserted into the oral cavity is at least partially covered by the insulative member. 
     
     
         3 . The brush body according to  claim 2 , wherein the brush body includes a front surface on which the bristle bundles are embedded and a rear surface opposite to the front surface, wherein the insulative member covers at least the rear surface. 
     
     
         4 . The brush body according to  claim 2 , wherein the portion inserted into the oral cavity excluding the tip portion of the bristle is covered by an insulative member. 
     
     
         5 . The brush body according to  claim 1 , wherein the tip portion of the bristle has a pointed shape and at least part of the pointed shape is formed by the core. 
     
     
         6 . The brush body according to  claim 1 , wherein the tip portion of the bristle has a semispherical shape, and at least part of the semispherical shape is formed by the core. 
     
     
         7 . The brush body according to  claim 1 , wherein the sheath of the bristle is formed by a material having a lower hardness than a material that forms the core. 
     
     
         8 . The brush body according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrode generates chlorine having a sterilization effect through electrolysis of oral cavity fluid that is proximal to the electrode. 
     
     
         9 . A toothbrush comprising:
 the brush body according to  claim 1 ; and   an energizing means for supplying the electrode of the bristle with current for local energizing.   
     
     
         10 . The toothbrush according to  claim 9 , further comprising an oscillation actuator that oscillates the brush head.