Safety Toothbrush and Methods for Providing Safety Features

Abstract

A safety toothbrush and related methods are disclosed, and in particular, one that provides safety features for a prison environment and one that further performs in longevity and bristle retention. The safety toothbrush embodiments disclosed herein are made from a relatively soft thermoplastic material that is pliable and provided for flexibly and safety aspects. The softer material provides safety for prison toothbrush applications as well as elderly and patient care where care givers may brush the teeth of a patient. Additionally, a toothbrush neck and shape of a flexible handle provide safety aspects. The toothbrush solution herein further employs a specialized toothbrush head that importantly provides for longevity and bristle retention.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for providing a safety toothbrush comprising:
 providing a flexible handle to prevent sharpening the toothbrush into a rigid weapon, the flexible handle having a proximal end and a distal end, the toothbrush thereby being a safety toothbrush;   providing a toothbrush head at the flexible handle distal end;   providing plurality of bristle tuffs secured at the toothbrush head for engaging a user's teeth for cleaning; and   twisting the flexible handle about a longitudinal axis demonstrating flexible features.   
     
     
         2 . The method for providing a safety toothbrush of  claim 1 , further comprising grasping each of the proximal and distal ends between a thumb and a forefinger. 
     
     
         3 . The method for providing a safety toothbrush of  claim 1 , further comprising folding the flexible handle about a midsection, the folding such that the proximal end touches the plurality of bristle tuffs. 
     
     
         4 . The method for providing a safety toothbrush of  claim 1 , further comprising bending the toothbrush into substantially an “L” or a “C” shape. 
     
     
         5 . The method for providing a safety toothbrush of  claim 1 , further comprising providing a substantially barbell shape to the safety toothbrush in a top plan view aspect, the safety toothbrush thereby having a relatively narrow midsection, with a flared out terminus at the proximal end opposite the toothbrush head. 
     
     
         6 . The method for providing a safety toothbrush of  claim 5 , further comprising spooning out the flared out terminus at the proximal end, forming a recess crater for engaging a user's thumb. 
     
     
         7 . The method for providing a safety toothbrush of  claim 6 , wherein the recess crater comprises approximately elliptical shape in the top plan view aspect, the elliptical shape having a major axis and a minor axis. 
     
     
         8 . The method for providing a safety toothbrush of  claim 7 , further comprising providing a plurality of dot protrusions at an interior of the recess crater for assisting a user gripping the safety toothbrush. 
     
     
         9 . The method for providing a safety toothbrush of  claim 1  further comprising providing a plurality of dot protrusions on a bottom side of the safety toothbrush for assisting a user gripping the safety toothbrush. 
     
     
         10 . The method for providing a safety toothbrush of  claim 1  further comprising increasing a thickness of the toothbrush head for improved bristle retention. 
     
     
         11 . A method for providing a safety toothbrush demonstrating flexible features comprising:
 providing a flexible handle to prevent sharpening the toothbrush into a rigid weapon, the flexible handle having a proximal end and a distal end, the toothbrush thereby being a safety toothbrush;   providing a toothbrush head at the flexible handle distal end;   providing plurality of bristle tuffs secured at the flexible handle distal end for engaging a user's teeth for cleaning; and   folding the flexible handle about a midsection, the folding such that the proximal end touches the plurality of bristle tuffs.   
     
     
         12 . The method for providing a safety toothbrush of  claim 11 , further comprising twisting the flexible handle about a longitudinal axis demonstrating flexible features. 
     
     
         13 . The method for providing a safety toothbrush of  claim 11 , further comprising providing a plurality of dot protrusions on a bottom side of the safety toothbrush for assisting a user gripping the safety toothbrush. 
     
     
         14 . A method for providing a safety toothbrush comprising:
 providing a flexible handle to prevent sharpening the toothbrush into a rigid weapon, the flexible handle having a proximal end and a distal end, the toothbrush thereby being a safety toothbrush;   providing a toothbrush head at the flexible handle distal end;   providing plurality of bristle tuffs secured at the flexible handle distal end for engaging a user's teeth for cleaning; and   increasing a thickness of the toothbrush head for improved bristle retention and longevity.   
     
     
         15 . The method for providing a safety toothbrush of  claim 14 , further comprising twisting the flexible handle about a longitudinal axis demonstrating flexible features. 
     
     
         16 . The method for providing a safety toothbrush of  claim 14 , further comprising bending the toothbrush into substantially an “L” or a “C” shape, demonstrating flexibility. 
     
     
         17 . The method for providing a safety toothbrush of  claim 14 , further comprising providing a toothbrush handle thickness that tapers to the proximal end, the toothbrush handle thickness tapering from the thickness of the toothbrush head.