CA2483074C

CA2483074C - Tooth-cleaning device

Info

Publication number: CA2483074C
Application number: CA002483074A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Michele Bernini; Tommaso Ravasini
Original assignee: SKG Italia SpA
Current assignee: SKG Italia SpA
Priority date: 2002-04-24
Filing date: 2002-04-24
Publication date: 2009-09-29
Anticipated expiration: 2022-04-24
Also published as: US7895695B2; DE60209908D1; ATE320203T1; EP1499213A1; CY1105692T1; ES2260443T3; DE60209908T2; AU2002315320A1; EP1499213B1; JP2005523099A; WO2003090578A1; PT1499213E; AU2002315320B2; DK1499213T3; US20050172435A1; CA2483074A1; CN1625355A; CN100418455C

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of tooth cleaning. According to the present invention a tooth cleaning device is provided, adapted to be introduced into the mouth. The tooth cleaning device comprises engaging means allowing it to be displaced all around the mouth by means of the tongue, thus performing a cleaning process.

Description

TOOTH-CLEANING DEVICE

FIELD OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of dental care and particularly to a tooth-cleaning device which can be contained and displaced in the mouth without any need of being hand-held by the user.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

During the last years increasing attention has been paid toward techniques for preserving teeth, jawbone structure and gums so that they can be maintained in good condition till advanced age and possibly during the whole life span of an individual. In particular, since dental health strongly depends on dental care it is highly recommended that people should clean their teeth frequently, and possibly after every meal.

However, the most common techniques and equipment for dental care, such as, for example, hand-held tooth brushes and toothpaste require a supply of water and a sink or basin, thus preventing people exploiting dental cleaning in all those situations in which water and/or appropriate structures are not at immediate disposal.

Nowadays it is becoming more and more usual that people spend most of the day out of their houses and have several quick meals while working, travelling (for example during a flight) or exploiting similar business and/or leisure activities.

In all these situations as well as in other everyday circumstances it would be highly desirable and beneficial to have the opportunity to exploit dental cleaning, not only for health reasons but also for the purpose of refreshing the breath.

However, lack of time as well as other usual circumstances very often lead people to refrain from undertaking the necessary efforts to exploit adequate dental hygiene.

Moreover, dispensing the toothpaste on a traditional toothbrush requires both hands to be used and represents a nearly impossible task for people having limited or no upper body mobility, i.e. semi-disabled people.

Additionally, although increasing attention has been paid during the last years to the problems and/or exigencies of handicapped people (for instance people in wheelchairs) many public toilets and/or rest rooms are still not easily accessible to handicapped people, or, even if accessible, are not adequately equipped so that handicapped people are often prevented from exploiting dental cleaning in public rest rooms.

To overcome these inconveniences, many solutions have been proposed in the art, with the purpose of allowing people to carry out dental cleaning in every daily circumstance.

For instance, it has been proposed to utilize chewing gum as an aid for cleaning teeth; this has the advantage that a supply of water and a sink are not required, but chewing gum may not provide a very good degree of cleaning of a set of teeth, especially where teeth join the gums.

Several forms of handless brushes, or brush balls have been also proposed.
These devices are for the purpose of insertion into the mouth, to be chewed, with extending bristles cleaning the surfaces of the teeth. One of these devices is disclosed in patent application GB 2 351 015, published on December 20, 2000. This device has a resilient, collapsible, hollow spherical ball in its principle embodiment with short bristles extending outwardly so that the user can chew the ball while the brush is cleaning his teeth; the hollow ball is perforated and contains toothpaste which is dispersed as the ball is chewed.

While this may be somewhat practical, the cleaning results obtained by using chewing balls of this kind have mostly revealed to be unsatisfactory. This is due in particular to the fact that as the ball is chewed, only the chewing surface of the teeth is cleaned whilst food particles between the teeth are not removed. Moreover, the ball is chewed at predefined positions between the teeth, depending on the way the . _ ,.., .._: . w = - ~ - - = - -29-04-2004 V -. EP0204544 ` . .

user is used to chewing; the ball is not displaced all around inside the mouth leaving several places excluded from the cleaning action of the ball.

Another example" of a tooth cleaning device adapted to be displaced within the mouth by means of the tongue is known from document DE 10033849.

This being the situation it would be highly desirable to have an improved tooth-cleaning device overcoming or at least partially limiting the drawbacks of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Generaily, the present invention is directed to an handless cleaning device which can be easily displaced. all around inside the mouth, thus allowing excellent cleaning results to be obtained.

In particular, the tooth-cleaning device according to the present invention allows dental plaque to be efficiently removed and/or prevented.

Moreover, the tooth-cleaning device of the present invention allows teeth to be cleaned whiie exploiting daily activities and is therefore of practical use and not time consuming.

Additionally, the inventive tooth-cleaning device does not require the use of hands - and/or arms and can therefore conveniently be used by disabled people with not upper body mobility.

The tooth-cleaning device of the present invention does not require water and can be discarded once the cleaning process" has been completed.

Finally, the tooth-cleaning "device according to the present invention can be shaped so as to meet the particular requirements of the user. The user can select the most preferred shape allowing the tooth-cleaning device to be efficiently displaced all around inside the mouth. T-he shape can even be modified during the cleaning process, allowing the user to exploit different cleaning purposes during a single cleaning process.

.. - , AMENL EQ SHEET, - 3a -For this purpose, according to a first embodiment the present invention relates to a tooth-cleaning device comprising a main body and a plurality of bristles carried by said main body, wherein the tooth-cleaning device comprises engaging means adapted to be engaged by the tongue and ailowing said tooth-cleaning device to be displaced within the mouth by means of the tongue.
Moreover, said main body is adapted to receive a dispersible substance which is naturally dispersed during use. In particular, said main body is impregnated with said dispersible substance.

Preferably, said dispersible substance can be selected between a flavoring substance or a toothpaste or a therapeutic substance.

According to a preferred embodiment the main body of the tooth-cleaning device of the present invention is a hollow body comprising an inner cavity defining a receiving portion adapted to receive at least a portion of the tongue.

In another preferred embodiment the main body of the tooth-cleaning device of the present invention defines a through hole.

According to a still preferred embodiment said main body has a ring or doughnut shape.

In another preferred embodiment said main body is deformable so that it can be shaped so as to form engaging means adapted to be engaged by the tongue and allowing said tooth-cleaning device to be displaced within the mouth by means of the tongue.

In particular, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention the main body of the tooth-cleaning device comprises a flat strip adapted to be deformed so as to define a receiving portion adapted to receive at least a portion of the tongue.
According to the further preferred embodiments said flat strip can be deformed into a body having approximately a cylindrical shape, a thimble shape or a spherical shape.

-4a-In a still further preferred embodiment the main body of the tooth-cleaning device according to the present invention comprises an elongated body of an approximately barrel-like shape.

For example, said elongated main body can be deformed into an approximately ring shaped or doughnut shaped body, or into an approximately square shaped body or a polygonal-like shaped body with a predefined number of sides.

According to a further preferred embodiment the main body of the tooth-cleaning device of the present invention is filled with a liquid dispersible substance which is released, during use, through small passages provided in said body.

In another preferred embodiment the main body of the tooth-cleaning device of the present invention is formed by a resilient material and a string or cord is provided to be hand-held by the user, thus preventing accidental ingestion of the tooth-cleaning device. Preferably, said resilient material is selected between gum, silicon or resin.
Additionally, according to the still preferred embodiment the main body of the inventive tooth-cleaning device is inert, non-toxic and impervious to saliva.

According to another preferred embodiment adhesion improving means are provided to improve the adhesion of the tongue to the main body. Preferably, said additional improving means comprise resilient protrusions extending from the main body.

According to a further preferred embodiment the tooth-cleaning device of the present invention is embedded in a sweet or a drop or the like of a dispersible material adapted to be dissolved by the human saliva and/or by chewing.

Other preferred embodiments of the tooth-cleaning device according to the present invention are defined in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages, objects and features of the present invention are defined in the appended claims and will become more apparent with the following detailed description when taken with reference to the accompanying drawings in which identical or corresponding parts are identified by the same reference numerals. In particular, in the drawings:

Figures 1a to 1f relates to a ring or doughnut shaped tooth-cleaning device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

In Figures 2a to 2d there are depicted some preferred shapes of the main body of the tooth-cleaning device of the present invention;

Figures 3a to 3d relate to further preferred embodiments of the tooth-cleaning device of the present invention;

Figures 4a to 4d represent corresponding embodiments of the tooth-cleaning device of the present invention wherein the main body has a hollow spherical shape;

Figures 5a to 5d relate to a further embodiment of the present invention wherein the main body comprises a deformable, elongated barrel-like main body;

In Figures 6a to 6d there are depicted some preferred cross-sectional shapes of the elongated barrel-like main body of Figures 5a to 5d;

Figures 7a to 7d relate to a further embodiment of the tooth-cleaning device of the present invention wherein the main body comprises a deformable flat strip;

In Figures 8a to 8e some embodiments of the tooth-cleaning device of the present invention are depicted as comprising adhesion improving means.

Figures 9a to 9c represent corresponding examples of bristles which can be provided on the main body of the tooth-cleaning device of the present invention.

In Figures 10a to 10c there are depicted corresponding examples in which the inventive cleaning device is embedded in a drop of a dispersible material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the present invention is described with reference to the embodiments as illustrated in the following detailed description as well as in the drawings, it should be understood that the following detailed description as well as the drawings are not intended to limit the present invention to the particular illustrative embodiments disclosed, but rather the described illustrative embodiments merely exemplify the various aspects of the present invention.

In the following, description will be given with reference to Figures 1a to 1f and 2a to 2d of a first embodiment of the tooth-cleaning device according to the present invention.

Figure 1 a represents a top view of the inventive tooth-cleaning device whilst Figures lb to 1f relate to corresponding cross-sectional views. In Figures 2a to 2d some examples are given of corresponding embodiments having different shapes.

As depicted in Figure 1 a, the tooth-cleaning device 1 according to the first embodiment comprises a main body 2 and bristles 3 carried by said main body 2. The main body 2 defines a through hole 4 adapted to receive at least the end portion of the human tongue, thus allowing the tooth-cleaning device 1 to be engaged by the tongue so as to be displaced all around inside the mouth. As the tooth-cleaning device is displaced by the user into the mouth, the bristles 3 come into contact with the teeth and the gums so as to remove food particles. Once the cleaning process has been completed the tooth-cleaning device 1 is discarded.

The through hole 4 allows the tooth-cleaning device I to be engaged by the tongue, thus rendering it easy for the user to displace the tooth-cleaning device 1 all around inside the mouth. Preferably, the tooth-cleaning device 1 comprises an engaging portion adapted to be engaged by the tongue with said engaging portion being kept free from the bristles; for example, in the particular embodiment depicted in Figure 1 b, the main body 2 comprises a cylindrical surface 5 facing the through hole 4. As apparent from Figure 1 b no bristles are provided on the cylindrical surface 5 with the purpose of allowing the tongue to be easily received into the through hole 4.
In fact, bristles on the cylindrical surface 5 could render it annoying or troublesome to engage the tooth-cleaning device 1 with the tongue.

The main body 2 of the tooth-cleaning device 1 can have several preferred cross-sectional shapes; for instance, as apparent from Figure 1 b, the cross-sectional contour of the main body 2 can comprise a linear portion corresponding to the cylindrical surface 5 disclosed above, and a curved portion 51 joined to said linear portion. Other cross-sectional shapes fall within the scope of the present invention as apparent from Figures 1 c to 1f, wherein the bristles have been omitted for clarity; for instance, as depicted in Figure 1 e an annular or doughnut shaped main body 2 can be realized, with said annular body having a circular cross-sectional shape.
Alternatively, the annular main body 2 of the inventive tooth-cleaning device can have an oval cross-sectional shape as depicted in Figures 1 c and 1 d. In the particular embodiment of Figure 1 c the main body 2 has a cross-sectional shape which is elongated in the vertical direction with respect to the main body 2.
In the particular embodiment depicted in Figure 1d, the annular main body 2 has an oval cross-sectional shape which is elongated in the horizontal direction with respect to the main body 2. Finally, as depicted in Figure 1f, the annular main body 2 can have a polygonal-like cross-sectional shape. In the particular embodiment depicted in Figure 1f the polygonal cross-sectional shape comprises eight sides. However, any polygonal shape with a predefined number of sides can be selected, according to the circumstances.

As it will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 8a to 8e, the tooth-cleaning device 1 can be provided with adhesion improving means adapted to improve the adhesion of the tongue to the main body. For instance, in the particular embodiment depicted in Figure 1 b resilient protrusions can be provided on the cylindrical surface 5 or on that portion of the main body which is deputed to be engaged by the tongue.

In Figures 2a to 2d the main body 2 is depicted as having different shapes.
For instance, in Figure 2a, the main body 2 has a polygonal-like shape defining a polygonal-like through hole 4, whilst in Figure 2b the polygonal shaped main body 2 defines a circular through hole 4. As depicted in Figure 2c the main body 2 can also have a square shape defining a square through hole 4 or, alternatively, as depicted in Figure 2d, the main body 2 can have a square shape defining a circular through hole 4.

It is understood that other shapes not depicted in the Figures fall within the scope of the invention and that the examples given are not intended to limit the present invention, but merely exemplify the various shapes the tooth-cleaning device of the present invention can have.

It is also understood that any of the different shapes depicted in Figure 2a to 2d can be combined with any of the cross-sectional shapes depicted in Figures 1a to 1f. For instance, the polygonal shaped main body 2 of Figure 2a can have a circular cross-sectional shape as depicted in Figure 1 e or even an oval cross-sectional shape as depicted in one of Figures 1 c and 1 d.

According to a preferred embodiment the main body 2 of the tooth-cleaning device is adapted to receive a dispersible substance, such as, for example a toothpaste or a flavoring substance or a therapeutic substance. For instance, said main body 2 can be filled with a liquid dispersible substance which is released, during use, through small passages (not depicted in the Figures) provided in said body.
Alternatively, said main body 2 can be impregnated with said dispersible substance.

The main body 2 is preferably formed by a resilient material, such as for example gum, silicon, resin or the like.

The tooth-cleaning device of the present invention is preferably inert, non-toxic and impervious to saliva.

In the following, description will be given with reference to Figures 3a to 3d and 4a to 4d of a further embodiment of the tooth-cleaning device according to the present invention.

Figures 3b and 3a relate to a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of the tooth-cleaning device, respectively. As apparent from Figures 3b and 3a, the main body 2 according to the further embodiment depicted is a hollow body defining an inner cavity 7 communicating with the exterior through a receiving aperture.
The inner cavity 7 is adapted to receive at least the end portion of the tongue, so that the tooth-cleaning device 1 can be engaged by the tongue so as to be displaced by the user all around inside the mouth. As depicted in the Figures, the inner cavity 7 can have any shape usual for receiving the end portion of the tongue. For instance, as depicted in Figures 3a and 3d the inner cavity 7 can have a taper shape.
Alternatively, as depicted in Figure 3c the inner cavity 7 can have a hollow cylindrical shape.

As stated above, the inner cavity 7 is adapted to be engaged by the tongue. In order to improve the adhesion of the tongue with the inner surface 71 of the inner cavity 7, said inner surface 71 can be provided with adhesion improving means such as resilient protrusions 8 as depicted in Figures 8a.

Alternatively, the inner surface 71 is kept free from said adhesion improving means but a shape for the inner cavity is selected, allowing a kind of vacuum effect to be obtained; so that the tooth-cleaning device can be conveniently displaced all around inside the mouth.

Also the exterior shape can be selected according to the circumstances as apparent from Figures 3c and 3d. In Figure 3c, the main body 2 is depicted as having a hollow cylindrical shape while in Figure 3d the main body 2 is depicted as having a thimble shape.

For clarity purposes, in Figure 3b the bristles 3 are depicted as covering only partially the external surface of the main body 2. However, as apparent from Figure 3a, said bristles 3 are preferably provided so as to cover the whole external surface of the main body 2. As apparent from Figure 3a the edge of the inner cavity 7 as well as the inner surface 71 of the inner cavity 7 are preferably kept free from bristles.
In fact, providing the bristles on the edge or even on the inner surface 71 of the inner cavity 7 could render it annoying or troublesome to engage the tooth-cleaning device with the tongue.

As depicted in Figures 4a to 4b the main body 2 can also have a spherical hollow shape defining an inner cavity 7 of a predefined shape. For instance, as depicted in Figure 4c the inner cavity 7 can have a hollow spherical shape. Alternatively, as depicted in Figure 4d, the inner cavity 7 can have a taper shape. Again, in the side view of Figure 4a as well as in the top view of Figure 4b the bristles 3 are depicted as covering only partially the external surface of the main body 2 for reason of clarity;
however, said bristles 3 are preferably provided so as to cover the whole external surface of the main body 2. In the same manner as in the case of the tooth-cleaning device depicted in Figure 3a to 3d, the edge of the inner cavity 7 of the spherical tooth-cleaning device depicted in Figures 4a to 4d is normally kept free from cleaning bristles and adhesion improving means such as resilient protrusions can be provided on the edge of the inner cavity 7 as well as on the inner surface 71 of the inner cavity 7.

Of course, also the main body 2 of the tooth-cleaning device of the embodiment described with reference to Figures 3a to 3d and 4a to 4d can be adapted to receive a dispersible substance, such as, for example, a refreshing or flavoring substance, a toothpaste or a therapeutical substance. Said dispersible substance can either be filled into the main body 2 so as to be released during use through small passages provided in the main body 2 (not depicted in the Figures) or the main body 2 can be impregnated with said dispersible substance.

Preferably, gum, silicon or resin or the like are selected as materials for forming the main body 2 with said main body 2 being non-toxic, inert and impervious to saliva.
Further preferred embodiments of the tooth-cleaning device according to the present invention will be described in the following, with reference to Figures 5a to 5d, 6a to 6d and 7a to 7d. According to said preferred embodiments, the main body 2 of the tooth-cleaning device 1 is a deformable body, i.e. a body which can be deformed into any preferred shape. In particular, the tooth-cleaning device can be deformed for the purpose of rendering it easily engageable by the tongue, thus allowing it to be displaced all around inside the mouth by means of the tongue.

In the particular embodiment depicted in Figures 5a to 5d, the main body 2 has an elongated barrel-like shape. Alternatively, as depicted in Figures 7a to 7d the main body 2 may comprise a flat, enlarged strip. In Figures 5b to 5d some examples have been given of the way the elongated barrel-like main body 2 of Figure 5a can be deformed so as to be easily engaged by the tongue. For instance, as depicted in Figure 5b the elongated barrel-like body 2 can be deformed into an annular ring defining a circular through hole 4.
Alternatively, the main body 2 can be deformed so as to define an elongated through hole 4 as depicted in Figure 5d. As a further example, the main body 2 can be deformed into a horseshoe shape as depicted in Figure 5c.

The elongated barrel-like main body 2 can have any preferred cross-sectional shape as depicted in Figures 6a to 6d. For instance as depicted in Figure 6a the main body may comprise a flat surface 5 and the cross-sectional contour of the barrel-like main body 2 may comprise a linear portion corresponding to said flat surface and a curved portion 5' joined to said linear portion. Alternatively, the barrel-like main body 2 can have a circular cross-sectional shape (not depicted in Figures 6a to 6d) or an oval cross-sectional shape as depicted in Figure 6c, or a polygonal-like cross-sectional shape with a predefined number of sides as depicted in Figures 6b and 6d.

In the same manner as in the case of the first embodiment described above, a portion of the barrel-like main body 2 is preferably kept free from the circular bristles so that the user can easily realize an engaging portion not covered by cleaning bristles, and being adapted to be engaged by the tongue.

In the case in which the deformable main body 2 comprises an enlarged flat strip, said flat strip can be easily deformed into a tubular shape having either a circular cross-sectional shape as depicted in Figure 7b or an elongated oval cross-sectional shape as depicted in Figure 7c or even a horseshoe bat cross-sectional shape (not depicted in Figures 7a to 7d).
As a further example, the flat strip 7a can be deformed into a hollow body as depicted in Figure 7d, with said hollow body having a shape approximately corresponding to the several shapes described with reference to Figures 3a to 3d and 4a to 4e.

Obviously, the deformable main body 2 of the present embodiment can also be filled with a dispersible substance, such as a flavoring substance or a toothpaste or therapeutic substance with said substance being released, during use, through small passages provided into said main body. Alternatively, the deformable main body 2 can be impregnated with said dispersible substance.

The deformable main body 2 of the present embodiment is non-toxic inert and impervious to salvia.

In Figures 8a to 8e, examples are given of the way the different embodiments described can be provided with adhesion improving means 8. In particular, in Figure 8a the thimble shape hollow body 2 described above with reference to Figures 3a to 3d is depicted as comprising resilient protrusions 8 disposed on the inner surface 7' of the inner cavity 7. In Figure 8b the deformable elongated barrel-like main body 2 is represented as being equipped with said resilient protrusions 8 covering a flat surface 5 of said main body 2. As a further example, Figures 8c relates to a cross-sectional view of an annular main body 2 wherein the resilient protrusions 8 have been provided so as to face the through hole 4. The resilient protrusions 8 may have any preferred shape as depicted in Figures 8e and 8d.

Finally, with reference to Figures 9a to 9c, examples are given of cleaning bristles the tooth-cleaning of the present invention may be equipped with. As apparent from Figure 9a, the cleaning bristles may be of two different lengths. The cleaning bristles may also be arranged in tuffs as depicted in Figures 9b and 9c. Finally, as depicted in Figure 9c the bristles can extend at an angle from the main body.

Preferably, the material forming the bristles comprises nylon.

All the embodiments of the tooth-cleaning device of the present invention as described above may be provided with a piece of cotton or a string or even a cord (not depicted in the Figures) to be hand-held by the user for the purpose of preventing accidental ingestion; this is particular convenient when the tooth-cleaning device is used by children.

According to a further preferred embodiment the tooth-cleaning device of the present invention can be embedded in a sweet or a drop or the like; after having been put into the mouth, the material forming the sweet or drop is dissolved by the saliva or by chewing. Once the drip is dissolved, the tooth-cleaning device is displaced all around inside the mouth and a cleaning process as described above can be performed.

The drop or sweet may comprise a flavoring substance or a therapeutic substance whilst sugar containing materials are preferably avoided.

Depicted in Figures 10a to 10c are corresponding examples in which the tooth-cleaning devices of Figures 1 a, 3a and 5a, respectively, are embedded in a drop 9 of a dispersible material.

In conclusion, an inventive tooth-cleaning device has been disclosed, which shows the following advantages and/or differences with respect to prior art tooth-cleaning devices.

The inventive tooth-cleaning device is not to be chewed but the cleaning action is exploited by displacing the inventive tooth-cleaning device all around inside the mouth by means of the tongue.

For this purpose, the inventive tooth-cleaning device comprises engaging means to be engaged by the tongue. By displacing the inventive tooth-cleaning device all around inside the mouth not only the chewing surface of the teeth is cleaned but food particles are efficiently removed from crevices between the teeth, the gums are stimulated and dental plague is properly removed.

The inventive tooth-cleaning device can be used in any situation in which water is not at immediate disposal and once used can be discarded.

The inventive tooth-cleaning device may be conveniently used by disabled or handicapped people.

The inventive tooth-cleaning device allows a thorough cleaning program to be exploited in a non-time consuming manner and can therefore be conveniently used by those busy people who are reluctant to take the time for dental cleaning.

Of course, it should be understood that a wide range of changes and modifications can be made to the embodiments described above. It is therefore also understood that it is the claims, including all equivalence, which are intended to define the scope of the invention. It is finally to be understood that the forms and/or shapes of the tooth-cleaning device according to the present invention shown and described herein are to be constructed as the presently preferred embodiments.

Claims

Claims:

1. A tooth-cleaning device (1) comprising a main body (2) and a plurality of bristles (3) carried by said main body, said main body including engaging means (4, 7) adapted to be engaged by the human tongue and allowing said tooth-cleaning device to be displaced within the mouth by means of the tongue;
with said main body being adapted to receive a dispersible substance which is naturally dispersed during use, said tooth-cleaning device being characterized in that:

said main body is impregnated with said dispersible substance, said dispersible substance selected between a flavoring substance, a toothpaste or a therapeutical substance, said main body (2) deformable so that it can be shaped so as to form engaging means (4, 7) adapted to be engaged by the human tongue and allow said tooth-cleaning device to be displaced within the mouth by means of the tongue.

2. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said engaging means comprise a receiving portion (4, 7) adapted to receive at least a portion of the tongue, allowing said tooth-cleaning device to be displaced within the mouth by means of the tongue.

3. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that said receiving portion comprises a receiving aperture (4) adapted to receive at least the end portion of the tongue, allowing the tooth-cleaning device to be displaced within the mouth by means of the tongue.

4. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that said main body is a hollow body comprising an inner cavity (7) defining said receiving portion, with said inner cavity communicating with the exterior through said receiving aperture.

5. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that said hollow body has an approximately hollow cylindrical shape, defining an approximately cylindrical receiving portion.

6. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that said main body has an approximately hollow thimble shape defining a tapered receiving portion.

7. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that said main body has an approximately spherical hollow shape defining an approximately spherical receiving portion.

8. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that said main body defines a through hole (4) corresponding to said receiving aperture.

9. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that said main body has an approximately ring or doughnut shape.

10. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that said main body has an approximately square shape.

11. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that said main body has an approximately polygonal shape with a predefined number of sides.

12. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that said main body has a cross sectional shape approximately circular.

13. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that said main body has an approximately square cross sectional shape.

14. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that said main body has an approximately polygonal cross sectional shape with a predefined number of sides.

15. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that said main body comprises a cylindrical surface (5) facing said through hole.

16. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that said main body has a cross-sectional contour defined by a linear portion and a curved portion joined to said linear portion.

17. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that said main body can be deformed so as to define a receiving portion (4, 7) adapted to receive at least a portion of the tongue, allowing said tooth-cleaning device to be displaced within the mouth by means of the tongue.

18. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that said main body can be deformed so as to define a receiving portion comprising a receiving aperture (4) adapted to receive at least the end portion of the tongue, allowing the tooth-cleaning device to be displaced within the mouth by means of the tongue.

19. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in claim 18, characterized in that said main body comprises a flat strip adapted to be deformed so as to define said receiving portion.

20. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in claim 19, characterized in that said flat strip can be deformed into a body of an approximately cylindrical shape, defining an approximately cylindrical receiving portion.

21. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in claim 19, characterized in that said flat strip can be deformed into a body of an approximately thimble shape defining a taper receiving portion.

22. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in claim 19, characterized in that said flat strip can be deformed into a body of an approximately spherical shape defining an approximately spherical receiving portion.

23. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in claim 18, characterized in that said main body comprises an elongated body of an approximately barrel-like shape, adapted to be deformed so as to define a through hole (4).

24. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in claim 23, characterized in that elongated body can be deformed into an approximately ring-shaped or doughnut-shaped body.

25. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in claim 23, characterized in that said elongated body can be deformed into an approximately square-shaped body.

26. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in claim 23, characterized in that said elongated body can be deformed into an approximately polygonal shaped body with a predefined number of sides.

27. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in one of claims 23-26, characterized in that said elongated body has a cross-sectional shape approximately circular.

28. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in one of claims 23-26, characterized in that said elongated body has an approximately square cross-sectional shape.

29. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in one of claims 23-26, characterized in that said elongated body has an approximately polygonal like cross-sectional shape with a predefined number of sides.

30. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in one of claims 23-26, characterized in that said elongated body comprises a flat surface (5).

31. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in claim 30, characterized in that said elongated body has a cross-sectional contour defined by a linear portion and a curved portion (5') joined to said linear portion.

32. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in one of claims 1-31, characterized in that said main body comprises a contact area adapted to be contacted by the tongue, with said bristles being provided outside said contact area.

33. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in one of claims 1-32, characterized in that said main body is formed by a resilient material and a string or cord is provided to be hand-held by the user, thus preventing accidental ingestion of the tooth-cleaning device.

34. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in claim 32, characterized in that said resilient material is selected between gum, silicon, or resin.

35. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in one of claims 1-34, characterized in that said body is inert, non-toxic and impervious to saliva.

36. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in one of claims 1 to 35, characterized in that said main body comprises adhesion improving means (8) adapted to improve the adhesion of the tongue to the main body.

37. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in claim 36, characterized in that said adhesion improving means comprise resilient protrusions extending from said main body.

38. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in one of claims 1 to 37, characterized in that said bristles comprise bristles of at least two different lengths.

39. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in one of claims 1 to 38, characterized in that said bristles comprise bristle tufts.

40. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in one of claims 1-38, characterized in that said main body (2) and said bristles are at least partially embedded in a sweet or a drop (9) of a dispersible substance adapted to be dispersed by the human saliva.

41. A tooth-cleaning device (1) comprising a main body (2) and a plurality of bristles (3) carried by said main body, said tooth-cleaning device comprising engaging means (4, 7) adapted to be engaged by the human tongue and allowing said tooth-cleaning device to be displaced within the mouth by means of the tongue;

with said main body being adapted to receive a dispersible substance which is naturally dispersed during use;

said tooth-cleaning device being characterized in that:

said main body is impregnated with said dispersible substance and said main body (2) is deformable so that it can be shaped so as to form engaging means (4, 7) adapted to be engaged by the human tongue and allowing said tooth-cleaning device to be displaced within the mouth by means of the tongue.

42. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in claim 41, characterized in that said main body can be deformed so as to define a receiving portion (4, 7) adapted to receive at least a portion of the tongue, allowing said tooth-cleaning device to be displaced within the mouth by means of the tongue.

43. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in claim 42, characterized in that said main body can be deformed so as to define a receiving portion comprising a receiving aperture (4) adapted to receive at least the end portion of the tongue, allowing the tooth-cleaning device to be displaced within the mouth by means of the tongue.

44. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in claim 42, characterized in that said main body comprises a flat strip adapted to be deformed so as to define said receiving portion.

45. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in claim 44, characterized in that said flat strip can be deformed into a body of an approximately cylindrical shape, defining an approximately cylindrical receiving portion.

46. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in claim 44, characterized in that said flat strip can be deformed into a body of an approximately thimble shape defining a taper receiving portion.

47. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in claim 44, characterized in that said flat strip can be deformed into a body of an approximately spherical shape defining an approximately spherical receiving portion.

48. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in claim 43, characterized in that said main body comprises an elongated body of an approximately barrel-like shape, adapted to be deformed so as to define a through hole (4).

49. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in claim 48, characterized in that elongated body can be deformed into an approximately ring-shaped or doughnut-shaped body.

50. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in claim 48, characterized in that said elongated body can be deformed into an approximately square-shaped body.

51. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in claim 48, characterized in that said elongated body can be deformed into an approximately polygonal shaped body with a predefined number of sides.

52. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in one of claims 40 - 51, characterized in that said elongated body has a cross-sectional shape approximately circular.

53. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in one of claims 48 - 51, characterized in that said elongated body has an approximately square cross-sectional shape.

54. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in one of claims 48 - 51, characterized in that said elongated body has an approximately polygonal like cross-sectional shape with a predefined number of sides.

55. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in one of claims 48 - 51, characterized in that said elongated body comprises a flat surface (5).

56. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in claim 55, characterized in that said elongated body has a cross-sectional contour defined by a linear portion and a curved portion (5') joined to said linear portion.

57. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in one of claims 41 - 56, characterized in that said main body comprises a contact area adapted to be contacted by the tongue, with said bristles being provided outside said contact area.

58. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in one of claims 41 to 57, characterized in that said main body comprises adhesion improving means (8) adapted to improve the adhesion of the tongue to the main body.

59. A tooth-cleaning device as claimed in claim 58, characterized in that said adhesion improving means comprise resilient protrusions extending from said main body