A retired dentist has invented a toothbrush that he says will foster cleaner teeth and healthier gums because it changes how the user holds the toothbrush. Tony Hodgkison, who ran his own dental practice in Witney, Oxfordshire for 30 years, created a design that makes the user hold the brush in such a way that it leads to more effective circular brushing of the teeth.

The 63 year old has taken his idea to experts at Coventry University's Health Design and Technology Institute (HDTI), which is now developing the product ahead of clinical trials.

The toothbrush combines a disposable brush-head with a handle that is similar to that found on a screwdriver, lending itself to circular brushing. According to its inventor, toothbrush design has not moved on much in 70 years and when many people use a conventional brush they tend to scrub, which is not the most effective method and can lead to gum recession.

Mr Hodgkison said, 'Regular toothbrushes are clumsy things and it has been on my mind for some time to do something about this – I just needed support to develop my idea. Dentists advise us to use a circular motion when cleaning our teeth to ensure the whole area of each tooth is reached – but in my experience that is not always easy to do with many toothbrushes on the market. Changing your grip while cleaning means you can more accurately target the teeth for brushing.'

The toothbrush combines a disposable brush-head with a handle that is similar to that found on a screwdriver

Mr Hodgkison hopes to have his product on the market within the next five years.