PRODUCTS AND METHODS FOR DISCLOSING CONDITIONS IN THE ORAL CAVITY

• US 20100178252A1
• Filed: 11/12/2007
• Published: 07/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Kunath, Ivo, Haas, Martin, Stoerkel, Jens Uwe, Zimmermann, Lucy Abigail, Raehse, Steffi, Dixon, Cloyd JR., Taschol, Armin Andreas, Sagel, Paul Albert
• Granted Patent: US 9,566,225 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/9.600
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0032 with protrusion for polishing teeth
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0034 with a source of radiation, e.g. UV, IR, LASER, X-ray for irradiating the teeth and associated surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/1066 Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures A61C17/16 takes precedence; bristles arrangements for toothbrushes A46B9/04
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 7/04 interchangeably removable bristle carriers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0088 for oral or dental tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2800/434 Luminescent, Fluorescent; Optical brighteners; Photosensitizers
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/498 having 6-membered rings or their condensed derivatives, e.g. coumarin
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 1/02 Stomatological preparations, e.g. drugs for caries, aphtae, periodontitis
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 11/00 Preparations for care of the teeth, of the oral cavity or of dentures; Dentifrices, e.g. toothpastes; Mouth rinses

Abstract

An oral composition capable of identifying a condition within the oral cavity by causing a visual contrast between the condition and the hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity has at least one disclosing agent. The disclosing agent can fluoresce in order to highlight conditions within the oral cavity.

Claims

1. An oral composition comprising:

a disclosing agent capable of fluorescing, thereby highlighting a condition within an oral cavity, wherein the disclosing agent is dibromofluorescein, and wherein the oral composition includes from about 0.1 weight percent to about 0.5 weight percent dibromofluorescein.

2. An oral hygiene device comprising:

a body having a handle region and a head region; and

an energy source disposed in the head region, wherein the energy source is capable of providing visible light having a wavelength of between about 380 nm to about 700 nm.

3. An oral hygiene kit comprising:

a disclosing agent capable of fluorescing, thereby highlighting a condition within an oral cavity, wherein the disclosing agent is dibromofluorescein, and wherein the oral composition includes from about 0.1 weight percent to about 0.5 weight percent dibromofluorescein; and

an oral hygiene device comprising a body having a handle region and a head region, wherein an energy source is disposed in the head region, wherein the energy source is capable of providing visible light having a wavelength of about 380 nm to about 700 nm, and wherein the energy applied to the disclosing agent causes the disclosing agent to fluoresce.

4. A method of identifying oral conditions within the oral cavity, the method comprising:

applying an oral composition to the oral cavity, wherein the oral composition comprises a disclosing agent which is dibromofluorescein, and wherein the disclosing agent is present within the oral composition from about 0.1 weight percent to about 0.5 weight percent;

applying energy from an energy source to the oral cavity;

viewing the indicated conditions within the oral cavity; and

performing a cleaning operation to reduce the presence of the indicated conditions.

5. A device comprising:

an energy source adaptable to provide electromagnetic energy to the oral cavity; and

a viewing surface capable of allowing a user to visually perceive indicated conditions within the oral cavity; and

a recharging station for a rechargeable dental instrument.

6. An oral hygiene device comprising:

a body having a handle region and a head region; and

a plurality of bristles disposed in the head region, at least a portion of the plurality of bristles defining a substantially orange color.