Dental cleansing member

• US 5,357,989 A
• Filed: 03/11/1993
• Issued: 10/25/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Naresh Gathani
• Original Assignee: Naresh Gathani
• Inventors: Gathani, Naresh
• Primary Examiner(s): Mancene, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAVIOLA JR, FRANK
• Application Number:
  US07/920,488
• Time in Patent Office: 593 Days
• Field of Search: 132/321, 132/329, 424/7.1, 424/49, 433/215, 433/216
• US Class Current: 132/321
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 15/041 Dental floss chemical aspects A61Q11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/02 characterised by special physical form
• 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

Dental floss or tape is impregnated and/or coated with a pH sensitive dye which changes color in an acid environment, thus alerting the user to the potential presence of dental caries. The floss or tape may incorporate a wax to restrict leaching of the dye.

Claims

1. A dental cleansing strand member impregnated or coated with pH-sensitive dye, the pH sensitive dye producing a color change when exposed to an acid pH.

2. A member according to claim 1, wherein the pH-range of the dye is between 6.8 and 3.

3. A member according to claim 1, wherein the dye is chemically bonded to the strand member.

4. A member according to claim 1, wherein the dye is physically bonded to the strand member.

5. A member according to claim 1, wherein the member has a coating impregnated with the dye.

6. A member according to claim 1, further incorporating wax.

7. A member according to claim 1 in the form of dental floss.

8. A member according to claim 1 in the form of dental tape.