RU2352321C2 - Optic electric toothbrushes and methods of application - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: personal effects.

SUBSTANCE: invention refers to method of ensuring positive results for oral cavity by combined application of oral care compositions and the electric toothbrush with provided power supplied element.

EFFECT: particularly the invention refers to methods of using the electric toothbrush with light element combined with oral care compositions thus ensuring dental bleaching and spot removal.

20 cl, 10 ex, 10 tbl, 25 dwg

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to illuminated electric toothbrushes that use a light emitting element. More specifically, the present invention relates to the use of an electric toothbrush containing an electrically powered element in combination with a substance that can be used to treat oral surfaces.

State of the art

Dental plaques, gingivitis, periodontal disease, and discoloration of teeth are all undesirable conditions that affect many people. In particular, white teeth have long been considered desirable from a cosmetic point of view. Unfortunately, teeth often change color due to the presence of chromogenic substances in food, drinks, tobacco, and salivary fluid in addition to internal sources such as blood, amalgam-based filling materials, and tetracycline-type antibiotics. Among the many approaches available to remove and destroy tooth stains, hydrogen peroxide can be distinguished, which acts on chromogenic molecules, making them colorless, soluble in water, or both. In addition, some whitening procedures include the use of light and / or lasers in combination with certain chemicals. However, the use of light of sufficient intensity to improve the condition of the oral cavity, for example, through whitening, previously required the consumer to seek the services of professionals conducted in the office. Existing methods for extra-dental treatment of teeth include the use of hydrogen peroxide of low concentration on plates and (or) strips. However, most methods of extra-cabinet treatment do not involve the use of light, in particular light of sufficient intensity to provide the desired beneficial effect for the condition of the oral cavity. Thus, there is a recognized need for a low-cost mass oral care system using light that can provide light of such quality and quantity that it can, in turn, create a desired beneficial effect on the oral cavity when used by a consumer at home.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method for providing a beneficial effect on an oral condition, comprising: applying an even layer of an oral care substance to a delivery vehicle; applying a delivery vehicle with the substance located on it to the plurality of teeth so that the substance is in contact with the surface, the substance having an active effect on the plurality of teeth; removing the delivery vehicle from the teeth and transferring at least a portion of the oral care substance from the delivery vehicle to the teeth; brushing the teeth with an electric toothbrush comprising a head, a handle and an electrically powered element, wherein the electrically powered element is located on the head of the toothbrush and emits energy.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention can take a material form in separate parts and combinations of parts, embodiments of which are described in more detail below in the present description and are illustrated by the accompanying drawings, which are an integral part of the description, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electric toothbrush in accordance with the present invention.

FIG.2 is a top view of the electric toothbrush shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 2 a is a top view of the electric toothbrush shown in FIG.

FIG.3 is a side view in vertical section of an electric toothbrush depicted in FIG.1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional side view of a head and a narrowed portion of an embodiment of an electric toothbrush made in accordance with the present invention.

FIG.5 is a front view with a private section of the head and the narrowed part of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG.6 is a front view with a private section of the head and the narrowed part of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG.7 is a front view with a private section of the head and the narrowed part of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front view, in partial section, of the head and narrowed portion of yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG.9 is a front view with a private section of the head and the narrowed part of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIGURE 10 is a front view with a private section of the head and the narrowed part of another embodiment of the present invention.

11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an illuminated electric toothbrush of the present invention, in which the toothbrush comprises a head and a tapered portion that can be separated from the handle.

12 is a circuit diagram that can be used in the present invention.

FIG.13 is a graph of the spectral distribution for various colors for light-emitting elements that can be used in the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a spectral distribution graph for a white light emitting element that can be used in the present invention.

15 is a radiation pattern graph that can be used in the present invention.

FIG.16 is a perspective view of an almost flat strip of material having rounded corners.

17 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention revealing a flat strip of FIG. 16 coated with an oral care substance.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view revealing a flat strip coated with a substance.

FIGURE 19 is a view in section of adjacent teeth with a strip of material of FIGURE 18, fitted and attached to the teeth.

FIGURE 20 is a sectional view of a strip of material according to FIGURE 18, attached to one tooth.

21 is a perspective view of a mouthguard delivery device.

FIG.22 is a view in section with the image of the plate of FIG.21, attached to one tooth.

Detailed Description of Embodiments

In general, the present invention relates to an oral care substance used in combination with an oral care instrument having one or more electrical elements located on the head, in particular LEDs, light-emitting elements using incandescent elements, laser elements, halogen elements, neon elements, fluorescent elements, plasma elements, xenon elements, elements with floss for cleaning teeth, massage elements, cleaning elements, fuel elements, sound emitting elements, ultrasonic elements, elements creating an electric current, elements emitting a substance, and (or) any combination of these elements. Such oral care tools may include, but are not limited to, electric toothbrushes, flossing devices for teeth, teeth polishing devices, gum massage devices, etc. The oral care substance contains an active component in such an amount that, when used in accordance with the instructions, it causes the desired beneficial effect for the user without harming the surfaces on which it is applied. Oral conditions that these active components can cope with include, but are not limited to, external and structural changes in teeth, whitening, discoloration, stain removal, plaque removal, tartar removal, prevention and treatment of caries, inflamed and (or) bleeding gums, mucosal lesions, wounds, ulcers, aphthous ulcers, herpes and dental abscesses.

In the present description, the term “electrical element” includes any electrical element that can convert electrical energy at its location. For example, a light emitting element can convert electrical energy into light at its location, for example, on the head of an electric toothbrush. For simplicity, an embodiment in the form of an electric toothbrush with a head on which the light-emitting element is located will be further considered. Such electric toothbrushes can be used as personal care products for brushing teeth and gums using the motorized movement that occurs when the electric element is turned on. The present invention also relates to an electric toothbrush having a replaceable or detachable head and / or tapered part. In addition, the present invention relates to methods for creating a positive effect for the oral cavity, for example in the form of whitening, using a toothbrush and the substances of the present invention. Light can enhance tooth whitening, making teeth more susceptible to whitening and / or activating a chemically active component in the oral care substance, thereby enhancing the positive effect for the oral cavity obtained only from the use of the oral care substance. Examples of the desired beneficial effect for the oral cavity include, but are not limited to, whitening, discoloration, stain removal, remineralization, plaque removal and dental calculus removal. In addition, an electric toothbrush made according to the present invention can be sold complete with oral care substances. The kit may include various substances for the care of the oral cavity, in particular means for whitening teeth, to remove stains and (or) to remove plaque.

A. Oral Care Instrument

The oral care instrument of the present invention has one or more electrical elements located on the head, in particular LEDs, light-emitting elements using incandescent elements, laser elements, halogen elements, neon elements, fluorescent elements, plasma elements, xenon elements, elements with a thread for brushing teeth, massage elements, cleaning elements, fuel elements, sound-emitting elements, ultrasonic elements, elements that create electrically current elements emitting substance, and (or) any combination of these elements. Such oral care tools may include, but are not limited to, electric toothbrushes, flossing devices for teeth, teeth polishing devices, gum massage devices, etc. For the sake of simplicity, an electric toothbrush containing a light emitting element will be considered in the invention.

In the present description, the term “light” covers the entire spectrum of visible and invisible (that is, ultraviolet and infrared) light. In one embodiment of the toothbrush of the present invention, the light emitted by the light emitting element may be from about 370, 390, 410, 430, 450, 470, 490, 510, 530, 550, 570, 590, 610, 630, 650, 670 , 690, 710 nm and / or less than about 770, 750, 730, 710, 690, 670, 650, 630, 610, 500, 400 nm. In another embodiment, the emitted light may have a wavelength greater than about 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480 and / or 490 nm and / or less than about 490, 480, 470, 460, 450 , 440, 430 nm. In yet another embodiment, the emitted light may have a wavelength of from about 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470 nm and / or less than about 470, 460, 450, 430 nm. It should be borne in mind that the choice of a particular wavelength range may depend on what color light is required. In one embodiment, the emitted light may be blue.

An oral care implement may also emit light of some particular intensity. Intensity can be understood either as light intensity, measured in candela (or lumens per steradian), or flux density, measured in watts per square centimeter. In one embodiment, the flux density of the backlit electric toothbrush of the present invention is from about 20, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 70, 100, 200, 250 mW / cm ² and / or less, than about 300, 250, 200, 150, 100, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30 mW / cm ² or any combination thereof.

In one embodiment, the electric toothbrush comprises an elongated body or handle, a head and a tapered portion located between the head and the handle. One or more light emitting elements may be located on the head, which are adjacent to one or more fixed or movable bristle holders, are located on or in one or more fixed or movable bristle holders having a plurality of bristles. The bristles can be grouped into one or more bundles. In some embodiments, the light emitting element may be located in the center or on the axis of movement of the oscillating bristle holder. In addition, the light emitting element can play the role of a pin, which serves as the axis and (or) the center of rotation for the movable bristle holder. The light emitting element may be stationary, or it may be attached to the movable bristle holder so that the element moves with the bristle holder. In some embodiments, the bristle holder may have an area, such as an opening, that facilitates the passage of light through it. The area may be formed by a transparent or translucent material, or the area may be a hole or other open area, practically devoid of bristles, and therefore allowing the passage of light. This area can be located in any part of the head of the toothbrush, including in the center of the movable bristle holder.

The head comprises a longitudinal axis, one or more movable bristle holders and, optionally, one or more fixed or fixed bristle holders. The movable bristle holders can rotate, rotate, move in a circle, oscillate, make reciprocating movements or perform any combination of movements. The type of movement performed by the electric toothbrushes of the present invention can be very diverse. The fixed bristle holders and the location of the stationary bristles on them can also be very different. For example, the fixed bristles may partially or completely surround the movable bristle holders or may be located between the movable bristle holders. Examples of certain movements made by the bristle holders and the arrangement of bristles that can be used with the present invention are described in patent documents US 20030126699; US20030084525; US20030084524; US20030084526, WO 03/063723 and WO 03/063722. The bristles may be made of conventional non-elastomeric materials, such as polyethylene, or may be made of elastomeric materials such as natural or synthetic rubber, polyolefins, polyetheramides, polyesters, styrene polymers, polyurethanes, etc., or a combination of materials.

The handle has a cavity with an engine located in it, which is functionally connected with the movable bristle holders. From the engine, a shaft can pass through the narrowed part and at least inside the head part. Under the action of the engine, the shaft can rotate, oscillate, make a reciprocating motion, make a circular motion, make an orbital motion or make a cone-shaped motion to transmit one or more movements to the movable bristle holders. To transmit movement between the motor and the shaft or between the shaft and the movable bristle holders, a gear transmission mechanism may be provided. Examples of shafts and (or) gear transmission mechanisms are shown in US patents 6360395 and 5617601, in applications for US patents 2003/0134567 and 2003/0163881, as well as in other patents and patent publications cited in the present description by reference. The handle also has an energy source, for example, one or more batteries placed there to power the engine and light-emitting elements. Alternatively, an electric toothbrush may be connected to an external energy source from which the motor is powered. A switch is located on the handle to turn on the engine and (or) light-emitting elements. The switch contains a drive button and a metal contact. The switch is manually actuated by pressing the molded drive button down, which presses on the metal contact, closing the circuit, as in a conventional switch without locking. Thanks to the inclined design, the switch also provides the possibility of continuous operation by pressing and sliding the drive button forward, as in a conventional latching switch. The combination of these two functions in one switch gives the consumer the opportunity to test the device and check its operation before purchase and at the same time turn it on for continuous operation after the device is removed from the package. The switch may also include one or more light emitting elements. The light emitting elements may turn on each time the engine is started, however, the toothbrush may also have several switches to turn on the light emitting elements.

The drawings depict embodiments of the invention for illustrative purposes only, and not with the aim of limiting the scope of the invention. FIG. 1 shows a backlit electric toothbrush 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. An electric toothbrush can be used as a personal care product, for example, for brushing teeth and gums. As shown in FIG. 1, the electric toothbrush includes a handle 12 and a tapered portion 14 attached to the pen 12. A head 16 is attached to the tapered portion 14. Typically, the head is larger than the tapered portion 14, which is usually also smaller than the handle 12.

2, the head 16 also has a longitudinal axis 19 and comprises a movable bristle holder 20 and one or more optional fixed bristle holders 22. In this embodiment, the fixed bristle holders 22 are located on opposite sides of the movable bristle holder 20. The movable bristle holder 20 in this embodiment is located in the center of the head 16. The movable bristle holder 20 comprises a plurality of bristles 24 mounted and held onto the holder 20. The movable bristle holder may oscillate or rotate about an axis of movement approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 19 of the head 16, although other movements described above may occur. As described in more detail in the present description, an electric element 74 is located on this axis of movement of the movable bristle holder. In a particular embodiment (shown in FIG. 2a), the electric element is a light emitting element 75 of an LED type located on the head of the toothbrush and generally below or below it, so that the surface of the light-emitting element does not protrude above the bristle-bearing surface of the movable bristle holder (as shown in FIG. 20). This embodiment of the toothbrush also has gripping regions 70 and 72. As shown in FIG. 3, the handle 12 further comprises a cavity 30 in which the engine 32 is located and has a longitudinal axis 34. The engine 32 drives the movable bristle holder 20 by means of a rotating the shaft 44. The gear transmission functionally connects the shaft 44 and the engine 32. The gear transmission includes a worm gear 40 and a pair of gears 42, 43. The motor 32 is operatively connected to the worm gear 40. The gear 42 is functionally connected to the gear 43 and the worm chnym gear 40. There is a light emitting element 75 which is disposed within the movable bristle holder 20. As used herein, the term “light emitting” element means an element that converts electrical energy into light, as opposed to an element that simply conducts or diffuses light, such as an optical fiber cable or wire. In one embodiment, the light emitting element of the present invention is an LED. For LEDs, the dominant, or central, wavelength can be determined from the equations:

for continuous spectra, and

for discrete spectra,

where I is the light intensity, and λ is the wavelength.

These equations are described in more detail in CIE 127 (1997), entitled “LED Measurements,” which was released by the International Lighting Commission. These equations and methods can also be applied to other light-emitting elements other than LEDs, or other methods and equations known in the art can be used to determine the dominant or central wavelength. Using devices known in the art, such as an OL 730CV radiometer / photometer manufactured by Optronics Laboratories, Inc. from Orlando, Florida, you can measure the spectral (e.g., maximum wavelength), photometric (e.g., aperture), radiometric (e.g., radiation intensity), and colorimetric (e.g., dominant wavelength) characteristics of the light emitting elements. Some color may not have a predominant, or central, wavelength (for example, white).

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a toothbrush having a stationary light emitting element 75 that is connected to a stand 91 that is fixed and attached to the head 95 at a point 93 of the toothbrush. In this embodiment, the movable bristle holder 97 oscillates or rotates around the stationary light emitting element 75 located inside the rack 91. A light emitting element 75 located inside the rack 91 serves as a rotation axis for the movable bristle holder 97 on the head 95 of the toothbrush. A positive terminal 87 and a negative terminal 89 can pass from the light emitting element 75 through the pillar 91 and further along the entire length of the toothbrush head 95 to an energy source (not shown).

In another embodiment, the light emitting element 75 is located inside an opening 88 that extends through the movable bristle holder 320, as best seen in FIG. 5, so that the light emitting element is stationary and the movable bristle holder 320 oscillates or rotates around the stationary light emitting element 75. B in this embodiment, the light emitting element 75 is fixedly attached to the head 316. The light emitting element 75 may partially protrude from the hole 88, or it may be located under the lower surface under izhnogo bristle holder 320 so that it is fully contained within the head 316. The centerline or axis of the light emitting element 75 may also be the axis of rotation or oscillation of the movable bristle holder 320. In some of the above embodiments, especially those where the light emitting element is located below the movable bristle holder 320, the movable bristle holder may be made of a transparent or translucent material. When the light emitting element is located inside the head, the light emitting element may be placed between the bristle holders and not be on the axis of rotation (oscillation) of the movable bristle holder, as shown as an example in FIG. 6, from which the bristles are removed for greater clarity. FIG. 6 shows a head 416, a tapered portion 414, a movable bristle holder 420, a fixed bristle holder 422 and 423 and a light emitting element 75 located below the movable bristle holder 420 and the fixed bristle holder 423. In this embodiment, the upper surface of the head and bristle holders may be made of a transparent or translucent material.

A variety of materials can be used for a transparent and translucent bristle holder and / or head. Examples of such materials include, but are not limited to, polystyrene (PS), polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) (marketed under the name Eastoman BR003), cellulose acetate propylate (CAP), and combinations thereof. It is understood that to facilitate processing of these materials, they may be subjected to one or more heat treatment cycles.

The light emitting elements can be arranged so that the main direction of radiation is generally perpendicular to the upper surface of the bristle holders and (or) generally parallel to the direction of the bristles of the bristle holder. In other words, the light emitting element may be positioned so that the center line 90 of the light emitting element is generally perpendicular to the upper surface of the head and / or bristle holder, as best shown in FIG. 4. The centerline 90 typically extends through the lens 92 or the opening of the light emitting element. When the light-emitting element is located inside the movable and (or) fixed bristle holder, on or under the movable and (or) fixed bristle holder, the cylindrical region or volume around the center line 90 of the light-emitting element may be devoid of bristles, so that light without interference passes from the bristles to surface to be cleaned. In one embodiment, the diameter of the cylindrical region devoid of bristles is between about 2 mm and about 8 mm, in another embodiment, between about 3 mm and about 6 mm. However, the movable bristle holder may have at least one bristle ring around the light emitting element, as shown by way of example in FIG. 5. However, it is possible to provide additional tufts of bristles or an inner ring of tufts of bristles.

Referring again to FIG. 3, a switch 50 is provided for controlling the operation of an illuminated electric toothbrush that is operatively connected to the motor 32. In addition, the design of the switch 50 is such that it can control the operation of one or more light emitting elements of the toothbrush. Such work is preferably short or continuous. When the switch 50 is closed, a circuit is closed between the battery 60 located in the cavity 30 of the handle 12 and the engine 32 and the light emitting element 75.

FIGS. 7-10 show other relative positions of the head, bristle holder, and bristles for illuminated electric toothbrushes, all of which contain one or more light emitting elements. FIG. 7 shows a head 516 and a tapered portion 514. It is understood that the tapered portion 514 is located between the head 516 and a toothbrush handle (not shown). A single movable bristle holder 520 is located on the head 516, having a plurality of bristle tufts 532 located on it. A light emitting element 575 is located on the second bristle holder 522. FIG. 8 shows another head 616 and a tapered portion 614 of the present invention. The head 616 comprises a single bristle holder 620 containing bristles 632 and has a light emitting element 675. FIG. 9 shows another head 716 having a single holder 720 located on it and a tapered portion 714. On the head 716 in the immediate vicinity of the holder 720 the light emitting element 775 is located in the bristles. However, the light emitting element 775 is not located on the bristle holder. FIG. 10 shows another head 816 having a first bristle holder 820 that moves, and a second bristle holder 822 that is fixed or fixed, and also a tapered portion 814 connected to the head 816. Both bristle holders have light emitting elements located on them 875. The first bristle holder 820 has a plurality of bristle tufts 832 that surround the light emitting element 875 located thereon, and the second bristle holder 822 has a plurality of bristle tufts 834 that surround the light emitting element 874 located thereon.

Another embodiment of an electric toothbrush according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 11, it has a head 1016, a tapered part 1014 and a handle 1012. The tapered part and the handle are detachably connected at 1015 and comprise corresponding structural elements for their physical adhesion and to establish electrical contact between the light emitting element and the energy source. This embodiment also includes a gripping region 1019.

A wide variety of light emitting elements may be used in the present invention. In one embodiment, the light emitting element is a small low energy consumption LED, for example, commercially available under the Luxeon ™ trademark from Lumileds Lighting, LLC of San Jose, California. Other industrial lighting products include those manufactured by American Opto Plus LED Corporation. The LED may operate from a relatively low voltage DC source, for example, in one embodiment, the voltage is in the range of about 0.5 volts to about 5 volts, in another embodiment, it is in the range of about 1 volt to 3 volts, and in yet another embodiment - from about 1.6 to about 2.4 volts.

Various embodiments of the toothbrushes described herein may use light emitting elements with different characteristics. The electric toothbrushes described herein can emit light with a central wavelength between about 10 nm and about 10 ⁶ nm, in another embodiment, from about 390 nm to about 770 nm, and in yet another embodiment, from about 420 nm to about 490 nm, and for blue light between about 420 nm and about 470 nm.

12 is a circuit diagram for the present invention. In this diagram, the light emitting element 75 and the motor 32 are turned on or started simultaneously by the switch 50. When the light emitting element 75 is an LED, it may make sense to connect a current or voltage driver 94 that provides a constant voltage or current to the LED regardless of changes in input voltage or current, especially since the voltage or current at the output of the battery tends to decrease with time. As a voltage or current driver in the present invention, a driver for a single-element or multi-element ZXSC310 LED manufactured by Zetex Semiconductors, Ouldem, UK can be used. Other embodiments of the invention include, for example, separate switches for separately activating the light emitting element and the motor. In addition, more than one light emitting element may be provided. In order for one electric toothbrush to have many fields of application, it is possible to provide light-emitting elements with different spectral, photometric, radiometric and colorimetric characteristics (for example, with different dominant wavelengths, maximum wavelengths, radiometric power, etc.).

FIGS. 13 and 14 show spectral distributions for various colors for commercially available LED light emitting devices used in the electric toothbrushes described herein. These spectral distribution plots correspond to 1 watt Luxeon ™ light emitting elements, but similar distributions can be obtained with other light emitting devices. Specifically, FIG. 13 is a graph of the distribution of relative spectral intensity for light emitting elements of various colors. 13, the distributions for cyan, blue, blue-green, green, amber, red-orange, and red are shown. On Fig shows the distribution of the relative spectral intensity for the white light-emitting element.

It is often desirable to use an LED that creates a generally or substantially uniform distribution of light, so that each tooth receives approximately the same amount of light over the entire surface of the tooth. Therefore, embodiments of the toothbrush of the present invention include such radiation patterns that have a Lambert or bell-shaped appearance, as shown as an example in FIG. 15. However, as already mentioned, the light emitting element can create a wide variety of forms of radiation patterns in accordance with the present invention.

B. Substances for use in combination with an oral care tool

Teeth are complex biological structures. In terms of stain removal, an important part of the tooth structure is the crown. The outer layer of the crown consists of enamel, a calcified structure, the color of which can be from translucent to yellow-gray. Under the enamel is dentin, and then the central cavity of the tooth. Both enamel and dentin are porous. The spot can migrate in these pores as a result of diffusion due to the presence in the oral cavity of a dynamic environment provided by the secrets of the salivary glands.

The discoloration of teeth experienced by consumers is largely caused by coloring substances of the tooth structure itself and, secondly, by the accumulation of external dyes from food tannins, which are also retained in tartar. Dental discoloration occurs both in enamel and in dentin. The visible color of enameled crowns is partly determined by the color of the underlying dentin. A discoloration can also cause tartar, which is a mineralized bacterial dental plaque on the enamel surface. Dental stains are usually associated with porphyrin compounds (derivatives of porphyrin) and arise from food addictions and from food components. Oral bacteria can create them, and they can accumulate under the enamel. Removal of external and internal spots is of great importance to achieve a high degree of whitening, which can be measured in a clinical setting and which is noticeable to the consumer.

When the light emitted by the device is absorbed directly by the coloring substances present on and / or inside the tooth structure, the coloring substances (“chromophores”) become excited. When chromophores in an excited state enter into chemical reactions, this leads to their loss of color and (or) to their easier removal. Or you can use photoreactive pathways through a photosensitizer, which is able to absorb the energy of incident light and, being in an excited state, transmit energy to the chromophores of the tooth structure and (or) oxygen. Activated chromophores can react with other chemicals, or active oxygen can react with chromophores in their ground state, which makes them less chromogenic. Depending on the conditions used, the active oxygen may be singlet oxygen, peroxide, hydroxyl radical, hydroperoxyl radical, endoperoxide, or a mixture thereof. In particular, the presence of amines or amides can enhance the formation of peroxide. In addition, a number of photosensitizers are known that promote chemical reactions of active oxygen.

In addition, light can activate stain chromophores (make an electronic transition) and lower the activation energy barrier, which makes them more susceptible to peroxide bleaching, as well as to other cleansing and bleaching substances. Thus, the activation of chromophores by light can enhance the beneficial effects of oral care procedures, such as bleaching and / or whitening. Similarly, stain chromophores may become more susceptible to abrasive whitening after light treatment, which speeds up and facilitates whitening.

In combination with the electric toothbrush described herein, especially with a toothbrush containing a light emitting element, a wide variety of tooth whitening agents can be used. Teeth whitening substances may contain a whitening substance, an abrasive substance, pH modifiers, chelants, surfactants, enzymes, solvents, polymers and photosensitizers, or any other substance that has a mechanical or chemical effect on the chromophores of teeth, or a combination thereof. The tooth whitening agent may be in the form of a solution, paste, gel, viscous liquid, solid or other suitable form.

1. Bleaching agents

Bleaching agents include ion-free metal peroxides, organic peroxides, and ion-containing metal peroxides, which form bleaching active substances, such as an oxygen radical. Examples of decolorizing substances include, but are not limited to, peroxides, metal chlorites, perborates, percarbonates, peroxyacids, persulfates, compounds that form the preceding compounds in place, and combinations thereof. Examples of peroxide compounds include, in particular, hydrogen peroxide, urea peroxide, calcium peroxide, urea peroxide, and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the decolorizing agent is carbamide peroxide. Metal chlorites include, but are not limited to, calcium chlorite, barium chlorite, magnesium chlorite, lithium chlorite, sodium chlorite, potassium chlorite, and mixtures thereof. Additional bleaching agents also include hypochlorite and chlorine dioxide. In one embodiment, the decolorizing agent is selected from sodium chlorite, peroxide, sodium percarbonate, oxones, and mixtures thereof. The starting bleaching agent may be an aqueous or solid material. For example, peroxides penetrate the pores of enamel and dentin, thereby destroying and removing both internal and external spots.

The amount of a bleach component in a bleaching or bleaching agent may be different. For example, the presence of a bleaching component may comprise from about 3 to about 60 weight percent of the total amount of tooth whitening substance. If the decolorizing component is hydrogen peroxide, according to one particular embodiment, then its proportion may be from about 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and (or) less than about 60, 50, 40, 30, 20, 15, 12, 10, 7, 5 weight percent, and in another embodiment, from about 7 to about 15 weight percent of the total amount of tooth whitening substance. If the urea peroxide is a decolorizing component, according to a particular embodiment, then its proportion may be from about 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and / or less than about 60, 50 , 40, 30, 20, 15, 12, 10, 7, 5 weight percent of the total amount of substance for whitening teeth. Irradiation energy from the light-emitting element can be applied at the moment when the substance is in contact with the tooth, however, light irradiation from the light-emitting element can be performed before or after applying the tooth whitening substance.

In another embodiment, the whitening agent may take the form of a multicomponent system. For example, the whitening agent may be sold or supplied as a two-part system. This approach allows you to keep the components separately before or after the use of substances for whitening teeth and can help to increase the efficiency of whitening and longer storage.

In this particular embodiment, these two components, referred to herein as Part 1 and Part 2, may be mixed shortly or immediately before use. It should be borne in mind that this embodiment also encompasses compositions containing more than two components. The bleaching agent can also be used more than 30 minutes after mixing, but due to decomposition of the peroxide, the whitening effectiveness may be partially or substantially lost.

The first component, Part 1, may have the consistency of a gel or paste. To obtain this consistency, thickeners and / or fillers may be added to it. Part 1 may contain one or more metal peroxides, in particular monovalent and divalent metals. Examples of peroxides include calcium peroxide, zinc peroxide and sodium peroxide, as well as other peroxides, in particular potassium, magnesium and strontium peroxides, which can also be used. In one embodiment, the peroxide forms a suspension or suspension in a medium to form a mixture in which the metal peroxide is from about 5% to about 40% by weight. In another embodiment, the peroxide is from about 15 to about 30% by weight, and in yet another embodiment, the peroxide is from about 20%. Alternatively, the mixture contains from about 2% to about 16% peroxide by weight, and in yet another embodiment, the peroxide is from about 6% to about 10% peroxide by weight. Additionally, the component may contain one or more additives to change the rheology, structure, aroma, odor, color, or other properties. Examples of additives used in Part 1 are glycerol, propylene glycol, polyethylene and / or polypropylene glycols, water and mixtures thereof. In some embodiments, alcohol is added to the medium.

Alternatively, the first component, the metal peroxide of Part 1, forms a suspension or suspension in a liquid to form a mixture that may contain from about 8% to about 25% peroxide by weight, and in another embodiment, from about 8% to about 15% peroxide, by weight weight.

Part 2 contains a solution of one or more acids in water or in an aqueous solution, which can be modified to obtain the desired consistency, for example the consistency of a gel or paste, by adding thickeners and (or) fillers. Acids that can be used in the present invention include organic acids, including acetic acid, tartaric acid, phosphoric acid and citric acid. The total acid concentration in Part 2 may be from about 30% to about 100% of the stoichiometric requirement for converting metal peroxide to their salts and hydrogen peroxide, and in another embodiment, from about 50% to about 80% of the stoichiometric requirement. Examples of thickening agents are xanthan gum, polyacrylic acid and cellulose derivatives (e.g. carboxymethyl cellulose), and examples of fillers are silica, diatomaceous earth, alumina and powder polyethylene or polypropylene or other polymers. Thickeners and / or fillers are added in an amount sufficient to obtain the desired consistency. The same thickeners and fillers can also be used as additives to Part 1. Additives that change the rheology, structure, aroma, smell and color may also be contained in Part 2. In addition, alcohol or other solvents miscible with Part 2 can be added. water.

Parts 1 and 2 can be mixed in equal proportions to obtain a whitening composition, although the ratio may differ from 1: 1 depending on the concentration of peroxide and acid.

After joining, the Part 1 peroxide reacts with the aqueous acid of Part 2 to form hydrogen peroxide in place. The bleaching agent used in combination with the backlit toothbrushes described herein may also contain other necessary additives, such as stabilizers, activators, alkalizing components, solvents, flavors, sweeteners, thickeners, adhesives and moisturizers. Examples of alkalizing components that can be used are sodium hydroxide or triethanolamine, although alkalizing ability can be changed using various amounts of potassium salt, xylitol, sweeteners such as saccharin or cyclic acid derivatives, thickeners such as starch derivatives, xanthan gum, colloidal silica and the like and humidifiers such as glycerin. Each alkalizing additive, flavor, sweetener and thickener may be contained in the gel substance in an amount of from about 0 to about 6% by weight of the total amount of the substance, while a humectant may be contained in an amount of from about 40 to about 80% by weight of the total amount of substance. The pH for light activated substances of the present invention may be from about 4.5 to about 9.5, in another embodiment from about 5 to about 8, in yet another embodiment, from about 5 to about 7, and in still in one embodiment, from about 5 to about 6.

Light activated compositions of the present invention may contain a thickening agent. In one embodiment, the thickener (or viscosity modifier) may also serve to help maintain the composition on the teeth. The viscosity modifier can also serve to prevent precipitation or separation of components or to control precipitation in such a way as to facilitate re-dispersion, and allows you to control the fluidity of the composition. A viscosity modifier is especially useful for retaining discolored components or other active oral care components that are dispersed in a suspension formulated in accordance with the present invention. The level of viscosity modifier is from about 0.01% to about 20%, in one embodiment, from about 0.1% to about 10%, and in another embodiment, from about 1% to about 3%, and in another in one embodiment, from about 0.4% to about 5% of the total weight of the composition. Viscosity modifiers that can be used in the present invention can be natural and synthetic polymers and gums, such as cellulose derivatives (e.g. methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, etc.), carbomer polymers (e.g. polyacrylic acid copolymer or homopolymer and acrylic acid copolymers crosslinked with polyalkenyl polyester), karaya gum, guar gum, gelatin, algin, sodium alginate, chitosan, polyethylene oxide, acrylamide polymers, polyvinyl alcohol, polyamines, four to four component compounds, ethylene oxide polymers, polyvinylpyrrolidone, cationic polyacrylamide polymers and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the thickener is selected from carbomers, that is, from a class of acrylic acid homopolymers crosslinked with pentaerythritol alkyl ether or sucrose alkyl ether. Carbomers are manufactured by B.F. Goodrich as a series of products called carbopol. In one embodiment, carbopolis are carbopol products 934, 940, 941, 956 and mixtures thereof. In another embodiment, the viscosity modifier is a hydrophobically modified carbomer. A hydrophobically modified carbomer can improve the retention of the compositions described herein and (or) their constituent carriers on the surfaces of the teeth and slow down the erosion of compositions already applied to the surfaces of the teeth. Hydrophobically modified carbomers that can be used include acrylate / C10-C30 cross-polymer alkyl acrylate type carbopol 1382, carbopol 1342, carbopol 1392 and carbopol ETD 2020, all from BFGoodrich, and pemulene TR- acrylate / C10-C30 cross-polymer alkyl acrylate 1 and pemulen TR-2, both of BFGoodrich. In one embodiment, mixtures of hydrophobically modified carbomers with carbomers can be used. In another embodiment, silicones of the carboxy functional group (dibasic acid, monobasic acid) are used to increase the retention capacity of decolorizing substances on the teeth.

The present invention can be used in combination with almost any substance for whitening teeth and (or) a substance, in particular with the substances described in US patent No. 6.488.914, 5.851.514, 4.980.152, 3.657.413, 4.983.380, 5.084.268, 5.171.564, 5.376.006, 5.645.428, 5.713.738, RE 34.196, 5.122.365, 6.558.654, 6.555.020, 6.536.628, 6.533.582, 6.521.215, 6.514.543 , 6.479.037, 6.447.757, 5.891.453, 6.555.020, and 6.419.905, in patent application WO 03/007680 and in application for US patent 10 / 154.020. It is not necessary that the substance enhances its whitening properties after exposure to light. A positive effect can be achieved simply by exposure to light from an electric toothbrush on the surface of the tooth before applying the whitening substance. In addition, an additional beneficial effect may result from a more effective cleaning due to the illumination of the cleaning area.

2. Non-decolorizing substances for teeth whitening and stain removal

Additional active substances that give a positive effect in the care of the oral cavity, for example in the form of whitening or stain removal, include polymers, solvents, chelants, surfactants and (or) enzymes and mixtures thereof. These active substances can activate chromophores and when used in combination with the light emitted from the head of an electric toothbrush, they can whiten and / or remove stains. In addition, some active substances, for example polymers, can serve as carriers for oral care substances and ensure delivery of the active component to the surfaces of the oral cavity. Examples of polymers include polyvinylpyrrolidone, a vinylpyrrolidone / vinyl acetate copolymer (“PVP-VA”), carbopol, polyethylene oxide rubber and / or silicones and mixtures thereof. The polymers can be added to substances for whitening teeth and (or) stain removal in an amount of from about 0, 5, 10, 30, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and (or) less than about 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10, 5 weight percent of the total amount of substance for whitening teeth. Examples of solvents include, in particular, hexamethyldisilosane (“HMDS”); ethyl acetate (“EtAC”); acetone; polydimethylsiloxane (“PDMS”); hexane and isododecane and mixtures thereof. Solvents may be added to teeth whitening and / or stain removing agents in an amount of from about 0, 5, 10, 30, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and / or less than about 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10, 5 weight percent of the total amount of substance for whitening teeth. Examples of chelants include, in particular, pyrophosphates, including sodium tetrapyrophosphate (“TSPP”) and potassium tetrapyrophosphate (“TCRP”); glycine (“G1-H”); ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (“EDTA”); ethane hydroxydiphosphonate (“EHDP”) and / or nitrile triacetic acid (“NTA”) and mixtures thereof. Heant can be added to substances for whitening teeth and (or) stain removal in an amount of from about 0, 2, 3, 5, 10, 30, 30 and (or) less than about 30, 20, 10, 5 weight percent of the total substances for whitening teeth. Examples of surfactants include, in particular, sodium lauryl sulfate (“SLS”); pluronics; polyethylene oxide; quaternary ammonium and (or) zwitterionic compounds and mixtures thereof. Surfactants may be added to teeth whitening and / or stain removing agents in an amount of from about 0.1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 30, 30, 40, 50 and / or less than about 50, 40 , 30, 20, 10, 5 weight percent of the total amount of substance for whitening teeth. Examples of enzymes include, in particular, proteases; carbohydrates; laccase; glucose and (or) papain and mixtures thereof. Enzymes can be added to substances for teeth whitening and / or stain removal in an amount of from about 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and (or) less than about 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0.5 weight percent of the total amount of substance for whitening teeth.

3. Photosensitizers

Activators that facilitate or accelerate the action of a bleaching component may include abrasives, metal catalysts, and photosensitizers. These activators can be added to substances for teeth whitening and / or stain removal in an amount of from about 0, 2, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and (or) less than about 60, 50, 40 , 30, 20, 10, 5 weight percent of the total amount of substance for whitening teeth. Abrasives that can be used include silica, sodium carbonate, calcium phosphate, and mixtures thereof. Metal catalysts include copper, iron, manganese, and other transition metal ions. As you know, a number of photosensitizers create chemical compounds with active oxygen. These photosensitizers can absorb light and be activated by light with a wavelength of from about 380 to about 700 nm. Photosensitizers or their starting materials are selected from the group consisting of chlorophyll, in particular chlorophyll a and b and bacterial chlorophyll; benhalrosis; methylene blue; zinc phthalocyanine; porphyrin, in particular hematoporphyrin, uroporphyrin and tetraphenylporphyrins and their complexes of zinc, aluminum, silicon, tin, phthalocyanines and their complexes with zinc, aluminum, silicon, tin and curcumin; chlorins, especially bacteriochlorins; riboflavin; bilirubin; curcumin; EDTA; diethyl poloskriamine pentaacetic acid (DEPTA); nitrilotriacetate; ethane hydroxy diphosphonate; ethylene diamine tetra (methylene phosphonic acid) and dietoliprioskriaminpent (methylene phosphonic acid). Photosensitizers can be added to substances for teeth whitening and / or stain removal in an amount of from about 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10 and / or less than about 10, 7, 5, 3, 2, 1, 0.5, 0.1 weight percent of the total amount of substance for whitening teeth. Using any of the above sensitizers in combination with an electron donor such as amines and amides - EDTA, DTPA, dietoliprioskriaminopentafosfonovoy acid, triethanolamine, triethylamine, tryptophan, tyrosine or antifibrin - you can get peroxide. In another embodiment, nanoscale zinc diode and titanium dioxide can be used as photosensitizers.

In some embodiments, it may be desirable for the backlit toothbrush and the whitening agent to “fit” together. That is, it is desirable that when the whitening substance enhances or accelerates its whitening properties after exposure to light with a specific wavelength or wavelength range, the wavelength of the light emitted from the lighting device of the toothbrushes described here coincides or practically coincides with this specific length the waves. For example, if a specific whitening substance is selected for use with the backlit toothbrushes described herein, and if this substance enhances its effect after exposure to light with a wavelength of a maximum of 430 nm to 470 nm, then the toothbrush to be used with this substance can emit light with a wavelength in the range from 430 nm to 470 nm.

4. Additional active substances for oral care

Other oral care actives that provide a positive effect on oral care and which include, but are not limited to: divalent tin ion, can be used with the present invention. antibacterial substances; substances from dental plaques; anti-inflammatory drugs, nutrients such as minerals, vitamins, oral nutritional supplements; antioxidants; antiviral substances; painkillers and painkillers; H-2 antagonists, such additional active substances as insulin, steroids, medicines derived from herbaceous and other plants, antitumor drugs and anti-gingivitis drugs, as well as substances for gum care. These oral care actives may be added to the oral care substance in an amount of from about 0.01, 1, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 and / or less than about 40, 30, 20, 10 , 5, 1, 0.5 weight percent of the total amount of substance for caring for the oral cavity.

5. Carriers of oral care components and gel-forming components

The oral care substances disclosed herein may contain oral carriers of oral care components suitable for the oral cavity. In addition, in addition, some of the active substances disclosed in the present description, can also act as a carrier components for the care of the oral cavity. In some embodiments, an active oral care component, such as a polymer, can be used as a polymeric oral care component carrier that provides better affinity for the active ingredients, improves the adherence of the active oral care substance to the desired oral surfaces, and (or) improves the flow of the active component for caring for the oral cavity to the desired surface of the oral cavity. Some active components have the property that the longer the active component remains on the surface in the oral cavity, the stronger the positive effect it creates for the oral cavity. In one embodiment, the active component for caring for the oral cavity is activated by light, and therefore the use of a polymer that enhances the affinity of the active component for the surface of the oral cavity provides a longer exposure to light for this active component for caring for the oral cavity. Longer exposure to light can lead to an increase in the positive effect for the oral cavity. The carrier of the oral care components contains one or more compatible solid or liquid diluents, fillers or encapsulating substances that are suitable for topical use in the oral cavity and can improve the delivery of active oral care components to the surfaces of the oral cavity. The carrier of the oral care components must be compatible with the active ingredients used in these substances; in the present description, the term “compatible” means that the components of a substance are capable of mixing without interacting with each other in such a way that this will significantly reduce the stability and / or effectiveness of the substance. In particular, the carrier of the oral care components may include a polymer carrier of the type described in US Pat. Nos. 6,682,722 and 6,589,512 and US patent applications Nos. 10 / 424.640 and 10 / 430.617. Examples of polymers suitable for use in the present invention include, in particular, silicone rubbers and resins, in particular silicone resins with a molecular weight of from about 1000 to about 10,000; dicarboxyfunctionalized polyorganosiloxanes; water soluble or water dispersible copolymers prepared by copolymerizing one or a mixture of vinyl pyrrolidone monomers (in particular, copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone with vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate and vinyl butyrate) with one substance or a mixture of monomer complex alkenilefira C ₂ -C ₁₂ alkylcarboxylic acid, C ₁ -C _19; carbopol; gantreza and (or) polyvinylpyrrolidone.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the polymeric carrier comprises, as an essential component, at least one siloxane polymer functionalized with carboxylic acid groups for use on polarized surfaces such as teeth, ceramics, leather, fabric, hair, glass and paper. Substances contain at least about 0.1% of a carboxylic acid functionalized siloxane polymer in a composition that effectively deposits the polymer on the surface to be treated. These polymers contain a hydrophobic siloxane base and suspended anionic moieties containing carboxyl groups and have the ability to precipitate on surfaces from water-based formulations, such as cleaning and detergents, and from formulations with a predominantly non-aqueous base. When applied to a suitable surface, such a substance containing siloxane polymers functionalized with a carboxy group forms a predominantly hydrophobic coating on the surface to be treated, which has the property of being permanently retained on the surface.

It is believed that siloxane polymers functionalized with a carboxyl group, which are used in the present invention, adhere to polarized surfaces and form a coating on them due to electrostatic interaction, i.e., due to the formation of a complex between suspended carboxyl groups of the polymer and cations or other positively charged sites on the treated surface. For example, it is believed that when used in the oral cavity, carboxyl groups interact with calcium ions in the teeth. In the case of tissues, an interaction occurs with calcium ions or cellulose groups; in the case of hair or skin, with protein groups; in the case of glass or ceramics, with calcium and other metal ions. Thus, carboxyl groups serve to attach the siloxane polymer base to the surface, thereby turning it into hydrophobic.

The suspended functional group, which is a branch from the main polysiloxane chain, contains two carboxyl groups, which leads to better deposition and retention of the polymer, especially on surfaces such as teeth containing positively charged calcium ions. The interaction between the carboxyl groups and the tooth surface is electrostatic in nature, while the anionic carboxyl groups form a complex with positively charged calcium ions.

Dicarboxylic acid functionalized polyorganosiloxanes that can be used in the present invention have the formula

where end group X represents a triorganosiloxyl end group of the formula R ¹ R ² R ³ SiO— or an end group Z, where Z represents an —OH group;

end group Y represents a triorganosilyl end group of the formula —SiR ³ R ² R ¹ or an end group W, where W represents —H;

R ¹ -R ⁶ radicals, which may be the same or different, represent each linear or branched C ₁ -C ₈ alkyl or phenyl radical, preferably methyl;

A represents a dicarboxylic acid radical of the formula

Where

B represents an alkylene group containing from 2 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably from 3 to 8 carbon atoms, optionally substituted by one or more alkyl radicals having from 1 to 30 carbon atoms,

R 'represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl radical having from 1 to 30 carbon atoms,

E is nothing or an alkylene group having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, optionally substituted by one or more alkyl radicals having from 1 to 30 carbon atoms; and

M is hydrogen, a cation or an alkyl radical having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms optionally substituted with hydroxyl or alkoxy groups;

p is an average value ranging from 0 to 1000, preferably from 0 to 500, more preferably from 5 to 200;

q is an average value ranging from 1 to 100, preferably from 1 to 50; and

the ratio of the number of end groups Z and W to the total number of end groups X and Y is in the range from 0/100 to 75/100, preferably from 0/100 to 30/100.

In one embodiment, the p / q ratio is from 1/3 to 99/1 (corresponding to 1-75% of suspended dibasic acid groups relative to siloxyl units), in another embodiment, the p / q ratio is from 1/1 to 10 / one. Products in which Z is —OH and (or) Y is H are by-products.

The cationic salts of the dicarboxyl radical can be alkali metal salts (sodium, potassium, lithium), alkaline earth metal salts (calcium, barium) salts, unsubstituted and substituted ammonium salts (methyl, dimethyl, trimethyl or tetramethyl ammonium, dimethyl piperidinium) or can be derivatives alkanolamine (monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine).

In addition to derivatives of the dicarboxyl radical (M = alkyl) in the form of mono- and diesters, the present invention includes derivatives in the form of amides and diamides.

Existing siloxane polymers functionalized with a dicarboxyl group are typically prepared in the hydrosilylation reaction of polyalkylhydrogen siloxane and alpha-olefin anhydride, the starting material of dicarboxylic A groups, using an effective amount of a metal hydrosilylation catalyst (platinum), as described, for example, in US Patent Nos. 3,159.601 , 3.159.662 and 3.814.730, followed by hydrolysis of the anhydride groups.

In particular, with regard to the supply of a decolorizing component from an oral care substance, such as a mouthwash or mouthwash, the present polymers having a hydrophobic polysiloxane base and suspended fragments containing dicarboxyl groups are ideal for facilitating the flow and retention of the decolorizing component on teeth for a period of time sufficient to create a noticeable whitening effect, especially with repeated use of these substances. The present method of using a polymer base to deposit and hold a bleach component in contact with a surface for a long time is a new approach.

In another embodiment, the polymer carrier is a vinyl pyrrolidone (VP) copolymer / vinyl acetate copolymer (VA), in which the weight ratio VP / VA is 60/40 and the average molecular weight is in the range of from about 1000 to about 1,000,000 and is manufactured by BASF Corp . and ISP. You can also use copolymers in which the ratio of VP / VA is in the range from about 30/70 to about 90/10.

The oral care substance of the present invention may take various forms, including a gel and, in particular, an aqueous gel. A gel is a high viscosity matrix formed from a gelling agent. If a gel form is used, then a gelation process can be used. Gelling agents that can be used in the present invention are safe for use in the oral cavity, do not dissolve quickly in saliva, do not react with the oral care compositions inserted into them, and do not inhibit their activity. Typically, the gelling agent is a swellable polymer. Suitable gelling agents that can be used in the present invention include carboxypolymethylene, carboxymethyl cellulose, carboxypropyl cellulose, poloxamers, carrageenan, wigum, carboxyvinyl polymers and natural gums such as gum gum, xanthan gum, gum gum and guar gum and guar gum . Gelling agents can be added to the oral care substance, and in particular to the tooth whitening substance, in the form of a gel in an amount of from about 0.1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, and ( or) less than about 15, 12, 10, 8, 7, 5, 3, 2, 1, 0.5 weight percent of the total amount of substance for caring for the oral cavity.

6. Examples

The following examples illustrate in more detail preferred options within the scope of the present invention. These examples are provided for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limitations of the present invention, since many variations of the invention are possible without departing from its spirit or scope. Unless otherwise indicated, all components are given as a percentage of the total weight of the composition.

Examples of Toothpaste or Oral Care

The following are oral care products. These formulations are prepared using standard methods.

Composition Example 1 Components 8A 8B 8C 8D 8E 8F Blue dye No. 1 according to the law on food products, medicines and cosmetics 0,300 0,200 0,200 Carbomer 956 2,000 2,000 0,300 0,300 Lemon acid 0.180 Flavoring 0,900 1,100 1,000 0,900 1,200 0,800 Saccharin 0,300 0.400 0.450 0.400 0,300 0.350 Glycerol 10,000 30,000 30,000 how much is required Monosodium Orthophosphate 0,500 0.590 0,500 Trisodium phosphate 1,450 1,400 Xanthan gum 0.475 0,500 Sodium hydroxide (50% rast.) 1,100 Polyethylene glycol 40 SDIS 1,240 Poloxamer 407, NF 15,000 15,000 5,000 Powder Polyethylene 20,000 15,430 Silica 10,000 20,000 15,000 Sodium Tin 0,090 Sodium fluoride 0.243 0.243 0.243 0.243 0.243 0.243 Sorbitol (70% growth) 50,000 40,000 Sodium Alkyl Sulfate (28% Rust) 3,000 4,000 5,000 Polysiloxane polymer propyl succinic acid 5,000 3,000 1,000 Propyl Acid / Polysiloxanoic Acid Propylene Glycol Ester 3,000 2,000 4,000 Urea Peroxide 10,000 4,000 Hydrogen Peroxide (35% growth) 5,000 3,000 Triclosan 0,300 0,300 Cetylpyridinium chloride 0.530 Vitamin E 2,000 Purified Water USP how much is required how much is required how much is required how much is required how much is required

Composition Example 2 COMPONENT Weight formula% Weight formula% Weight formula% Weight formula% Weight formula% Weight formula% Saccharin Sodium according to USP (a) 0.320 0.50 0.70 0.50 0.50 Trisodium phosphate 1,450 - - - - - Xanthan Gum NF 0.475 6.00 - - - - Sodium Fluoride (USP) 0.243 - - - - - Carbomer 956 / Pemoulin 0,300 2.00 - - - - Monosodium Orthophosphate 0.590 - - - - Sorbitol Solution (USP) (70%) (b) 62,242 - - - - - Silicon Dioxide Abrasive (USP) 20,000 5.00 - - - - Purified water. United States Pharmacopeia (b) 8,980 - 60.00 24.00 60.00 60.00 Sodium lauryl sulfate, 28% rast. 4,000 - - - - - Flavoring - 9 1,50 - - Blue dye No. 1 according to the Law on Food, Drugs and Cosmetics, solution (s) 0,200 Dimethicone (linear polydimethylsiloxane) 10 cst - 80.00 - Polydimethylsiloxane (SE 30) - 7.00 - - - - Ethanol - - 32,50 - - - Sodium Tripolyphosphate - - 2.00 5.00 - 5.00 60/40 polyvinylpyrrolidone / vinyl acetate - - 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 Propylene glycol - - - 53.00 30.00 25.00 Sodium benzoate - - - 0.32 - - Benzoic acid - - - 0.02 - - Poloxamer 407 - - - 10.00 4,50 4,500 Papain (enzyme) - - - - 0.002 - Glycosoxidase - - - - - 0.005 Total 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

Examples of mouthwashes

The following are mouthwash formulations of the present invention. These formulations are prepared by standard methods.

Example 1 Component The weight.% Water 29,000 Propylene glycol 53,459 Sodium benzoate 0.320 Benzoic acid 0,021 Saccharin Sodium 0.700 Functionalized Propyl Acid 5,000 Polysiloxane (average molecular weight = 1700) Poloxamer 407 10,000 Flavoring 1,500

Example 2 Component The weight.% Water 24.00 Propylene glycol 53.46 Sodium Tripolyphosphate 5,000 Sodium benzoate 0.320 Benzoic acid 0,020 Saccharin Sodium 0.700 60/40 polyvinylpyrrolidone / vinyl acetate 5.00 Poloxamer 407 10.00 Flavoring 1,500

Example 3 Component The weight.% Purified water 76,638 Glycerol 23,000 Fragrance (gaulteria) 0,120 Saccharin 1.018 Cetylpyridinium chloride 0,074 Poloxamer 407 0,050 Blue dye No. 1 according to the law on food products, medicines and cosmetics 0,100

Example 4 Component The weight.% Purified water 49,568 3% H ₂ O ₂ 25,000 Cetylpyridinium chloride 0,053 Poloxamer 407 0,050 Polyvinylpyrrolidone / vinyl acetate 0,200 Sucralose 0.010 Glycerol 25,000 Menthol 0,040 Methyl salicylate 0,07 Blue dye No. 1 according to the law on food products, medicines and cosmetics 0.009

Examples of gel formulations

The following are the gel formulations of the present invention. These formulations are prepared by standard methods.

Example 1 Component The weight.% Dimethicone (linear polydimethylsiloxane) 10 cst 80 Polydimethylsiloxane (SE 30) 7 Xanthan gum 6 Pemulen 2 Colloidal silicon dioxide 5

Example 2 Component The weight.% Ethanol 32,50 Water 60.00 Sodium Tripolyphosphate 2.00 Saccharin Sodium 0.50 60/40 polyvinylpyrrolidone / vinyl acetate 5.00

Example 3 Component 8A 8B 8C 8D 8E 8F 8g Flavoring 0,500 0,500 0,500 0,500 0,500 0,500 0,500 Saccharin 0,100 0,100 0,100 0,100 0,100 0,100 0,100 Polysiloxane propyl succinic acid polymer (average molecular weight = 1700) 80,000 25,000 70,000 80,000 Polysiloxane polymer propyl succinic acid 75,000 66,000 75,000 Urea Peroxide 10,000 15,000 20,000 15,000 15,000 Triclosan 3,000 Cetylpyridinium chloride 1.00 Polyethylene glycol 600 how much is required how much is required how much is required how much is required how much is required how much is required how much is required

Example 4 Component The weight.% Glycerol 70 Carboxypolymethylene 5 Urea Peroxide 10 Water (pH 6.5) fifteen

C. Oral Care Product Delivery Devices

There are various devices for delivering an oral care substance to oral surfaces, including, in particular, strips of materials, mouth guards and / or sticks for applying substances. In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 16, an oral care substance is delivered to the surface of the oral cavity using a delivery system 1100 containing a strip of material 1102 that is substantially flat before use. On a strip of material is applied or coated with an oral care substance 1104, as shown in FIG. The cavity care substance 1104 may uniformly and continuously cover a strip of material 1102, as shown in FIG. 18. Alternatively, the oral care substance 1104 may be a layered substance or consist of separate layers of components, may be an amorphous mixture of components, separate strips or spots, or other configurations of various components, or a combination of these structures, including a substance for caring for the oral cavity can continuously cover along the longitudinal axis 1114 a portion of the strip of material 1102. FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate a delivery system 1106 applied to the surface of the tooth 1110 and a plurality of adjacent teeth 1108. The tooth 1110 is immersed adjacent soft tissue 1112. In the present description, adjacent soft tissue refers to the surface of the soft tissues surrounding the tooth structure, which include: the gingival papilla, gingival margin, gingival sulcus, interdental gum tissue, gingival structure on the lingual and buccal surfaces up to and including the transitional fold of the vestibule of the mouth and the sky. In both FIGS. 19 and 20, the delivery system 1106 includes a strip of material 1102 and further comprises an oral care substance 1104 on the side of the strip of material facing the adjacent set of teeth 1108 or a single tooth 1110. The cavity care substance the mouth can be pre-applied to the tooth and then coated with a strip of material, or an oral care substance can be applied to a strip of material and applied to a single tooth. A delivery system 1100 is applied to the surface of the oral cavity for a period of from 1 minute to about 8 hours. In another embodiment, a strip is applied to the tooth from about 1 minute to about 120 minutes. In yet another embodiment, a strip is applied to the teeth from about 30 minutes to about 60 minutes.

Examples of strips that can be used in the present invention include, in particular, the strips disclosed in US Patent Nos. 6,096.328, 6.136.297, 6.045.811, 5.989.569, 5.894.017, 5.891.453, 5.879. 691, 6.277.458, 6.287.120 and 6.343.932.

The oral care product can also be delivered to the surfaces of the oral cavity using a whitening spoon. Spoon 1200 (as shown in FIGS. 21-22) may be filled with oral care substance 1202 and applied to teeth 1204. Examples of spoons that can be used in the method of the present invention include, but are not limited to, the spoons described US Pat. Nos. 5,846.058, 5.816.802 and 5.895.218, and other prefillable devices, such as those described in US Pat. No. 5,310.563.

In addition, an applicator may be used to apply the oral care substance to the desired oral surface. Delivery devices may include a device for upper teeth and a device for lower teeth. Delivery devices can be disposable or reusable.

D. Ways to create a positive effect for the oral cavity

The electric toothbrush of the present invention can be used to create a beneficial effect for the oral cavity, either alone or in combination with an oral care substance. In some embodiments, the teeth are pretreated with an oral care substance. This representative treatment allows oral care substances to penetrate deeper into the surface of the oral cavity, such as inside the teeth, and thereby may enhance the beneficial effect for the oral cavity when the surfaces of the oral cavity are exposed to light.

In one embodiment, the invention includes a method in which an oral care substance can be uniformly applied to a delivery device, and then an oral care substance together with a delivery device can be applied to a desired oral surface, for example a plurality neighboring teeth, on the gums and (or) on another surface of the oral cavity. Then the delivery device is removed from the surface of the oral cavity, while on the surface of the oral cavity there remains a certain amount of substance for caring for the oral cavity. The proportion of the oral care substance that remains on the teeth after removal of the strip may be from about 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90% to about 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30, 20, 15, 10, 5% of the substance for whitening teeth. Then the teeth are brushed using the previously described oral care tool; exposing the surface of the oral cavity to radiation coming from the head of the oral care implement. In addition, to clean the surface of the oral cavity, you can use a dentifrice along with an oral care tool. If desired, the surfaces of the oral cavity can be cleaned with a dentifrice before and / or after application of an oral care substance.

In another embodiment, the invention includes a method for whitening teeth. The method includes applying a bleaching agent to a delivery device and applying the substance through a delivery device to multiple teeth or, alternatively, applying the substance directly to the teeth, followed by applying to the substance, if desired, a delivery device such as a spoon and / or strip of material. The tooth whitening agent may contain from about 5% to about 50% of the tooth whitening active ingredient, and the substance is contacted with the teeth. The delivery device may be superimposed on the teeth from about 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60 to less than 60, 55, 50, 45, 40 , 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, 10, 5 minutes. The delivery device is then removed and at least a portion of the tooth whitening substance remains on the teeth. The proportion of tooth whitening material remaining on the teeth after removal of the strip may be from about 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 % to about 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30, 20, 15,10, 5% of a substance for whitening teeth.

In yet another embodiment, the delivery device is a strip of material coated with a uniform coating of tooth whitening material. A strip of material is applied to the teeth, and the delivery device can remain on the teeth from about 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60 to less than 60, 55 , 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, 10, 5 minutes. When a strip of material is removed from the teeth, the strip releases from about 0.1% to about 80% of the tooth whitening substance, leaving a layer of tooth whitening substance on the plurality of teeth. Then the teeth are brushed with an electric toothbrush containing a head, a handle, a movable bristle holder and a light emitting element that is located on the head and emits light from the head of the toothbrush. Teeth can be brushed with an electric toothbrush for about 30 seconds, 1 minute, 1.5 minutes, 2 minutes, 4 minutes, 5 minutes, 8 minutes and / or less than about 8 minutes, 5 minutes, 4 minutes, 3 minutes, 2 minutes, 1.5 minutes, 1 minutes, 30 seconds. The light emitting element may emit light with a wavelength of from about 420 to about 470 nm. This method can be applied from about 1 to about 4 times a day for a time of from about 1 to about 8 weeks. In addition, this method can be used as a substitute for the daily oral care routine and can be used continuously to weaken and prevent tooth discoloration.

In another embodiment, a uniform layer of tooth whitening agent is applied to the teeth using a delivery device or applicator, and at least a portion of the tooth whitening agent is left on the teeth overnight. The teeth can be cleaned with an electric toothbrush with a backlight made according to the present invention, from about 30 seconds, 1 minute, 1.5 minutes, 2 minutes, 4 minutes, 5 minutes, 8 minutes and / or less than about 8 minutes, 5 minutes , 4 minutes, 3 minutes, 2 minutes, 1.5 minutes, 1 minutes, 30 seconds.

In yet another embodiment, mouthwash is used to treat oral surfaces before and / or after exposure to radiation from an electric toothbrush. The rinse liquid contains an active whitening component and a polymer that solidifies the active substance for whitening the teeth and (or) promotes the adhesion of the active substance for whitening teeth to the surfaces of the teeth. The teeth are then brushed using the oral care tool described above, exposing the surfaces of the oral cavity to radiation coming from the head of the oral care tool.

The above methods can be repeated from about 1, 2, 3, 4 to about 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 once a day for a period of time from about 1 day to about 8 weeks. In addition, the above methods can be applied for an unlimited time, for example, instead of a daily oral care routine. If these methods are used instead of the daily oral care routine, in addition to removing stains, dental plaques and bacteria, they prevent the formation of new stains, plaques and (or) caries on the teeth.

E. Kits

An electric toothbrush may be packaged as a kit containing an oral care substance and / or one or more interchangeable heads containing a light emitting element. Thus, the heads can be interchangeable parts or each belong to a specific family member. Therefore, the various heads in the kit often differ in color. Although the pen is equipped with a battery in the above description, the invention also includes other well-known energy sources, such as power cords or rechargeable batteries with the included brush holder, which is also a charger (not shown). The kit may also include one or more packages of light-activated oral care products, such as packages of tooth whitening compositions. In addition, the kit may include other non-light activated oral care products and toothbrush heads that do not contain a light emitting element.

All documents cited here, in the relevant part, are given in the present description for reference; citation of any document should not be construed as recognition of this document by the prior art in relation to the present invention.

Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that various other modifications and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore understood that the appended claims cover all such alterations and modifications that do not depart from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (20)

1. A method of providing teeth with a positive whitening effect, comprising the following sequence of actions:
(a) applying the oral care substance in a uniform layer to the delivery device;
(b) imposing a delivery device with said substance applied thereon on the surface of the plurality of teeth, such that said substance is in contact with said surfaces, said substance supplying the active component to the plurality of teeth;
(c) removing said delivery device from said teeth and releasing at least a portion of said oral care substance from said delivery device to said plurality of teeth, wherein said oral care substance is left on said plurality of teeth for a predetermined period time; and
(d) brushing said plurality of teeth after said predetermined period of time has elapsed, said plurality of teeth being brushed with an electric toothbrush comprising a head, a handle, a movable bristle holder and an electrically powered element that is disposed on said toothbrush head and radiates energy from said toothbrush heads. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that said electrically powered element is a light emitting element. 3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the light emission from said head of said toothbrush has a wavelength of from 420 to 470 nm. 4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the light emission from said head of said toothbrush has a flux density of from 20 to 300 mW / cm ² . 5. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that said element with electrical power is a light emitting diode. 6. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the said substance for caring for the oral cavity contains an active component selected from the group consisting of substances for whitening teeth, substances for removing stains from teeth, phosphates, sources of fluoride ions, antibacterial components, anti-inflammatory components, nutrients, enzymes, products for the mouth and throat, antioxidants, N-2 antagonists and mixtures thereof. 7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the said substances for whitening teeth and removing stains from teeth contain an active component selected from the group consisting of polymers, solvents, chelants, surfactants, enzymes and mixtures thereof. 8. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that said substances for whitening teeth and removing stains from teeth contain a photosensitizer activated by light with a wavelength of 380 to 700 nm. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein said photosensitizer was Zn phthalocyanine. 10. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that said substance for whitening teeth contains an active component selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide, urea peroxide, precursors of peroxyacids, diacyl peroxides and mixtures thereof. 11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that the said substance for whitening teeth is present in an amount of from 3 to 60%. 12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the said substance for whitening teeth is present in an amount of from 3 to 15%. 13. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the said substance for whitening teeth contains two or more separate phases. 14. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that it is additionally rinsed in the oral cavity with a rinse liquid containing a substance for caring for the oral cavity. 15. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the said delivery device is selected from the group comprising a strip of material and a spoon. 16. The method according to p. 15, characterized in that the said delivery device is left on the teeth for 2 to 60 minutes. 17. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that said teeth are brushed from about 30 seconds to about 8 minutes. 18. A method of whitening teeth, containing the following sequence of actions:
(a) rinsing the mouth with a tooth whitening liquid containing a polymer and a tooth whitening active substance for a predetermined period of time, wherein said active substance is held on the surface of the teeth for said predetermined period of time; and
(b) brushing the teeth after said predetermined period of time, and brushing the teeth with an electric toothbrush comprising a head, a handle, a movable bristle holder and an electrically powered element that is located on said toothbrush head and radiates energy from said toothbrush head. 19. The method according to p. 18, characterized in that the said polymer is a dicarboxyfunctionalized polyorganosiloxane. 20. The method according to p. 18, characterized in that the mouth is rinsed from about 10 seconds to about 5 minutes.

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