U.S. patent application number 13/012604 was filed with the patent office on 2011-10-20 for light-based toothbrush.
This patent application is currently assigned to Colgate-Palmolive Company. Invention is credited to Robert A. Moskovick, Michael Prencipe, Bruce M. Russell.
Application Number | 20110256509 13/012604 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38041281 |
Filed Date | 2011-10-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110256509 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Russell; Bruce M. ; et
al. |
October 20, 2011 |
LIGHT-BASED TOOTHBRUSH
Abstract
Described herein are light-based devices for use in the
detection of plaque or delivery of a whitening effect; and, inter
alia, toothpaste formulations containing ultraviolet brighteners
that provide a whitening or bleaching effect when exposed to
ultraviolet radiation.
Inventors: |
Russell; Bruce M.; (Howell,
NJ) ; Moskovick; Robert A.; (East Brunswick, NJ)
; Prencipe; Michael; (West Windsor, NJ) |
Assignee: |
Colgate-Palmolive Company
New York
NY
|
Family ID: |
38041281 |
Appl. No.: |
13/012604 |
Filed: |
January 24, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11464182 |
Aug 11, 2006 |
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13012604 |
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PCT/US2005/003506 |
Aug 11, 2006 |
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11464182 |
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10776972 |
Feb 11, 2004 |
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PCT/US2005/003506 |
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10776554 |
Feb 11, 2004 |
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10776972 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
433/217.1 ;
15/105 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61C 17/34 20130101;
A61B 5/0071 20130101; A61C 19/066 20130101; A46B 15/0036 20130101;
A46B 15/0044 20130101; A61C 19/004 20130101; A61B 5/4547 20130101;
A61B 5/0088 20130101; A46B 9/04 20130101; A46B 15/0002 20130101;
A46B 15/0034 20130101; A46B 2200/1066 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
433/217.1 ;
15/105 |
International
Class: |
A61C 17/00 20060101
A61C017/00; A46B 15/00 20060101 A46B015/00 |
Claims
1. A toothbrush for delivering an oral care benefit to a user
comprising: a handle, a cleaning head attached to said handle, said
cleaning head having an outer surface, cleaning elements on said
cleaning head extending outwardly from said outer surface, said
cleaning elements being located in a cleaning field, and an
ultraviolet light source having an emitter in said cleaning field
to radiate light toward the user's teeth for purposes of whitening
or for indicating the presence of said plaque.
2. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said handle is hollow, said
ultraviolet light source is disposed in said handle, and further
comprising a light transmission structure transmitting the
ultraviolet light to said emitter.
3. The toothbrush of claim 2 wherein said ultraviolet light source
is a miniature UV bulb.
4. The toothbrush of claim 2 wherein said ultraviolet light source
is at least one UV emitting LED.
5. The toothbrush of claim 4 wherein said at least one UV emitting
LED is mounted on said outer surface of said cleaning head.
6. The toothbrush of claim 5 wherein said at least one UV emitting
LED has a wavelength of 350-410 nm.
7. The toothbrush of claim 2 wherein said toothbrush is a manual
toothbrush.
8. The toothbrush of claim 7 wherein said ultraviolet light source
is selectively actuated by a switch on said handle.
9. The toothbrush of claim 2 wherein said toothbrush is a powered
toothbrush having a movable cleaning element carrying section in
said cleaning head.
10. The toothbrush of claim 9 wherein said ultraviolet light source
is selectively actuated by a switch on said handle.
11. The toothbrush of claim 10 wherein said switch also actuates
said movable section.
12. The toothbrush of claim 9 wherein said cleaning head also
includes a non-movable fixed section having cleaning elements, and
said emitter is located in said fixed section.
13. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said emitter emits
ultraviolet light from plural locations in said cleaning field.
14. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein at least some of said
cleaning elements are bristles
15. A method for detecting the presence of plaque on a user's teeth
comprising the steps of incorporating in a carrier a dye which has
the characteristic of attaching to plaque and which has the
characteristic of being fluorescent in the presence of ultraviolet
(UV) light, applying the carrier to the user's teeth, attaching the
dye to any plaque on the user's teeth, radiating UV light from a UV
light source toward the user's teeth, and creating a visual
fluorescent effect where plaque is present on the user's teeth.
16. The method of claim 15 including removing excess dye and
carrier from the user's teeth before radiating the UV light toward
the user's teeth.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the excess dye and carrier are
removed by a rinse and spitting action.
18. The method of claim 15 wherein the carrier is selected from the
group consisting of toothpaste, oral rinse, oral mouthwash, gum,
lozenge and a polymer strip.
19. The method of claim 15 wherein the carrier is in liquid form
and is gargled for applying the carrier to the user's teeth.
20. The method of claim 15 wherein the UV light source is in a
toothbrush.
21. The method of claim 20 wherein the carrier is toothpaste
applied to the toothbrush.
22. The method of claim 20 wherein the UV light source is
selectively activated by a switch.
23. The method of claim 20 wherein the toothbrush is a manual
toothbrush.
24. The method of claim 20 wherein the toothbrush is a powered
toothbrush.
25. A method for creating a whitening effect on a user's teeth
comprising the steps of incorporating in a carrier an optical
brightener which is capable of attaching to the teeth and which has
the characteristic of having a whitening effect in the presence of
ultraviolet (UV) light, applying the carrier to the user's teeth,
attaching the brightener to the user's teeth, radiating UV light
from a UV light source toward the user's teeth, and creating a
whitening effect by the UV light activating the brightener.
26. The method of claim 25 wherein the UV light source is in a
toothbrush.
27. The method of claim 26 wherein the carrier is toothpaste
applied to the toothbrush.
28. The method of claim 27 wherein the toothpaste includes an
adhering agent which adheres to the teeth and the brightener
adheres to the adhering agent.
29. The method of claim 27, wherein the adhering agent is
gantrez.
30. The method of claim 26 wherein the UV light source is
selectively activated by a switch.
31. The method of claim 26 wherein the toothbrush is a manual
toothbrush.
32. The method of claim 26 wherein the toothbrush is a powered
toothbrush.
33. A method for whitening a user's teeth comprising the steps of
applying an oxidizing agent to the teeth, applying the carrier to
the user's teeth, attaching the brightener to the user's teeth,
radiating energy from a source in a toothbrush toward the user's
teeth, and activating the oxidizing agent from the energy to create
a whitening effect.
34. The method of claim 33 wherein the energy is emitted from at
least one light-emitting diode (LED) in the toothbrush.
35. The method of claim 34 wherein the oxidizing agent is in
toothpaste applied to the toothbrush.
36. The method of claim 34 wherein the source of radiation is
selectively activated by a switch.
37. The method of claim 34 wherein the toothbrush is a manual
toothbrush.
38. The method of claim 34 wherein the toothbrush is a powered
toothbrush.
39. The method of claim 34 wherein said at least one LED is surface
mounted to said toothbrush.
40. The method of claim 39 wherein said at least one LED has a
wavelength of 720-1550 nm.
41. The method of claim 39 wherein said at least one LED has a
wavelength of 350-410 nm.
42. The method of claim 39 wherein said toothbrush is a manual
toothbrush.
43. The method of claim 33 wherein said toothbrush is a powered
toothbrush having a movable cleaning element carrying section in
said cleaning head.
44. The method of claim 43 wherein said source of radiation is
selectively actuated by a switch on said handle.
45. The method of claim 44 wherein said switch also actuates said
movable section.
46. The method of claim 43 wherein said cleaning head also includes
a non-movable fixed section having cleaning elements, and said
light energy is emitted from said fixed section.
47. The method of claim 33 wherein said light energy is emitted
from plural locations in said cleaning field.
48. The method of claim 33 wherein at least some of said cleaning
elements are bristles.
Description
[0001] This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.
10/767,573, filed Jan. 29, 2004 (7191-00), and U.S. application
Ser. No. 10/776,972, filed Feb. 11, 2004 (7190-00), and U.S.
application Ser. No. 10/776,554, filed Feb. 11, 2004 (7422-00), all
of which are incorporated by reference herein in their
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Various techniques have been used to deliver an oral care
benefit to one's teeth. In some cases, techniques have been used
attempting to detect the presence of plaque on one's teeth. Such
techniques include, for example, the application of various
compositions to the teeth which are intended to visually indicate
the presence of plaque. It would be highly advantageous for a
person brushing one's teeth to obtain feedback immediately upon
brushing regarding the brushing effectiveness.
[0003] Various techniques have also been used for creating a
whitening effect of a user's teeth. Current at home tooth whitening
techniques require several days for the user to see the effect of
the treatment and are generally considered to be inconvenient and
in some cases difficult to use. It would be desirable to provide
techniques which give a more immediate whitening effect so as to
encourage the user to have a regular brushing program in addition
to giving the satisfaction of whiter teeth.
[0004] A technique marketed by BriteSmile, Inc. involves providing
a tooth whitening composition which includes an oxidizing compound
which when applied to a stained tooth and exposed to actinic light
is activated to facilitate tooth whitening. The light is provided
by a device which has a generally crescent-shaped surface with
spaced optical outputs located along the surface. In practice the
device would be applied for an extended period of time. Examples of
compositions and devices of BriteSmile, Inc. are found in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 5,645,628, 5,713,738, 6,162,055, 6,254,388, 6,343,933,
6,416,319 and D438,622 and in published patent application
US2002/0137001. Other U.S. patents dealing with the whitening of
teeth are U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,661,070, 4,952,143 and 5,032,178.
Typically, where lights have been used to activate the oxidizing
agent such lights have been xenon lamps, flash lamps, mercury short
arc lamps, metal halide lamps, tungsten halogen lamps, etc.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, a dye
is incorporated in a carrier. The dye has the characteristic of
being able to attach itself to residual plaque on the tooth surface
and also has the characteristic of becoming fluorescent in the
presence of ultraviolet radiation. In a broad practice of this
invention an ultraviolet light source is used for directing
ultraviolet light against the teeth so that the fluorescent effect
would be created and easily visible to the user to indicate the
presence of residual plaque. In a preferred practice of this
invention the ultraviolet light source is incorporated in a
toothbrush. The carrier for the dye could be the toothpaste on the
toothbrush cleaning head. Alternatively, the carrier could be some
form of liquid such as an oral rinse or mouthwash or could be a gum
or lozenge or polymer strip or any other common devices used for
delivering oral health benefits.
[0006] In accordance with another embodiment of this invention,
optical brighteners are incorporated in a carrier, such as
toothpaste. The brighteners have the characteristic of being able
to have a whitening or bleaching effect when coming into contact
with ultraviolet radiation. The carrier would also include an
adhering agent which would adhere to the teeth while the
brighteners adhere to the adhering agent. As a result the
brighteners remain on the outer surface of the teeth. In the broad
practice of this embodiment, an ultraviolet light source is used
for directing ultraviolet light against the teeth so that the
whitening effect would be created and easily visible to the user.
In a preferred practice of this embodiment, the ultraviolet light
source is incorporated in a toothbrush. The carrier for the
brightener is preferably the toothpaste on the toothbrush cleaning
head.
[0007] In accordance with another embodiment of this invention, an
oxidizing agent is provided which may be activated by light and/or
heat energy in order to speed the chemical process of whitening
stained teeth. The oxidizing agent is applied to the teeth
preferably by toothpaste, although other forms of application may
be used such as whitening gels, whitening strips or other such
products. In the broad practice of this embodiment, an ultraviolet
or infrared radiation source is used for directing radiation
against the teeth so that the oxidizing agent would be activated.
In a preferred practice of this embodiment, the radiation source is
from LED devices incorporated in a toothbrush. The carrier for the
oxidizing agent is preferably the toothpaste on the toothbrush
cleaning head.
THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of a
manual toothbrush in accordance with this invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the toothbrush shown
in FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 2A is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a toothbrush
head with surface mounted LEDs;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a powered toothbrush in
accordance with this invention;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the toothbrush shown
in FIG. 3.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of a
manual toothbrush in accordance with this invention;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the toothbrush shown
in FIG. 5; and
[0015] FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of a powered toothbrush
in accordance with this embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] FIGS. 1-4 show one embodiment and FIGS. 5-7 show another
embodiment of a toothbrush that may used in accordance with this
invention. In the first embodiment, toothbrush 10 includes a hollow
handle 12 and a cleaning head 14. Cleaning head 14 has an outer
surface 16 from which a plurality of cleaning elements 18 extend
outwardly. Cleaning elements 18 may be of any suitable form such as
bristles or elastomer members of any size or shape. The cleaning
elements may also be a combination of different types of cleaning
elements. The cleaning elements 18 are arranged on the outer
surface 16 of the cleaning head to form a cleaning field. Thus the
light(s) is located within the cleaning field.
[0017] Mounted within the hollow handle 12 is a source 20 of
ultraviolet light. Any suitable source may be used such as
miniature UV bulbs as manufactured by Welch Allyn.
[0018] Although miniature UV bulbs may be used this is a less
preferred practice of the invention in that generally such bulbs
are of relatively large size with high power consumption and tend
to emit undesired UVB radiation. A more preferred practice of the
invention, which is described in connection with the embodiment of
FIGS. 5-7, is the use of LEDs 26A as the source 20 of ultraviolet
light. A particular advantage of LEDs is that they can be surface
mounted. In addition LEDs would have small or low power consumption
and provide tight emissions in a tight spectrum band with minimum
power requirements and have relatively low intensity. The LEDs
could preferably have a safe UVA wavelength of 350-410 nm and more
preferably a wavelength of 378-383 nm. Suitable LEDs can be
obtained from Roithner Lasertechnik of Vienna, Austria. A suitable
LED would be a 3.0.times.2.2.times.1.5 nm 3TOP LED. Whatever form
of source is used, care should be taken to control the intensity of
the UV radiation in order to avoid possible negative health
effects.
[0019] Although the ultraviolet light can constantly be emitted, it
is preferable that the light source be selectively actuated. Any
suitable structure could be used for accomplishing that task. FIGS.
1-2, for example, show the hollow handle 12 to include a battery 22
electrically connected to the UV light source 20, while FIGS. 5-7
show the hollow handle 12 to include a battery 22 electrically
connected by suitable wiring 28A to the surface mounted LED devices
26A. A switch 24 located externally on the handle 12 selectively
actuates the light source 20 (FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4) or LEDs 26A.
[0020] When the light source 20 is actuated the light is
transmitted from the handle to the carrier field and to at least
one emitter 26 in the carrier field. The light could be transmitted
in any suitable manner by transmitting structure 28 such as a light
pipe, fiber optic, wiring 28A or other suitable devices.
Preferably, the light(s) or emitters 26 are surface mounted and are
located in the carrier field. FIGS. 2A and 5-7, for example, show
two surface mounted emitters 26 in the form of LEDs 26A.
[0021] Although FIGS. 1-2 and 5-6 illustrate the toothbrush to be a
manual toothbrush it is also possible to practice the invention
with a powered toothbrush 10A and 10B as shown in FIGS. 3-4 and 7
respectively. In these embodiments the powered toothbrush includes
a moveable section 30 in the cleaning field. Movable section 30
could be of any size or shape and could be moved in any known
manner such as continuous rotation in one direction, oscillating
rotation or linear back and forth and/or side to side movement. One
example of movement is an oscillating back and forth rotational
movement such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,625,916, all of the
details of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto.
[0022] In the illustrated embodiment toothbrush 10A, 10B includes
in its cleaning field a fixed portion 32 which does not move but
which also contains cleaning elements. For the sake of simplicity
the emitters 26 or LEDs 26A are located only in the fixed portion
32 rather than having to account for the movability of the optic
fibers, light pipe or LED wiring if the emitters or LEDs were also
located in the movable section 30. It is, however, in the scope of
this invention that the emitters or LEDs could be in either the
movable section 30 and/or the fixed section 32.
[0023] The invention could be practiced where the same switch 24
actuates both the light source 20 and the drive mechanism for the
movable section 30. Alternatively, the movable section and the
light source could be actuated by separate switches.
[0024] In one use of toothbrush 10, toothpaste would be applied to
the outer ends of the cleaning elements 18, such as bristles. The
toothpaste would incorporate a dye that has the characteristic of
attaching itself to residual plaque on the tooth surface. The dye
has the further characteristic that it can be actuated by the
presence of ultraviolet radiation and would then have a fluorescent
effect that would be easily visible to the user. In the normal use
of the toothbrush the toothpaste would be applied to the teeth. The
dye in the toothpaste would become attached to or be absorbed by
residual plaque on the tooth surface. Upon rinsing the dye would be
located only on the plaque. Either during or preferably immediately
after the brushing and rinsing the user would actuate the
ultraviolet light source through switch 24 to radiate the
ultraviolet light from the emitters 26, 26A toward the teeth. If
the dye becomes visible the user knows that not all of the plaque
has been removed. If any residual plaque is present the dye would
have remained attached to the plaque and in the presence of the
ultraviolet radiation there would be readily visual fluorescent
effect. This would alert the user that it is necessary to continue
the brushing or to be at least aware that all of the plaque has not
been removed. It would also provide immediate feedback to the user
as to the user's brushing habits and areas where improvement in the
brushing habits are necessary.
[0025] Any suitable dye could be used in the practice of this
invention as long as the dye has the two characteristics noted
above with respect to attaching itself to residual plaque and with
respect to having a visible fluorescent effect in the presence of
ultraviolet radiation. The dye should be absorbed in the plaque but
not to the teeth. Before inspecting the teeth for plaque, the user
would spit or rinse and spit the carrier and dye from the mouth,
leaving only the dye attached to any plaque. One form of suitable
dye is TINOPAL, marketed by Ciba Geigy. Preferably only a small
amount of dye is necessary, such as 0.075 to 0.30% by volume of the
total combination of the carrier and dye.
[0026] Various types of carriers may be used for applying the dye
to the teeth. A convenient form of carrier could be by
incorporating the dye in the toothpaste itself. Other forms of
carriers could be conventional products that would be applied to
the mouth. Such products include, but are not limited to, an oral
rinse or mouthwash, a gum or lozenge, a polymer strip carrier which
may or may not dissolve, or any other common means of delivering
oral health benefits. For example, an oral rinse or mouthwash or
other liquid applicator could be applied to the teeth and then the
user discharges the applicator from the mouth, such as by a
gargling with the liquid applicator or with water and then spitting
the excess applicator and dye from the mouth leaving only the dye
that is attached to the residual plaque in the mouth on the tooth
surface. Preferably after the application the user would rinse with
water to remove excess carrier and dye.
[0027] The UV light source whether from a toothbrush or a separate
light source could then be actuated to radiate the UV light toward
the teeth. In a broad practice of this invention, however, the
ultraviolet or UV light source could be any device that provides
the light emissions for the teeth. By using any of the combinations
of applicator and UV light source the user can easily see how
effective the cleaning operation, such as tooth brushing, has
been.
[0028] In another use of the toothbrush of the present invention,
toothpaste would be applied to the outer ends of the cleaning
elements 18, such as bristles. The toothpaste would incorporate
optical brighteners. In the normal use of the toothbrush the
toothpaste would be applied to the teeth. The brighteners in the
toothpaste would become attached to the tooth surface. Either
during or immediately after the brushing the user would actuate the
ultraviolet light source through switch 24 to radiate the
ultraviolet light from the emitters 26, 26A toward the teeth. The
brighteners in the presence of the ultraviolet radiation, would
create a whitening effect.
[0029] The brightener has the characteristic that it can be
actuated by the presence of ultraviolet radiation, such as that
present in sunlight, and would then have a whitening or bleaching
effect that would be easily visible to the user. In a preferred
practice of this invention the ultraviolet radiation is emitted
from a toothbrush; such that as a result, when the user is brushing
the user's teeth there is an immediate, significant, visual
whitening appearance. In a broad practice of this invention,
however, the ultraviolet or UV light source could be any device
that provides the light emissions for observing the teeth.
[0030] Various types of carriers may be used for applying the
brightener to the teeth. The preferred form of carrier is
incorporating the brightener in the toothpaste itself. As later
described any suitable form of carrier may be used. The carrier
would also include an adhering agent which would adhere to the
teeth while the brighteners adhere to the adhering agent. As a
result the brighteners remain on the outer surface of the teeth. A
preferred adhering agent is a gantrez polymer, such as is used in
antibacterial toothpastes to retain the antibacterial agent on the
tooth surfaces. In the practice of this invention the optical
brighteners could be selected from such types of brighteners which
adhere to the whitening ingredients in such toothpastes and thereby
the optical brighteners also remain on the teeth. Other forms of
carriers could be conventional products that would be applied to
the mouth. Such products include, but are not limited to, an oral
rinse or mouthwash, a gum or lozenge, a polymer strip or any other
common means of delivering oral health benefits. These carriers
would also include some form of adhering agent which would deposit
the brighteners on the surface of the teeth.
[0031] The presence of the optical brighteners on the teeth gives a
white appearance when in the appearance of ultraviolet or
fluorescent light. Such white appearance results when ultraviolet
light or radiation is directed to the teeth such as by being
incorporated in a toothbrush. The white appearance results from a
combination of the bluish light from the radiation combining with
any yellowness on the teeth to give a more white appearance. This
same appearance would occur when the optical brighteners are in the
presence of fluorescent lights in a room or in sunlight. The
immediate creation of the whitening appearance would be beneficial
in encouraging a user to have a regular brushing program so as to
continue obtaining the whitening effect.
[0032] The benefit of incorporating the optical brighteners in
toothpaste is that the optical brighteners would be applied through
the brushing of one's teeth which would be reasonably easy and
familiar to all users. If the optical brightener is incorporated in
other forms of carriers the carriers should be such that the
optical brighteners sufficiently adhere to the teeth to be present
on the teeth and have the brightening effect when in the presence
of ultraviolet energy. The activation of the brightener could thus
occur through use of a special toothbrush as later described in
which UV light is allowed to be transmitted through the bristle
field of the toothbrush.
[0033] Any suitable optical brightener could be used in the
practice of this invention. Suitable optical brighteners are common
in the pulp and paper industry as well as being use in applications
such as laundry detergent. Other uses of suitable optical
brighteners are found in commercially available materials used to
trace leaks in water systems. When these materials come into
contact with ultraviolet radiation they have a whitening or
bleaching effect. Typically, this chemical reaction occurs
relatively quickly after the activation of the ultraviolet energy.
One form of suitable brightener is TINOPAL, marketed by Ciba Geigy.
Preferably only a small amount of brightener is necessary, such as
0.075 to 0.30% by volume of the total combination of the carrier
and brightener.
[0034] In another use of toothbrush of the present invention,
toothpaste would be applied to the outer ends of the cleaning
elements 18, such as bristles. The toothpaste would incorporate
oxidizing agents, such as hydrogen peroxide. In the normal use of
the toothbrush the toothpaste would be applied to the teeth. Either
during or immediately after the brushing the user would actuate the
ultraviolet light source through switch 24 to radiate the
ultraviolet light from the emitters 26, 26A toward the teeth. The
oxidizing agent would be activated to speed the chemical process of
whitening the stained teeth. Because of the short time required in
practicing the invention the procedure could be repetitively
performed and over time should result in an effective whitening
action. This would have a benefit over conventional practices in
being more convenient to use.
[0035] The above-mentioned process can be accomplished through the
use of a toothbrush emitting light energy in the form of either
ultraviolet radiation or infrared radiation. In the case of
infrared energy heating would occur which would accelerate the
process. The oxidizing agent could be applied to the teeth in any
known manner and could be of any known composition, such as
disclosed in the aforenoted patents and application of BriteSmile,
Inc., all of the details of which are incorporated herein by
reference thereto.
[0036] In a preferred practice of this invention the oxidizing
agent is incorporated in a toothpaste composition. The invention,
however, could also be practiced where the radiation is used to
activate or accelerate reactions of specific formulations of
whitening gels, whitening strips or other such products.
[0037] In contrast to the conventional practices of using various
types of lamps the present invention utilizes, as shown in FIGS. 2A
and 5-7, light energy preferably from LED devices 26A which can be
very wavelength specific and much easier to physically place in the
norms of typical toothbrush dimensions.
[0038] Unlike some previous applications the user, in the practice
of this invention, would use the system more frequently for a very
short usage period as opposed to the very long infrequent
applications of the light energy as with prior techniques.
Moreover, many applications in the past have required professional
supervision. In contrast the present invention has the benefit of
light energy that could be applied by the user in the user's
home.
[0039] The benefit of incorporating the oxidizing agents in
toothpaste is that the oxidizing agents would be applied through
the brushing of one's teeth which would be reasonably easy and
familiar to all users. The activation of the oxidizing agents could
thus occur through use of a special toothbrush in which UV or
infrared light is allowed to be transmitted through the bristle
field of the toothbrush.
[0040] The toothbrush used in the practices of the invention could
be a powered toothbrush type, i.e. a toothbrush in which there is
movement of the bristles created by a motor and a drive
transmission, or a manual toothbrush in which there is no driven
movement of the bristles by a power source other than the user. The
manual toothbrush could have the light source and the power supply
for the light contained inside the brush handle with an external
structure, such as a switch 24, for turning on the light. However,
the tufts of bristles 18 would remain relatively stationary as is
common in manual toothbrushes. Where the toothbrush is a powered
toothbrush the light source or LEDs could be turned on or activated
by the same switch which activates the power or could be turned on
from a separate switch. The emitters or LEDs could be located in a
movable section of the powered toothbrush or in a fixed
section.
* * * * *