Electrolytic method and device

Abstract

The present invention is used to obtund tooth decay and periodontal lesions by obstructing the proton motive force that exists in bacteria. The result is that glycolysis, DNA synthesis and chelation is upset and this will cause bacteria to dissolute logrithmically. The invention is also used to harden and remineralize enamel and dentin by using fluoride compounds available in over-the-counter dental cleansers. The invention takes into consideration the vector magnitude of the hydration layer between the enamel and the pellicle plaque layer of teeth which insulates the teeth from the electrical potentials of electrophoresis. The claim that electrical potentials can be placed on teeth does not take this physico-chemical phenomenon into consideration. This invention uses the proper voltage to produce ionization of molecules in a salivary slurry of gels, dentrifice's and rinses.

I claim:  
     
         22 . A method, comprising: 
 a) providing 
 i) an electromotive circuit;  
 ii) teeth; and  
 iii) a dental product selected from the group consisting of dentrifices, gels and rinses;  
   b) contacting said electromotive circuit with said dental product, thereby generating i) electrolytic redox reaction ions, ii) oxygen and iii) hydrogen; and    c) applying said reaction ions to said teeth under conditions wherein said teeth are bleached.    
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein said electromotive circuit comprises a toothbrush comprising: 
 a) a handle incorporating a cathode contact plate and an anode contact plate;    b) a cathode lead contacting said cathode contact plate, wherein said cathode lead progresses through said handle;    c) an anode lead contacting said anode contact plate, wherein said anode lead progresses through said handle;    d) a battery placed within said handle, wherein said cathode lead and said anode lead contact said battery;    e) a rectifying diode contacting said anode lead, wherein said rectifying diode is on the cathode side of said battery; and    f) a photovoltaic cell connected to said anode lead and said cathode lead, thereby forming an electromotive circuit.    
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein said reaction ions are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, fluoride, hydronium, hydroxide, bicarbonate and sodium ions.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said fluoride ion replaces enamel and dentin apatite hydroxyls.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said fluoride ion forms fluoroapatites, thereby providing more resistance to acid decay.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said fluoride ion forms calcium difluoride thereby speeding up fluoroapatite and hydroxyapatite crystal growth on the surface of the enamel and dentin.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein during step (c), said reaction ions lower plaque-forming bacterial growth.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein said plaque-forming bacteria are selected from the group consisting of  S. mutans , Lactobacillus, cocci, rods, bacteriodes, spirillum, spirochaetes, Veillonella, and fusiforms.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein said lowering of plaque-forming bacterial growth is by an interference with ATP synthesis.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said interference with ATP synthesis is by stopping electron transport system and disrupting anaerobic glycolysis.