Aqueous slurries useful for cleaning teeth and methods related thereto

Abstract

Novel aqueous slurries capable of removing calculus, plaque or stains, adherent to tooth surfaces of a warm-blooded animal, when used in methods that are self-practicable by an individual human or practicable by an individual human on another warm-blooded animal, combine finely-divided charcoal; water; and alcohol, ammonia or hydrogen peroxide to form the slurries. Also disclosed are self-practicable methods that utilize the disclosed aqueous slurries by applying to, and contacting affected tooth surfaces with, the same, then removing the treated calculus, plaque or stains by means of devices and techniques that are safe to use according to the methods. Further, kits are disclosed that comprise the disclosed aqueous slurries, as well as apparatus, devices and tools for effectively using the same for the above purposes.

1 - 9 . (canceled)  
   
   
       10 . A method for cleaning affected tooth surfaces, associated with an oral cavity, by removing therefrom calculus, plaque or stains adherent thereto, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) coating the affected tooth surfaces having calculus, plaque or stains adherent thereto, with the aqueous slurry comprising finely-divided charcoal, water; and alcohol, ammonia or hydrogen peroxide, wherein the water and alcohol, ammonia or hydrogen peroxide provide the liquid portion of the aqueous slurry, and the aqueous slurry is formed by mixing the finely-divided charcoal with the liquid portion;    (b) contacting the affected tooth surfaces with the aqueous slurry for an effective period of time;    (c) optionally, repeating steps (a) and (b) until a desired extent of contact of the calculus, plaque or stains with the aqueous slurry is accomplished;    (d) mechanically removing the calculus, plaque or stains thus contacted from the affected tooth surfaces and associated oral cavity;    (e) optionally, repeating steps (a)-(d) until a desired extent of removal of the calculus, plaque or stains from the affected tooth surfaces and oral cavity is accomplished; and    (f) mechanically and/or rinsingly removing any residual portion of the aqueous slurry, or loosened plaque, calculus or stains from the affected tooth surfaces, wherein the aqueous slurry is formed prior to coating the affected tooth surfaces with the aqueous slurry, or during steps (a) and (b).    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein step (b) comprises agitative and frictional contact of the affected tooth surfaces with the aqueous slurry.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein step (b) is accomplished by using a length of floss, a brush, a pick, a cotton-tipped pick, or a cotton swab.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the affected tooth surfaces are coated with the aqueous slurry by taking a desired quantity of the aqueous slurry into the oral cavity and swishing the aqueous slurry around the oral cavity so as to coat the tooth surfaces therewith.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the affected tooth surfaces are coated with the aqueous slurry by transferring a quantity of the aqueous slurry to an applicator means and bringing the applicator means and the affected tooth surfaces into contact so as to transfer the aqueous slurry from the applicator means to the affected tooth surfaces.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the applicator means is a length of floss, a brush, a pick, a cotton-tipped pick, or a cotton swab.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the pick or the cotton-tipped pick comprises wood or bamboo.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the affected tooth surfaces are coated with the aqueous slurry by first coating the affected tooth surfaces with the liquid portion by taking a quantity of the liquid portion into the oral cavity and swishing the liquid portion about the cavity, or by transferring a quantity of the liquid portion to the affected tooth surfaces using an applicator means, followed by transferring a quantity of finely-divided charcoal to the liquid portion-coated, affected tooth surfaces using an applicator means, and mixing the finely divided charcoal and liquid portion on the affected tooth surfaces.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 10  wherein step (d) is accomplished by rinsing with a liquid; brushing; scraping or rubbing using a pick, a cotton-tipped pick, a cotton swab, or a length of floss; applying a vacuum, or by a combination thereof.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the brushing comprises, as an initial step, adding to a toothbrush or another suitable brush, a quantity of the liquid portion of the aqueous slurry, the aqueous slurry, another liquid, toothpaste, or finely-divided charcoal.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the residual portion of the aqueous slurry is removed from the tooth surfaces by rinsing, brushing, or using a combination thereof.  
   
   
       21 - 26 . (canceled)