Electromagnetic radiation emitting toothbrush and dentifrice system

Abstract

A cleaning and whitening system for teeth having an electromagnetic radiation emitting toothbrush and a dentifrice with a photosensitive agent is disclosed. The toothbrush has a cleaning surface, such as bristles. The toothbrush is also adapted to direct electromagnetic radiation toward the cleaning surface. The electromagnetic radiation may be monochromatic or polychromatic. Further, the electromagnetic radiation may be substantially free of ultraviolet radiation. Additionally, the electromagnetic radiation may consist essentially of wavelengths within a range of 300 to 750 nanometers. The photosensitive agent is dispersed throughout the dentifrice. The dentifrice transmits the electromagnetic radiation through a varying thickness disposed over a target surface during use of the system. As a result, a significant portion of the photosensitive agent reacts, resulting in whitening stains, removing and/or disclosing undesired substances, and/or foaming. The dentifrice may be clear and may have clear abrasive particles. A method for tuning the cleaning and whitening system for teeth includes formulating the dentifrice with photosensitive agents that react to a range of electromagnetic radiation and providing a toothbrush that emits that electromagnetic radiation range. Another method of tuning the cleaning and whitening system includes designing a toothbrush that emits a range of electromagnetic radiation and formulating a dentifrice with photosensitive agents that react to the electromagnetic radiation range.

1 . A cleaning system for teeth, comprising: 
 a toothbrush having a cleaning surface and a source of electromagnetic radiation constructed to direct polychromatic electromagnetic radiation toward the cleaning surface, wherein the electromagnetic radiation is at least partially free of ultraviolet radiation; and    a dentifrice comprising a photosensitive agent, which is dispersed throughout the dentifrice, wherein during use the dentifrice is dispersed over a target surface and the dentifrice has a transparency sufficient to transmit the electromagnetic radiation, whereby a significant portion of the dispersed photosensitive agent over the target surface receives the electromagnetic radiation during use of the system, thus enabling the significant portion of the dispersed photosensitive agent to react, wherein the photosensitive agent comprises one or more of a peroxide compound and a peroxy compound.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the source of electromagnetic radiation comprises a continuous wave source of electromagnetic radiation.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the toothbrush comprises bristles and is constructed to direct polychromatic electromagnetic radiation through the bristles toward the cleaning surface.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the toothbrush comprises bristles and is constructed to direct polychromatic electromagnetic radiation around the bristles toward the cleaning surface.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the dentifrice is aqueous and at least a portion of one or more salt compounds is dissolved in the dentifrice.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the dentifrice is hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the source of electromagnetic radiation comprises a light emitting diode.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the dentifrice comprises fluoride.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the dentifrice comprises a clear gel that maximizes transmission of the polychromatic electromagnetic radiation therethrough, to thereby maximize an interaction of the clear gel with the polychromatic electromagnetic radiation throughout a thickness of the clear gel  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the dentifrice is a clear gel.  
     
     
         11 . The cleaning system of  claim 10 , wherein the dentifrice comprises clear abrasive particles.  
     
     
         12 . The cleaning system of  claim 1 , wherein the polychromatic electromagnetic radiation consists essentially of a band of wavelengths from 300 to 750 nanometers.  
     
     
         13 . A cleaning system for teeth, comprising: 
 a toothbrush having a cleaning surface and a source of electromagnetic radiation constructed to direct electromagnetic radiation toward the cleaning surface, wherein the electromagnetic radiation is at least partially free of ultraviolet radiation; and    a dentifrice comprising a photosensitive agent, which is dispersed throughout the dentifrice, wherein during use the dentifrice is dispersed over a target surface and the dentifrice has a transparency sufficient to transmit the electromagnetic radiation, whereby a significant portion of the dispersed photosensitive agent over the target surface receives the electromagnetic radiation during use of the system, thus enabling the significant portion of the dispersed photosensitive agent to react, wherein the photosensitive agent comprises fluoride.    
     
     
         14 . The cleaning system of  claim 13 , wherein the electromagnetic radiation comprises polychromatic electromagnetic radiation.  
     
     
         15 . The cleaning system of  claim 14 , wherein the polychromatic electromagnetic radiation consists essentially of a band of wavelengths from 300 to 750 nanometers.  
     
     
         16 . The cleaning system of  claim 15 , wherein the dentifrice comprises a clear gel that maximizes transmission of electromagnetic radiation therethrough and maximizes an interaction of the photosensitive agent with the electromagnetic radiation throughout a thickness of the clear gel.  
     
     
         17 . The cleaning system of  claim 16 , wherein the dentifrice comprises clear abrasive particles.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the source of electromagnetic radiation comprises a continuous wave source of electromagnetic radiation.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the toothbrush comprises bristles and is constructed to direct polychromatic electromagnetic radiation through the bristles toward the cleaning surface.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the toothbrush comprises bristles and is constructed to direct polychromatic electromagnetic radiation around the bristles toward the cleaning surface.  
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the dentifrice is a clear gel.  
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the dentifrice is aqueous and at least a portion of one or more salt compounds is dissolved in the dentifrice.  
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the dentifrice comprises hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.  
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the source of electromagnetic radiation comprises a light emitting diode.