Electromagnetic radiation emitting toothbrush and transparent 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 method of providing a tuned whitening and cleaning system for teeth, the system comprising a dentifrice for use with an electromagnetic radiation emitting toothbrush, the method comprising:
 formulating the dentifrice, wherein the dentifrice comprises at least one photosensitive agent;   determining wide-range reactive electromagnetic radiation wavelengths that cause the photosensitive agents to react; and   designing the dentifrice for use with an electromagnetic radiation emitting toothbrush that emits at least a portion of the wide-range reactive electromagnetic radiation wavelengths.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the portion of the wide-range reactive electromagnetic radiation wavelengths consist essentially of non-ultraviolet radiation. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the portion of the wide-range reactive electromagnetic radiation wavelengths corresponds to polychromatic electromagnetic radiation. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the portion of the wide-range reactive electromagnetic radiation wavelengths corresponds to monochromatic electromagnetic radiation. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the step of determining wide-range reactive electromagnetic radiation wavelengths further comprises a step of determining narrow-range reactive electromagnetic radiation wavelengths, wherein the at least one photosensitive agent has a relatively high reaction rate when exposed to the narrow-range reactive electromagnetic radiation wavelengths compared to an average reaction rate when the photosensitive agent is exposed to the wide-range reactive electromagnetic radiation wavelengths; and   the dentifrice is designed for use with an electromagnetic radiation emitting toothbrush that emits at least a portion of the narrow-range reactive electromagnetic radiation wavelengths.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the at least a portion of narrow-range reactive electromagnetic radiation wavelengths consists essentially of wavelengths within a range of about 300 to about 750 nanometers. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the at least a portion of narrow-range reactive electromagnetic radiation wavelengths comprises multiple electromagnetic radiation wavelengths. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the at least a portion of narrow-range reactive electromagnetic radiation wavelengths comprises a wavelength corresponding to monochromatic electromagnetic radiation. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the portion of the wide-range reactive electromagnetic radiation wavelengths consists essentially of wavelengths within a range of about 300 to about 750 nanometers. 
     
     
         10 . A method of providing a tuned whitening and cleaning system for teeth, the system comprising a dentifrice for use with an electromagnetic radiation emitting toothbrush, the method comprising:
 determining one or more selected wavelengths at which an electromagnetic radiation emitting toothbrush radiates; and   using photosensitive agents to formulate a dentifrice such that the dentifrice reacts when irradiated with the one or more selected wavelengths.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more selected wavelengths correspond to non-ultraviolet radiation. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more selected wavelengths correspond to wavelengths between about 300 and about 750 nanometers. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more selected wavelengths correspond to monochromatic electromagnetic radiation. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more selected wavelengths correspond to polychromatic electromagnetic radiation.