Oral Care Applicator

Abstract

Oral care applicators, including a tip, which can be optimized based on the desired use.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An oral care applicator comprising:
 a. a handle comprising an end and a width;   b. a foam tip located on a top of the handle;   c. a water insoluble oral care composition comprising a water insoluble carrier selected from the group consisting of petrolatum, mineral oil, polybutene, silicone, polyethylene, or combinations thereof; wherein the oral care composition is associated with the foam tip.   
     
     
         2 . The oral care applicator of  claim 1  wherein the handle is unitary. 
     
     
         3 . The oral care applicator of  claim 1  wherein the oral care composition is at least partially contained within the tip. 
     
     
         4 . The oral care applicator of  claim 1  comprising a compression load deflection greater than about 1.0 psi. 
     
     
         5 . The oral care applicator of  claim 4  wherein the compression load deflection is greater than about 1.4 psi. 
     
     
         6 . The oral care applicator of  claim 1  wherein a top of the tip is substantially flat. 
     
     
         7 . The oral care applicator of  claim 1  wherein the tip is adapted to remove biofilm from a user's teeth. 
     
     
         8 . The oral care applicator of  claim 1  further comprising a collar. 
     
     
         9 . The oral care applicator of  claim 1  wherein the tip comprises an open cell foam and wherein the open cell foam comprises less than about 300 pores per square inch and a density of from about 0.5. to about 8.0 lbs/ft 3 . 
     
     
         10 . The oral care applicator of  claim 1  wherein the oral care composition is adapted to remain behind on a user's teeth after use. 
     
     
         11 . The oral care applicator of  claim 1  wherein the oral care composition is adapted to deposit a hydrophobic layer on the teeth that feels slick or smooth when contacted by a tongue of a user. 
     
     
         12 . An oral care applicator comprising:
 a. a handle;   b. a foam tip comprising a compression load deflection greater than about 1.0 psi wherein the tip is adapted to remove biofilm from a user's teeth; and   c. a water insoluble oral care composition comprising:
 i. a flavor; 
 ii. a sweetener selected from the group consisting of dextrose, fructose, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, aspartame, saccharin, sugar alcohols, and combinations thereof; and 
 iii. at least about 75% by weight of a water insoluble carrier selected from the group consisting of petrolatum, mineral oil, polybutene, silicone, polyethylene, or combinations thereof wherein the oral care composition is associated with the foam tip. 
   
     
     
         13 . The oral care applicator of  claim 11  further comprising a cap wherein the cap prevents loss of the flavor. 
     
     
         14 . The oral care applicator of  claim 13  the cap is a single unit. 
     
     
         15 . The oral care applicator of  claim 11  wherein a cross section of the foam tip is cylindrical and wherein a cross section of the cap is cylindrical. 
     
     
         16 . The oral care applicator of  claim 15  wherein the oral care composition is released when the foam tip is compressed. 
     
     
         17 . The oral care applicator of  claim 12  wherein the oral care composition provides an anti-stain benefit. 
     
     
         18 . The oral care applicator of  claim 12  wherein the oral care applicator is adapted to remove biofilm on a user's teeth. 
     
     
         19 . The oral care applicator of  claim 12  wherein the water insoluble carrier comprises petrolatum.