Kits and methods for cleaning and remineralizing teeth

Abstract

Methods for use in selectively conditioning and remineralizing teeth. An exemplary method comprises the steps of applying a conditioning composition to one or more of a person's teeth, and separately applying a remineralizing composition to the person's teeth. The conditioning composition includes a conditioning agent, and the remineralizing composition includes a remineralizing agent comprising calcium ions and/or fluoride ions. The conditioning composition may be applied prior to or after application of the remineralizing composition. In one embodiment, both the conditioning composition and the remineralizing composition include different remineralizing ions (e.g., one including calcium, one including fluoride).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A kit for use in a two-step dental treatment, comprising:
 a first component rinse, paste, chewable gum, or gel comprising a carrier, a source of fluoride ions, and a source of phosphate ions; and   a second component rinse, paste, chewable gum, or gel comprising another carrier and a peroxide.   
     
     
         2 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second components are packaged in separate containers. 
     
     
         3 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the source of fluoride ions comprises between about 3% and about 15% by weight of the first component. 
     
     
         4 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the source of fluoride ions comprises between about 5% and about 12% by weight of the first component. 
     
     
         5 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the source of fluoride ions comprises between about 0.1% and about 3% by weight of the first component. 
     
     
         6 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the peroxide comprises at least one of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. 
     
     
         7 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first component and the second component further comprises at least one of sucralose, sodium saccharine, xylitol, or sorbitol. 
     
     
         8 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein each of the carrier and the other carrier comprises at least one of carboxymethylcellulose, carbopol, fumed silica, or polyvinylpyrrolidone. 
     
     
         9 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first component and the second component comprises a gel or a paste. 
     
     
         10 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the first component comprises a paste and the second component comprises a gel. 
     
     
         11 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein each of the carrier and the other carrier comprises at least one of ethyl alcohol, water, propylene glycol, glycerine, or polyethylene glycol. 
     
     
         12 . A method of treating teeth, comprising:
 providing or obtaining the kit of  claim 1 ;   applying the first component to a person's teeth; and   applying the second component to the person's teeth,   wherein the first component and the second component are applied to the person's teeth sequentially without being mixed prior to application.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first component and the second component are applied to the person's teeth within about 1 hour of each other. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first component and the second component are applied to the person's teeth within about 30 minutes of each other. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first component and the second component are applied to the person's teeth within about 10 minutes of each other. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first component is first applied to the person's teeth first and the second component is thereafter applied to the person's teeth. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the second component is first applied to the person's teeth first and the first component is thereafter applied to the person's teeth. 
     
     
         18 . A kit for use in a two-step dental treatment, comprising:
 a first paste or gel formulation comprising a first carrier, a peroxide conditioning agent, and a phosphate salt; and   a second paste or gel formulation comprising a second carrier, a fluoride salt, and a phosphate salt.   
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 18 , wherein each of the first carrier and the second carrier comprises at least one of ethyl alcohol, water, propylene glycol, glycerine, or polyethylene glycol. 
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 18 , wherein each of the first carrier and the second carrier comprises water and glycerine. 
     
     
         21 . The kit of  claim 18 , wherein at least one of the first or second carriers comprises carbopol.