Teeth Whitening Kit

Abstract

Disclosed is a kit and method for whitening teeth and promoting better oral hygiene. A kit for one-step teeth whitening is disclosed in which concentrated hydrogen peroxide is delivered into the oral cavity by aerosol spray, without burning, discomfort or damage to the soft tissues of the mouth. Protocols are also disclosed in which an effervescent powder formulation is included as a post-treatment following the aerosol spray.

1 . A kit for one-step teeth whitening, the kit comprising:
 a container comprising a mouthpiece, a spray nozzle and an actuator; and   an aqueous solution within the container, the solution comprising greater than or equal to 6% hydrogen peroxide by weight;   wherein upon actuation, the mouthpiece and spray nozzle are configured to deliver onto the surface of the teeth and adjacent soft tissue an aerosol comprising the solution, such that the hydrogen peroxide causes teeth whitening, without discomfort or damage to soft tissues in the mouth.   
     
     
         2 . The kit of  claim 1 , further comprising instructions for using the one-step kit. 
     
     
         3 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the solution comprises greater than or equal to 12.5% hydrogen peroxide by weight. 
     
     
         4 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the solution comprises greater than or equal to 35% hydrogen peroxide by weight. 
     
     
         5 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the solution comprises between about 6% and 75% hydrogen peroxide by weight. 
     
     
         6 . The kit of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more additional ingredients. 
     
     
         7 . The kit of  claim 6 , wherein the additional ingredients are selected from flavorings and surfactants. 
     
     
         8 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is a finger-operable pump. 
     
     
         9 . A method of whitening teeth, comprising:
 administering directly onto the surface of teeth an aerosol spray comprising an aqueous solution comprising greater than or equal to 6% hydrogen peroxide by weight.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising swallowing or expectorating the hydrogen peroxide solution. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 administering into the oral cavity after the aerosol spray a powder formulation comprising xylitol and a core composition comprising a carbon dioxide source, an adsorbent composition, and an acid, wherein the xylitol is present in an excess of at least 3 parts xylitol to 1 part core composition.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the powder formulation is administered after the aerosol spray. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the powder formulation is administered after swallowing or expectorating the hydrogen peroxide solution. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the powder formulation is administered not more than 60 minutes after the aerosol spray. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the two steps of administering the aerosol spray and administering the powder formulation are used to treat early stages of periodontal diseases. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the two steps of administering the aerosol spray and administering the powder formulation are used as a pre-treatment for gum surgery. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the two steps of administering the aerosol spray and administering the powder formulation are used as a pre-treatment for dental prophylaxis. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the two steps of administering the aerosol spray and administering the powder formulation are used as a post-treatment for dental prophylaxis. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the two steps of administering the aerosol spray and administering the powder formulation are used to reduce bacterial count in the oral cavity.