Oral Care Compositions and Methods

Abstract

A method for visibly whitening teeth at least three shades as measured using a tooth shade grading system, the method comprising providing a gel composition that (a) does not contain a peroxide bleaching agent, (b) is conformable to teeth surfaces and to interstitial spaces between teeth, without permanent deformation thereof, and (c) is removably attached to a release liner; wherein the gel strip consists essentially of (x) a sea salt and (y) at least two essential oils selected from the group consisting of (i) lemon peel oil; (ii) coconut oil; and (iii) sage oil; and applying the gel strip to the outer surface of the teeth in an amount sufficient to coat the teeth, once daily for a period of time from about 15 minutes to about 30 minutes. A method for preventing teeth staining by applying the above gel composition twice to teeth allowing 30 seconds drying between applications.

1 . A method for visibly whitening teeth at least three shades as measured using a tooth shade grading system, the method comprising providing a gel strip that (a) does not contain a peroxide bleaching agent, (b) is conformable to teeth surfaces and to interstitial spaces between teeth, without permanent deformation thereof, and (c) is removably attached to a release liner; wherein the gel strip consists essentially of (x) a sea salt and (y) at least two essential oils selected from the group consisting of (i) lemon peel oil; (ii) coconut oil; and (iii) sage oil; and applying the gel strip to the outer surface of the teeth in an amount sufficient to coat the teeth, once daily for a period of time from about 15 minutes to about 30 minutes. 
     
     
         2 . The gel strip of  claim 1  consisting essentially of Dead Sea salt, lemon peel oil, coconut oil, and sage oil. 
     
     
         3 . The gel strip of  claim 2  wherein Dead Sea salt, lemon peel oil, coconut oil, and sage oil are each present in a concentration of up to 5%. 
     
     
         4 . The gel strip of  claim 3  wherein Dead Sea salt, lemon peel oil, coconut oil, and sage oil are each present in a concentration of at least 3%. 
     
     
         5 . The gel strip of  claim 1  wherein lemon peel oil and coconut oil are present in a ratio of 
     
     
         6 . The gel strip of  claim 4  wherein lemon peel oil, coconut oil and sage oil are present in a ratio of 1:1:1. 
     
     
         7 . The gel strip of  claim 6  wherein the Dead Sea salt, lemon peel oil, coconut oil, and sage oil are present in a ratio of 1:1:1:1. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein dentine sensitivity is reduced after a 3 second burst of pressurized air as measured on a 5-point Likert scale. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the gel strip is non-cytotoxic within the framework of ISO test method 10993-5 for biological evaluation of in vitro cytotoxicity. 
     
     
         10 . A tooth whitening strip that does not contain a peroxide bleaching agent, wherein the tooth whitening strip is in the form of a gel that (a) is conformable to teeth surfaces and to interstitial spaces between teeth, without permanent deformation thereof, (b) is removably attached to a release liner, and the gel consists essentially of (a) a sea salt and (b) at least two essential oils selected from the group consisting of (i) lemon peel oil; (ii) coconut oil; and (iii) sage oil; and wherein the tooth whitening strip is for administration to the outer surface of the teeth in an amount sufficient to coat the teeth, once daily for a period of time from about 15 minutes to about 30 minutes. 
     
     
         11 . A method of preventing tooth staining, the method comprising providing a gel composition that does not contain a peroxide bleaching agent; wherein the gel composition consists essentially of (a) a sea salt and (b) at least two essential oils selected from the group consisting of (i) lemon peel oil; (ii) coconut oil; and (iii) sage oil; and applying the gel composition twice to the outer surface of the teeth in an amount sufficient to coat the teeth, whereby after a first application, the gel composition is allowed to dry for 30 seconds before a second application. 
     
     
         12 . The gel composition of  claim 11  consisting essentially of Dead Sea salt, lemon peel oil, coconut oil, and sage oil. 
     
     
         13 . The gel composition of  claim 12  wherein Dead Sea salt, lemon peel oil, coconut oil, and sage oil are each present in a concentration of up to 5%. 
     
     
         14 . The gel composition of  claim 13  wherein Dead Sea salt, lemon peel oil, coconut oil, and sage oil are each present in a concentration of at least 3%. 
     
     
         15 . The gel composition of  claim 11  wherein lemon peel oil and coconut oil are present in a ratio of 1:1. 
     
     
         16 . The gel composition of  claim 14  wherein lemon peel oil, coconut oil and sage oil are present in a ratio of 1:1:1. 
     
     
         17 . The gel composition of  claim 16  wherein the Dead Sea salt, lemon peel oil, coconut oil, and sage oil are present in a ratio of 1:1:1:1. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11  wherein dentine sensitivity is reduced after a 3 second burst of pressurized air as measured on a 5-point Likert scale. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the gel strip is non-cytotoxic within the framework of ISO test method 10993-5 for biological evaluation of in vitro cytotoxicity. 
     
     
         20 . A gel composition that does not contain a peroxide bleaching agent for use in preventing tooth staining, wherein the gel composition consists essentially of (a) a sea salt and (b) at least two essential oils selected from the group consisting of (i) lemon peel oil; (ii) coconut oil; and (iii) sage oil; and wherein the gel composition is administered in a first application followed by a second application to the outer surface of the teeth in an amount sufficient to coat the teeth, wherein after the first application the gel composition is allowed to dry for thirty seconds before the second application.