Abstract: A fluid delivery apparatus including a reservoir containing at least one fluid. A capillary channel extends from the reservoir to deliver the fluids stored in the reservoir through one or more fluid outlets via capillary action. In one embodiment, an applicator formed of a capillary material is located within the outlet. A variety of fluids can be administered for therapeutic, hygienic, and/or other benefits. In one aspect, the apparatus includes a housing defining a reservoir; at least one fluid stored in the reservoir; and a capillary channel in fluid coupling with the at least one fluid, the capillary channel including a first capillary member and a second capillary member that circumferentially surrounds the first capillary member such that the first and second capillary members are concentric.

Abstract: An oral care composition is provided wherein the composition comprises an ionic liquid, wherein the ionic liquid comprises: a) a quaternary ammonium cation of the formula wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are each an organic moiety and may be the same or different, and at least one of R1, R2, R3 and R4 includes a hydroxyl; and b) an anion selected from the group consisting of salicylate, alkylsulfate, sulfate, acetate, halide, phosphate, alkyl phosphate and tosylate; wherein the oral care composition is a mouth rinse, toothpaste, toothpowder, oral bead or strip, fluid-encased dental strip, irrigation fluid, plaque removal liquid, dental floss, hard candy, soft candy, lozenge, chewing gum, or lollipop.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and systems for detecting the existence of oral conditions. In one aspect, the invention is a device including a detector capable of detecting a marker of an oral condition; a self-contained indicator that is actuated by a signal from the detector, wherein the indicator is one of a structural indicator adapted to undergo a physical change that is haptically perceptible, a dye adapted to be released into a user's mouth, and a flavor adapted to be released into a user's mouth; and wherein said device is detachably securable to an oral care implement.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing oral care implement with fluid delivery system. The implement includes a storage member containing a fluid. A channel formed of one or more wicking or capillary members extends through at least a portion of the oral care implement to deliver fluid(s) through one or more fluid outlets via capillary action. In one embodiment, the fluid outlet is comprised of a wicking or capillary material and is disposed in the head of the implement. A variety of fluids can be administered for therapeutic, hygienic, and/or other benefits, such as fresh breath, tooth whitening, tooth sensitivity, plaque and/or tartar control, or producing sensations of heat, cool, or tingling.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for whitening teeth that includes irradiating a tooth with light generated by a light source for an irradiation time period, the light having a wavelength that ranges from 375 nm to 420 nm and the light source emitting the light at an irradiance density ranging from 0.3 mW/cm2 to 20.0 mW/cm2.

Abstract: The present invention provides a beneficial composition comprising (a) an encapsulated benefit agent composition comprising: a core comprising at least one benefit agent, and a water-insoluble shell; and (b) a suspension medium comprising: at least one suspending polymer, and at least one clay. The present invention also provides methods of using such a beneficial composition. In addition, the present invention provides methods of making a beneficial composition comprising: (a) providing an encapsulated benefit agent composition comprising a core comprising at least one benefit agent and a water-insoluble shell; (b) providing a suspension medium comprising at least one suspending polymer and at least one clay; (c) adding the encapsulated benefit agent composition to the suspension medium; and (d) mixing the suspension medium and the encapsulated benefit agent composition to form a substantially uniform aqueous suspension.

Abstract: Described herein are devices and methods for identifying the existence of an oral condition in a subject.

Abstract: A toothbrush that includes a piezochromic polymer or a proximity dye based polymer effective to emit an optical signal indicative of brushing force.

Abstract: A method of providing a visual indication of depletion of an oral care fluid. In one aspect, the method provides a visual indication of depletion of an oral care fluid contained within a reservoir of an oral care implement having a delivery member formed of a capillary material. The method includes: a) providing an indicator fluid in the reservoir with the oral care fluid, the oral care fluid being a different color than the indicator fluid and immiscible with respect to the indicator fluid; and b) upon depletion of the oral care fluid from the reservoir, delivering the indicator fluid to a visible portion of the deliver member.

Abstract: An oral care implement having a visual indicator of depletion. In one aspect, the oral care implement comprises a body having a reservoir containing a composition including an oral care fluid and an indicator fluid, the oral care fluid being a different color than the indicator fluid and immiscible with respect to the indicator fluid; a delivery member formed of a capillary material; and the oral care fluid and the indicator fluid arranged within the reservoir so that upon the oral care fluid within the reservoir being substantially depleted, the indicator fluid is delivered to a visible portion of the delivery member by capillary action.

Abstract: A dental floss dispenser having a wicking delivery system with a reservoir for storing a solution of oral care ingredients generally in fluid form. The reservoir includes an absorbent wicking porous pad that extends through at least a portion of the floss dispensing device to deliver the solution to the dental floss. When the floss is pulled through the porous pad holding the oral care ingredient(s), the porous pad activates (e.g., coats, impregnates, saturates) the floss, providing the consumer with new benefits such as enhanced deep cleaning, new flavors, better plaque dissolving capabilities, ease of floss use and maneuverability, whitening, and deposition of therapeutic actives into the gum pockets.

Abstract: An interdental cleaning device that delivers an oral care fluid to a cleaning element via capillary action. The invention can be an interdental cleaning device comprising: a housing forming an internal reservoir containing an oral care fluid; an applicator extending from the housing, the applicator comprising a stem and at least one cleaning element extending from the stem; and wherein the stem comprises a capillary material that extends into the reservoir to be in fluid communication with the oral care fluid so that the capillary material of the stem delivers the oral care fluid from the reservoir to the at least one cleaning element via capillary action.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing oral care implement with fluid delivery system. The implement includes a storage member containing a fluid. A channel formed of one or more wicking or capillary members extends through at least a portion of the oral care implement to deliver fluid(s) through one or more fluid outlets via capillary action. In one embodiment, the fluid outlet is comprised of a wicking or capillary material and is disposed in the head of the implement. A variety of fluids can be administered for therapeutic, hygienic, and/or other benefits, such as fresh breath, tooth whitening, tooth sensitivity, plaque and/or tartar control, or producing sensations of heat, cool, or tingling.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions suitable for use with an oral care implement. The compositions provide improved sensory appeal, and comparable reduction in volatile sulfur compounds and antibacterial activity to advanced formula toothpaste formulations. The compositions include a high percentage of antibacterial agent and flavoring, when compared to conventional toothpastes, and some mouth washes formulations, such that only minor amounts of the composition can be delivered to the oral care implement to provide improved reduction in volatile sulfur compounds, antibacterial efficacy, and optionally a cooling sensation.

Abstract: Generally regarded as safe (GRAS) dyes can be used as photosensitizing dyes in oral compositions to provide anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory efficacy. Embodiments include oral care compositions including photosensitizing dyes, methods of making the compositions, methods of using the compositions, and kits containing the compositions and light emitting devices.

Abstract: An oral care implement includes a collection system for oral fluids. Some embodiments of the implement may include a body comprising a head, a handle, and a neck located between the head and the handle, the head having a front surface and an opposite rear surface. Tooth cleaning elements may extend from the front surface of the head. A collecting member may be coupled to the body and a reservoir may be located within the handle or the neck of the body. A fluid pathway may extend from the collecting member to the reservoir so that an oral fluid can pass through the collecting member and into the reservoir for storage.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing oral care implement with fluid delivery system. The implement includes a storage member containing a fluid. A channel formed of one or more wicking or capillary members extends through at least a portion of the oral care implement to deliver fluid(s) through one or more fluid outlets via capillary action. In one embodiment, the fluid outlet is comprised of a wicking or capillary material and is disposed in the head of the implement. In some embodiments, the implement may include a valve and a specially configured storage cap. A variety of fluids can be administered for therapeutic, hygienic, and/or other benefits, such as fresh breath, tooth whitening, tooth sensitivity, plaque and/or tartar control, or producing sensations of heat, cool, or tingling.

Abstract: Generally regarded as safe (GRAS) dyes can be used as photosensitizing dyes in oral compositions to provide anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory efficacy. Embodiments include oral care compositions including photosensitizing dyes, methods of making the compositions, methods of using the compositions, and kits containing the compositions and light emitting devices.

Abstract: An oral care composition is provided which comprises a therapeutically effective amount of at least one ionic liquid for use in removing or reducing plaque, inhibiting the amount of bacteria in an oral cavity, inhibiting biofilm formation and/or degradation in an oral cavity and teeth whitening.

Abstract: An oral care composition comprising a compound, wherein the compound comprises: (a) a cation; and (b) an anion, wherein the compound has two or more of (i) an atomic polarizability of from 20 to 60, (ii) a Kier flexibility index of from 2 to 20 and (iii) a molar refractivity of from 3 to 10 is provided.