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

Abstract: An oral care implement, such as a toothbrush, having a wick applicator and a method of assembling the same. The implement includes a head, a handle connected to the head by a neck portion, and a recess. The recess is arranged for receipt of the wick applicator. The handle includes an internal fluid reservoir holding a fluid in communication with the recess. The wick applicator is arranged to enable a fluid to pass therethrough by capillary action and has a first end portion and a second end portion. The second portion of the wick applicator comprises at least one projection for engaging at least one cooperating portion of the recess to secure the wick applicator in the recess at an operative position, whereupon the wick applicator is in fluid communication with the fluid in the reservoir.

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 dispenser for dispensing a mixture of oral care materials. In one aspect, the invention can be a dispenser (400) comprising: a housing (410) having a first reservoir chamber (430) containing a first oral care material (431) and a second reservoir chamber (440) containing a second different oral care material (441); a mixing chamber (450) disposed in the housing, a mixing screw (470) disposed within the mixing chamber and having an actuator (471) for rotating the mixing screw; a first delivery port (434) for introducing the first oral care material into the mixing chamber and a second delivery port (444) for introducing the second oral care material into the mixing chamber; a dispensing nozzle (460) for dispensing a mixture of the first and second oral care materials; and wherein rotation of the mixing screw draws the first and second oral care materials into the mixing chamber and expels the mixture of the first and second oral care materials from the nozzle.

Abstract: An oral care implement having an internal reservoir. In one embodiment, the invention can be a toothbrush comprising: a handle having an internal reservoir containing an oral care fluid; a head coupled to the handle; an applicator located on the head; a partition member positioned within the internal reservoir that divides the internal reservoir into a storage chamber and an overflow chamber; a passageway extending through the partition member from the storage chamber to the overflow chamber, the passageway terminating as a first opening in a first surface of the partition member and as a second opening in a second surface of the partition member; and a wick member having a first end in fluid communication with the applicator and a second end terminating in an end surface that abuts the second surface of the partition member to prohibit axial movement of the wick member in a first axial direction.

Abstract: An oral care device such as an oral care implement or a toothbrush. The oral care device may include a handle and a head. The head may have a plurality of cleaning elements extending therefrom. The head may comprise an open space or cavity. A plurality of electrodes may be located within the open space or cavity. The electrodes may be coupled to a voltage source. The electrodes may be used to generate a chemical agent via the application of an electrical potential across the electrodes when in communication with an electrolyte. The chemical agents may include ozone, hydrogen peroxide, peroxide, chlorine hypochlorite, ions, peroxides, and/or other chemical agents.

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 oral care implement (1) includes a head (12), a handle (10), a neck portion (11) connecting the head and the handle, and a reservoir (15) which contains at least one active agent. The implement has an activator (22) for activating a delivery device which delivers the active agent to one or more outlets (50). A powered delivery device (18) disposed in the head to deliver a liquid from the reservoir via the outlet. A wide variety of types of active agents may be administered at appropriate and accurate doses for therapeutic, hygienic, and/or other benefit.

Abstract: A method of cleaning teeth by providing a device for generating a chemical agent in situ on an as-needed basis via the application of an electrical potential across a pair of conductors in communication with an electrolyte. The chemical agents may include ozone, hydrogen peroxide, peroxide, chlorine and/or hypochlorite. The device may include a voltage source and a first set of electrodes for applying an electrical potential to the electrolyte. The device may also include a second set of electrodes disposed about an anode of the first set of electrodes. The first and second sets of anodes cooperate to produce ions, peroxides, ozone and/or other chemical agents via the application of electrical potential to the electrolyte.

Abstract: An oral care implement having an internal reservoir and improved leakage prevention. In one embodiment, the invention can be a toothbrush comprising: a handle (110) comprising an internal reservoir (140); a head coupled to the handle; an annular neck (180) extending from the handle, the annular neck having an inner surface (181) defining a passageway (182) into the internal reservoir; an end cap (150) comprising: a cap body (160) defining a cap socket (161) and comprising an annular wall (162) and an end portion (163); an annular plug wall (170) defining a central chamber (173), the annular plug wall protruding from the end portion into a cap socket to form an annular chamber (165) between an outer surface (172) of the annular plug wall and an inner surface (166) of the annular wall; and a first annular seal member (190) protruding from the outer surface of the annular plug wall; and the end cap coupled to the handle to seal the passageway in a fluid-tight manner.

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: An oral care system that includes an oral care implement and a dispenser, an oral care method, and a method of applying an oral care agent to an oral surface. In one embodiment, the invention may be a method of applying an oral care agent to an oral surface that includes: providing a kit comprising a toothbrush and a dispenser containing an oral care agent; removing the dispenser from kit; and applying the oral care agent to an oral surface using the dispenser.

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: A dispenser (800) for dispensing oral care materials comprising: a housing (810) having a separator wall (805) forming a first reservoir chamber (830) containing a first oral care material (831) and a second reservoir chamber (840) containing a second oral care material (841) within the housing (810); a first nozzle (860) for dispensing the first oral care material (831) from the first reservoir chamber (830) and a second nozzle (865) for dispensing the second oral care material (841) from the second reservoir chamber (840), the first and second nozzles (860, 865) located on opposite ends of the dispenser (800); and wherein the first reservoir chamber (830) circumferentially surrounds the second reservoir chamber (840) about a longitudinal axis of the dispenser (800).

Abstract: An oral care system including a toothbrush and a dispenser that is detachably coupled thereto. In one aspect, the invention can be an oral care system comprising: a toothbrush comprising a handle, a head and a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending from the head; and a dispenser detachably coupled to the toothbrush, the dispenser comprising a housing, a first reservoir chamber disposed in the housing containing a first oral care material, and a second reservoir chamber disposed in the housing containing a second oral care material, the second oral care material different than the first oral care material.

Abstract: An oral care implement with product application is disclosed. In one embodiment, the implement is a fluid dispensing toothbrush having a body comprised of a handle, a head, and an internal cavity containing an oral care material. The head includes tooth cleaning elements and an applicator in fluid communication with the internal cavity. In one embodiment, the applicator includes at least one spring-actuated valve operable to dispense the fluidic oral care material upon engagement with a user's oral tissue. The oral care material is delivered from the internal cavity upon applying a pressing force to a moveable sealing element of the valve. In certain embodiments, a pressurizer may be provided to pressurize the oral care material for positive dispensing. In one embodiment, the applicator is disposed in a soft tissue cleaner on the toothbrush head.

Abstract: An oral care system that includes an oral care implement and a dispenser, an oral care method, and a method of whitening teeth. In one embodiment, the invention may be a method of whitening teeth that includes: providing a toothbrush having a handle and a detachable oral care agent dispenser supported by the handle, the dispenser including a reservoir containing a tooth whitening agent; decoupling the dispenser from the handle of the toothbrush; and applying the tooth whitening agent to an oral surface using the dispenser.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a mixture of oral care materials. In one aspect, the invention can be a dispenser (400) comprising: a housing (410) having a first reservoir chamber (430) containing a first oral care material (431) and a second reservoir chamber (440) containing a second different oral care material (441); a mixing chamber (450) disposed in the housing, a mixing screw (470) disposed within the mixing chamber and having an actuator (471) for rotating the mixing screw; a first delivery port (434) for introducing the first oral care material into the mixing chamber and a second delivery port (444) for introducing the second oral care material into the mixing chamber; a dispensing nozzle (460) for dispensing a mixture of the first and second oral care materials; and wherein rotation of the mixing screw draws the first and second oral care materials into the mixing chamber and expels the mixture of the first and second oral care materials from the nozzle.