Abstract: An electric toothbrush that detects plaque on the teeth, ensures accurate plaque detection, and performs cleaning of plaque. The electric toothbrush may include a drive module having a first drive for oscillating a brush unit in a first direction and a second drive for oscillating the brush unit in a second direction; a light emitting module; a reflected light detector; a plaque detector for detecting plaque based on reflected light detected by the reflected light detector; a liquid spray part for spraying liquid from the brush unit; and a liquid spray controller for controlling a spray timing of the liquid. The liquid spray controller may spray the liquid when the amount of plaque detected by the plaque detector exceeds a threshold. The drive module may stop the first drive and perform only the second drive while the liquid is being sprayed.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a decorated dispensing container. The container is substantially transparent and has a decoration on the front and/or rear surface. The dispensing unit comprises a pump mechanism with a dip tube at one end and a dispensing channel at the other end. The dip tube has an identifiable shape formed in the dip tube. This identifiable shape can be a land, sea or air animal, or an inanimate object. This inanimate shape is molded into the dip tube and colors are applied by hand painting or the use of a shrink label or an in mold label. By the use of a decorated identifiable shape and a coordinating label on the front and/or rear surface of the container a 3-D effect is imparted to the container and product.

Abstract: An antiplaque oral care composition having enhanced oral hygiene and organoleptic properties is provided. The composition contains an enzyme and a cyclodextrin. Papain and other proteolytic enzymes may be preferred. The resulting composition has more favorable organoleptic properties than a comparative composition containing only the enzyme.

Abstract: A method for whitening a dental surface comprises nonsimultaneously applying a whitening composition to the surface, the whitening composition comprising at least one orally acceptable peroxy compound, and directing a volume of up to about 2.5 ml of an atomized activating composition on to the surface, wherein the activating composition comprises, in the volume so directed, a peroxy compound activating effective amount of at least one orally acceptable basifying agent, and wherein applying the whitening composition and directing the activating composition are separated by an interval not greater than a peroxy compound activating effective interval. The atomized composition can be directed on to the dental surface before or after application of the whitening composition.

Abstract: An oral care implement with a soft tissue cleanser is provided to effectively cleanse the soft tissue of the mouth with comfort and a reduced risk of injury to the user. In one construction, a projection is formed of a combination of a hard material and a soft material. The hard material provides good stability for cleaning debris from the tongue or other tissue while the soft material provides comfort and a reduced risk of injury.

Abstract: An acidic cleaning composition designed to clean hard surfaces and to prevent soil build-up comprising a hydrophilizing polymer, a surfactant, and an acid and to methods of using the composition to remove limescale and/or soapscum.