Abstract: An improved oral brush is provided that includes crimped bristles. The oral brush includes a body and, extending from the body, a plurality of crimped bristles. One such oral brush is an electric toothbrush, with a brush head having a preferred arrangement of tufts of crimped and straight bristles that are flexed by cyclic motions of the brush head toward and away from the tooth.

Abstract: A toothbrush for cleaning teeth, especially the interproximal region between adjacent, closely spaced or normally contacting teeth, has at least one fin extending from the body of the toothbrush through the bristled head. The fin is a thin, tapering, blade-like member with a distal edge for cleaning teeth by scraping motion. The fin is molded from plastic resin, and is constructed so as to resist buckling loads to tend to penetrate and clean the interproximal tooth surfaces, even to the point of temporarily separating lightly contacting surfaces of adjacent teeth. Various fin embodiments are presented, including one that has an outwardly-biasing loop portion. Methods of use and manufacture and preferred materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: Monofilament gel dental flosses and methods for their fabrication are provided. The gel flosses comprise a core material in combination with a gel material, where both the core and gel materials comprise thermoplastic elastomeric polymers and are sufficiently adherent to one another so as not to separate under conditions of hygienic use.

Abstract: Improved dental flosses are provided, including multicomponent coextruded filaments and/or filaments having a multilobal cross-section. Some preferred flosses of the invention are capable of bulking.

Abstract: A dental floss is provided comprising a plurality of filaments of a substrate material formed into thread, an ingestible binder on the filaments which are bound to particles of encapsulated agents. The encapsulated agents are flavorants, sweeteners and chemotherapeutic agents. The encapsulation of the agents provides a uniform taste and distribution of chemotherapeutic agent on the floss.

Abstract: A dental hygiene article including a notched filament. The dental hygiene article can be a dental floss, or an oral brush (e.g., an electronic toothbrush, a manual toothbrush, or an interdental brush).

Abstract: A method for inhibiting bacteria in the mouth of a patient which includes placing a particle containing a degradable material and an anti-microbial agent in the mouth of the patient. The exterior of the particle is water-stable. The particles may be coated on dental floss or the bristles of a toothbrush, or incorporated into an oral rinse. Once placed in the mouth, the degradable material degrades to cause release of the anti-microbial agent, resulting in the inhibition of bacteria in the mouth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a toothbrush which exhibits superior interproximal and gingival margin cleaning. The toothbrush includes an elongated handle member connected to a toothbrush head member. The head is divided into two regions. A "toe" region is defined as the part of the head which is furthest from the handle and a "heel" region is the portion of the head which is closest to the handle. A multiplicity of bristles extend from the heel region of the head; the distal ends of these bristles form a longitudinally aligned concave shape when viewed on end.

Abstract: A sustained-release matrix for dental application includes either an anti-microbial agent or a colorant that is released from the matrix when the matrix contacts water. The preferred matrices include a water-soluble polymer and a water-insoluble support resin.

Abstract: An oral brush is provided that includes an elongated body a head portion extending from the body, and a plurality of bristles, formed of particular thermoplastic elastomers, extending from the body. In various embodiments, the thermoplastic elastomer has a Shore A hardness of at least 30; the thermoplastic elastomer is selected from the group consisting of polyetheramides, polyesters, styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymers, polyurethanes, polyolefin elastomers, and mixtures thereof; and the thermoplastic elastomer has a flexural modulus of at least 5 MPa.

Abstract: Formulations of emulsified wax, surfactants, water, and chemotherapeutic agents coated onto dental floss for delivery to the oral cavity and released upon use by the consumer. Such emulsion coatings allow a single bath system and thereby improves the efficiency and effectiveness of manufacturing. In addition, the emulsified coatings reduce the level of fraying.