Abstract: The invention provides novel, improved wear indicating brush filaments and novel, improved coextrusion process for their manufacture. Essentially, the filaments of the present invention are coextruded filaments which include a longitudinal surface providing a boundary about the cross-sectional area of the filament and the longitudinal surface and/or the cross-sectional area presents a two colored region adapted to provide a visual signal indicative of wear in response to filament use. The filaments can be natural or synthetic materials. In filaments of the present invention, the colored region provides an initial color or color intensity viewable to the user. As wear is produced by continuing use of the filaments, the intensity of the colored region changes to a point which signals the user that the filament no longer provides the requisite performance characteristics for effectively performing its assigned function.

Abstract: An anti-microbial composition includes particles having an outer surface onto which an anti-microbial agent has been adsorbed. The particles can be used, for example, for coating the bristles of toothbrushes.

Abstract: A dental floss brush made from a reverse twisted, high tenacity nylon yarn comprising at least two thread sections having diameters, in their relaxed state, of at least 2.5 mm. The thread sections are separated by a floss brush section integral therewith having a diameter of from up to 4 mm in its relaxed state and a diameter of from 1.7 to 3.0 mm under a tension of 0.05 N. The brush floss has a breaking strength of at least 5 N. The floss brush section can be coated with a low melting wax composition, optimally a polyethylene glycol ester of beeswax alone or in combination with a flavoring oil, silicone oil lubricant or mixtures thereof. This product is made by coating a reverse twisted, high tenacity nylon yarn with a solution of polymer in a volatile solvent, the polymer being selected from the group consisting of nylon, polyurethane and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: An interdental foam brush with an elongate non-conductive, galvanic shock free stem having a boss, the stem having a brush support portion extending from the boss in the distal direction to a preferably rounded distal tip and a flexible handle engaging portion extending from the boss in the proximal direction. The brush support portion including its distal tip and the boss being enclosed in resilient, open-cell polymeric foam. The outer surface of the brush is tapered and converging in the distal direction. The boss is a stop means for limiting movement of the brush portion between interdental surfaces, and the brush support portion has a length approximating the width of a rear molar. The brush support portion has a diameter providing a brush support surface for effective cleaning while permitting passage of the brush between interdental surfaces. The foam has a hardness and pore density providing effective cleaning between interdental surfaces is achieved.

Abstract: A method for dyeing nylon filaments for use in wear-indicating toothbrushes includes immersing a batch of a first nylon filament for between 10 minutes and 80 minutes in an aqueous solution containing between 0.01% and 0.19% weight to volume of Indigotine dye, said solution having a pH between 1 and 7 and having a temperature between 50.degree. C. and 90.degree. C., the dye penetrating into the filament to color an outer cross-sectional region and not penetrating into an inner cross-sectional region of the filament; removing the batch of the first nylon filament from the solution, and repeating the steps for a batch of a second nylon filament, reusing the same solution.

Abstract: A method of desensitizing a hypersensitive tooth by topically applying to the tooth a composition including an amount of a barbiturate effective to desensitize the tooth. This desensitizing composition may be included in an excipient or in a sustained-release matrix or microbeads that can be incorporated into toothbrushes, dental floss, dentifrices, dental rinses, etc.

Abstract: A method for desensitizing teeth includes applying an effective amount of charged polymeric particles to the surface of the tooth.

Abstract: A process for making a flattened, highly flavored floss and the floss product of that process. The process comprises coating a multi-filament thread with a first liquid or semi-solid wax composition having a high melting temperature and cooling the coating to a temperature at which the first wax composition has become a soft solid. The thread is flattened and coated with a lower melting liquid or semi-solid wax composition having a temperature less then the melting point of the first coating without disrupting the first wax composition of the flattened configuration of the thread. The lower melting wax composition contains volatile flavoring oil.

Abstract: A gel tray for holding a medicament to be applied to the teeth and gums of a patient includes a handle and an opposing buckle. In one embodiment, the buckle includes a tongue portion and a retainer strip surrounding the tongue portion so as to define a narrow space between the tongue portion and the retainer strip, the narrow strip having a width less than the thickness of the handle. The handle has a tongue reception groove extending transverse to its length at a position such that the tongue reception groove is engaged by the tongue when the tray is folded. In another embodiment, slotted tabs are interfitted when the tray is folded. The tray may therefore be securely maintained in the folded state. The tray can be combined with or preloaded with a treatment agent such as a gel comprising a pharmaceutically effective amount of at least one agent for treating teeth or gums dispersed in a gel medium consisting essentially of water and an amount of a water dispersible gelling agent sufficient to form a gel.

Abstract: Stannous fluoride containing toothpaste compositions including an alkyl vinyl ether and maleic anhydride or acid copolymer as a stabilizing agent for stannous fluoride and methods for preparing such stabilized compositions.

Abstract: Stannous fluoride containing aqueous, non-abrasive home treatment gel compositions including an alkyl vinyl ether and maleic anhydride or acid copolymer as a stabilizing agent for stannous fluoride and methods for preparing such stabilized compositions.

Abstract: Aqueous stannous fluoride containing moutwash compositions including an alkyl vinyl ether and maleic anhydride or acid copolymer as a stabilizing agent for stannous flouride and methods for preparing such stabilized compositions.

Abstract: Aqueous stannous fluoride containing mouthwash compositions including an alkyl vinyl ether and maleic anhydride or acid copolymer as a stabilizing agent for stannous fluoride and methods for preparing such stabilized compositions.

Abstract: Stannous fluoride containing toothpaste compositions including an alkyl vinyl ether and maleic anhydride or acid copolymer as a stabilizing agent for stannous fluoride and methods for preparing such stabilized compositions.

Abstract: Stannous fluoride containing aqueous, non-abrasive home treatment gel compositions including an alkyl vinyl ether and maleic anhydride or acid copolymer as a stabilizing agent for stannous fluoride and methods for preparing such stabilized compositions.