Abstract: A toothpaste composition comprising a kaolin and a non-abrasive silica. The kaolin is the sole abrasive present in the composition. The composition has an RDA less than about 110.

Abstract: A process for making a shaped, 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 solid to form a shaped thread. The thread is optionally reshaped. The shaped thread, carrying the primary coating, is 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 shaped configuration of the thread. The lower melting wax composition contains volatile flavoring oil.

Abstract: A flavored interproximal dental cleaning article having an open, porous brush portion with matrix particles comprising flavor particles encapsulated in a water-soluble matrix bound to the surfaces of the brush portion by a water-insoluble, matrix particle encapsulating hard, flexible polymeric film which is preferably a urethane polymer. The brush portion can be integrally connected to a threader portion and/or a floss portion, and the threader portion and the brush portion can be further stiffened by a second outer polymeric hard flexible film coating which can be free of flavor particles. The matrix particles can be flavor oils encapsulated in a matrix comprising malto-dextrin or non-toxic gums. The cleaning article is made by impregnating a open, porous brush portion of an interproximal dental cleaning article with a coating solution comprising a coating material dissolved in a volatile solvent.

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 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: 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: 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: 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 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.