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: An oral care implement is provided, in one embodiment, with a plurality of spaced-apart tissue cleaning pads (400) radially arranged around a central axis (450) to form a grouping, each pad having an inner region (420, 430) close to the central axis and an outer region spaced away from the central axis, the inner region (420, 430) being raised relative to the outer region and having scraping surfaces along certain edge regions for improved cleaning of the soft tissue in an oral cavity Each pad further preferably includes one or more protrusions (920, 930) along an upper surface thereof.

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: An oral care implement such as a toothbrush includes a head defining a longitudinal axis and a plurality of tooth cleaning elements supported by the toothbrush head. The tooth cleaning elements preferably include at least one tooth polishing unit having a polishing element including a supporting base and a flexible tooth polishing head extending angularly from the base and defining a polishing surface. In a preferred embodiment, the polishing element is made of an elastomeric material. In some embodiments, the polishing element may be comprised of a plurality of individual polishing members.

Abstract: An oral care implement is provided, in one embodiment, with a plurality of spaced-apart tissue cleaning pads (400) radially arranged around a central axis (450) to form a grouping on one side of the head. A bridge (465) is positioned between each pad (400). Each pad (400) further preferably includes one or more protrusions (980) along an upper surface thereof. There also is provided a plurality of cleaning elements (150) extending from an opposite side of the head of the oral care implement and connected to the cleaning pads through the head.

Abstract: A toothbrush includes a handle and a head mounted to the handle. In one aspect, the head may extend from a proximal end to a distal end along a longitudinal axis, the head having a base portion formed of a rigid plastic material and a flexible portion formed of an elastomeric material, a first longitudinal section of the flexible portion spaced apart from the base portion by a gap. The flexible portion of the head may have an upper surface and an opposing lower surface such that within the first longitudinal section of the flexible portion the upper surface and the lower surface are substantially planar and parallel to one another.

Abstract: A toothbrush that enhances cleaning and user comfort while brushing. In one embodiment, the toothbrush comprises a cleaning element support member, or base member, that permits a head of the toothbrush to be comfortably received and manipulated within the user's mouth. In an embodiment, the support member comprises a head support having an overhanging portion and a portion free of an overhang.

Abstract: A toothbrush includes a handle and a head mounted to the handle. At least one of the head and the handle may generally include an open area partially enclosed with elastomeric material, said elastomeric material being readily deflectable from an original orientation during use of said toothbrush and configured to recover to the original orientation after use of said toothbrush.

Abstract: A toothbrush that enhances cleaning and user comfort while brushing. In one embodiment, the toothbrush comprises a cleaning element support member, or base member, that permits a head of the toothbrush to be comfortably received and manipulated within the user's mouth. In an embodiment, the support member comprises a head support having an overhanging portion and a portion free of an overhang.

Abstract: A toothbrush having an arrangement of cleaning elements for improved oral care and dentifrice retention. In one aspect, the invention is a toothbrush comprising a first set of cleaning elements forming a loop that extends from the distal periphery of the head to the proximal periphery of the head. The loop has the shape of a racetrack and comprises a first par-elliptical wall of cleaning elements at the distal periphery of the head and a second par-elliptical wall of cleaning elements located at the proximal periphery of the head. The par elliptical walls are connected first and second arcuate rows of cleaning elements. In one embodiment, the first and second arcuate rows are symmetrically arranged about the longitudinal axis so that peripheral convex surfaces of the first and second arcuate rows face the longitudinal axis.

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: An oral care implement such as a toothbrush includes a head defining a longitudinal axis and a plurality of tooth cleaning elements supported by the toothbrush head. The tooth cleaning elements preferably include at least one tooth polishing unit having a polishing element including a supporting base and a flexible tooth polishing head extending angularly from the base and defining a polishing surface. In a preferred embodiment, the polishing element is made of an elastomeric material. In some embodiments, the polishing element may be comprised of a plurality of individual polishing members.

Abstract: A toothbrush includes a handle and a head mounted to the handle. At least one of the head and the handle may generally include an open area partially enclosed with elastomeric material, said elastomeric material being readily deflectable from an original orientation during use of said toothbrush and configured to recover to the original orientation after use of said toothbrush.

Abstract: An oral care implement having a handle and a head having a flexible support from which cleaning elements extend. In one aspect, the invention can be an oral care implement comprising: a handle; a head attached to the handle; a flexible support attached to the head and having a face; a plurality of cleaning elements attached to the flexible support and projecting outwardly from the face, the cleaning elements including bristles and wall-like elements and being movable in the outward direction from the head; wherein the cleaning elements comprise a row of first cleaning elements substantially aligned along a longitudinal axis of the head and traversing a central region of the flexible support; and wherein some of the wall-like cleaning elements laterally radiate from the central region of the flexible support.

Abstract: An oral care implement such as a toothbrush includes a head and a plurality of tooth cleaning elements supported by the toothbrush head. The tooth cleaning elements preferably include an elastomeric polishing element defining an elevated dentifrice retaining recess spaced above the toothbrush head for holding dentifrice. In one embodiment, the recess may be configured as an annular groove. Preferred embodiments of the recess include a partially or completely closed bottom portion to support and minimize loss of dentifrice during brushing. In some embodiments, the polishing element may be collectively formed from a plurality of Y-shaped polishing members.

Abstract: An oral care system and method comprising an oral care implement such as a toothbrush having a plurality of tooth engaging elements and a cavity adapted to detachably house a dispenser containing an oral care agent. In one embodiment, the dispenser may be configured as a dispensing pen having an applicator on one end. A user may dismount the dispenser from the toothbrush, apply the agent to the oral surface, and re-mount the dispenser in the toothbrush for storage.

Abstract: An oral care implement such as a toothbrush includes a head defining a longitudinal axis and a plurality of tooth cleaning elements supported by the toothbrush head. The tooth cleaning elements preferably include at least one tooth polishing unit having a polishing element including a supporting base and a broadened flexible tooth polishing head extending angularly outwards from the base and defining a polishing surface. In a preferred embodiment, the polishing element is made of an elastomeric material. In some embodiments, the polishing element may be comprised of a plurality of individual polishing members.

Abstract: An oral care implement with a soft tissue cleaner. The inventive oral care implement comprises different kinds of soft tissue cleaners that offer expanded in-mouth cleaning. In one aspect, the invention can be an oral care implement comprising: a handle; a head having a structural body having a front surface and a rear surface opposite the front surface; a basin formed into the rear surface of the structural body, the structural body comprising a protuberance extending upward from a recessed floor of the basin, the basin surrounding the protuberance; a first cleaner formed of a resilient material for cleansing soft oral tissue located within the basin, the protuberance of the structural body extending through a central hole of the first cleaner; and a second cleaner formed of a resilient material for cleansing soft oral tissue, the second cleaner located on the protuberance of the structural body.

Abstract: An oral care system wherein a dispenser is mounted to the handle of an oral care implement. The dispenser holds an oral care material and is alterable between a storage state wherein a dispensing end of the dispenser nests within the handle and an application state wherein the dispensing end of the dispenser is un-nested and exposed for oral care use.

Abstract: An oral care implement with a soft tissue cleaner. The inventive oral care implement comprises different kinds of soft tissue cleaners that offer expanded in-mouth cleaning. In one aspect, the invention can be an oral care implement comprising: a handle; a head having a structural body having a front surface and a rear surface opposite the front surface; a basin formed into the rear surface of the structural body, the structural body comprising a protuberance extending upward from a recessed floor of the basin, the basin surrounding the protuberance; a first cleaner formed of a resilient material for cleansing soft oral tissue located within the basin, the protuberance of the structural body extending through a central hole of the first cleaner; and a second cleaner formed of a resilient material for cleansing soft oral tissue, the second cleaner located on the protuberance of the structural body.