Abstract: An oral care system and method 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. In one aspect, the invention is an oral care system comprising: an oral care implement comprising a head, a handle having a longitudinal axis, and one or more oral surface engaging elements; a dispenser having a reservoir containing an oral care material and an applicator for dispensing the oral care material; the dispenser alterable between: (i) a storage state wherein the applicator is nested within the handle; and (ii) an application state wherein the applicator is un-nested from the handle and exposed for oral care use.

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 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 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 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 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: 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 and method wherein a dispenser is mounted to the handle of an oral care implement, such as a toothbrush. The dispenser holds an oral care material and is alterable between a storage state wherein a dispending 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. In one aspect, the invention is an oral care system comprising: an oral care implement comprising a head, a handle having a longitudinal axis, and one or more oral surface engaging elements; a dispenser having a reservoir containing an oral care material and an applicator for dispensing the oral care material from the reservoir; the dispenser alterable between: (i) a storage state wherein the applicator or the dispensing end of the dispenser is nested within the handle; and (ii) an application state wherein the applicator or the dispensing end is un-nested from the handle and exposed for oral care use.

Abstract: An oral care implement is provided having a handle and a head with a soft tissue cleanser and/or tooth cleaning elements. The tooth cleaning elements may be flexibly mounted in the head for movement from an initial position with respect to the head during use. The soft tissue cleanser may include a plurality of projections for cleaning the soft tissue. The soft tissue cleanser may include a face having hills and valleys upon which the projections are located. The handle may include a base with a gripping region and a projection protruding from the base in the gripping region. The handle may also have a grip surface with a plurality of spaced slot openings exposing portions of the base. The grip body may form opposite finger grips on the handle.