Electrolytic method and device

Abstract

The present invention is used to obtund tooth decay and periodontal lesions by obstructing the proton motive force that exists in bacteria. The result is that glycolysis, DNA synthesis and chelation is upset and this will cause bacteria to dissolute logrithmically. The invention is also used to harden and remineralize enamel and dentin by using fluoride compounds available in over-the-counter dental cleansers. The invention takes into consideration the vector magnitude of the hydration layer between the enamel and the pellicle plaque layer of teeth which insulates the teeth from the electrical potentials of electrophoresis. The claim that electrical potentials can be placed on teeth does not take this physico-chemical phenomenon into consideration. This invention uses the proper voltage to produce ionization of molecules in a salivary slurry of gels, dentrifice's and rinses.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This is a non-provisional application having priority to provisional application No. 60/227,267 filed on Nov. 15, 2000.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to a toothbrush having sufficient means for providing sufficient voltage for electrolysis of dentifrice, gels, and rinses to produce hydronium ions and an aqueous acid media.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] There is a hydration layer between the enamel of teeth and a natural covering of a glyco-protein adhesive film called a pellicle that is present on all teeth in the oral cavity. This layer of water molecules is vectorial with a positive charge directed toward the oxyanion of the phosphate ion of the apatite crystals of enamel. This vector magnitude insulates the tooth against electrical potentials produced by electrophoresis. Any claim that a potential on teeth by electrophoresis does not take this physico-chemical phenomena into account.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention uses the phenomena of electrolysis to obtund decay of teeth and periodontal disease. Without limiting the invention to any mechanism, it is believed the production of a weak acid media, using an electromotive force for electrolysis, will react with the fluoride and bicarbonate compounds, if present, of the dentrifice, gels, and rinses in the oral cavity. This is a more organized and active use of these products compared with the random and passive diffusion that occurs when brushing in the absence of this energy The present invention provides an efficient means to obtund decay and periodontal disease by lowering the count of acid-producing bacteria in plaque. At the same time, the present invention will strengthen the apatite crystal bundles of the hard tissues of teeth and bleach the teeth.

[0005] The present invention is a circuit comprising a) a dry cell wafer battery, b) two leads having exposed lead end plates, c) a photovoltaic cell, and d) a rectifying diode. Preferably, the circuit is incorporated in a toothbrush produced by computer-aided injection moulding for precision construction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a dielectric toothbrush.

[0007] FIG. 2 illustrates a top surface view of a dielectric toothbrush.

[0008] FIG. 3 depicts the circuitry of a dielectric toothbrush.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention system is used to harden impure apatite crystal bundles of dentin and enamel as well as interfering in the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The addition of the fluoride ion present in gels, dentrifice pastes and topical applications to the apatite crystals under the influence of sufficient electromotive force to induce an electrolytic redox reaction which will obtund tooth decay.

[0010] While brushing teeth, the two exposed end plates will contact the slurry of saliva, gels, dentifrice, and rinses that contain fluoride and sometimes bicarbonate molecules and with the proper voltage will cause a redox reaction with the water molecules present by electrolysis resulting in the production of weak acids of fluoride and bicarbonate. This acid media will diffuse the protons (i.e., hydrogen ions) present through the cell walls and membranes of bacteria that exist in the oral cavity by mass action. Bacteria need the hydrolysis of ATP to form energy rich metabolites for all vital functions. It is believed the presence of the protons and the fluoride ions in the cytosol of the bacteria will upset the equilibrium of the proton motive force and the flavo-cytochrome transport system necessary for the enzymatic reactions needed for the production of ATP.

[0011] The basic reaction of the anode and cathode end plates is one of electrolysis of the water molecules existing in the slurry while brushing the teeth. How the system obtunds tooth decay and periodontitis and the embodiments of the toothbrush will become apparent from the description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

[0012] The Electrolytic Circuitry

[0013] FIG. 1 shows the side view of a toothbrush with an exposed cathode lead contact plate surface 1. The cathode lead 2 enters the handle of the toothbrush and progresses to a cavity 3 with a protective cover (not shown) over it holding the wafer cell battery 4 where it contacts the cathode of the battery. The cathode lead 2 continues and contacts the cathode of the photovoltaic cell 5. FIG. 1 also shows the side view of the toothbrush with the exposed anode lead contact plate surface 6. The anode lead 7 enters the handle of the toothbrush and progresses to a cavity 3 holding the wafer cell battery 4 where it contacts the anode of the battery. The anode lead 7 continues through the cavity and contacts a rectifying diode 8. This diode prevents power leakage during darkness and adds longevity to the battery and in turn, is attached to the anode of the photovoltaic cell 5 wherein said photovoltaic cell revitalizes the battery 4. This completes the circuit of the system which will pump electrons from the cathode plate surface and remove them from the anode contact plate surface.

[0014] FIG. 2 shows a top view of the relative positions of the exposed contact plate surfaces 1 & 6 of the leads 2 & 7 and their contact with the wafer cell battery 4, the anode lead 7 contact with the rectifying diode 8, the rectifying diode contact with the photovoltaic cell 5, the photovoltaic cell contact with the cathode lead 2, and the contact of the cathode lead with the wafer cell battery 4.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a diagram of the circuitry enclosed in the handle of the toothbrush with the exception of the exposed contact plate surfaces 1 & 6. The arrows represent incident light on photovoltaic cell 5.

[0016] The Intracellular Biochemical Reactions

[0017] All energy requirements of bacteria are coupled to the hydrolysis of ATP. This energy is used for both exogonic and endogonic reactions that are necessary for cell growth and reproduction. In the cytosol of bacteria oxidized organic compounds generate electrons, metabolites and precursors to a number of lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins. The contents of the cytosol, cell walls, and plasma membranes are made up of these organic compounds. The synthesis of ribose and the dinucleotides from pyrimidine and purine ribosephosphates are essential for DNA, RNA, coenzymes, and ribosomes.

[0018] ATP is produced by a two part protein vesicle in the plasma membrane called ATPase or F0F1. Specifically, the ATPase is composed of a stalk F0 and a knob F1. Protons from outside the membrane are drawn into the stalk F0 section if there is a pH gradient between the cytosol and the environment outside the cell wall next to the plasma membrane. The stalk F0 joins the knob F1 section inside the membrane bathed by the cytosol. The enzyme component of knob F1 will react with adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and HPO4−2 to form ATP.

[0019] The protons are produced by metabolic generating cycles in the cytosol which by their redox reactions with coenzyme molecules produce a flow of electrons. The generating cycles are called the Embden-Myerhof pathway of glycolysis, the pyruvate oxidation cycle, and the citric acid cycle. In these generating cycles, coenzyme molecules are reversibly reduced and oxidized and produce a flow of electrons from a more negative potential to a more positive potential. This results in an electrochemical gradient between the inside and outside of the plasma membrane. This change in electric potential releases energy in such a way that protons are pushed outside the cytosol through the plasma membrane to the outside environment. Here the flow of protons results in an acid pH outside the membrane and a low concentration of protons in the cytosol. The resultant pH and electrochemical gradient favors the flow back across the membrane through the stalk F0 and triggers a catalytic reaction of the enzyme F1 to produce ATP from ADP and HPO4−2. The electrons that are transported down the voltage gradient liberate their energy with the resultant formation of more ATP at the ATPase sites in the plasma membrane. This phenomenon is called Proton Motive Force.

[0020] The coenzyme system associated with the flow of electrons and protons is called the flavo-cytochrome system of redox phosphorylation. Biochemists refer to this as the electron transfer system (ETS). A series of redox reactions occur beginning with nicotinamide adenosine dinucleotide (NAD+), to flavo-protein (FP), to coenzyme Q (CoQ), to a group of cytochromes that ultimately reduce oxygen to water in aerobic respiration and SO3 to NH3 and HS− or H2S, respectively.

[0021] The optimum temperature for bacteria in the oral cavity is 98.6° F. or 37.0° C. which is the average temperature of the oral cavity in humans. The saliva of the oral cavity has an average pH of 7.0 and varies between 6.8 and 8.0. At this optimum temperature and pH biochemists have determined that the proportional relationship of the concentrations of ATP-ADP-HPO4−2 is 8-1-8, respectively. The hydrolysis of ATP supplies the energy for the exogonic and the endogonic chemical reactions of the bacterial cells for the metabolism of the organic compounds necessary for growth, development, and reproduction. Mg2+ ion and some Mn2+ ions are present as chelators and coenzymes and act as chelators to attach to the two oxygen ions next to the purine adenosine of ATP. These are used to couple the hydrolysis of ATP to enzymes in the metabolic cycles of cell metabolism in bacteria.

[0022] The thermodynamic formula for Gibbs free energy changes for this chemical reaction can be represented by:

&dgr;&Ggr;=&dgr;&Ggr;0+&rgr;T ln(ADP)(HPO4)/ADP  I

[0023] with ln=natural logarithm, T=absolute temperature, P=the gas constant, and 67 &Ggr;=free standard energy. Substituting the numerical values into the formula:

&dgr;&Ggr;=−31KJ/Mol+8.134×10−3KJ/Mol×310°ln1×10−3(8×10−3)(8×10−3)  II

&dgr;&Ggr;=−49KJ/Mol  III

[0024] This represents the free negative energy value of the hydrolysis of ATP used for bacterial processes at 37 degrees C. and pH of 7.0.

[0025] In summary, the central role of ATP in metabolism is that energy obtained from lipids, fats, and carbohydrates is stored in ATP. From this storage the hydrolysis of ATP supplies energy to form the organic substances for cell walls, nucleic acids, and the nutritive compounds to sustain life and the reproduction of cells. The ATP itself is synthesized in the integral enzyme complexes of the plasma membrane of bacteria by a series of redox reactions between NAD+, FP, CoQ, and the cytochrome series which biochemists call ETS. This series of redox reactions causes an electrochemical gradient between the inside and outside of the plasma membrane. The change in electrical potential releases energy in such a way that protons are pushed outside the cytosol and establishes an acid pH in the external environment of the bacteria. The protons flow back into the cytosol via F0 and then to F1 and this triggers a catalytic reaction to form more ATP. The electrons liberate their energy by transportation down a voltage gradient causing a flow of protons. This phenomena is called the Proton Motive Force. By disrupting this system it is possible to obtund the bacterial count of acid-producing bacteria.

[0026] The Demineralization Process

[0027] In order to understand the inventive system, and the reaction process used to obtund decay and periodontal disease, a description of the mineral composition of the apatite crystal structure of dentin and the natural covering of enamel bathed in saliva is necessary.

[0028] All healthy teeth have a natural covering consisting of a hydrated glycoprotein adhesive film called a pellicle. The outer-most layer is a disaccharide called sialic acid. Within this layer is a protein section of the film composed of amino acids. For the most part serine, aspartic, glycine and glutamine, and to a lesser extent, other essential acids are present. There is a hydration layer between the pellicle and enamel where sialic acid is hydrolyzed and attracts the cations of the apatite crystals.

[0029] The hydration layer is vectorial and the positive portion is directed toward the negatively charged oxyanion of the phosphate section of the apatite crystal. That is, this vector charge insulates the surface of the teeth. The magnitude and direction of the hydration layer is a natural insulator opposing an electrical potential. Any claim that an electrical potential can be placed on a tooth surface does not take this physico-chemical phenomena into consideration.

[0030] The hard tissues of enamel and dentin are made of bundles of pure, and impure, apatite and these bundles are the prime target for acid decomposition by bacteria. Pure apatite crystals are represented by the formula Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2. In the enamel and dentin of teeth, calcium may be intermittently substituted by cations such as Na+, Mg++, Zn++ and other cations to a lesser extent. Also, the phosphate anion may be substituted by a carbonate anion. These substituted areas show hexagonal holes which are connected by carbonates and some of the impure substituted regions of the crystals. The impure apatite crystals using sodium as representative of impure cations present can be illustrated as follows: Na&agr;Ca10−&agr;(PO4)6−&bgr;(OH)2.

[0031] The present inventive system will be used as an adjunct to the natural processes of immunity and the supersaturated solution of calcium and phosphate ions that exist in the saliva by using the fluoride and bicarbonate compounds within gels, dentrifices, and rinses of over-the-counter dental products used in dental health procedures. The conjugate base fluoride ion is a weaker base than the hydroxyl ion of the apatite crystal and will not react with acids produced by bacteria.

[0032] Salivary products, bacterial metabolites and bacteria will eventually cover the pellicle and form a gelatinous mass called plaque. Plaque adheres to pits, fissures and crevices between the teeth and the gums. The enamel surface of teeth displays many features that allow the diffusion of cations, anions and acid products of bacteria entrance. These features include focal holes that contain global proteins, enamel rod boundaries and developmental spaces call the lines of Retzius. The present invention can use these natural features to great advantage to obtund decay and prevent periodontal disease.

[0033] The focal holes, the developmental spaces of the lines of Retzius and any enamel imperfection spaces offer diffusion pathways to the weak acid, hydrogen fluoride (HF). This weak acid is an important product of the electrolytic reaction produced by the present invention system.

[0034] Tooth decay begins when acid products of bacteria dissolve the apatite crystal bundles of enamel. Sucrose in the diet, under the influence of Streptococcus mutans, is converted into a sticky polysaccharide. This material can function as part of plaque structure and also as a food source for bacteria in time of food deprivation. The S. mutans ATP, when chelated to Mg2+, activates the enzyme glucosyl transferase on the substrate sucrose by hydrolysis to increase the rate of reaction. The S. mutans group of bacteria are gram-positive facultative types that coexist with blood cells, ions and immunoglobulins in the saliva. S. Mutans creates an acid media in the plaque in which colonies and aggregates of mixed colonies of different bacteria flourish. The predominate bacterial type depends on the pH of the saliva. S. mutans also uses sucrose as a substrate for nutrition. With the enzyme hexokinase and the hydrolysis of ATP as an energy source S. mutans metabolizes sucrose to glucose and fructose phosphates. These substrates diffuse through the plasma membrane into the cytosol with the aid of the proton motive force (PMF) and the electron transport system (ETS).

[0035] As the magnitude of the plaque increases, that is, as it matures, the acid media created by S. mutans, and later Lactobacillus, is optimal for the growth of cocci, rods, bacteroides, spirillum, spirochaetes, Veillonella and fusiforms etc. These bacteria contribute to all the dental diseases to which humans are subject. Lactobacillus is a gram-positive anaerobe and flourishes in low oxygen tension of acid media of plaque initiated by S. mutans metabolites. Lactobacillus is next in importance to S. mutans and uses pyruvate as a substrate to ferment lactic acid.

[0036] The acid media of plaque contains not only lactic acid but also, acetic, propionic, succinic, formic and citric acids as a consequence of an active flora of various bacteria. The protons flow into spaces thermodynamically to equalize the pH between the plaque and the enamel. The protons diffuse through plaque into porous enamel and dentin and dissolve the enamel freeing the calcium and phosphate ions of the apatite bundles into the saliva. This acid-mediated demineralization is the first sign of decay.

[0037] The Remineralization Process

[0038] Saliva in the oral cavity has a physiological pH that varies between 6.8 and 8.0 with buffering components of phosphate ions, peptides and bicarbonates to neutralize the acids produced by bacteria. Saliva is supersaturated with molecular calcium phosphate in equilibrium with Ca2+ ions and PO43− ions. With the aid of enough fluoride in solution it can remineralize the demineralized enamel and dentin. Commercial over-the-counter dentrifices, gels and rinses containing fluoride rely upon passive diffusion of fluoride ions between the plaque and enamel to arrest decay of teeth. This process is random and compromised by salivary buffers.

[0039] The average dentrifice has an alkali metal fluoride concentration of available fluoride ion on the average of 0.15% to 0.22%. The cationic metal fluoride, in the presence of acid plaque and salivary buffers, will increase in concentration according to its solubility product. That is, the molecule will dissociate into a cation and a fluoride ion in the presence of a hydronium ion (H++HOH=H3O+). The basic conjugate fluoride ion will react with hydronium ion to form HF in aqueous solution. HF is a weak acid and has a low entropy. That is, HF is highly structured, a weak electrolyte and is weakly dissociated. The dissociation constant and reaction formula can be illustrated as:

NaFaq=Na+aq+F−aq  IV and

H3O++F−aq=HFaq+HOH  V

Ka=6.9×10−4 M. of HFaq  VI

[0040] As the F−aq reacts with hydronium ion to form HFaq, the NaFaq will increase its disassociation according to its solubility product and more F−aq will react with the hydronium ion. This process is random and compromised by salivary buffers. The present invention will produce more protons to generate hydronium ion and is a more efficient use of fluoride present in a dentrifice, gel or rinse. The present invention will establish a proton gradient in a more efficient manner and a condition of maximum change.

[0041] Naaq+ (aqueous sodium ion) and Faq− (aqueous fluoride ion) have high standard reduction potentials and will not participate in redox reactions in an aqueous media; water molecules will preferentially participate in the redox reactions.

[0042] Water molecules are reduced at a cathode and undergo an oxidation reaction at the anode. Water molecules oxidized at an anode produce diatomic oxygen, hydrogen ions, 2 electrons and have an oxidation potential of 1.229 V. This evolved diatomic oxygen at the anode will bleach the teeth. The overall reaction can be illustrated as follows:

2H2O+2e=H2+2OH−  VIII

E0=−0.828 V  IX

2H2O=O2+4H++2e  X

E0=−1.229 V  XI

E0=−2.057 V  XII

[0043] TOTAL

[0044] Equation XII is the calculated voltage. However, in practice, there is an additional voltage required in reactions involving hydrogen and oxygen of 0.6 V called the overvoltage This means a voltage of at least 2.657 V must be used as the energy source. A 3 V lithium battery or more may be used for this purpose in the present invention.

[0045] The hydrogen ions produced at the anode causes an acid region with H3O+ (i.e., hydronium ions). The hydronium ions will react with hydroxyl ions and the electrophilic fluoride negative ions that are in an aqueous slurry of dentrifice used in oral hygiene. The fluoride negative ions will also react with plaque acids that have been produced by bacteria.

[0046] The result of these combinations is a weak acid HF and water, and may be represented symbolically as:

Faq−+H3O+=HF+H2O  XIII

[0047] The production of the weak acid HF using the energy of electromotive force is a more efficient manner of using the available fluoride ions present in gels, dentrifices and rinses rather than the random passive diffusion of the fluoride compounds of gels, dentrifices and rinses that are subject to salivary buffers of the oral cavity.

[0048] Antibacterial Effects of Hydrogen Fluoride

[0049] This invention uses a circuit in which a battery acts as an electron pump pushing electrons from a cathode contact plate surface and removing them from an anode contact plate surface in a slurry of saliva and gels, dentrifices and rinses containing fluoride compounds and sometimes bicarbonate compounds. At the cathode, ions undergo reduction by accepting electrons. This process is an oxidation-reduction reaction and the system uses electrolysis of water in which the area around the anode becomes acidic and oxygen is evolved. The hydronium ions will react with fluoride ions to form the weak acid hydrogen fluoride (HFaq) and this product will obtund decay and prevent periodontitis by upsetting the proton motive force of bacteria. HFaq will also harden teeth by reacting with hydroxy apatite crystals of enamel and dentin. The hydronium ions will react with bicarbonate ions and form the weak acid hydrogen bicarbonate (H2CO3) which will contribute to an acid pH within the bacterial cytosol and also upset the proton motive force of bacteria.

[0050] The aqueous fluoride molecules in dentifrices, gels and rinses exist in random positions when mixed with saliva in the oral cavity. When voltage is applied to this mixture the random positions organize parallel to the electric field and the protons gather at the anode and unite with Faq− to form the acid HF. This HF will diffuse into the bacterial cytosol by mass action until equilibrium is reached on both sides of the plasma membrane. The cytosol is buffered by H2PO4−(6.84) and HPO4−(12.80) and is relatively basic. The HF will dissociate as H+ions (i.e., positively charged hydrogen ions; protons) and Faq−ions (i.e., aqueous negatively charged fluoride ions). The protons in the cytosol have bypassed the F0 channel and synthesis of ATP will not take place.

[0051] The Faq−ions will have an adverse effect on the reproduction and metabolic mechanisms of the bacteria by forming analogues in place of the intermediate metabolic substrates at the active sites of the enzymes. The analogue has the same configuration as the substrate and bonds to the active site. The enzyme is neutralized and can not perform its' function. A notable example is the aconitase enzyme. The Faq−ion will join the double bond dehydrated intermediate molecule cis-aconitate to form an analogue. In the citric acid cycle the tertiary alcohol citrate can not be oxidized. A secondary alcohol isocitrate is formed by isomerization which can be oxidized. The addition of fluoride to the cis-aconitate forms an analogue and the enzyme can not function. The result is that the cycle is stopped at that point and the bacteria will not survive.

[0052] The Faq−ion will form an analogue with thymidylate synthase and replaces deoxyuridine monophospate which aids in the production of DNA. This will result in disrupting reproduction functions.

[0053] As the HF reaches a stage of equilibrium on both sides of the plasma membrane the Faq−ion will effuse out of the cytosol to join protons and form more HF. Some of the Faq−ion will remain behind and form molecules with the cofactors and chelators Mg++, Mn++and K+. These cations are cofactors and chelators for mutase, enolase, and kinase which are used to catalyze reactions of the Embden-Meyerhof anaerobic glycolysis that form phosphoenolpyruvate and phosphoglycerates to form pyruvate. This will result in disrupting the functions of nutrition in bacteria.

[0054] Enamel Hardening Effects of Hydrogen Fluoride

[0055] Acids produced by bacteria will demineralize (CO3)&bgr; and non-calcium regions of tooth enamel and dentin. The saliva is supersaturated with calcium and phosphates along with phosphate and bicarbonate buffering systems. The saliva, therefore, neutralizes acids and provides calcium and phosphate ions to replace the dissolved cation and anions of the crystals of dentin and enamel. This process is called remineralization and hardens the enamel and dentin.

[0056] During acid production of plaque bacteria, the HF produced by the voltage (EMF) travels through the pellicle to the neutral water covering between the enamel and the pellicle-plaque layers to the enamel surface. The fluoride adheres to the crystals as CaF2 (i.e., calcium difluoride). This speeds up the remineralization by the growth of fluoroapatite crystals (FAP) and the hydroxyapatite crystals of the demineralized regions.

[0057] The formula for the demineralization by lactic acid of apatite represents the acid breakdown of apatite crystal follows:

Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2=10Caaq2++6(PO4)aq+2OHaq−  IX

[0058] The formula for the lactic acid reaction with the apatite crystal and the products:

Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2+CH3CHOHCOOH=3Ca3(PO4)6+2HOH+(CH3CHOHCOO)2Ca  X

[0059] The production of HF through the influence of the electromotive force (EMF) produced in the present invention will help obtund decay of teeth by strengthening the enamel and dentin crystals. This reaction is represented by the formula:

Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2+2HF=Ca10(PO4)6F2+2HOH  XI

[0060] The aqueous fluoride ion adheres to the crystals and replaces the hydroxyl molecules of the apatite crystals. The fluoride in the form of CaF2 from the saliva will replace the (CO3)&bgr; and non-calcium ion and hydroxyls by adhering to the surfaces also.

[0061] Chemically, the Faq−ion is a weaker base than OH−ions and the modified crystal called fluoroapatite (FAP) is more resistant to acids produced by bacteria. Physically, the action of the fluoride ion on the apatite crystal will diminish the distance between the radii of the calcium and the fluoride ions in the crystal. This is according to Van de Waals law of attraction between nuclei. The volume of FAP is less than hydroxylapatite (HAP) and will be more dense as a result and will be less likely to break down under acid attack.

[0062] The present invention applies a suitable voltage to fluoride and bicarbonate gels, dentrifices, and rinses to obtund decay of teeth by disrupting the proton motive force of bacterial cells, thereby interfering with the synthesis of ATP. This will destroy the bacteria that produces acid and causes caries (i.e., decay of teeth) and periodontal lesions in the oral cavity.

[0063] In addition, the present invention will strengthen the apatite crystals by producing HF more efficiently as a Faq−ion source for adhering fluoride ions to the HAP crystal and as a source of CaF2 for the impure apatite crystals that are of the form:

Na&agr;Ca10−&agr;(PO4)6−&bgr;(CO3)[b]&bgr;(OH)2  XII

[0064] The foregoing description of the inventive system is to be understood as given by illustration and example. The numerous changes and detailed combination and arrangement of parts my be reconstituted without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as herein claimed.

Claims

22. A method, comprising:

a) providing

i) an electromotive circuit;

ii) teeth; and

iii) a dental product selected from the group consisting of dentrifices, gels and rinses;

b) contacting said electromotive circuit with said dental product, thereby generating i) electrolytic redox reaction ions, ii) oxygen and iii) hydrogen; and

c) applying said reaction ions to said teeth under conditions wherein said teeth are bleached.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said electromotive circuit comprises a toothbrush comprising:

a) a handle incorporating a cathode contact plate and an anode contact plate;

b) a cathode lead contacting said cathode contact plate, wherein said cathode lead progresses through said handle;

c) an anode lead contacting said anode contact plate, wherein said anode lead progresses through said handle;

d) a battery placed within said handle, wherein said cathode lead and said anode lead contact said battery;

e) a rectifying diode contacting said anode lead, wherein said rectifying diode is on the cathode side of said battery; and

f) a photovoltaic cell connected to said anode lead and said cathode lead, thereby forming an electromotive circuit.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein said reaction ions are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, fluoride, hydronium, hydroxide, bicarbonate and sodium ions.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein said fluoride ion replaces enamel and dentin apatite hydroxyls.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein said fluoride ion forms fluoroapatites, thereby providing more resistance to acid decay.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein said fluoride ion forms calcium difluoride thereby speeding up fluoroapatite and hydroxyapatite crystal growth on the surface of the enamel and dentin.

28. The method of claim 22, wherein during step (c), said reaction ions lower plaque-forming bacterial growth.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein said plaque-forming bacteria are selected from the group consisting of S. mutans, Lactobacillus, cocci, rods, bacteriodes, spirillum, spirochaetes, Veillonella, and fusiforms.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein said lowering of plaque-forming bacterial growth is by an interference with ATP synthesis.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein said interference with ATP synthesis is by stopping electron transport system and disrupting anaerobic glycolysis.