Abstract: A flossing device having a stabilizing member and preferably a thumb-driven floss movement mechanism. In one embodiment, the flossing device includes a shaft includes an operative end and a distal end, the distal end terminating in first and second fork arms. The fork arms each have a closed end connected to the shaft and an open end, and each include an aperture for receiving dental floss. The flossing device also preferably includes a stabilizing member attached to and between the first and second fork arms, said stabilizing member operable to be engaged by teeth to reduce movement of the shaft when the shaft is inserted into the mouth. The flossing device also preferably includes a thumb-driven floss movement mechanism operably attached to the shaft. This mechanism is operable to cause dental floss to move between the apertures of the first and second fork arms, thereby effectuating cleaning action by the dental floss.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical dental flossing device is disclosed for flossing the area between a portion of the tooth and the gum tissue. The device comprises an elongated member coupled to a motor source to effect oscillation of the elongated member. The elongated member includes an intermediate portion and a tip which are capable of being received between the tooth and the gum tissue.

Abstract: An automated dental cleaner (320) comprises a subassembly (324) having a pair of pivotally supported spaced tines (336) for supporting a movable floss span (338) therebetween. A pair of capstans (346, 352) are provided for drivingly reciprocating the floss span. Floss supply and take-up spools (340, 342) are arranged for continuously replacing the span. A main assembly (322) includes a housing containing a motor-driven multi-function transmission for driving the capstans and take-up spool, and for reciprocating the tines vertically. The main assembly and the subassembly are detachably connectable to each other for expedient replacement of the subassembly by a user. An additional feature on each tine includes a bracing pad (424) shaped for bracing the fork on teeth and gums. Brush bristles (426, 428) added to the tines help to inhibit fork lateral motion and enable the cleaner to floss and brush teeth simultaneously.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a flosser head (16), detachably connectable to a motorized toothbrush driver (12). A fork portion (20) of the head includes a pair of spaced tines (24) for supporting a movable floss span (22) therebetween. Floss supply and take-up spools (30, 32) are rotatably mounted to the head for replacing the span. A ratchet (42) is arranged to drive the take-up spool by translation of relative motion between the driver and head or the driver and fork, thereby progressively advancing the span. When actuated, the driver reciprocates the fork, or the entire head, for flossing teeth and for continuously replacing the span. The flosser head is interchangeable with a toothbrush head on the driver, so the combination is a comprehensive dental cleaner.

Abstract: The present invention automated dental cleaner includes a housing and a pair of spaced tines supported on the housing. The tines hold a length of dental floss therebetween to form a span of floss. A bracing fork having a pair of bracing tines for straddling teeth braces the dental cleaner against the teeth, thereby allowing the floss to be reciprocated by a motorized drive.

Abstract: An oral hygiene instrument according to this invention by means of vibration generating means vibrates by way of a holder member an oral hygiene tool removably attached to the holder member and comprises a cap member having a cap side thread portion which meshes with a holder side thread portion formed at a first end of the holder member which cap member is removably attached to the first end of the holder member and closes an opening in the first end of the holder member, a seal ring fitted on a portion of the holder member or the cap member at the external end of the part where the two members mesh which seal ring is pressed upon by either the cap member or the holder member and seals the gap between the holder member and the cap member within a range of a predetermined angle of screwing of the cap member with respect to the holder member from a late stage to completion of said screwing, and a holder side contact piece and a cap side contact piece mounted in the holder member and the cap member respectively

Abstract: A dental cleansing implement having a thin, elongate shaft. The shaft includes a free end portion suitable in particular for insertion in the interproximal spaces and connected with a mounting portion or the like. The mounting portion is adapted to be coupled to an electric motor drive means of a handle member, and the cleansing implement is adapted to be rotated or oscillated about a shaft longitudinal center line. The free end portion of the shaft is made of a flexible material bent in the shape of a crescent, approximately.

Abstract: In a cleaning device, in particular for the interdental area, comprising two twisted, wire-type sections (1, 2), it is provided, with a view to putting into practice novel cleaning methods, the cleaning being accompanied by the application of care and cleaning agents, that the wire-type sections (1, 2) are twisted in such a way that at least one free loop or eye (9) is formed.

Abstract: A dental hygiene cleaning tool (12) comprising an elongated generally cylindrical housing (14) to be grasped by a hand (16) of a person. A brush bit (18) is provided. A structure (20) is for coupling the brush bit (18) to a first end of the housing (14). A component (22) within the housing (14) is for rotating the brush bit (18). An element (24) within the housing (14) is for reciprocating the brush bit (18) back and forth, so as to clean plaque build up on teeth (26) and gums (28) of a person (30), to remove bacteria which causes periodontal disease to the gums (28).

Abstract: A dental flossing device is characterized by a flossing circuit comprising a floss supply spool and a take-up spool mounted to a housing containing a gear train assembly adapted to rotate the take-up spool in a winding direction. The floss feeds from the supply spool along a pair of prongs forming a forked extension of the handle and is stretched across the forked prongs and appropriately tensioned to be inserted into a user's mouth for flossing. To maintain hygiene, the take-up spool is mounted outside the housing. In a manually operated embodiment, a manually depressible trigger projecting from the housing is operable to rotate the take-up spool with reverse rotation thereof being prevented with a ratchet mechanism. Release of the manually depressible trigger reversely rotates the supply spool through a short arcuate interval to remove slack and then locks the supply spool against unwinding rotation through gear teeth.

Abstract: The elongated handle of the device has L-shaped first and second arms thereon which project in a horizontal plane from the distal end thereof, and the laterals of which depend from the main portions thereof. Interposed in a slot between the first and second arms is a third arm which projects in substantially a vertical plane coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the handle. An inverted U-shaped cowling with bristle arrayed about the inside thereof, is suspended from the third arm and supported on the laterals of the first and second arms, so that the inside surfaces of the skirts of the cowling are disposed to oppose the inside and outside faces of the teeth in a row of the same when the cowling is straddled about the row with the vertical plane of the handle and the three arms generally parallel thereto.

Abstract: The present invention automated dental cleaner includes a housing and a pair of spaced tines supported on the housing. The tines hold a length of dental floss therebetween to form a span of floss. A bracing fork having a pair of bracing tines for straddling teeth braces the dental cleaner against the teeth, thereby allowing the floss to be reciprocated by a motorized drive.

Abstract: An automated dental floss dispensing apparatus for dispensing waxed or unwaxed floss, the apparatus having a dispenser housing including a spool receptacle for retaining a spool of floss. The spool receptacle has a conically shaped discharge aperture with inwardly slanting walls for feeding and guiding the dental floss and the dispenser housing includes a dispensing aperture for dispensing the floss. A cutter is disposed adjacent to the dispensing aperture for cutting a selected length of floss. A battery driven motor is operably coupled to a first and a second circuit for control of motor operating speed and for control of the length of floss to be dispensed by selective activation and deactivation of the motor. A control panel and a start button are included in a wall of the dispenser housing and the dispenser housing is preferably configured as two units which may be separated from one another, with one of the units having a removeable front panel to facilitate access inside the dispenser housing.

Abstract: An interproximal toothbrush and method for cleaning, irrigating and medicating a sub-gingival region with the same are disclosed. The interproximal toothbrush has outer and inner V-shaped portions having outer and inner working surfaces which form intersections at the distal ends from the spines, and bristles extending from the intersections which clean the deeper portions of the sub-gingival region between the teeth and gum. At least one aperture may be provided in at least one of the working surfaces such that irrigation fluid or a medicating, antibacterial or other cleaning agent may be dispensed from the aperture and be guided by the bristles to the sub-gingival region.

Abstract: A power-driven dental flossing device has an elongate housing of three casings with an extending housing arm forked at its front, which contains dental floss reels, a dividing gear system, dental floss operating and winding switches, and a powered motor with batteries and/or a transformer. Dental floss across two tines of the forked arm is wound on the two reels, one of which supplies fresh dental floss, the other takes up used floss. The dental floss can be automatically reciprocated between the tines and teeth by pulling an operating switch backward, and also can be manipulated manually by pushing the same operating switch forward. The floss can also be automatically wound in one direction at time to provide a fresh length of the floss, or to rewind it back at any time.

Abstract: An electrically driven dental flossing device which is used for flossing teeth. A flossing assembly is adapted to be mounted to the electrically driven dental flossing device. The dental flossing assembly includes a disposable floss holder which comprises a bow with a stem which in turn is replaceably mounted to a unitary driving shaft adaptor which in turn is mounted to the upper end of the electrically driven dental flossing device. The dental flossing device is gripped in the hand and the thumb is placed over the normally open spring urged thumb switch means. The flossing device works such that the dental floss material on the floss bow moves reciprocally between the teeth when the switch means is activated to energize a motor means within the handle to operate a gearing means which in turn moves the driving shaft adaptor in a reciprocating straight line in a back and forth motion to move the floss bow relative to the interproximal surfaces of the teeth.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical dental flossing device is disclosed for flossing the area between a portion of the tooth and the gum tissue. The device comprises an elongated member coupled to a motor source to effect oscillation of the elongated member. The elongated member includes an intermediate portion and a tip which are capable of being received between the tooth and the gum tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus to clean teeth. The apparatus has a reservoir for cleaning liquid and a pump to force cleaning liquid from the reservoir. There is an outlet from the reservoir formed with an attachment. A wand can be attached to the outlet. The wand has an inlet to communicate with the outlet. There is a wand outlet at the distal end of the wand. The wand outlet is dimensioned to ensure that a moderate pressure jet of liquid can be ejected from the outlet. The limb is shaped to allow the jet of liquid to be directed upwardly to the teeth being cleaned and against the gums. In a preferred embodiment, the wand has bifurcated limbs at its distal end and each limb has a wand outlet on an inner surface. The limbs can receive dental floss.

Abstract: A method of irrigating and cleaning a sub-gingival region is provided by guiding a sub-gingival periodontal irrigator of a flexible material into an interproximal region. The sub-gingival periodontal irrigator has outer and inner V-shaped portions having outer working surfaces and inner working surfaces which intersect at their distal ends from the spines, such that a hollow space is present therebetween. Irrigation fluid, medication or antibacterial agents may be dispensed through at least one aperture in at least one working surface to the sub-gingival region.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing debris from between and around teeth including a main body member having first and second ends and a flossing implement operably associated therewith. The flossing implement is detachably connected to the main body member. The flossing implement includes first and second ends. The first end of the flossing implement is disposed adjacent the first end of the main body member. The second end of the flossing implement is removed from the first end of the main body member. The second end of the flossing implement includes first and second tines and an intermediate section connecting the first and second tines. The first and second tines each include projections for receiving the corresponding ends of the flossing material extending therebetween. Alternatively, or in addition, the first and second tines may be formed hollow and the intermediate section provided with an opening for receiving a removable flossing cartridge.

Abstract: A power driven tooth flosser utilizes lengths of conventional dental floss, provides a length of that floss held in place to facilitate its insertion between teeth of the user, and then causes that length of floss to be driven in axial reciprocation, thereby to provide optimum and safe removal of plaque and debris from between the teeth.

Abstract: A dental cleaning implement includes a handpiece graspable at one end by a user, an electrical oscillating drive within the handpiece for oscillating the handpiece at a frequency of at least 5 Khz, a head at the opposite end of the handpiece including attaching apparatus for releasably attaching a toothpick or toothbrush thereto, and a spray nozzle for discharging a liquid spray in the region of the toothpick or toothbrush when attached to the head.

Abstract: An electric device which removes supragingival and subgingival plaque and undesirable debris from the interproximal surfaces between teeth is described. This device utilizes a combination of sonic energy and dental floss which is secured between two tines, the tines being part of a flexible fork which is removable from a powered handle which contains batteries and an electric motor. The electric motor, which is coupled to an eccentrically mounted disc on an output shaft, revolves at sonic frequencies which in turn generates sonic energy that is transmitted to the flexible fork which holds the floss. The sonic energy is synchronized and in tune with the natural resonance frequencies of the fork thereby stimulating the resonance action of oscillating vertical and/or elliptical movement of the fork which in turn imparts cleaning energy to and enhances the cleaning properties of the floss.

Abstract: An automated dental flosser (10) comprises a pair of pivotally supported tines (18) which support a movable floss span (17). A pair of rotatably supported subcapstans (38, 40) are floss-connected to each end of the floss span, respectively, and are alternately driven to reciprocate the span longitudinally. A floss dispensing spool (50) and a floss take-up spool (56), floss-connected to respective subcapstans, dispense and take up floss. A floss-engaging portion of each subcapstan differs from the other in diameter to result in a net transfer of the floss from one spool to the other. Means for reciprocating the tines moves the span up and down. A pair of stationary shield tines (16) shield the user's teeth from the reciprocating tines. A second embodiment (90) includes an astable pulse generator (106) that generates a train of pulses of alternately reversing electric charge. Pulses of one charge are of longer duration than those of the other charge.

Abstract: A light electric dental flosser with a rechargeable battery compartment includes a motor casing, interchangeably individualized head units, and disposable plastic floss tips that snap mount within the hinged end of the head unit. The floss tips exhibit bidirectional flossing motion provided from a motion translation system including an eccentric cam, a yoke, and an output shaft with a cam follower mechanism that follows a generally Z-shaped tracking surface with a vertical track component and a horizontal track component enabled by the yoke to complete the resulting "Z" movement. The floss tips have a molded-in filament and are molded from a shock absorbing substance which absorbs the vertical component of the "Z" shaped motion upon the application of pressure to the filament thereby outputting horizontal motion until the filament passes through the contact area between two teeth.

Abstract: A flossing implement including a hollow handle, a pair of fingers extending from the handle to support therebetween a strand of dental floss, and an electric motor in the handle carrying an eccentric weight for vibrating the handle and, through the handle, a strand of dental floss supported at the end of the handle.

Abstract: The invention comprises in combination a system of oral hygiene and personal care apparatus with interchangeable and replaceable elements to facilitate oral hygiene needs such as flossing, brushing and gum stimulation, and personal care needs such as shaving, massaging and manicuring. The preferred embodiment comprises a handle having a receiver slot for mounting and securely retaining the self-locking mounting stem of a demountable tool attachment, and a plurality of demountable and interchangeable tool attachments. The handle may enclose a battery-powered electric motor to impart vibrating motion. The preferred tool attachment is a floss cartridge holder designed to retain a disposable floss cartridge having a short strand of dental floss held between two legs of a U-shaped yoke. The disposable floss cartridge has an integral locking mechanism which allows it to be locked into the holder for each use, and afterwards be unlocked, removed and discarded.

Abstract: A flosser which holds the floss between two (2) unequal length prongs located in the head piece. The floss moves back and forth by a motor. When the floss is placed between the teeth and laterally moved forty-five degrees, the floss will clean between and the opposite sides of the teeth. When removed and rotated 180 degrees and placed between the same teeth, it will now clean the opposite sides of the same teeth, resulting in cleaning the four sides of the teeth. The head is detachable so that a separate round toothbrush with a guard on half of it will be able to brush in between the teeth. The top teeth are cleaned with the motor operating counterclockwise, the bottom teeth cleaned with the motor operating clockwise. However, due to its reversability, the motor may be operated in either direction as desired.

Abstract: Motor-driven apparatus for cleaning spaces between teeth by dental floss comprising a dental floss for cleaning the spaces between teeth, motor means (11), a feeding reel (24) of the fresh dental floss, a take-up reel (25) of the worn-out dental floss, a set of pulleys (18, 20, 21A, 21B) about which the dental floss is running between feeding reel and take-up reel, and reciprocating motor means (13, 15, 16, 18) to reciprocate the operating length of the dental floss as well as to keep it stretched and to replace the dental floss as it is worn-out.

Abstract: The present invention relates to teeth cleaning apparatus comprising a handle unit having a casing with a motor disposed therein, and at least one disposable floss applicator unit adapted to be selectively, drivably connected to the handle unit. The floss applicator unit includes a casing with a floss applicator tip, a floss tube rotatably disposed within the applicator casing and a quantity of floss provided thereon. The motor has a rotatable output shaft which projects outwardly of the handle casing and is adapted to be securely, coaxially received within one end of the floss tube when the floss applicator unit is connected to the handle unit such that the floss tube will rotate together with the output shaft when the motor is actuated.

Abstract: The dental flossing device comprises an elongated cylinder, at least a portion of which is hollow, with an extension having a forked end with curved prongs. A commercially-available spool of floss is located on a spindle in the hollow portion of the cylinder. A first locking mechanism holds the floss in a small space between two surfaces with sufficient friction to firmly retain the floss. When relaxed, the floss can be readily pulled through the first locking mechanism. The floss is fed to the exterior where it is stretched across fork prongs. The floss is threaded through a second locking mechanism similar to the first. The two locking mechanisms are controlled by a single external control and, thus, are both activated or deactivated at the same time. They oppose each other, pulling different points on the floss to create and maintain a strong tension in the floss where it spans the fork, thus facilitating flossing.

Abstract: A motor driven dental floss applicator for use in dispensing and supporting a strand of dental floss for cleaning teeth comprising a rigid elongated frame having a handle on one end and two laterally spaced, upstanding furcations on the other end, the furcations having floss-guiding portions on the tips thereof by means of which a floss strand may be tensioned and moved therebetween. A supply of strand is supported on the frame. A supply and takeup device is provided for supplying and taking up the strand after it is threaded across the tips of the furcations. An electric motor is provided on the frame for actuating the second means unidirectionally, and a switch is provided for controlling the energization of the motor whereby the strand may be controllably drawn across and between said furcations.

Abstract: A dental flossing device includes a housing manually grippable by a user, a pair of spaced arms projecting from one end of the housing for engaging the opposite ends of a length of dental floss to be tautly secured along a dental floss axis between the arms, and a drive for displacing the length of dental floss when secured between the arms. The drive displaces at least one end of the length of dental floss, when secured between the arms, through a unidirectional, curved closed-loop planar path defined by the two axes substantially perpendicular to each other and to the dental floss axis. In one described embodiment, only one end of the length of dental floss is displaced in the above-defined unidirectional, curved, closed-loop path; and in a second described embodiment, each of the two ends of the length of dental floss is displaced in the above-defined unidirectional, curved, closed-loop path.

Abstract: A dental device for cleaning teeth includes a fork-shaped instrument with two arms, each arm having a free end and a needle eye near the free end, where the two arms are separated by a predetermined distance at a point of the needle eyes. A dental floss for use with the dental device includes a guide rod connected to one end of the dental floss and a stop button connected to another end of the dental floss such that the floss can be securely mounted to the forked-shaped instrument. The guide rod and stop button can be integrally molded with the dental floss, the entire assembly made from a strong, plastic material.

Abstract: The device comprises a rear part containing a motor connected through a series of crown gears and of spindles to a front part shaped complementarily to the rear part, and containing a reel on which a dental floss is wound up, and a truncated-cone element on which the floss winds up as it is used that engages with a spindle driven into continuous rotation, while a small roller with two circumferential races engages with another spindle which is made to oscillate about its vertical axis, so that the dental floss encompasses the small roller and runs between the ends of two branches of a fork and is thus caused to advance swingingly as well as gradually removed after use.

Abstract: A powered dental floss includes a floss and a hand grip provided with an output shaft which has a longitudinal axis and to which the floss is coupled. The hand grip incorporates a motor and a drive mechanism which is powered by the motor to impart a vibrating motion to the output shaft. The floss is stretched substantially in parallel with the longitudinal axis of the output shaft so that it is driven to vibrate along its length for effectively cleaning between the teeth.

Abstract: A device for removal of dental plaque from the furca, cemento-enamel junction, and gingival pockets in between two adjacent teeth, the device having a dental arm with a detachable dental brush having a malleable spine supported substantially perpendicular from the arm, the arm imparting a tiny mechanical vibratory action from a motor driving an eccentrically mounted cylindrical weight through contact of the brush with the furca, junctions and pockets in between the adjacent teeth. The brush having a conical shape defined by a cross section representing an isoceles triangle having an apex angle of approximately 30.degree. wherein the surface of the brush is contourable and the bristles are splayed by the tiny vibratory action into the furca, junctions, and pockets.

Abstract: Dental cleansing device including a fork-shaped instrument with two arms capable of being connected to a pressurized fluid supply device. Each of the two arms (2,3) of the instrument (1) has, on its internal face, an orifice (15,16) for ejecting a water jet (17,18), the two orifices being directed so as to enable the ejection of non-aligned water jets in opposite directions. Each arm (2,3) may, in addition, have a needle eye (4,5) for the passage of a piece of interdental floss (6).

Abstract: A dental flossing attachment 10 which imparts oscillatory motion to a strand of dental floss 19 inserted between the teeth. The attachment is adapted to mount on a drive shaft 14 of an electric tooth brush. The attachment has a housing 11 which contains a supply spool 18 and a take-up spool 21. An advancing mechanism is provided whereby fresh floss 19 may be positioned between two prongs 16 at the end of the housing 11 by turning a knob 22 without the need for manual threading of the dental floss through grooves or eyelets. When fresh dental floss is exhausted, the used attachment 10 is removed from the drive shaft 14 and a new attachment 10 is snapped into its place.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to an automatic dental flosser having a housing which includes a handle and an operating head. The operating head includes a pair of hollow tines which extend in a first plane. A flossing assembly is operably associated with the operating head for removing debris from between and around teeth. The flossing assembly includes a support member for supporting a flossing material. A first portion of the support member is disposed in the hollow tines while a second portion of the support member is removed therefrom. A drive member is operably associated with the first portion of the flossing assembly for linearly displacing the support member. A stop is provided intermediate the upper and lower surfaces of the hollow tines for regulating the proximity of the flossing material to the oral tissues of an individual. Further, an adjustable protective cover encases the second portion of the support member which is removed from the hollow tines.

Abstract: A brush head for cleaning and massaging the teeth and gums is disclosed having a bundle of parallel fibers welded together to form a bottom plate. The brush head is produced by continuously feeding the parallel fibers to a heated mandrel, partially melting one end of the fiber bundle to form a bottom plate with a surplus of melted material extending away to form an extended bottom plate. The extended bottom plate is removed, leaving a bottom plate which is sufficiently rigid so as to be directly attachable to a driving device. The welded bottom plate assures that fibers remain firmly attach to prevent fibers from loosening or separating from the brush.

Abstract: A motor-driven toothbrush includes a housing adapted to be gripped by the user and containing an electrical rotary motor, and a toothbrush coupled to the rotary motor by an eccentric coupling such that rotation of the motor causes the toothbrush to oscillate. A sleeve threadedly received in the end of the housing through which the toothbrush handle passes defines a pivot point for the oscillations of the handle, and is adjustable with respect to the housing so as to permit varying the location of the pivot point, and thereby the type of oscillations produced by the rotary motor.

Abstract: An improved dental flossing tool having reciprocating tines supporting the flossing material and biased apart to assure proper tension on the flossing material, while having means carried by the tines for moving the flossing material between the tines and having removable head means to permit replacement of the head to provide sterile use for subsequent users.

Abstract: A combination nozzle and dental floss assembly formed of two major components fixedly secured to each other. One component is an elongated tubular member that functions as a nozzle and which has a curved tip portion at its top end. The bottom end of the tubular member has an attachment head for detachably connecting it to the oral hygiene flushing apparatus. An inlet port is formed in the bottom end of the tubular member and an outlet port is formed at its top end. The second component is a panel member that extends laterally from the tubular member and it has a finger member whose tip is oriented a predetermined spaced distance from the outlet port of the tubular member. A spool of dental floss is detachably mounted upon the panel member and is covered by a cap. The dental floss is threaded inwardly through an aperture in the tubular member and outwardly through the outlet port across to the tip of the finger member and then wound around a boss member extending upwardly from the panel member.

Abstract: A device for treating gums allows a treating solution to be injected into contact with the gums between the teeth. The device is a hand held unit having a reservoir and a tubular neck joined to it. A hollow rubber tip is secured to the upper end of the neck. The tip has a number of ports in its sidewall. The device has a check valve in it that prevents fluid in the mouth from entering into the neck. Squeezing the reservoir expels fluid through the tip into contact with the gums between the teeth. The tip is small enough to be inserted partially between the teeth into contact with the gums.

Abstract: An electric device which removes supragingival and subgingival plaque and undesirable debris from the interproximal surfaces between teeth is described. This device utilizes a combination of sonic energy and dental floss which is secured between two tines, the tines being part of a flexible fork which is removable from a powered handle which contains batteries and an electric motor. The electric motor, which is coupled to an eccentrically mounted disc on an output shaft, revolves at sonic frequencies which in turn generates sonic energy that is transmitted to the flexible fork which holds the floss. The sonic energy is synchronized and in tune with the natural resonance frequencies of the fork thereby stimulating the resonance action of oscillating vertical and/or elliptical movement of the fork which in turn imparts cleaning energy to and enhances the cleaning properties of the floss.