Illuminated electric toothbrushes emitting high luminous intensity toothbrush

Abstract

An illuminated electric toothbrush comprising a light emitting diode emitting light having a flux density of at least about 30 mW / cm2. An illuminated electric toothbrush having this level of flux density can result in an oral care benefit such as whitening. When this toothbrush is used within the oral cavity the heat generated by the toothbrush remains low enough that the surface temperature of the teeth remains below about 43° C. The flux density of at least about 30 mW / cm2 can be achieved by overpowering the light emitting diode, by using a light emitting diode having at least about two dices, and by providing a pulsed or non-continuous current to the LED which results in a pulsing or non-continuous light.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to illuminated electric toothbrushes that utilize a light emitting diode, particularly a light emitting diode that illuminates the brushing area. More particularly, the present invention relates to the delivery of light of a particular luminous intensity or flux density that is in excess of the luminous intensity or flux density delivered by standard use of light emitting diodes. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Lighted toothbrushes have traditionally been manual brushes having a light disposed on or in the handle of the toothbrush with fiber optics carrying the light from the handle to the head of the toothbrush. However, light that is transmitted by fiber optics often diminishes in luminous intensity and / or flux density as it is transmitted. Therefore, it was desired to have a light disposed in or on the head of the toothbrush such that no fiber optic materials are necessary to transmit the light. Additionally, it was desired to ha...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

As discussed above, the various embodiments of the illuminated electric toothbrush may be used in combination with a whitening composition. A representative method of whitening teeth is as follows. After obtaining the illuminated toothbrush and composition, the composition is applied to the dental surface, i.e. teeth, to be whitened. Preferably, such application is performed by depositing an effective amount of the composition on the bristle holder of the toothbrush, and then applying the composition to the desired surfaces to be whitened. Generally, this latter step is performed in like fashion as brushing one's teeth. Alternatively, the tooth whitening composition might be brushed, painted, or applied to the teeth with an applicator strip. The light emitting unit of the toothbrush is then activated and the light emitted there from is directed to the applied composition. It will be understood that the various whitening techniques of the present invention include variant strategies in which the light is directed to the dental surface before, during, and after application of the composition to the dental surface. Preferably, a brushing operation is then performed while the light continues to irradiate the composition applied to the dental surface of interest.

Problems solved by technology

However, light that is transmitted by fiber optics often diminishes in luminous intensity and / or flux density as it is transmitted.

A standard light emitting diode may be of the proper size; however such a device may not be able to deliver light having sufficient luminous intensity and / or flux density to provide an oral care benefit.

However, the high power diodes use a high current level, and thus generate a high level of heat.

Generating a high level of heat in the oral cavity can overheat the pulp chamber, which can result in pulpitis or other damage to oral tissues.

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