Aqueous slurries useful for cleaning teeth and methods related thereto

Abstract

Novel aqueous slurries capable of removing calculus, plaque or stains, adherent to tooth surfaces of a warm-blooded animal, when used in methods that are self-practicable by an individual human or practicable by an individual human on another warm-blooded animal, combine finely-divided charcoal; water; and alcohol, ammonia or hydrogen peroxide to form the slurries. Also disclosed are self-practicable methods that utilize the disclosed aqueous slurries by applying to, and contacting affected tooth surfaces with, the same, then removing the treated calculus, plaque or stains by means of devices and techniques that are safe to use according to the methods. Further, kits are disclosed that comprise the disclosed aqueous slurries, as well as apparatus, devices and tools for effectively using the same for the above purposes.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 730,366 filed Dec. 8, 2003; which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 223,060 filed Aug. 15, 2002 (U.S. Pat. No. 6,685,474); which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 773,081 filed Feb. 1, 2001 (abandoned), which applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention generally relates to compositions and methods useful for oral hygiene, and more particularly to such compositions and methods that are self-practicable by a human, or that can be practiced by a human on another human or other warm-blooded animal, for indicating the presence of and removing both plaque and calculus, as well as removing stains, adherent to tooth surfaces of the human or other warm-blooded animal. [0004] 2. Description of the Re...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is about a method and slurry for removing plaque, calculus, and stains from tooth surfaces. The slurry is made by combining finely-divided charcoal and a liquid portion, which can be water, alcohol, ammonia, or hydrogen peroxide. The slurry can be applied directly to the affected tooth surfaces and mechanically removed, using a device such as a toothbrush or dental floss. The invention also includes a method for visually indicating the presence of calculus or plaque on tooth surfaces. The kit includes the components of the slurry, a container, an applicator, a mechanical removal device, and a rinsing agent. The technical effects of the invention include effective removal of plaque, calculus, and stains from tooth surfaces, as well as easy and safe use by individuals or dental professionals."

Problems solved by technology

As gingivitis progresses, the tissue surrounding the teeth is destroyed and the supporting collagen fibers degenerate, leaving abnormally deep (1 to 3 mm) crevices, or pockets adjacent to the teeth due to the loss of gum attachment thereto.

Eventually, the bone supporting each affected tooth socket degenerates and results in tooth loss.

Typically, this is a slow, painless, progressive disease and, hence, is insidious in nature.

It adheres to the surfaces of teeth, gum tissues, dental restorations, and even the tongue and is adherent to the point that it cannot be washed or rinsed off.

Plaque also causes tooth decay (cavities).

It bonds cohesively with teeth and, unlike plaque, cannot be removed by normal brushing or flossing.

The surface of calculus tends to be rough and filled with microscopic holes.

First, as noted above, it is unsightly due to its yellow or brown color.

Second, the microscopic holes found therein harbor food particles, bacteria, and viruses that cause swelling and bleeding of the gums.

Third, the rough surface of calculus both attracts bacterial plaque to tooth surfaces, and enhances its adherence thereto, making thorough plaque removal more difficult.

This cycle is particularly problematic in the case of subgingival calculus and is a significant contributor to more extreme conditions of gingivitis and periodontal disease.

In the case of supragingival calculus, this cycle is also problematic, principally as a contributor to tooth decay.

As noted, hard calculus cannot be removed by normal brushing and flossing.

One of the principal disadvantages of this approach to calculus removal is associated with the infrequency of the removal.

A resultant, additional disadvantage is the pain and discomfort associated with the calculus removal (especially when gingivitis is extant) and the repair of damage often caused by the accumulation of calculus and plaque (e.g., drilling to remove decayed tooth matter and filling the tooth to replace the same.

Other resultant disadvantages include the considerable expense and inconvenience associated with the above.

However, such use of the methods and instruments, typically used by the skilled dental practitioner on a patient, would be hazardous and likely to result in serious injury to teeth, gingiva, and other soft tissues in the mouth.

However, there is no assertion made therein that the device provides an effective means for calculus removal.

At least some of the end portion surface is roughened and, thereby, abrasive.

As the above-described devices and compositions, and methods related thereto, have limited effectivity with regard to the removal of both subgingival and supragingival calculus and / or present excessive risk of injury to teeth, gingiva or other soft tissues in the mouth when self-practiced, there remains a need in the art for devices and / or compositions, and methods related thereto, that can, when self-practiced, be used safely, easily and effectively to remove calculus from teeth, in addition to plaque and stains.