Whitening compositions and methods involving nitrogen oxide radicals

1. A tooth-whitening composition comprising:

an effective amount of a nitrogen oxide composition comprising between about 0.2% to about 1.0% nitric acid and 0.2% to 1.0% calcium nitrate in an amount effective to generate nitrate free radicals (NO 3 —) when applied to a user's teeth for affecting tooth color, said nitrogen oxide composition contained in one or more of a paste, gel, liquid or foam,

wherein the nitrogen oxide composition includes an effective amount of nitrate free radical generative molecules that include elemental nitrogen in the oxidation state; namely, NO3—;

wherein the nitrate free radical generative molecules are present in effective amounts to convert from the initial nitrogen oxide composition state to generate and release, when in contact with one or more teeth, NO3— free radicals in sufficient amounts to reduce on said one or more teeth enamel chromophores into less colored and/or colorless moieties.

2. A composition according to claim 1 contained in one or more of a dentifrice, mouth rinse, tooth paste, tooth gel, or oral foam.

3. A composition according to claim 1 contained in one or more oral care formats of a liquid oral care format, a paste oral care format, a gel oral care format or a foam oral care format.

4. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the composition includes nitrate and/or nitrite ions.

5. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the composition includes nitrogen oxide free radical generative molecules that include one or more of nitrosonium cation (NO+) and nitrogen oxide free radical anion (NO−).

6. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the composition includes a nitrogen oxide free radical generative compound that includes any molecule that contains a terminal group of nitrogen and oxygen.

7. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the composition is provided in one of a single phase or multiple phase forms.