Method and apparatus for oral care
One embodiment of the invention comprises an oral care system that comprises a photocatalytic solution. The photocatalytic solution may comprise titanium oxide nanotubes. The system may also include an oral instrument that is coupled to a light source. The photocatalytic solution will degrade oral pollutants upon exposure to illumination from the light source. The photocatalytic solution may be disposed, for example, within, on or about a dentifrice. The titanium oxide nanotubes may be rectangular in cross-section, anatase in form and less than 500 nm in width, less than 500 nm in length, and less than 5000 nm in height.
1 . An oral care system comprising:
a photocatalytic solution, said photocatalytic solution comprising titanium oxide nanotubes; and
an oral instrument, said instrument operatively coupled to a light source;
wherein said photocatalytic solution substantially degrades oral pollutants upon exposure to illumination from said light source.
2 . The oral care system of claim 1 , wherein said photocatalytic solution is disposed substantially within a medium chosen from the group consisting of a dentifrice, an oral rinse, a dental floss and a tablet.
3 . The oral care system of claim 1 , wherein said titanium oxide nanotubes are substantially rectangular in cross-section and substantially anatase in form.
4 . The oral care system of claim 1 , wherein said titanium oxide nanotubes are substantially less than 500 nm in width, substantially less than 500 nm in length, and substantially less than 5000 nm in height.
5 . The oral care system of claim 1 , wherein said oral instrument comprises a night guard that further comprises a substantially translucent portion for transmitting light from said light source to the oral cavity.
6 . The oral care system of claim 1 , wherein said oral instrument comprises a toothbrush.
7 . The oral care system of claim 6 , wherein said toothbrush comprises a substantially translucent portion for transmitting light from said light source to the oral cavity.
8 . The oral care system of claim 1 , wherein said light source comprises an ultraviolet light source.
9 . An oral care solution comprising titanium oxide nanotubes, wherein said solution substantially degrades oral pollutants upon exposure to illumination from a light source.
10 . The oral care solution of claim 9 , said nanotubes being substantially rectangular in cross-section.
11 . The oral care solution of claim 9 , said nanotubes being substantially anatase in form.
12 . The oral care solution of claim 9 , said solution comprising a medium selected from the group consisting of a dentifrice, an oral rinse and a dental floss.
13 . The oral care solution of claim 9 , wherein said titanium oxide nanotubes are substantially less than 500 nm in width, substantially less than 500 nm in length, and substantially less than 5000 nm in height.
14 . The oral care solution of claim 9 , said solution not comprising binders.
15 . An method for providing oral care comprising:
applying a photocatalytic solution within an oral cavity of a patient, said photocatalytic solution comprising titanium oxide nanotubes;
illuminating said solution with light from an oral instrument, said instrument operatively coupled to a light source; and
degrading oral pollutants upon exposing said oral cavity to illumination from said light source.
16 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising the step of illuminating said solution substantially overnight.
17 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising the step of mechanically agitating said solution with said oral instrument, said instrument comprising a tooth brush.
18 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising the step of applying said solution within said oral cavity using dental floss, said floss comprising said solution.
19 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising the step of applying said solution within said oral cavity using said oral instrument, said oral instrument comprising a night guard.
20 . The method of claim 15 , wherein said light source comprises an ultraviolet light source.