Patent Application

App. No. 11/749,104

Abstract

Claims (34)

1 . A method of reducing tartar on a surface, the method comprising:

providing a system comprising a container and a composition, wherein the composition includes at least one active ingredient for reducing dental deposits and has a viscosity greater than about 20,000 cp, wherein the container includes a vessel portion adapted to store the composition and an applicator portion adapted to cooperate with the vessel portion to communicate at least some of the composition to a surface;

discharging the composition from the vessel portion to the applicator portion;

moving the applicator portion over a surface to apply the composition to the surface; and

allowing the composition to remain in contact with the surface for an extended time.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the vessel portion and the applicator portion form an integral container, and wherein the container is configured to apply the composition directly to the surface.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein moving the applicator portion over the surface applies the composition and spreads the composition over the surface.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the applicator portion is separate from the vessel portion.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the applicator portion is selected from the group consisting of a brush-like applicator and a directional dispensing tip.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises an auxiliary applicator adapted to be placed in contact with the surface and left in place for an extended time.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the discharging step includes discharging a single dose of the composition to the applicator portion.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the container includes indicia of dosing levels, and wherein discharging the composition from the vessel portion to the applicator portion stops about when the indicia on the container indicates that a single dose has been discharged.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the container is configured to stop discharging the composition after discharging a single dose.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one active ingredient is selected from the group consisting of cetylpyridinium chloride, dicalcium phosphate dehydrate, hydrogen peroxide, sanguinaria extract, sodium bicarbonate, sodium lauryl sulfate, stannous fluoride, zinc salts, alkyl dimethyl amine oxide, akyl dimethyl glycine, eucalyptol, menthol, methyl salicylate, thymol, sodium citrate, peppermint oil, sage oil, polymethylsiloxane, poloxamer, and pyrophosphates.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the at least one active ingredient includes an active ingredient selected from the group consisting of cetylpyridinium chloride and zinc gluconate.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the at least one active ingredient includes at least about 0.10 wt % cetylpyridinium chloride and at least about 0.592 wt. % zinc gluconate.

13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition includes at least one thickener selected to provide a composition having a surface contact time of greater than about four hours.

14 . A method of reducing tartar on a surface, the method comprising:

providing a composition including a plurality of active ingredients, at least one thickener ingredient, and at least one additive ingredient in a carrier adapted to have an extended surface contact time;

applying the composition to a dental surface; and

allowing the composition to remain in contact with the surface for an extended time.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the composition has a viscosity of greater than about 20,000 cp.

16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of active ingredients are selected from the group consisting of cetylpyridinium chloride, dicalcium phosphate dehydrate, hydrogen peroxide, sanguinaria extract, sodium bicarbonate, sodium lauryl sulfate, stannous fluoride, zinc salts, alkyl dimethyl amine oxide, akyl dimethyl glycine, eucalyptol, menthol, methyl salicylate, thymol, sodium citrate, peppermint oil, sage oil, polymethylsiloxane, poloxamer, and pyrophosphates.

17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the plurality of active ingredients includes cetylpyridinium chloride and zinc gluconate.

18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the at least one active ingredient includes at least about 0.10 wt % cetylpyridinium chloride and at least about 0.592 wt. % zinc gluconate.

19 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the at least one additive is selected from the group consisting of sweeteners and flavorants.

20 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the concentration of the at least one thickener ingredient is increased when the at least one additive ingredient or the at least one active ingredient is known to increase a user's salivary response.

21 . A method of reducing tartar on a surface, the method comprising:

providing a composition including cetylpyridinium chloride, a zinc salt, and a carrier;

cleaning a user's dental surface;

applying the composition to the dental surface prior to the user resting; and

allowing the composition to remain in contact with the dental surface for an extended time.

22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the composition includes between about 0.001 wt % and about 1.0 wt % cetylpyridinium chloride and between about 0.001 wt % and about 1.5 wt % zinc gluconate.

23 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the composition includes between about 0.05 wt % and about 0.25 wt % cetylpyridinium chloride and between about 0.05 wt % and about 0.75 wt % zinc gluconate.

Assignments (8)