Indicator dental floss

Abstract

A floss comprising: a fiber substrate; and a uniform coating comprising a colorant, wherein the color of the coating is different than the color of the fiber substrate is disclosed. The floss is useful as an indicator floss.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A dental floss comprising: 
 a fiber substrate, said fiber substrate having a first color;    said fiber substrate having a coating substantially uniformly applied thereto;    said coating having a second color which substantially completely masks said first color;    whereby when said floss is used to floss the teeth, said coating is disrupted to thereby reveal said first color, thereby providing the user with a visual indication that the floss has been so used.    
     
     
         2 . A dental floss according to  claim 1  wherein said fiber substrate is a monofilament.  
     
     
         3 . A dental floss according to  claim 1  wherein said fiber substrate is a multi-filament.  
     
     
         4 . A dental floss according to  claim 1  wherein said fiber substrate is made from a polymer selected from the group consisting of nylon 6,6, nylon 6, polypropylene, polyester, polyethylene, and polytetrafluoroethylene.  
     
     
         5 . A dental floss according to  claim 1  wherein said coating is a soluble coating.  
     
     
         6 . A dental floss according to  claim 5  wherein said soluble coating is selected from the group consisting of low molecular weight polyethylene glycols.  
     
     
         7 . A dental floss according to  claim 1  wherein said coating is insoluble.  
     
     
         8 . A dental floss according to  claim 7  wherein said insoluble coating is selected from the group consisting of microcrystalline wax, beeswax, paraffin waxes and low molecular weight polyethylenes.  
     
     
         9 . A dental floss according to  claim 1  wherein said second color is provided by a Lake Pigment.  
     
     
         10 . A dental floss according to  claim 9  wherein said lake is a red-colored lake.  
     
     
         11 . A dental floss comprising: 
 a fiber substrate, said fiber substrate having a first color;    said fiber substrate having a first coating substantially uniformly applied thereto,    said first coating being substantially insoluble; and    a second coating substantially uniformly applied over said first insoluble coating, said second coating being a soluble coating and being adapted to substantially completely mask said first color,    whereby when said floss is used to floss the teeth, said second coating is disrupted to thereby reveal an underlying color.    
     
     
         12 . A dental floss according to  claim 11  wherein said underlying color which is revealed is the color of said first coating.  
     
     
         13 . A dental floss according to  claim 11  wherein said underlying color which is revealed is said first color.