Teeth whitening compositions and methods

Abstract

Disclosed herein are teeth whitening compositions generally including an oxidizing agent (e.g., a peroxide), and an activating agent that has an emission wavelength between about 400 nm and about 570 nm (e.g., Eosin B, Eosin Y, or Erythrosine B). Methods of employing these compositions to whiten teeth, methods of making these compositions and kits that include some or part of the composition ingredients, are also described.

1 . A tooth whitening composition for whitening a tooth in vivo in the gingiva of a patient, the tooth whitening composition comprising:
 an oxidizing agent;   an activating agent having an emission wavelength between about 400 nm and about 570 nm and capable of activating said oxidizing agent, said activating agent consisting of Eosin, Erythrosine, or a combination of Eosin and Erythrosine; and   sodium acetate, sodium perborate or both.   
     
     
         2 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the activating agent is Eosin. 
     
     
         3 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a thickening agent. 
     
     
         4 . The composition according to  claim 3 , wherein the thickening agent is silicon dioxide and/or fumed silica having a particle size less than one micron. 
     
     
         5 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a hydrophilic gelling agent. 
     
     
         6 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the pH of the composition is between about 4 and about 10. 
     
     
         7 . A method for whitening a tooth in vivo in the gingiva of a patient, the method for tooth whitening consisting of:
 applying to at least one tooth a tooth whitening composition comprising:
 an oxidizing agent; and 
 an activating agent having an emission wavelength between about 400 nm and about 570 nm and activating said oxidizing agent, said activating agent consisting of Eosin, Erythrosine, or a combination of Eosin and Erythrosine; and 
   exposing the tooth whitening composition to actinic light for a period between 5 seconds and 10 minutes.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the tooth is exposed to light for a period between 5 minutes and 10 minutes. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the tooth is exposed to the tooth whitening composition for less than 5 seconds per application. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the tooth is exposed to light for a period of 1 minute. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the tooth is exposed to light for a period of 30 seconds. 
     
     
         12 . A method for whitening a tooth in vivo in the gingiva of a patient, the method for tooth whitening consisting of:
 applying to at least one tooth a tooth whitening composition comprising:
 an oxidizing agent; and 
 an activating agent having an emission wavelength between about 400 nm and about 570 nm and activating said oxidizing agent, said activating agent consisting of Eosin, or Eosin and Erythrosine; and 
   exposing the tooth whitening composition to actinic light for a period between 5 seconds and 10 minutes.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the tooth is exposed to light for a period between 5 minutes and 10 minutes. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the tooth is exposed to the tooth whitening composition for less than 5 seconds per application. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the tooth is exposed to light for a period of 1 minute. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the tooth is exposed to light for a period of 30 seconds. 
     
     
         17 . A kit for tooth whitening comprising:
 a composition according to  claim 1 ; and   an apparatus for applying the composition.   
     
     
         18 . A kit for tooth whitening comprising:
 a composition according to  claim 1 ; and   instructions for determining a composition application time to achieve a whitening effect.   
     
     
         19 . A tooth whitening composition for whitening a tooth in vivo in the gingiva of a patient, the tooth whitening composition comprising:
 an oxidizing agent;   an activating agent having an emission wavelength between about 400 nm and about 570 nm and capable of activating said oxidizing agent, said activating agent consisting of Eosin, Erythrosine, or a combination of Eosin and Erythrosine;   sodium acetate;   a thickening agent;   a hydrophilic gelling agent; and   sodium perborate.   
     
     
         20 . The tooth whitening composition according to  claim 19 , wherein the activating agent is Eosin. 
     
     
         21 . The composition of  claim 19 , wherein the thickening agent is silicon dioxide and/or fumed silica having a particle size less than one micron. 
     
     
         22 . The composition of  claim 19 , wherein the pH of the composition is between about 4 and about 10. 
     
     
         23 . A kit for tooth whitening comprising:
 a composition according to  claim 19 ; and   an apparatus for applying the composition.   
     
     
         24 . A kit for tooth whitening comprising:
 a composition according to  claim 19 ; and   instructions for determining a composition application time to achieve a whitening effect.