Teeth whitening composition 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). 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 comprising:
 an oxidizing agent; and   an activating agent having an emission wavelength between about 400 nm and about 570 nm.   
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the activating agent capable of emitting green light, blue light or blue-green light, and/or absorbs green light, blue light or blue-green light. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the activating agent comprises Eosin B, Erythrosin B, or both. 
     
     
         4 . The composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the composition comprises a stabilizing agent. 
     
     
         5 . The composition according to  claim 4 , wherein the stabilizing agent is sodium acetate. 
     
     
         6 . The composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the composition comprises a thickening agent. 
     
     
         7 . The composition according  claim 6 , wherein thickening agent is silicon dioxide and/or fumed silica having a particle size less than one micron. 
     
     
         8 . The composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the composition comprises a hydrophilic gelling agent. 
     
     
         9 . The composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the composition comprises an accelerator agent. 
     
     
         10 . The composition according to  claim 9 , wherein the accelerator agent includes sodium perborate. 
     
     
         11 . The composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pH of the composition is between about 8 and about 10. 
     
     
         12 . A method for tooth whitening comprising:
 applying the tooth whitening composition according to any of the preceding claims to at least one tooth; and   exposing the tooth whitening composition to actinic light such that the tooth is whitened at least about one shade.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tooth is whitened at least about two shades in less than about 10 minutes or in less than about 5 minutes. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein post-treatment sensitivity is insignificant or eliminated. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tooth is exposed to the tooth whitening composition for less than 5 seconds per application. 
     
     
         16 . A kit for tooth whitening comprising:
 a composition according to any of the preceding claims; and   an apparatus for preparing and/or applying the composition.   
     
     
         17 . A kit for tooth whitening comprising:
 a composition according to any of the preceding claims; and   instructions for determining a composition application time to achieve a whitening effect.   
     
     
         18 . A method for tooth whitening comprising at least one application of actinic light and a tooth whitening composition to at least one tooth such that the tooth is whitened at least about two shades with less than about 1 minute of total exposure to actinic light. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the tooth is whitened at least about three shades in less than about 30 seconds. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  or  19 , wherein there is no significant post-treatment sensitivity.