Colored Dental Floss and a Method for Using Colored Dental Floss

Abstract

Colored dental floss and a method for using colored dental floss. The colored dental floss includes an elongated filament having a plurality of segments, wherein each segment is a distinct color. The elongated filament is disposed within an interior volume of a container. The container includes an aperture for the elongated filament to pass therethrough. The method of using colored dental floss includes the steps of preparing a lingual side of a plurality of teeth for application of a bonding agent, applying the bonding agent to the lingual side, threading the elongated filament between a desired number of adjacent teeth in sections such that the elongated filament forms a plurality of loops on the lingual side, placing a wire through the plurality of loops, tensioning the elongated filament, applying the bonding agent to a contact point between the lingual side and the wire, curing the bonding agent, and removing the elongated filament.

Claims

1) A method of using colored dental floss, comprising: preparing a lingual side of a plurality of teeth for the application of a bonding agent; applying the bonding agent to the lingual side; threading an elongated filament having a plurality of segments, wherein each segment comprises a distinct color, between the desired number of adjacent teeth such that the elongated filament forms a plurality of loops on the lingual side; placing a wire through the plurality of loops; tensioning the elongated filament to tighten the plurality of loops and contact the wire to the lingual side; applying the bonding agent to a contact point between the lingual side and the wire; curing the bonding agent to secure the wire to the lingual side; removing the elongated filament from between the plurality of teeth.

2) The method of using colored dental floss of claim 1, wherein a single segment of the elongated filament is threaded between adjacent teeth, such that the elongated filament between each pair of adjacent teeth comprises a single color.

3) The method of using colored dental floss of claim 2, further comprising identifying the desired segment to tension to provide uniform bonding of the wire across the lingual side.

4) The method of using colored dental floss of claim 3, wherein the desired segment to tension is identified by a distinct color.

5) The method of using colored dental floss of claim 1, wherein preparing the lingual side for a bonding agent comprises etching the lingual side.

6) The method of using colored dental floss of claim 5, further comprising rinsing and drying the lingual side after the etching process.

7) A colored dental floss, comprising: an elongated filament having a plurality of segments, wherein each segment comprises a distinct color; a container having an interior volume, wherein the elongated filament is disposed therein; wherein the container comprises an aperture adapted to allow the elongated filament to pass therethrough.

8) The colored dental floss of claim 7, wherein the container further comprises a spool disposed therein, wherein the elongated filament is coiled therearound.

9) The colored dental floss of claim 7, wherein the elongated filament further comprises a wax coating.

10) The colored dental floss of claim 7, wherein the elongated filament further comprises an added flavoring.

11) The colored dental floss of claim 7, wherein the container comprises the shape of a cartoon character.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

[0009] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the colored dental floss.

[0010] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the colored dental floss.

[0011] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the colored dental floss in use.

[0012] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the colored dental floss being tensioned.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the colored dental floss. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

[0014] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the colored dental floss, and a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the colored dental floss, respectively. The colored dental floss 11 comprises a container 12 having an interior volume 15. An elongated filament 13 is disposed within the interior volume 15. The elongated filament 13 comprises a plurality of segments 14, wherein each individual segment comprises a distinct color. The various colors provide the user a more engaging flossing experience than that provided by simple white floss. The plurality of segments 14 are spaced at a set length, such that a new color begins at the end of that set length. In some embodiments, the set length is 12 inches. In other embodiments, the set length can vary between segments, such that each individual segment can comprise a different length than another segment. In some embodiments, the elongated filament 13 comprises a wax coating to provide smooth interaction with the user's teeth. In other embodiments, the elongated filament 13 includes a flavoring to provide the user with a pleasant taste while flossing.

[0015] In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, the container 12 comprises an aperture 16, wherein the aperture 16 is configured to allow the elongated filament 13 to pass therethrough. In some embodiments, the edge of the aperture 16 is sharpened to allow a user to sever the elongated filament 13 at a desired length. In other embodiments, the container 12 further comprises a spool 17 disposed within the interior volume 15. The spool 17 is configured to feed the elongated filament 13 wrapped therearound. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2, the container 12 can shaped to replicate various popular figures or desired shapes, including but not limited to, sporting equipment, popular characters in sports or entertainment, cartoon characters, beach balls, balloons, geometric shapes, and the like. The various different appearances of the container 12 serve to make the flossing experience more engaging for the user.

[0016] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, there are shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the colored dental floss in use and a perspective view of an embodiment of the colored dental floss being tensioned, respectively. A method of using colored dental floss 11 comprises the steps of preparing a lingual side 18 of a plurality of teeth 19 for the application of a bonding agent 22. The plurality of teeth 19 can be prepared to receive the bonding agent 22 through a variety of methods, including but not limited to micro-etching, acid etching, rinsing, and drying the lingual side 18. The bonding agent 22 is then applied to the lingual side 18 of the plurality of teeth 19.

[0017] An elongated filament 13 having a plurality of segments 14, wherein each individual segment comprises a distinct color is then threaded between adjacent pairs of the plurality of teeth 19 such that a plurality of loops 20 are formed on the lingual side 18, as shown in FIG. 3. In the illustrated embodiment, a single segment is threaded between adjacent pairs of the plurality of teeth 19 such that the elongated filament 13 between each pair of teeth comprises a single color. In this way, each pair of adjacent teeth is identified by a single color. This allows the user to differentiate between each pair of adjacent teeth at a glance, to allow a user to identify the correct segment to tension.

[0018] A wire 21 is placed through each of the plurality of loops 20, as shown in FIG. 4. The elongated filament 13 is then tensioned to tighten the plurality of loops 20 around the wire 21 to contact the wire 21 with the lingual side 18. In some embodiments, the plurality of segments 14 are tensioned in a desired order so as to provide uniform bonding between the wire 21 and the lingual side 18 of the plurality of teeth 19. A bonding agent 22 is then reapplied to the contact point of the wire 21 and the lingual side 18. The bonding agent 22 is then cured to secure the wire 21 to the lingual side 18. The elongated filament 13 is then removed from between the plurality of teeth 19.

[0019] It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0020] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.