Patent Publication Number: US-2007105063-A1

Title: Multi-function oral care device

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
      This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/733,711 filed on Nov. 4, 2005. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to illuminated electric oral devices that utilize a light emitting element within the oral cavity. More particularly, the invention relates to the delivery of light to the oral cavity to provide multiple oral care benefits.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Lighted oral devices such as lighted toothbrushes, mouth guards and trays project light into the mouth using fiber optics or have light emitting elements that are surrounded by bristles. Other devices, which project light from outside the mouth into the oral cavity, use light of high power and intensity, such as lasers. Examples of lighted oral devices and methods of use include those disclosed in U.S. applications Ser. No. 10/887,644, 10/842,302, 10/888,206, 10/887,667, 10,832,168, 10/847,429, 11/099737, 10/777,020, 60/586,560, 60/667,499, and 60,676,680. Many of these devices are used for a single benefit such as whitening or curing of compositions such as dental fillings.  
      A desire exists to provide the consumer with an oral care system that can provide multiple distinct oral care benefits. In particular, a desire exists to use light to provide an oral benefit. The user can customize the oral care system using a head assembly which provides the desired oral benefit.  
      To provide an oral benefit with light, the light must have a certain wavelength and intensity. Often times the benefit is linked to the light quality. For example, light having a wavelength resulting in a blue color can provide a whitening benefit. Having an oral device with a light emitting element which can be placed into close proximity to the oral surface can deliver the desired light qualities that can achieve an oral benefit without using lasers, and the light can be delivered with power from a battery contained within the oral device.  
      Delivering the beneficial quality of light may require a particular distance between the light emitting element and the oral surface (“spacing”) and for the user to know the location of the light within the oral cavity. As the device is used within the oral cavity it may be difficult to establish this spacing and location visually. Therefore, a device which can provide the user with a non-visual indicator of proper spacing and location is desired. Additionally, a need exists to provide an oral device having a size that allows the user to move the device around within the oral cavity to expose a variety of oral surfaces to the light.  
      It has been found that an oral care system which has removable and replaceable head assemblies providing distinct oral care benefits which can be attached to a single multi-purpose handle enables the user to have one system that can address multiple oral care needs. This device can have light emitting bristle-less heads which comprise a spacing element. The spacing element is a non-visual indicator of the proper spacing between the light emitting element and the oral surface. This spacing element can also stimulate a tactile response to indicate to the user the current location of the light emitting element within the oral cavity. Additionally, this oral care device can be provided in a kit with one multi-purpose handle and multiple removable/replaceable head assemblies which can provide distinct oral benefits; including but not limited to whitening, anti-bacterial, cleaning, anti-tartar, anti-plaque, etc. . . .  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to an electric oral device comprising a handle, a bristle-less head, and a neck extending between the handle and the head; wherein the head comprises a light emitting element, and further comprises a spacing element for providing a distance between the light emitting element and an oral surface. The head comprising a light emitting element does not comprise a cleaning implement.  
      The present invention also relates to an electric oral device comprising a handle, a bristle-less head, and a neck extending between the handle and the head. The head comprises a light emitting element and a spacing element, the spacing element comprising a wall extending in a direction perpendicular to the head. The spacing element provides a distance between the light emitting element and an oral surface.  
      The present invention also relates to an electric oral device comprising a handle, a bristle-less head, and a neck extending between the handle and the head. The head comprises a light emitting element, and a spacing element. The spacing element provides a distance between the light emitting element and an oral surface, and the spacing element comprises less than four protuberances.  
      The present invention also relates to an oral care kit comprising a multi-purpose handle having a power source and a motor; and two or more removable head assemblies; at least one of the head assemblies is bristle-less and comprises a light emitting element which is operatively connectable to the power source and at least one of the head assemblies comprises a movable bristle holder which is operatively connectable to the motor. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the invention, it is believed that the present invention will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a light emitting bristle-less oral device of the present invention in which the oral device includes a head having a light emitting element and a spacing element, a neck and a handle.  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a light emitting bristle-less oral device of the present invention in which the light emits from the surface of the spacing element.  
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a light emitting bristle-less oral device of the present invention in which the light emits from a portion of the surface of the spacing element.  
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional side view of a light emitting bristle-less oral device of the present invention.  
       FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of a head, neck, spacing element and a portion of a handle of an oral device of the present invention.  
       FIG. 6  is a side view of an oral device of the present invention and an elevational view of the teeth.  
       FIG. 7  is a side view of an oral device of the present invention and an elevational view of the teeth.  
       FIGS. 8, 8A  and  8 B are a partial side elevational view of the head assembly of the present invention.  
       FIG. 9  is a side view of an oral device of the present invention comprising a rotatable spacing element.  
       FIG. 10  is an exploded partial front view of a head assembly comprising a rotatable spacing element.  
       FIG. 10A  is a side view of an oral device of the present invention comprising a rotatable head assembly.  
       FIG. 11  is a partial side view of a head assembly of the present invention comprising elastomeric walls and a light emitting element.  
       FIG. 12  is a partial front view of a head assembly of the present invention comprising elastomeric walls and a light emitting element.  
       FIG. 13  is a partial side view of a head assembly of the present invention comprising elastomeric walls and two light emitting elements.  
       FIG. 14  is a partial front view of a head assembly of the present invention comprising elastomeric walls and two light emitting elements.  
       FIG. 15  is a partial side view of a head assembly of the present invention comprising elastomeric cylinders and a light emitting element.  
       FIG. 16  is a partial front view of a head assembly of the present invention comprising elastomeric walls and a light emitting element.  
       FIG. 17  is a partial side view of a head assembly of the present invention comprising rectangular elastomeric bars and a light emitting element.  
       FIG. 18  is a partial front view of a head assembly of the present invention comprising rectangular elastomeric bars and a light emitting element.  
       FIG. 19  is a partial side view of a head assembly of the present invention comprising elastomeric rods and a light emitting element.  
       FIG. 20  is a partial front view of a head assembly of the present invention comprising elastomeric rods and a light emitting element.  
       FIG. 21  is a partial side view of a head assembly of the present invention comprising elastomeric bars and a light emitting element.  
       FIG. 22  is a partial front view of a head assembly of the present invention comprising elastomeric bars and a light emitting element.  
       FIG. 23  is a partial side view of a head assembly of the present invention comprising ball elements and a light emitting element.  
       FIG. 24  is a partial front view of a head assembly of the present invention comprising ball elements and a light emitting element.  
       FIG. 25  is a partial side view of a head assembly of the present invention comprising a ball element within a column and a light emitting element.  
       FIG. 26  is a partial front view of a head assembly of the present invention comprising a ball element within a column and a light emitting element.  
       FIG. 27  is a partial side view of a head assembly of the present invention comprising a ball element within a spring loaded column and a light emitting element.  
       FIG. 28  is a partial front view of a head assembly of the present invention comprising a ball element within a spring loaded column and a light emitting element.  
       FIG. 29  is a partial side view of a head assembly comprising bristles.  
       FIG. 30  is a partial side view of a head assembly comprising a cap-type spacing element.  
       FIG. 31  is a partial side view of a head assembly comprising ball element type spacing element.  
       FIG. 32  is a partial front view of a multi-purpose handle.  
       FIG. 33  is a partial front view of an oral device of the present invention.  
       FIG. 34  is a cross-sectional side view of a light emitting bristle-less oral device of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      The oral device of the present invention has a simplified design which includes multiple head assemblies which are removable and/or replaceable and which can be attached to a multi-purpose handle. The portion of the device which is removable can comprise the head only, a head and neck combination, or the head and a portion of the neck. As referenced herein, “head assembly” comprises all of these variations. The user can choose to attach to the multi-purpose handle the head assembly which provides the desired oral benefit. At least a portion of the head assembly of the oral device of the present invention is sized for use in an oral cavity, and can be moved about the oral cavity. In one embodiment, a head assembly comprising a light emitting element and no bristles is attached to the multi-purpose handle. The head assembly is placed into the oral cavity, exposing the oral surface to light. The light provides a cosmetic benefit, including whitening of the teeth. In another embodiment exposing the oral surface to light can treat an oral condition. By “oral condition” as used herein is meant diseases or conditions of the oral cavity including caries, plaque, breath malodor, dental erosion, gingivitis, and periodontal disease. Oral conditions are further described in WO 02/02096A2, published Jan. 10, 2002, P&amp;G. The multi-purpose handle can provide power connection between the head and the power source which can be disposed in the handle; as well as a mechanical connection between the head and the motor which can be disposed in the handle. Examples of power connections include those connections disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/847,429. Examples of mechanical connections include those connections disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,360,395 and 5,617,601 and U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 10/351,845, 10/361,653, 10/114,780 and 10/128,018. Each head assembly can provide a distinct oral care benefit. For example, a head assembly which comprises a light emitting element which emits in the blue wavelength can provide a whitening function, whereas a separate head comprising a light emitting element which emits light in the red or ultraviolet wavelength can provide a bacterial kill function. Examples of light wavelengths and the resulting oral benefit include the light treatments disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 10/777,020, 60/676,680, 60/667,499, and 10/887,667.  
      In one embodiment of the present invention the light emitting head assemblies are bristle-less. As used herein the term “bristle-less” means free of a cleaning implement.  
      The term “cleaning implements” as used herein means tufts of bristles and/or more than five elastomeric elements disposed on one single head assembly. In particular cleaning implements comprise more than five elastomeric walls or fingers disposed on a single head. The light emitting head assemblies do not comprise cleaning implements to allow for a more simplified head design.  
      As used herein the term “oral surfaces” refers to all surfaces, including both hard and soft tissues, within the oral cavity. As used herein, the term “light” is intended to encompass the spectrum of both visible, near visible and non-visible (e.g., ultraviolet and infra-red) light. In one embodiment of the oral device of the present invention the light emitted from the light emitting element can be from about 370, 390, 410, 430, 450, 470, 490, 510, 530, 550, 570, 590, 610, 630, 650, 670, 690, 710 nm and/or less than about 770, 750, 730, 710, 690, 670, 650, 630, 610, 500, 400 nm. In another embodiment the light emitted can have a wavelength of greater than about 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480, and/or 490 nm and/or less than about 490, 480, 470, 460, 450, 440, 430 nm. In yet another embodiment the light emitted can have a wave length from about 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470 nm and/or less than about 470, 460, 450, 430 nm. It will be appreciated that the particular range of wavelengths selected can depend upon the desired color of the light. In one embodiment the light emitted can be a blue color. Further, the term “light emitting element” refers to light emitting diodes, incandescent elements, laser elements, halogen elements, neon elements, fluorescent elements, plasma elements, xenon elements, and/or any combination thereof.  
      The oral device can be sold alone, or as a kit. The kit can contain a multi-purpose handle, one or more compositions and one or more removable replaceable head assemblies, including but not limited to a bristle-less light emitting head, a non-light emitting, bristle bearing head with movable bristles, as well as a head comprising an element including but not limited to, a flosser, massaging elements, scraping elements, heat emitting elements, sonic wave emitting elements, ultra-sound emitting element, electric current emitting elements, substance emitting elements and/or any combination thereof.  
      The oral devices of the present invention can be used alone or in combination with an oral care composition containing a safe and effective amount of an oral care active. p By “oral care composition” or “oral composition” as used herein is meant a product which is not intentionally swallowed for purposes of systemic administration of therapeutic agents, but is retained in the oral cavity for a sufficient time to contact substantially all of the dental surfaces and/or mucosal tissues for purposes of oral activity. In addition these terms can mean a product which may be intentionally swallowed but not swallowed for the purposes of systemic administration of therapeutic agents. Such oral care compositions include dentifrices, gels, rinses, edible films, and lozenges. The term “oral care active” as used herein means a material that provides either a cosmetic, prophylactic or therapeutic benefit within the oral cavity. By “safe and effective amount”, as used herein, is meant an amount of an agent (e.g., anti-calculus agent) high enough to significantly improve the condition to be treated, but low enough to avoid serious side effects (at a reasonable benefit/risk ratio), within the scope of sound medical/dental judgment. The safe and effective amount of an agent (e.g., anti-calculus agent) may vary with the particular condition being treated, the age and physical condition of the patient being treated, the severity of the condition, the duration of treatment, the nature of concurrent therapy, the specific form of the source employed, and the particular vehicle from which the agent is applied. Examples of compositions that are suitable for use with the present invention include those referenced in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,645,428, 6,416,319, 6,616,451, 5,658,148, and 6,343,400, and application Ser. Nos. 10/777,020, 10/887,667, 10/895,694, 60/676,680, and 60/667,499.  
      The oral care composition may be applied to the device and then to the oral surface or the composition may be first applied to the oral surface and then the oral device is used to illuminate the oral care composition and the oral surface.  
      The oral device of the present invention comprises a multi-purpose handle, a head assembly, and a neck which extends between the handle and the head. If the replaceable head assembly comprises a powered element, such as a light emitting element, the multi-purpose handle provides power to the head assembly; and the multi-purpose handle can have severable electrical connectors to provide ease of removing and replacing the bristle-less light emitting head assembly. Additionally, if the replaceable head assembly comprises a movable component, such as a movable bristle holder, the multi-purpose handle can comprise a motor and additionally can provide a mechanical connection between the movable bristle holder and the motor. In one embodiment this mechanical connection is provided with a drive shaft which connects the motor to the movable bristle holder. In another embodiment the motor of the multi-purpose handle is not activated when the light emitting head assembly is connected to the multi-purpose handle, therefore the mechanical connector, such as the drive shaft, is not in operation unless the head assembly comprising a movable element such as a bristle holder is connected to the multi-purpose handle. In one embodiment the multi-purpose handle has a coupling system for coupling to various heads, and a control device for controlling the different mechanisms, including drive mechanism and power mechanism. The multi-purpose handle includes an electronic interlock device, so that only the mechanisms of the multi-purpose handle that are needed for the particular attached head are activated. In this embodiment the interlocking device deactivates the unnecessary mechanisms when the head is connected to the multi-purpose handle. One interlocking device that is suitable for use with the present invention is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/871,469. The multi-purpose handle can connect to the head assembly via any mechanical connection including, but not limited to, those connections disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 09/850,662 and 10/659,788.  
      The oral device has a handle shaped for holding in the hand, and a head shaped for placement in the oral cavity. The length of the entire oral device including the head, the neck and the multi-purpose handle and is measured along the longitudinal axis of the oral device from the distal end of the oral device head to the proximal end of the multi-purpose handle. Generally the length of the oral device length is greater than about 10 cm, about 12 cm, about 14 cm, about 16 cm, about 18 cm, and/or less than about 20 cm, about 22 cm, about 24 cm, about 26 cm and/or any combination thereof.  
      When a bristle-less light emitting head assembly is attached to the multi-purpose handle, it may be beneficial to indicate to the user the proper distance between the light emitting element and the oral surface (“spacing”), as well as the location of the light emitting element within the oral cavity to ensure the desired light qualities are delivered to the particular oral surface. This spacing (shown at  5 , in  FIG. 1 ) between the light emitting element and the oral surface can be from about 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.50, 0.60, 0.63, 0.64, 0.66, 0.68. 0.70, 0.72, 0.74, 0.76, 0.80, 0.85, 0.90, and/or 1.0 cm and or less than about 2.0, 1.5, 1.4, 1.3, 1.25, 1.20, 1.15, 1.1, 1.05, 1.0, 0.5 cm and/or any combination thereof. In one embodiment this spacing is measured as the shortest distance between the tip of the light emitting surface of the light emitting element and the surface of the spacing element to be placed proximal to the oral surface (as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ). In another embodiment the spacing is measured as the shortest distance between the lens of a light emitting diode and the labial surface of the teeth. A spacing element can be used to provide the user with a spacing and/or locating signal. The light emitting element can extend into a portion of the spacing element, or can be completely disposed within the head of the toothbrush. The spacing element can be sized so that the desired distance is provided between the light emitting element and the oral surface. The spacing element is any element, excluding tufts of bristles, located on the head of the oral device that extends from the head in the same direction as the light emits. The spacing element includes, but is not limited to, a cap extending over all or a portion of the surface of the head of the oral device, rollers or balls disposed on the head of the oral device, elastomeric elements embedded into the head of the oral device and/or any combination of these. The spacing element, in particular the elastomeric elements, can comprise a variety of shapes, including but not limited to, walls, cylinders, spikes, circles, semi-circles, rectangles, squares and any combination of these shapes. However, the spacing element is comprised of five or less individual elements, such as elastomeric elements, in order to provide the simplified design of the present invention, and prevent build up of composition around the light emitting element. Additionally, the spacing element may swivel and/or rotate so that the user can hold the handle in the most comfortable manner, and the spacing element can still be held against the oral surface. This spacing element can rotate from greater than about 10, 20, 30, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 95, 100, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180 degrees, and/or less than about 175, 170, 160, 150, 140, 130, 120, 100, 95, 90, 85, 80, 70, 60, 50, 45, 40, 30, 20 degrees and/or any combination thereof. In another embodiment the neck can have a joint and/or a swivel which enables the user to rotate the head thereby moving the handle away from portions of the face to avoid contact between the handle and the face or teeth during use. Additionally, the user can combine the rotation of the spacing element and swiveling or rotation of the head assembly to provide the most comfortable operation of the oral device. The joint allows the head to rotate from greater than about 10, 20, 30, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 95, 100, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180 degrees, and/or less than about 175, 170, 160, 150, 140, 130, 120, 100, 95, 90, 85, 80, 70, 60, 50, 45, 40, 30, 20 degrees and/or any combination thereof. In one embodiment the head assembly rotates from about 0 to about 90 degrees. In another embodiment the head assembly rotates from about 45 to about 90 degrees.  
      The spacing elements can be protuberances. Protuberances are outwardly extending members, which extend in the same direction the light emits. The spacing element can be from about 1, 2, 3, 4, and/or less than about 4, 3, 2 protuberances and/or any combination thereof. More than five protuberances may result in trapping of the composition on or around the light emitting element, depending on the rheological properties of the composition and the shape and/or size of the protuberances. The protuberance can be a cap, a wall, rollers or any other shape including, but not limited to, a cylinder, a circle, a semi-circle, a square, and/or any combination thereof. The spacing element disposed on the head of the oral device can provide a signal to the user to indicate the proper distance between the oral surface to be treated and the light emitting element. To provide a spacing signal the spacing element is sized so that when the surface of the spacing element is placed against the oral surface to be treated, the light emitting element is the appropriate distance from the oral surface, therefore providing light of the intensity and wavelength to result in the desired oral benefit. For example, the spacing element can extend from the head perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the oral device, and the height of the spacing element is the distance between the light emitting element and the oral surface. The height of the spacing element can be from about 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.50, 0.60, 0.63, 0.64, 0.66, 0.68. 0.70, 0.72, 0.74, 0.76, 0.80, 0.85, 0.90, and/or 1.0 cm and or less than about 2.0, 1.5, 1.4, 1.3, 1.25, 1.20, 1.15, 1.1, 1.05, 1.0, 0.5 cm and/or any combination thereof. Additionally, the spacing element can extend from the distal most point of the head of the oral device to the portion of the head proximal to the handle of the oral device. Measuring along the longitudinal axis of the oral device, the length of the spacing element can be greater than about 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 mm and/or less than about 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, 10, 5, 4 mm and/or any combination thereof. The spacing element can have a width of from about 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 20, 25 mm and/or less than about 30, 20, 10, 8, 6, 5, 4 mm and/or any combination thereof.  
      In one embodiment the spacing element is translucent and/or transparent. In another embodiment the spacing element is opaque or semi-translucent and/or semi-transparent. The spacing elements can comprise elastomers, including but not limited to thermoplastic elastomers such as polyurethanes, styrene block, copolymers, polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides, poly (vinyl chloride), and/or thermoset elastomers such as silicones, and natural rubber and/or any combination thereof.  
      To treat various surfaces in the oral cavity with light emitting from the oral device it may benefit the user to know the location of the light emitting element within the oral cavity. The user may be able to visually locate the light by opening the mouth and inspecting with a mirror. However, locating the light emitting element can also be accomplished using the spacing element. The spacing element can provide a sensory signal enabling the user to locate the position of the light without a visual inspection or the use of additional tools, such as a mirror. This may improve the ease of use and increase portability of this device, as the device can be used without the need for additional tools.  
      Referring to  FIG. 1  an oral device  10  made in accordance with the present invention will now be described. The oral device  10  comprises a light emitting element  30  disposed on a removable/replaceable head  20 . The head  20  and neck  40  is severable from the handle  50  at point  60 .  FIG. 1  further comprises a spacing element  70 . In one embodiment the light from the one or more light emitting elements can be spread out and/or defocused by the spacing element so that light can emit from the entire surface of the spacing element as shown by arrows  35  in  FIGS. 1 . This defocusing can be achieved by a reflective coating on the interior of the spacing element. In another embodiment the spacing element  70  is partially transparent, thereby emitting light along the surface  80 , as shown by arrows  37  in  FIG. 2 . In this embodiment ( FIG. 2 ) the sides  90  of the spacing element  70  are opaque, and the light is emitted only along surface  80  which contacts the oral surface. In another embodiment, shown in  FIG. 3 , the spacing element comprises an aperture  100 . All other surfaces of the spacing element may be opaque and/or not translucent or transparent. Therefore, light emitting from the light emitting element  30  only emits through aperture  100  as shown by arrow  39 . In another embodiment the spacing element is completely transparent and/or translucent allowing light to emit from all surfaces of the spacing element. It is contemplated that the surfaces of the spacing element may have varying transparency and translucency to vary the intensity of light that emits from the spacing element. Additionally, the surfaces of the spacing element may have selective transparency or translucency in order to focus the light to provide light in only particular areas, and/or to provide light of greater or lesser intensity.  
      As shown in  FIG. 4 , a cross section of an oral device of the present invention, the oral device also comprises a power source, such as a battery  120  contained within the multi-purpose handle or a power cord (not shown). The multi-purpose handle can provide power to the head to power the light emitting element via leads  140  and  145  which provide power from the battery  120  to the severable connection and leads  150  and  160  which provide power from the severable connection to the light emitting element  130 . The multi-purpose handle also comprises switch  200  which is operatively connected to the battery  120  and the motor  170 . When the switch is closed a circuit is completed between the battery  120  and the motor  170  via wire  210 , all of which is provided within the hollow portion  175  of the handle  176 . The multi-purpose handle can have severable electrical connectors to provide ease of removing and replacing the head such as the severable electrical connectors disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/847429. The multi-purpose handle may further comprise a drive shaft  180  and worm gear  185 , and step gears  190  and  195 . Step gear  190  is operatively connected to step gear  195  and worm gear  185 . Additionally, the multi-purpose handle can comprise gripping portions  220  and  230 . A variety of head assemblies can be removed from and attached to the multi-purpose handle at the break  240 . The oral device has a longitudinal axis  134 . The multi-purpose handle may also comprise multiple switches; one to provide power only to the head assembly and one to operate the motor which can in turn provide motion to a drive shaft.  
      In one embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1  to  3  the oral device comprises a head  20  having a spacing element in the form of a cap type protuberance  70  which extends over a light emitting element  30 . This cap may be a part of the removable replaceable head, or may be a disposable element which can be removed from the head of the oral device and replaced with each use as shown in  FIG. 5 . The cap can be used with or without an oral care substance, the user can apply the substance to the teeth or the cap prior to use. In the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 5 , the spacing element  300  is removable from the head  320  comprising a light emitting element  330 . This arrangement allows the user to have a single light emitting element, but a variety of spacing elements which may need replacing due to wear, multiple users, or the cap may be varied in shape and/or size to provide a variety of oral benefits. In  FIG. 5 a  spacing element cap is shown. This cap has the curved shape  340  of the labial surface of the teeth. The cap is shaped to snap onto the head  320  of the oral device. The head assembly of the oral device may comprise flexible tabs  350 ,  355  which fit into grooves  360 ,  365  on the cap to hold the cap  300  in place, but allow for easy removal. Grooves  370  and  375  are shown and these grooves can attach to flexible tabs on the head assembly of the oral device (not shown).  
      As shown in  FIG. 6  the cap-type spacing element  400  can be shaped to fit against the labial surface  420  of multiple teeth. The light can emit from the light emitting element  430  onto the surfaces of the teeth to provide a cosmetic or oral benefit including, but not limited to, whitening and/or antibacterial. The spacing element can be sized to receive labial surfaces of the teeth within grooves to allow for the proper placement of the light emitting element as well as ease of holding the light emitting element against the teeth.  FIGS. 7-8  are an illustration of the head  505  comprising the spacing element  500  comprising grooves  510 ,  515  and  520  for the teeth  525 . Light emitting element  530  is disposed on the head  505  within the spacing element  500  and emits light through spacing element  500 .  
      The surface of the spacing element may comprise a groove, a notch, or a textural difference which can provide a sensory signal to the use to indicate the location of the light emitting element within the oral cavity. An embodiment comprising grooves  510 ,  515 , and  520  is shown in  FIG. 8 . An embodiment comprising a textural difference, such as a patch  540  and  545  is shown in  FIG. 8A  The patch can be any material that has a different surface texture than the material of the spacing element. An embodiment comprising a groove  550  and  555  is shown in  FIG. 8B . The spacing elements can be tactilely detected by the user within the oral cavity, as the user will be able to feel on the oral surface the textured patch or the grooves and therefore feel the approximate location of the light emitting element  530 .  
      The spacing element may also turn on an axis perpendicular to the head. In one embodiment the light emitting element  630  is the axis around which the spacing element  610  turns, as shown in  FIGS. 9-10 . The light emitting element may be disposed within a protective column or the light emitting element may have a coating to provide additional durability to the light emitting element as an axis point. The coating can comprise any material including but not limited to metals, polymers and or any other material that reinforces or strengthens the light emitting element. Further, the neck of the oral device can have a joint and/or a swivel which enables the user to move the head assembly to position the head of the oral device as shown in  FIG. 10A . In one embodiment a joint  650  is disposed between the head  640  and the neck  660  which allows the head to move such that the head is angled away from the longitudinal axis  670  of the oral device. In one embodiment the head comprises a light emitting element  630 .  
      In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 11-22  the spacing element is an elastomeric protuberance. These elastomeric spacing elements are flexible enough to provide comfort to the user, but substantive enough that the desired distance between the light emitting element and the oral surface to be illuminated is maintained. The head of the oral device can have one light emitting element as shown in  FIGS. 11-12  or multiple light emitting elements as shown in  FIGS. 13-14 .  FIGS. 11-12  show the head  700  of an oral device, comprising two curved elastomeric walls  710 ,  720  extending perpendicularly to the surface  740  of the head  700 .  FIGS. 11-12  also show a light emitting element  730  disposed on the head  700 .  FIGS. 13-14  show oral device head  800  comprising two elastomeric walls  810 ,  820  extending perpendicular to surface  840 , and multiple light emitting elements  830 ,  835  disposed on the head  800 .  FIGS. 15-16  show a light emitting oral device head  900  comprising elastomeric cylinders  910  extending perpendicularly to the surface  920  of the head  900 . The head comprises a light emitting element  930 .  FIGS. 17-18  show a light emitting oral device head  1000  comprising rectangular elastomeric bars  1010 ,  1015  disposed on the head, extending perpendicularly to the surface  1020 . The head further comprises a light emitting element  1030 .  FIGS. 19-20  show a head  1100  comprising elastomeric rods  1110 ,  1115  which are pointed. These elastomeric rods are disposed perpendicularly to surface  1120  of the head. The head further comprises a light emitting element  1130 .  FIGS. 21-22  show a light emitting oral device head  1200  having elastomeric bars  1210 ,  1215  which extend perpendicularly to the surface  1220 . These bars extend along horizontally from the distal most point of the head  1240  of the oral device to the portion of the head of the oral device proximal to the neck  1250 . The head further comprises a light emitting element  1230 .  
      In another embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 23-26  the spacing element is a roller or a ball. The head  1300  as shown in  FIGS. 23-24  comprises ball elements  1310   a,    1310   b,    1310   c,    1310   d,  and  1310   e  and a light emitting element  1330  extending from surface  1320 . In one embodiment the balls  1310   a,    1310   b,    1310   c,    1310   d,    1310   e,  and  1310   e  can roll along the oral surface to treat the surface with light emitting from the light emitting element  1330 . In another embodiment the balls  1310   a ,  1310   b ,  1310   c ,  1310   d , and  1310   e  remain stationary. The head can comprise one or more balls, and the balls can be arranged in any pattern. As shown in  FIGS. 23-24  the balls  13   10   a ,  1310   b ,  1310   c ,  1310   d , and  1310   e  can be arranged to surround the light emitting element  1330 . In addition to indicating to the user the distance between the light emitting element and the oral surface, the ball elements can also indicate to the user the position of the light emitting element, as the user can feel the balls as they roll along the oral surface. The user will know that the light emitting element is placed between the balls.  
       FIGS. 25-26  illustrate oral device head  1400 . Head  1400  comprises ball elements  1410  in columns  1440  extending in a direction perpendicular to surface  1420 . The head  1400  further comprises at least one light emitting element  1430 . The ball elements  1410  can provide additional comfort and ease of use. The columns  1440  can indicate to the user the proper distance between the light emitting element and the oral surface to be treated. Additionally, the ball elements can stimulate a sensory response in the user, allowing the user to feel the location of the ball elements and therefore know the location of the light emitting element. The user can confirm the location of the light emitting element by visually inspecting the head of the oral device prior to placing the device into the oral cavity. The user can note the location of the light emitting element in relation to the balls which the user will be able to feel within the oral cavity. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 27-28  the head  1500  comprises balls  1515  are within spring loaded columns  1510  extending in a direction perpendicular to surface  1520 . The spring loaded columns may provide the user with additional comfort during use. The spring loaded columns can be in any arrangement, as shown in  FIGS. 27-28  the spring loaded columns encircle the light emitting element  1530 .  
      The oral device may be part of a kit, which further comprises a variety of removable/replaceable head assemblies each of which provides different benefits to the oral cavity. In one embodiment of a kit according to the present invention, one of the head assemblies  1600  comprises a head  1620  having bristles  1610  disposed thereon, and a neck  1640  as shown in  FIG. 29 . Another one of the removable replaceable head assemblies  1700  comprises a bristle-less head  1720  having a light emitting element  1730  and a cap type spacing element  1710  disposed on the head  1720  as shown in  FIG. 30 . Head  1700  further comprises a neck  1740 . At least a portion of this cap type spacing element can be transparent and translucent and the surface which contacts the oral surface is curved to provide the desired contact between the spacing element and the labial surfaces of a plurality of teeth. The kit further comprises a light emitting head assembly  1800  comprising a head  1820  having a light emitting element  1830  and a roller-type spacing element  1810  disposed thereon as shown in  FIG. 31 . These rollers can contact the mucosal surfaces of the oral cavity to provide treatment to the mucosal tissue of the oral cavity. This head assembly also comprises a neck  1840 . The kit further comprises a multi-purpose handle  1910  as partially shown in  FIGS. 32-33 . Each of the head assemblies shown in  FIGS. 29-31  can attach to the multi-purpose handle  1910  as shown in  FIG. 33 . The kit can further comprises compositions which provide a oral benefit, including, but not limited to, compositions for tooth whitening, anti-bacterial, breath freshening, and/or anti-viral.  
      If the multi-purpose handle is attached to a head assembly comprising movable bristle plates (as shown in  FIG. 34 ), the oral device  2000  can further comprise a drive shaft  2080  which is operatively connected to the movable bristle plate  2050 . When the oral device is in operation the motor  2070  powers the movable bristle holder  2050  through a drive shaft  2080 . The gearing arrangement includes a worm gear  2085  and a pair of step gears  2090  and  2095 . The motor is operatively connected to the worm gear  2085 . Step gear  2095  is operatively connected to step gear  2090  and the worm gear  2085 . The oral device can further comprise a switch  2100  provided to control operation of the oral device. The switch is operatively connected to the motor. When the switch  2100  is closed a circuit is completed between the battery  2020  and the motor  2070  via wire  2110 . The battery and the motor can both be housed within the cavity  2075  of the handle  2076 . The head assembly  2120  can be attached to the multi-purpose handle  2076  at break  2040 . The oral device has a longitudinal axis  2119 .  
      All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this written document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to the term in this written document shall govern.  
      While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.