Patent ID: 8021148

Claim:
An oral light emitting device for targeting light to surfaces within the oral cavity, wherein the device comprises: a. a housing including one or more light sources that emit a wavelength that ranges from about 350 nm to about 700 nm, wherein the one or more light sources having a means for emitting focused light to one or more inner surfaces of the oral cavity, said inner surfaces selected from the group consisting of the tongue, teeth, gums, a lingual surface, a buccal surface, a palatal surface, a facial surface, and any combination thereof, for purposes of improving an oral disease or condition, improving oral health, reducing bacteria, improving halitosis, whitening teeth, improving a gum condition, improving a systemic disease associated with an oral condition, or any combination thereof; b. a power source in electrical communication with the light source; and c. a bite actuated switch in electrical communication with the power source and the light source, wherein the power source and switch are encapsulated within the housing; wherein the device is a size that fits within an oral cavity of an individual; and the device emits a power density that ranges from about 1 mW/cm2 to about 200 mW/cm2 and an energy fluence that ranges from about 0.1 Joules/cm2 to about 1000 Joules/cm2.