Search Here

It can be difficult to wake up in the morning, but a patent application by the Colgate-Palmolive Company seeks to make it a bit easier. Instead of waiting for a jolt of caffeine from a cup of coffee, the patent consists of a toothbrush that would slowly release chemicals into a person's mouth. The results would be anything from mint to medication, received while a person brushes their teeth.

According to the patent application filed by the company, the toothbrushes would be differentiated by the shape of tongue cleaners on the back of the head of the brush. For instance, according to the Daily Mail, an apple on the back of the toothbrush head would delineate apple flavoring, while a patch that resembles a flame of fire would mean that the toothbrush releases capsaicin, a substance normally found in chili peppers that would give off a warming sensation or a tingly massage. The flavors would last for about three months.

"An oral care implement comprising a handle and a head; a releasable sensory material that invokes a sensory response in an oral cavity during use," the patent application says. "In each case, associated visuals may be present communicate the beneficial effect, such as the representation of a throbbing tooth for benzocaine, a human figure with a slimming waist line for the zo-caine types of medicine or an 'Rx' symbol for pain relief medication."

Aside from caffeine, mint, apple and capsaicin, Gawker reports that the patent also mentions chemicals that would release lemon flavors, a cooling sensation, appetite suppressants in order to help users lose weight and benzocaine that could relieve pain from teething in infants.

The patent was filed in October of last year, but it was published earlier this year.

It is not clear whether the insertion of these chemicals directly into the mouth may, in fact, harm dental health.