A flat flexible strip has a length by means of which it can be reciprocated longitudinally in rubbing engagement with tooth surfaces. The strip is constructed of crossed strands forming cross ridges in surfaces of the strip that produce a frictional scrubbing engagement against teeth surfaces when the strip is reciprocated longitudinally. Strands can be arranged in a woven pattern or a haphazard pressed pattern. The edges of the strip are reinforced in a non-raveling structure. The strip may be of a width up to about 1/2 inch and a thickness up to about 4 mls.

A retractable wire removal device for capturing wire cable and the like which is being run through walls or other enclosed spaces. The device comprises a flexible "tape" which forms a loop within a wall. Once the wire cable or other material is positioned within the loop, the tape is retracted, thus capturing the wire within it. The device along with the wire is then removed from the wall at the same time.

The present invention relates to a remedial dental floss comprising a dental floss and titanium dioxide particles of 6.0 microns or less. Depending upon the structure, formulation, and final effects desired a binder may also be used to attach, adhere or otherwise incorporate particles of titanium dioxide and other substances onto or into the dental floss. In order to provide various other qualities one or more other ingredients, compounds or substances such as fluorides, peroxide based compounds, abrading agents, other pigmenting agents, sweeteners, and flavoring agents may also be incorporated into or utilized by the remedial dental floss disclosed herein. Regular use of such a remedial dental floss will significantly reduce the interproximal staining and discolorment of dental surfaces as well as providing all other benefits normally associated with flossing in a way that is convenient, inexpensive, and safe.

A dental floss brush made from a reverse twisted, high tenacity nylon yarn comprising at least two thread sections having diameters, in their relaxed state, of at least 2.5 mm. The thread sections are separated by a floss brush section integral therewith having a diameter of from up to 4 mm in its relaxed state and a diameter of from 1.7 to 3.0 mm under a tension of 0.05 N. The brush floss has a breaking strength of at least 5 N. The floss brush section can be coated with a low melting wax composition, optimally a polyethylene glycol ester of beeswax alone or in combination with a flavoring oil, silicone oil lubricant or mixtures thereof. This product is made by coating a reverse twisted, high tenacity nylon yarn with a solution of polymer in a volatile solvent, the polymer being selected from the group consisting of nylon, polyurethane and mixtures thereof. Then the solvent is selectively vaporized from thread portions of the yarn while preventing significant vaporization of solvent from brush portions of the yarn, while the yarn is maintained under a tension of from 0.15 to 1 N. The brush portions of the yarn are steam treated while the yarn is under a tension of approximately zero until the brush portions of the yarn have regained at least 100 percent of the diameter of the uncoated, relaxed yarn. Residual solvent is then removed from the brush portions of the yarn while the yarn is under a tension of approximately zero.

A flavored interproximal dental cleaning article having an open, porous brush portion with matrix particles comprising flavor particles encapsulated in a water-soluble matrix bound to the surfaces of the brush portion by a water-insoluble, matrix particle encapsulating hard, flexible polymeric film which is preferably a urethane polymer. The brush portion can be integrally connected to a threader portion and/or a floss portion, and the threader portion and the brush portion can be further stiffened by a second outer polymeric hard flexible film coating which can be free of flavor particles. The matrix particles can be flavor oils encapsulated in a matrix comprising malto-dextrin or non-toxic gums. The cleaning article is made by impregnating a open, porous brush portion of an interproximal dental cleaning article with a coating solution comprising a coating material dissolved in a volatile solvent. The coating solution has dispersed therein matrix particles comprising flavor particles encapsulated in a water-soluble matrix, the matrix particles being substantially insoluble in the volatile solvent. The coating, preferably of a urethane polymer, is cured to substantial hardness to form an open, porous brush portion, matrix particles comprising flavor particles encapsulated in a water-soluble matrix being bound to the surfaces of the brush portion by a first water-insoluble, matrix particle encapsulating hard, flexible polymeric film.