Liquid tooth whitening composition

Abstract

An aqueous tooth whitening liquid composition comprising an orally acceptable vehicle comprising water and monohydric alcohol having dispersed therein a film forming combination of a poly(ethylene oxide) and a Carbomer, the pH of the composition being adjusted to and maintained at, an acid value.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An aqueous tooth whitening liquid composition suitable for application to teeth in the oral cavity comprising a peroxide dispersed in an orally acceptable vehicle comprising water and a monohydric alcohol and a film forming combination of a poly(ethylene oxide) and a Carbomer.  
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the film forming poly(ethylene oxide) has a molecular weight from about 100,000 to 4,000,000.  
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the poly(ethylene oxide) is present in the composition in an amount from about 5 to about 50 weight %.  
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the Carbomer is a cross-linked acrylic acid copolymer.  
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the Carbomer is present in an amount from about 0.25 to about 1.5 weight %.  
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the peroxide is urea peroxide or hydrogen peroxide.  
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the concentration of peroxide present in the composition is from about 5.0 weight % to about 30 weight %.  
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein a humectant is present in the vehicle humectant.  
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 8  wherein humectant is present in an amount from about 3.0 weight % to about 8.0 weight %.  
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the aqueous vehicle is present in an amount from about 40 to about 70 wt. %.  
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the aqueous vehicle is a mixture of water and monohydric alcohol.  
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the pH of the composition is maintained at a pH of about 3.5 to about 5.5.  
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the pH is buffered with a buffering salt to maintain the pH.  
     
     
         14 . A method for whitening teeth which comprises 
 (a) preparing a tooth whitening composition of  claim 1;     (b) painting the composition into contact with the teeth to be whitened;    (c) maintaining the composition in contact with the teeth for plurality of minutes per day; and then,    (d) repeating steps b and c for multiple days to thereby whiten the teeth.