Illuminated electric toothbrushes and methods of use

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for providing an oral care benefit by combining the use of an oral care composition with an electric toothbrush having an electrically powered element disposed thereon. In particular methods are described for using an electric toothbrush comprising a light emitting element, with oral care compositions to provide tooth whitening and stain removal.

1 . A method of providing an oral care benefit comprising: 
 (a) applying a uniform coating of an oral care substance onto a delivery device;    (b) applying said delivery device with said substance disposed thereon to surfaces of a plurality of teeth such that said substance contacts said surfaces, said substance providing an active onto said plurality of teeth;    (c) removing said delivery device from said teeth, and releasing at least a portion of said oral care substance from said delivery device onto said plurality of teeth;    (d) brushing said plurality of teeth with an electric toothbrush comprising a head, a handle, a movable bristle holder, and an electrically powered element, wherein said electrically powered element is disposed on and emits energy from said head of said toothbrush.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said electrically powered element is a light emitting element.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said light emitting from said head of said toothbrush has a wavelength of about 420 to about 470 nm.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said light emitting from said head of said toothbrush has a flux density of about 20 mW/cm 2  to about 300 mW/cm 2 .  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said electrically powered element is a light emitting diode.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said oral care substance comprises an active selected from the group consisting of tooth whitening substances, tooth stain removal substances, phosphates, fluoride ion sources, antimicrobial agents, anti-inflammatory agents, nutrients, enzymes, mouth and throat products, antioxidants, H-2 antagonists and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said tooth whitening and stain removal substances comprise an active selected from the group consisting of polymers, solvents, chelants, surfactants, and enzymes and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said tooth whitening and stain removing substances comprise a photosensitizer activated by light having a wavelength of from about 380 to about 700 nm.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said photosensitizer is Zn phthalocyanine.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said tooth whitening substance comprises an active selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide, urea peroxide, peroxyacids, peroxyacids precursors, diacylperoxides, and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said tooth whitening substance is present in an amount from about 3% to about 60%.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said tooth whitening substance is present in an amount from about 3% to about 15%.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said tooth whitening substance comprises two or more separate phases.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising rinsing the oral cavity with a rinse comprising an oral care substance.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said delivery device is selected from the group consisting of a strip of material and a tray.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said delivery device remains on said teeth for about 2 to about 60 minutes.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said teeth are brushed for about 30 seconds to about 8 minutes.  
   
   
       18 . A method of tooth whitening comprising: 
 (a) rinsing the mouth with a tooth whitening rinse, wherein said rinse comprises a polymer and a tooth whitening substance; and    (b) brushing the teeth with an electric toothbrush comprising a head, a handle, a movable bristle holder, a drive shaft and an electrically powered element, wherein said electrically powered element is disposed on and emits energy from said head of said toothbrush.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said polymer is a dicarboxy functionalized polyorganosiloxane.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said mouth is rinsed for about 10 seconds to about 5 minutes.