Strip for the Delivery of an Oral Care Active and Methods for Applying Oral Care Actives

Abstract

A strip of material for the delivery of an oral care active is disclosed. The strip of material includes a structural elastic-like film backing layer including a strainable network having a first region and a second region formed of substantially the same material composition, the first region providing a first, elastic-like resistive force to an applied axial elongation, and the second region providing a second distinctive resistive force to further applied axial elongation, thereby providing at least two stages of resistive forces in use; and an oral care composition disposed on the film, the oral care composition including an oral care active.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of delivering a teeth whitening active to a plurality of adjacent teeth, comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a strip of material having a backing layer and an oral care composition disposed on the backing layer, the oral care composition including a teeth whitening active, the strip of material exhibiting a Young's Modulus of less than about 50 MPa, a strain at break of at least about 250%, and a strain at yield of at least about 30%;   b) adjusting the size of the strip of material so that the strip is of a sufficient size to individually fit a wearer's plurality of adjacent teeth when placed against the teeth; and   c) applying the strip of material to the teeth.   d)   
     
     
         2 . A method of delivering a teeth whitening active according to  claim 1  wherein the teeth whitening active is selected from selected from the group consisting of the peroxides, metal chlorites, perborates, percarbonates, peroxyacids, and combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . A method of delivering a teeth whitening active according to  claim 1  wherein the teeth whitening active is selected from hydrogen peroxide, calcium peroxide, carbamide peroxide, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         4 . A method of delivering a teeth whitening active to a plurality of adjacent teeth, comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a strip of material having a backing layer and an oral care composition disposed on the backing layer, the oral care composition including a teeth whitening active, the strip of material exhibiting a Young's Modulus of less than about 50 MPa, an initial peel force of greater than about 0.05 N, and less than about 0.05 g of material remaining after an initial peel test as measured according to a Strip Removal Test;   b) adjusting the size of the strip of material so that the strip is of a sufficient size to individually fit a wearer's plurality of adjacent teeth when placed against the teeth; and c) applying the strip of material to the plurality of adjacent teeth.