TWI412340B - Oral care instrument including an oral care agent - Google Patents

Abstract

An oral care instrument (1) includes at least one oral care agent. In one embodiment, the oral care agent can be provided on one or more surfaces of the oral care instrument or included within cavities (50) within the head or in one or more surfaces of a head. In other embodiment, the oral care agent can be provided in or on a thin slab subsequently bonded onto a surface, or applied as a stable coating. The oral care instrument can also be provided with a wear indicator (120). The oral care agents can be released during one use, during multiple uses, or throughout the life of the instrument. Water, oral secretions and/or chemicals within the mouth can activate the oral care agents.

Description

Oral care device containing oral care agent

The present invention relates to an oral care device having at least one oral care agent that can be dispensed in a user's mouth to provide enhanced oral health to the user. The present invention also relates to such an oral care device comprising a wear indicator that informs the user when to expel the oral care agent.

People present a number of poor oral health forms, including tooth decay, periodontal disease and bad breath (bad breath). Caries and periodontal disease are typically caused by harmful bacteria in the mouth. When the harmful bacteria are mixed with the protein present in the saliva, the plaque film is formed on the teeth and soft tissues. If the tartar is not removed, it can attack the tooth and cause a pupil. Also. The tartar will attack the soft tissue in the mouth and cause periodontal disease, which is the main cause of adult tooth loss. As a result, reducing the number of harmful bacteria in the mouth has long been the goal of people working in the field of oral health care.

The most common way to minimize the harmful bacteria in the mouth is to wash with a tooth powder that carries at least one oral care agent into the mouth. The liquid is also introduced using a mouthwash containing mouthwash to provide additional oral care beyond what can be achieved when brushing. Mouthwash can also be used to deliver a breath freshener in the mouth with the intent to eliminate bad breath.

Unfortunately, people don't always have time to provide proper oral care for themselves. For example, a busy person has not had the time or patience to thoroughly brush, floss and/or use a mouthwash. Or, some people may consider anything more than that they don't need to brush their teeth. For any reason. After completing their oral care routine, these people may leave a significant amount of harmful bacteria in the mouth that can begin to attack the teeth and gums.

In addition, even when all commercially available and recommended products are used, they are not as effective as they were if they were shipped at the same time. For example, the use of dentifrice and mouthwash at different times can reduce any mutual promotion effect, and when used simultaneously, they can provide this effect to the user.

One aspect of the present invention relates to an oral care device that includes and transports a mouth care agent within a mouth of a user. The oral care implement includes a head having at least one portion formed by a material defining a cavity. At least one oral care agent is provided in the plurality of cavities and dispensed within a user's mouth when the oral care agent contacts fluid or chemicals in the oral cavity. In another aspect of the invention, the oral care implement includes a wear indicator for indicating the amount of oral care agent.

Another aspect of the invention pertains to an oral care device formed from a polymer containing at least one oral care agent. The oral care agent can be included in or on one or more surfaces of the oral care implement for transport into the oral cavity. The oral care agent can be contained within a cavity in one or more surfaces of the head. Alternatively, the oral care agent can be formed as a thin flat piece or carried by a thin flat piece and subsequently joined to the toothbrush head; or applied to the toothbrush head as a stable coating. The oral care agent can be released during use by us, during multiple uses, or throughout the life of the appliance. Water, mouth secretions and/or chemicals in the mouth activate the oral care agents.

Figure 1 illustrates a specific embodiment of an oral care implement 1 having a slender handle 10 and a head 20 intended to be introduced into the mouth or mouth of a user. The oral care implement 1 is not limited to the toothbrush as shown and described, but may have any shape or configuration and perform any function with a non-limiting example of other oral care implements, allowing it to transport the oral care agent to the user. Includes a tongue cleaner and a portable brush and toothpick combination. The appliance 1 can be used once and then discarded, or it can be used repeatedly for a period of time, the slender handle 10 can be formed from many different shapes, and has various types that allow the oral care implement 1 to be easily grasped And a structure that is manipulated within the mouth of the user.

The head 20 contains a plurality of surfaces of fluid that are exposed to the mouth during use. In the particular embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the head 20 includes a first surface 22 on the first side 23 and a second surface 24 on the second opposing side 25. Sidewall 26 extends between the surfaces 22, 24. The oral care element 30 can extend from any surface or both surfaces 22, 24 of the head 20, which can comprise a tooth cleaning element 35 such as a slender bristles or elastomeric fingers, or such as by any surface 22. The soft tissue cleaning element of the extended tongue cleaning member (not shown). The third example includes a head 20 having a tooth cleaning element 35 extending from the first surface 22 and a tongue cleaning element (not shown) extending from the second surface 24.

The oral care element 30 disclosed herein is not limited to those described above. Conversely, the term "oral care component" is used generically and intends to encompass all component types that can be used in a mouth, including different dental and soft tissue cleaning members, gum massage components, and Other forms of oral cleaning or massage components.

Regardless of the number or location of the oral care elements 30 disposed on the head 20, the head 20 also includes at least one oral care agent for introducing the mouth to perform the intended function. In one embodiment, the oral care agent can be provided in a cavity 50 (see FIG. 4) formed in or present in the head 20. The oral care agent can also be included in or on the separate member 100 that is positioned on one or more of the surfaces 22, 24 or 26 of the head 20 (see Figure 2). This member 100 can be provided in place of, or in addition to, the cavity 50 in the head 20.

The head 20 is formed generally of a material having a plurality of outer exposed apertures 50 that open to their respective outer surfaces 22, 24, 26. The entire head 20 can be formed from this material, or the material can be applied over an internal core (not shown). The material used to form the head 20 can be, for example, any of a wide variety of commercially available polymers, such as a thermoplastic polymer. In one embodiment, the oral care implement 1 is formed from a polypropylene such that upon manufacture, it is formed with an internally extending bore. Different thermoplastic polymers or polymers having different molecular weights typically have different melting and solidification characteristics. Therefore, selecting a polymer suitable for a given application is within the purview of a skilled craftsman. The oral care implement 1 can be formed from a polypropylene material such as those available from M.A. Industries. In a specific embodiment. The head 20 formed of a polypropylene material is made using a sintering process. The head 20 can be formed simultaneously with the remainder of the oral care implement 1 as a single, continuous member. Alternatively, the head 20 can be fabricated as a component that is assembled into the components of the appliance 1. The head 20 can then be attached via a number of techniques, including via ultrasonic bonding, heat sealing, lasering, etc., or via a mechanical method that also allows removal and disposal of the head 20.

As used herein, the term "cavity" is intended to mean that one of the openings in the head 20, whether present in the head material itself or intentionally formed therein, preferably does not Extends through the head all the way. As used herein. The term "exposed surface" relates to a surface defining the shape of the head 20 and substantially defines the boundary between the head 20 and its environment. The externally exposed bore 50 is capable of receiving and retaining one or more of the deliverable oral care agents. The cavities 50 are capable of receiving these care agents in powder form, in liquid form, or both. In one embodiment, the cavities 50 will receive and retain the oral care agent until a predetermined amount has been accepted or the cavity is filled. The cavities 50 can be varied in size and shape such that they can contain a greater number of oral care agents or oral care agents having larger or differently shaped molecules.

It should be understood that a wide variety of material specifications (such as polymer type, polymer size, particle size distribution, oral care agent type, particle size distribution of oral care agents, and multi-pore polymer-to-mouth care agents) can be used. Ratios), and also widely varying manufacturing/processing parameters (such as temperature and pressure), can be used to provide an appliance 1 having various advantageous features, including the dimensional design, shape, and spacing of the cavities. For example, the oral care implement 1 can have a cavity 50 that carries the oral care agent into the mouth of a user at different ratios. For example, the size of the exposed surface area of the individual cavities 50, and the oral care agent contained in the outer surfaces 22, 24, 26 of the head, the shape of the cavities 50, the cavities 50 The depth, and/or the characteristics of the oral care agent included, control these ratios.

Adjacent cavities 50 can be of different sizes to accommodate different amounts of oral care agents or oral care agents of different molecular size designs. As a result, the oral care implement 1 can have different oral care agent release characteristics that control when and how much of each oral care agent is transported into the oral cavity. For example, in one embodiment, wherein the oral care agent is desired to be released relatively quickly by the oral care implement 1, a larger thermoplastic pellet for the head 20 can be preferably selected. The diameter, and where it is desired, is that the oral care agent is dispensed more slowly, preferably with a smaller thermoplastic particle size.

Adjacent cavities 50 in the outer surface of the head 20 can carry the same or different oral care agents. Similarly, the same cavity 50 can carry different oral care agents (A, B), whether layered on top of each other (Figure 5), used to control release timing, or adjacent to each other (Figure 6) So that when they come into contact with an activator, they will react simultaneously.

The active oral care agent can be used, for example, as an abrasive, a mouth freshener, a dental bleach, a vitamin, an antibacterial/antimicrobial agent, a tartar dispersant, an anti-allergic agent for the mouth and teeth, an anti-caries agent, And/or combinations of these functional agents to provide individual or combined mutual benefits. Oral care agents can also contain fragrances, decorations, nutrients and body supplements such as calcium. The calcium can be provided, for example, in a single use dose of 1 mg. The fragrance can be released to indicate that the oral care element 1 is functioning properly or that the appliance 1 is depleted and ready to be discarded or refilled. The oral care agent also eliminates special enzymes from the mouth of the user. The ornament applied by the oral care agent can temporarily add color, glaze, sparkling small items and/or indicia to the user's teeth. Furthermore, the lack of fluid in the mouth can trigger a mouth care agent, such as a stimulant disposed within the cavities 50 for the salivary glands. The amount and ratio of delivery of these agents will depend on the amount desired and the agent being applied.

During the production of the oral care device 1, the oral care agent can be delivered to the cavities in a solid and/or liquid compound. In one embodiment, the material of the oral care implement 1 is immersed in a desired liquid such that the oral care agent in the liquid can flow and remain in the cavities 50. The mouth care agent 20 becomes fixed within the cavities 50 as it dries. It is also possible to fill the cavity 50 of the portion of the head 20 with the desired oral care system during production. It should also be understood that a used oral care device, that is, a person who has exhausted the oral care agent, can be immersed in a liquid with the desired oral care agent to be taken care of by a mouth care agent. It is advantageously refilled. The cavities 50 can be refilled (refilled) on a regular basis, including a single dose that provides at least one oral care agent daily for those devices.

Once the cavities 50 receive their intended oral care agent, the head 20 can be advantageously used to dispense or release the oral care agent within the mouth. The oral care agent will typically be dissolved by its individual cavities 50 when they come into contact with fluids and/or chemicals in the mouth. According to one aspect of the invention, for example, an active oral care agent that has been filled in the head material can be released into the mouth while brushing the individual's teeth. During the tooth brushing process, water and chemicals present in the mouth of a user will come into contact with the oral care agent in the cavity 50 in the head 20. This will cause a reaction in which the filled oral care agent will be dissolved by the cavity 50 in the head 20. In addition, the use of different oral care agents in the cavities 50 of the same head 20 has the ability to provide an advantageous benefit to the user. This may be particularly useful when there are two beneficial oral care agents which, in the ideal case, should remain separate from each other until the desired period of use. In this way, the oral care implement 1 can simultaneously transmit a plurality of benefits to the user.

For example, by filling the head material with the chemical and the abrasive found in the toothpaste, the oral care device 1 is also capable of delivering a tooth powder. In this particular embodiment, it will be possible to deliver only some of the chemical and mechanical benefits of the toothpaste via the use of a toothbrush without applying the toothpaste to the cleaning elements of the toothbrush. At least one of the dispensing mouth care agents can also be operated as a catalyst or enhancer for the toothpaste or other agent introduced into the mouth. With this oral care device 1, it is also possible, for example, to deliver a chemical, such as chlorhexidine, in a more efficient manner.

The delivery member 100 discussed above can provide or contain an oral care agent also discussed above and serve as a wear indicator. This member 100 can be positioned anywhere on the head 20 and can provide notification to the user when the oral care agent is exhausted. In a non-limiting embodiment, the transfer member 100 is shown as a strip 102 on the second surface 24. The transfer member 100 can have any shape and be located on any surface on the appliance 1 that the user can view or in any surface on the appliance 1. In addition to recognizing that when the device 1 needs to be discarded or refilled, the delivery member 100 can also include and deliver at least one of the oral care agents discussed above within the oral cavity.

In one embodiment, the transfer member 100 is removable and one or more replacement strips 102 can be applied in series or in parallel at their location to perform the same function as the transfer member 100. These replacement strips 102 can be applied after each use of the appliance 1 or after repeated use. Single or multiple strips may also be applied to the surface of the head to convey the majority of the individual benefits or benefits derived from the combination of the plurality of different strips of active. This strip can be sold separately and if intended to be applied by a user. For the convenience of the user, the replacement strip 102 can be carried in a recess or compartment of the handle 10 of the appliance 1.

A replacement/promotion strip 102 that performs different functions within the mouth may also be provided. For example, the replacement/promotion strip 102 can be designed to freshen the breath, trigger the salivary gland, and/or reduce the sensitivity of the teeth, and the like. In these particular embodiments, the strips 102 of different functions may be applied to, or in addition to, the strip 102, the strips being used regularly in the head 20 On, to kill the harmful bacteria in the mouth.

As illustrated in the specific embodiment of Figure 7, the transfer member 100 (and replacement strip 102, see Figure 2) comprises a first layer 110, which is preferably a water-insoluble material, such as a resin, and can be The oral care agent delivered is held in the mouth. The non-water soluble material maintains the structure of the transfer member 100 when the oral care agent is dissolved and delivered to the oral cavity of the user. The layer of material 110 can comprise a portion of the head 20 that is designed to incorporate a desired ratio of release ratio and dosage or a layer of material that can be secured to the head 20. The transfer member 100 can be secured to at least one surface of the head 20 or within at least one surface of the head. For example, the transfer member 100 can be secured within a groove 118 (Fig. 8) that extends along or around the head 20. The groove 118 may be from about 1 to about 2 mm deep relative to the outer surface of the head 20.

The second layer 114 is positioned above the first layer 110. This layer can be made of any material or material that can be chemically and/or mechanically altered. Chemical and/or mechanical changes can be achieved, for example, by a chemical reaction initiated by the composition of saliva or water, including decomposition or enzyme conversion and/or abrasion against the layer of the oral surface. This layer 114 can be eroded by abrasion during use of the device 1, or it can be formed from a water soluble material. In one embodiment, the outer layer 114 comprises a water soluble polymer (preferably, such as polyethylene oxide, polyethylene glycol, or polyvinyl alcohol). However, any conventional, non-toxic polymer, copolymer or combination thereof can be used and the layer is provided with a controllable water solubility. The solubility of the polymer used in the outer layer 114 should be sufficiently low that it slowly dissolves throughout the period of multiple use. The second layer 114 can also include one or more oral care agents, such as an antimicrobial agent. The antibacterial agent can be any of those discussed above, such as chlorhexidine.

A non-limiting example of an antibacterial agent that can be used in place of chlorhexidine digluconate, including antibiotics such as actinobolin, chlortetracycline, tetracycline, streptomycin, kanamycin, Neomycin, nedamycin, tricetaxa, antibiotics, penicillin, Rancemycin, gram-positive bacteriocin, saramycin, and polymyxin B; Bacterial enzymes, such as mucin enzymes, trypsin, mold enzymes, proteolytic enzymes - amylolytic enzymes, glucomannanolytic enzymes, moimnase, zendium, amyloglucosidase, and glucose enzymes . Other traditional antibacterial agents that can be used include phenolic compounds (eg, carbolic acid, thymol, o-phenylphenol, hexyl resorcinol), and Listed antiseptic solutions (thymol, eucalyptol, menthol, Methyl salicylate; bipyridine (eg octenidene); pyrimidine (eg dioctylhydropyridine); halogen (eg iodine, iodoform, fluoride); quaternary ammonium salt (eg cetyl) Acridine chloride, benzylammonium chloride, nitrofurfuryl hydrazide); oxygen scavengers (eg hydrogen peroxide, perborate); herbal extracts (eg sangnimarine); heavy metal salts ( For example, silver, mercury, zinc, copper, tin); and other bis-biguanidine (such as alexidine) other than Luohuasheng. of course. Other salts such as the diacetate and dihydrochloride can be used to replace the chlorophenol gluconate.

The two layers 110, 114 can be produced from two different mixtures by conventional co-extrusion or co-injection forming techniques. Alternatively, one layer can be extruded and then another layer can be thermoformed/compressed or laminated onto the extruded layer. Other manufacturing methods are also considered.

When the transfer member 100 comes into contact with water, saliva or chemicals in the mouth, the outer layer 114 dissolves and the oral care agent dissolves from the area exposed by the dissolved outer layer 114. When the outer layer 114 is dissolved with repeated use, it is not only exposed to the oral care agent retained in the resin, but it also exposes a mark 120 indicating the wear of the device 1, including the mouth portion of the device. When the caregiver is exhausted and needs to be replaced or refilled (Figure 9). The indicia 120 can be a visible color that draws the user's attention to the layer 110 and the total amount of useful life remaining in the appliance 1. Alternatively, the indicia 120 can be a message that tells the user when to explode the oral care implement 1 (Fig. 9). Other information methods are also considered.

In another alternative embodiment, a hydrogel is applied over at least one surface of the device 1 and/or forms at least one layer of the transfer member 100. In this particular embodiment, the hydrogel releases the oral care agent in the mouth and on the device 1 and/or draws in other agents, bacteria and/or chemicals.

In another alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10, the implement 1 can include a surface or a number of containers or capsules 200 that are secured to the head 20. Each capsule 200 can be formed from a biocompatible material and comprises at least one oral care agent, such as a liquid and/or powder oral care agent. In some cases, the agents provided in the capsules will not mix until they are within the mouth. These capsules 200 can burst or dissolve under pressure and release the oral care agent into the mouth.

In another embodiment, a single container or capsule 250 having two or more compartments 252, 254 is secured to one surface of the appliance 1. In this particular embodiment, a diaphragm 255 extends between the compartments 252, 254. As time passes, the diaphragm 255 will dissolve or rupture. The failure of the diaphragm may be dependent on time and/or the result of use of the appliance 1 within the mouth. When the diaphragm 255 is dissolved, broken, or otherwise worn by the inner wall of the capsule 250, the materials in the compartments 252, 254 are in contact with one another and cause a perceptible change and indicate the mouth in the appliance 1. The care agent may be exhausted.

As described above, a wide variety of molding techniques can be used in accordance with the oral care implement, and a wide variety of material specifications and parameters can be used to provide an appliance having a variety of desirable characteristics. While the shapes of the various preferred inventions are as described above, it is readily understood that the alternate shapes and dimensions of the broad variations are contemplated by the present invention. Preferably, the shape and size are selected such that the flow system in contact with the plurality of small aperture portions of the oral care implement is optimized. Again. Those skilled in the art will understand that there are many variations and permutations in the above systems and technologies. It will be appreciated that other specific embodiments may be utilized and may be modified by the structure and function without departing from the scope of the invention.

1. . . Oral care appliance

10. . . handle

20. . . head

twenty two. . . First surface

twenty three. . . First side

twenty four. . . Second surface

25. . . Second opposite side

26. . . Side wall

30. . . Oral care element

35. . . Tooth cleaning element

50. . . Cavity

100. . . Separate component

102. . . Strip

110. . . level one

114. . . Second floor

118. . . Trench

120. . . mark

200. . . capsule

250. . . capsule

252. . . Compartment

254. . . Compartment

255. . . Diaphragm

1 is an isometric view of an oral care implement in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a view of a surface of the appliance of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 illustrates a surface of the apparatus of FIG. 1 taken from FIG. Figure 4 is an enlarged portion 4-4 of the surface of the apparatus of Figures 1-3; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the aperture shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 is one of the cavities shown in Figure 4. Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 2; Figure 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of an apparatus according to another alternative embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9 illustrates the apparatus of Figure 2 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION; and Figure 10 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of an appliance in accordance with the present invention.

1. . . Oral care appliance

10. . . handle

20. . . head

twenty two. . . First surface

twenty four. . . Second surface

26. . . Side wall

30. . . Oral care element

35. . . Tooth cleaning element

Claims (51)

An oral care device comprising: a head formed by a material comprising at least a plurality of cavities; wherein the first one of the cavities comprises a first oral care agent, and such The second cavity comprises a second oral care agent, the first oral care agent being an oral care agent different from the second oral care agent; wherein the first oral care agent is in a Released at a first ratio, and the second oral care agent is released at a second ratio that is different from the first ratio. The oral care device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the cavities comprises both the first oral care agent and the second oral care agent. The oral care device of claim 2, wherein the first oral care agent is disposed relative to the second oral care agent such that the first oral care agent is in contact with the second oral care The agent is next to one of the outer surfaces of the head. The oral care device of claim 2, wherein the first and second oral care agents are substantially simultaneously exposed to an outer surface of the head. The oral care device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and the second oral care agent is in the oral photo Depleted after a single use of the appliance. The oral care device of claim 1, wherein the first and the second oral care agent are dispensed during repeated use of the oral care implement. The oral care device of claim 1, wherein the cavities are in an outer surface of one of the heads. The oral care device of claim 1, wherein the cavities are in a plurality of outer surfaces of the head. The oral care device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second oral care agents comprises an antibacterial agent, a tooth cleanser, a dental bleach, and a breath freshener. An abrasive, a tartar dispersant, a vitamin, an anti-allergic agent, an anti-dental agent, a fragrance, a decorative, a nutritional or body supplement or a combination thereof. The oral care implement of claim 1, wherein the oral care implement comprises a toothbrush comprising an outwardly extending cleaning element. An oral care device comprising: a head formed by a material comprising a plurality of cavities; wherein the cavities comprise a first oral care agent and a second oral care agent, The second oral care agent is an oral care agent different from the first oral care agent, the first and the second oral care agent are Delivery at different rates. The oral care device of claim 11, wherein at least one of the cavities comprises at least a first oral care agent and a second oral care agent. The oral care device of claim 12, wherein the first and the second oral care agent are substantially simultaneously exposed to an outer surface of the head. The oral care device of claim 11, wherein the at least one oral care agent is depleted after a single use of the oral care implement. The oral care device of claim 11, wherein the at least one oral care agent is dispensed during repeated use of the oral care implement. The oral care device of claim 11, wherein the cavities are in an outer surface of one of the heads. The oral care device of claim 11, wherein the cavities are in a plurality of outer surfaces of the head. The oral care device of claim 11, wherein the at least one oral care agent comprises an antibacterial agent, a tooth cleanser, a dental bleach, a breath freshener, an abrasive, a tartar dispersant , a vitamin, an anti-allergic agent, an anti-caries agent, a fragrance, a decorative, a nutritional or body supplement or a combination thereof. An oral care appliance comprising: a head; a transfer member removably coupled to the head, the transfer member comprising at least one oral care agent and a wear indicator; and wherein the transfer member is replaceable. The oral care implement of claim 19, wherein the transport member comprises a first layer forming one of the wear indicators and a second layer comprising one of the oral care agents, wherein the second layer is The oral care device is chemically or mechanically altered during use to expose the first layer. The oral care implement of claim 20, wherein the first layer of the transfer member includes a marking indicating when the transfer member must be removed and replaced from the head. The oral care device of claim 21, wherein the mark is a message indicating that the oral care agent is exhausted. The oral care implement of claim 20, wherein the transfer member is fixed in a groove formed in the head. The oral care device of claim 19, further comprising: a handle coupled to the head, the handle having a storage compartment; and at least one replacement strip comprising the storage stored in the handle A second oral care agent and a second wear indicator in the compartment. An oral care appliance comprising: a head having a first surface and a second surface facing each other, a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending from the first surface of the head; a groove formed in the second of the head a transfer member removably coupled to the head and secured within the groove, the transfer member comprising at least one oral care agent and a wear indicator; and wherein the transfer member is removable from the head Remove and replace with a replacement strip. The oral care implement of claim 25, wherein the wear indicator comprises a marker that visually conveys exhaustion of the at least one oral care agent. The oral care implement of claim 25, wherein the transport member comprises a first inner layer forming one of the wear indicators and a second outer layer comprising one of the oral care agents, the second outer layer being positioned Above the first inner layer, the first inner layer contains a portion that is exposed during the use of the oral care implement due to erosion of the second outer layer. The oral care device of claim 27, wherein the second outer layer comprises a material having a plurality of cavities including the at least one oral care agent. The oral care implement of claim 28, wherein the material is also formed in at least a portion of the head of the oral care implement. The oral care device of claim 27, further comprising: a handle coupled to the head, the handle having a storage compartment; and wherein the replacement strip is stored in the storage compartment of the handle In the meantime, the replacement strip includes a second oral care agent and a second wear indicator. The oral care device of claim 30, wherein the groove is between 1 mm and 2 mm deep. The oral care device of claim 25, wherein the wear indicator comprises a plurality of different materials that, when contacted, cause a perceptible change indicative of the exhaustion of the at least one oral care agent. The oral care implement of claim 32, further comprising a septum positioned between the plurality of different materials, the septum being depleted during use of the oral care implement to permit the plurality of different materials contact. The oral care implement of claim 25, further comprising a rupturable member on at least one surface of the oral care implement, the rupturable member comprising at least one additional oral care agent . The oral care implement of claim 25, wherein the head is formed from a material having a plurality of external open apertures, the voids comprising the at least one additional oral care agent. The oral care device of claim 35, wherein the first one of the cavities comprises a first oral care agent, and the second one of the cavities comprises a second oral care agent The first oral care agent is different from the second oral care agent. The oral care device of claim 36, wherein the first oral care agent is dispensed at a first rate, and the second oral care agent is one of the first ratios Delivery at the second rate. The oral care device of claim 35, wherein at least one of the cavities comprises a first oral care agent opposite to a second oral care agent configuration, such that the first oral care agent The outer surface of one of the heads is immediately adjacent to the second oral care agent. The oral care device of claim 35, wherein at least one of the cavities comprises a first oral care agent and a second oral care agent, such that the first and second oral care Both agents are exposed substantially simultaneously to one of the outer surfaces of the head. The oral care implement of claim 25, wherein the head further comprises a plurality of cavities, and wherein the cavities comprise a plurality of additional oral care agents dispensed at different ratios. An oral care device comprising: a head, at least a portion of the head comprising at least one oral care agent; and a wear indicator fixed to a surface of the oral care implement, The wear indicator includes a first chamber containing one of the first materials and a second compartment containing a second material; a diaphragm positioned between the first compartment and the second compartment Intervening to separate the first material from the second material; and wherein the first material contacts the second material when the membrane is removed, causing one of the mouth care agents to be depleted Variety. The oral care implement of claim 41, wherein the septum is removed by dissolution over time during use of the oral care implement. The oral care device of claim 41, wherein the oral care agent is stored in a capsule located in the head. The oral care device of claim 43, wherein the capsule is ruptured under pressure to release the oral care agent into a mouth. The oral care device of claim 43, wherein the capsule dissolves over time to release the oral care agent into a mouth. The oral care device of claim 41, further comprising a cavity formed in a surface of the head, wherein the at least one oral care agent is positioned in the cavity. The oral care device of claim 46, wherein a first oral care agent and a second oral care agent are located in the cavity. The oral care device of claim 47, wherein the first oral care agent is layered on top of the second oral care agent for controlling the timing of release. The oral care device of claim 47, wherein the first oral care agent is different from the second oral care agent, and wherein the first oral care agent is located adjacent to the cavity in the cavity The second oral care agent causes the first and second oral care agents to simultaneously react upon contact with an activator. An oral care device comprising: a head, at least a portion of the head comprising at least one oral care agent; a capsule secured to a surface of the oral care implement, the capsule comprising a first material comprising a compartment and a second compartment containing a second material, the first and second compartments being separated from one another by an obstacle; and wherein the obstacle is preset at the time of use of the oral care appliance Breaking down during the period causes the first and second materials to contact each other and cause a perceptible change indicative of one of the oral care agents being depleted. The oral care implement of claim 50, wherein the obstruction is a septum that dissolves over time during use of the oral care implement.