Abstract: An oral care implement for dispensing an oral care agent includes a housing, reservoir therein containing an oral care fluid, and an electrical circuit comprising first and second electrodes connected to an onboard power source. Each electrode is in contact with the oral care fluid in the housing. An actuator, operably coupled to the power source, is configured to both selectively energize the circuit and activate dispensing of the oral care fluid. An electrical charge is applied to the oral care fluid by activating the actuator when dispensing the oral care fluid. When the fluid comprises a peroxide based tooth whitening agent, the dispensed fluid pH is increased by the electrical charge which improves the efficacy of the whitener. In one embodiment, the implement is a modular system including a powered base unit and one or more interchangeable cartridges each having a reservoir containing an oral care fluid.

Abstract: A method of sanitizing a toothbrush. The method may include delivering a sanitizing fluid from a reservoir of a toothbrush that comprises a store of the sanitizing fluid to bristle tufts of the toothbrush solely via capillary action, wherein each of the bristle tufts comprises a plurality of bristle filaments so that the sanitizing fluid wicks upwardly along the bristle tufts within spaces between the bristle filaments to sanitize the bristle filaments.

Abstract: A method of whitening teeth. The method may include delivering a buffer solution from a reservoir of a toothbrush to one or more tooth cleaning elements of the toothbrush; applying a toothpaste containing a peroxide to the tooth cleaning elements, the toothpaste having a first pH; and brushing the teeth with the tooth cleaning elements, thereby mixing the buffer solution and the toothpaste to form, at surfaces of the teeth, a tooth whitening mixture having a second pH that is greater than the first pH.

Abstract: A personal care implement that dispenses a fluid to cleaning elements during a hygiene activity. The personal care implement may include a handle, a head, and a reservoir containing a fluid in one of the handle and the head. A plurality of bristle tufts may extend from the head along an axis. Each of the bristle tufts may include a plurality of bristle filaments that are arranged in the bristle tuft so that spaces exist within the bristle tuft. The personal care implement may also include a capillary member that is fluidly coupled to both the first fluid and to one of the bristle tufts. The fluid may flow by capillary action from the reservoir to a bottom end of the one of the bristle tufts and then upwardly along the bristle tuft within the spaces between the bristle filaments.

Abstract: A personal care implement that dispenses a fluid to cleaning elements during a hygiene activity. The personal care implement may include a handle, a head, and a reservoir containing a fluid in one of the handle and the head. A plurality of bristle tufts may extend from the head along an axis. Each of the bristle tufts may include a plurality of bristle filaments that are arranged in the bristle tuft so that spaces exist within the bristle tuft. The personal care implement may also include a capillary member that is fluidly coupled to both the first fluid and to one of the bristle tufts. The fluid may flow by capillary action from the reservoir to a bottom end of the one of the bristle tufts and then upwardly along the bristle tuft within the spaces between the bristle filaments.