| abstract |
A flavored interproximal dental cleaning article having an open, porous brush portion with matrix particles comprising flavor particles encapsulated in a water-soluble matrix bound to the surfaces of the brush portion by a water-insoluble, matrix particle encapsulating hard, flexible polymeric film which is preferably a urethane polymer. The brush portion can be integrally connected to a threader portion and/or a floss portion, and the threader portion and the brush portion can be further stiffened by a second outer polymeric hard flexible film coating which can be free of flavor particles. The matrix particles can be flavor oils encapsulated in a matrix comprising malto-dextrin or non-toxic gums. The cleaning article is made by impregnating a open, porous brush portion of an interproximal dental cleaning article with a coating solution comprising a coating material dissolved in a volatile solvent. The coating solution has dispersed therein matrix particles comprising flavor particles encapsulated in a water-soluble matrix, the matrix particles being substantially insoluble in the volatile solvent. The coating, preferably of a urethane polymer, is cured to substantial hardness to form an open, porous brush portion, matrix particles comprising flavor particles encapsulated in a water-soluble matrix being bound to the surfaces of the brush portion by a first water-insoluble, matrix particle encapsulating hard, flexible polymeric film. |