Multi-phase oral composition for tooth whitening

A method of treating teeth, comprising:

• applying a multi-phase oral composition to at least one tooth, wherein the multi-phase oral composition comprises:
• a) from about 0.002% to about 50%, by weight of the multi-phase oral composition, of an aqueous phase having a bleaching agent;
• and
• b) a semi-solid hydrophobic phase, wherein the semi-solid hydrophobic phase comprises petrolatum or microcrystalline wax, and wherein the multi-phase oral composition comprises at least about 50%, by weight of the multi-phase oral composition, of the petrolatum or the microcrystalline wax;
• wherein a ratio of the concentration in weight percent of bleaching agent present in the aqueous phase to a concentration in weight percent of bleaching agent present in the multi-phase oral composition is at least about 5;
• wherein a concentration of the bleaching agent is up to about 20%, by weight of the multi-phase oral composition;
• and
• wherein the multi-phase oral composition is a water-in-oil emulsion having droplets of the aqueous phase dispersed within the semi-solid hydrophobic phase;
• maintaining the multi-phase oral composition on the at least one tooth for a first period of time;
• and
• after the first period of time, directing a light radiation toward the at least one tooth for a second period of time, the first period of time having a duration greater than 50% of a total duration of the first period of time and the second period of time.