RU2233651C2 - Composition for teeth cleansing - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: medicine, stomatology.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to agents used in hygiene of mouth cavity and agents for teeth cleansing. The composition for teeth cleansing contains abrasive polishing material, thickening agent, hexa-atomic moisture-retaining substance, agent against caries formation and water. Components are taken in the definite quantitative content. The composition provides sanitary state of mouth cavity and exhibits good rheological properties.

EFFECT: improved and valuable properties of agent.

4 cl, 2 tbl, 4 ex

Description

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to an oral composition. Specifically, the present invention relates to a cheap dentifrice composition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Good oral hygiene can be achieved, at least in part, by brushing your teeth with an oral composition, such as a toothbrushing composition. The dentifrice composition is widely recognized as an important component in improving the healthy state of the oral cavity, in particular by reducing the likelihood of tooth decay of enamel and dentin and the deposition of tartar and calculus. Such conditions are the result of plaque and can lead to diseases such as periodontal disease and gingivitis. These diseases remain today, the main cause of tooth loss in adults. In addition, other disorders of a healthy oral state, such as staining of tooth enamel and halitosis (“halitosis”) can be attenuated by regular brushing of the teeth with the dentifrice composition.

Although many dentifrice compositions have been described, and many types of dentifrice compositions and other oral care compositions are commercially available, there is still a need to develop improved products that promote a healthy oral cavity. In addition, modern dentifrice compositions may require expensive ingredients and / or manufacturing methods. Accordingly, such dentifrice compositions may be too expensive for some areas or for certain segments of the consumer market. Accordingly, it is desirable to improve the price / quality ratio of such products without reducing their effectiveness, so that their accessibility to customers with any income level and in all areas can be increased.

Previously known cheap dentifrice compositions typically contain an abrasive, a water retaining agent, an aqueous solvent, at least about 15% dihydric and trihydric alcohols, and a low water content. However, such dentifrice compositions generally do not contain anti-carious agents, since they are usually expensive. Accordingly, such cheap dentifrice compositions may not provide the required level of anticaries protection. In addition, a high level of diatomic and triatomic alcohols is usually present, since it is commercially important that the dentifrice composition has acceptable physical properties, such as texture and rheology. Consumers typically require an acceptable toothpaste composition to be, for example, soft, compressible, and relatively non-sticky.

Accordingly, there is a need for a dentifrice composition that provides satisfactory oral health in a cost-effective manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved low-cost dentifrice composition containing from about 6% to about 70% abrasive polishing material, from about 0.5% to about 4.5% thickener, from about 0.5% to about 45% hexatom water-retaining substances, from about 0.05% to about 2.5% of the anti-caries agent and at least about 30% of the water. The composition contains less than about 10% dihydric and trihydric alcohols and has a viscosity of from about 8 to about 100 BKU.

It has been found that the present invention can provide an effective, stable and less irritating composition that is both easy to manufacture and cost-effective. In addition, such an improved dentifrice composition provides a healthy oral cavity and / or carious cavity reduction that is comparable to or superior to modern toothpaste compositions. In addition, the release of taste, rheology and / or texture of the improved dentifrice compositions can be compared with or superior to modern toothpaste compositions.

These and other features, aspects, advantages and variations of the present invention and the embodiments described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the present description and the appended claims, and are encompassed by the scope of the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the description, all percentages, ratios and proportions are given by weight of the final dentifrice composition, unless otherwise indicated. All temperatures are in degrees Celsius (° C), unless otherwise indicated. All cited documents are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Quoting any source is not a recognition of the correctness of any of its provisions, as well as its usefulness as a prior art for the claimed invention.

The term “alkyl” means a hydrocarbon radical that is unbranched or branched, saturated or unsaturated. Unless otherwise indicated, the alkyl groups are preferably saturated or unsaturated with double bonds, preferably with one or two double bonds. The term “alkyl” includes the alkyl moieties of acyl groups.

The term “comprising” means that other steps and other components that do not affect the end result can be added. The term also covers the terms “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of”.

The term "effective amount" means an amount of a compound or composition sufficient to sufficiently stimulate a beneficial effect (benefit), preferably an effect for a healthy oral cavity, but low enough to avoid serious side effects, i.e. to provide a reasonable benefit / risk ratio within the reasonable judgment of a person skilled in the art.

The term "dentifrice composition" means a composition whose physical form is a pasty or gel composition, unless otherwise indicated. The dentifrice composition may be in any desired aesthetic form, such as a strip in depth, a strip on the surface, multi-layer, having a gel surrounding a paste, or any combination thereof. Alternatively, the dentifrice composition may be a biphasic system comprising two or more dentifrice compositions contained in physically separated dispenser compartments and distributed side by side.

The term "dihydric alcohol" means a molecule that has two hydroxyl groups, and includes conventional water-retaining substances, such as polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, etc. The term "trihydric alcohol" means a molecule that has three hydroxyl groups and includes conventional water-retaining substances, such as glycerin. Dihydric alcohols and trihydric alcohols are collectively referred to herein as "dihydric and trihydric alcohols."

The term “dispenser” means any pump, tube or container suitable for dispensing a dentifrice composition.

The term “substantially free” means that such a compound is not intentionally added as an ingredient to the dentifrice composition. However, this term does not exclude the possibility that a small amount of such a compound may be present as an impurity or in a concentration that does not significantly affect the overall performance, price and / or stability of the dentifrice composition.

All ingredients, such as active and other ingredients used herein, may be classified or described by their cosmetic and / or therapeutic benefits or by their intended mode of action. However, it should be understood that the active and other ingredients used herein may in some cases have more than one cosmetic and / or therapeutic effect or exhibit more than one action. Therefore, the classification is made here for convenience and is not intended to limit the ingredient to the specific indicated use or listed uses.

Abrasive polishing material

Used in the invention abrasive polishing material can be selected from any materials that do not damage excessively dentin. The abrasive polishing material preferably has a calcium content of less than about 23%. Typical abrasive polishing materials include silica, including gels and precipitates (precipitates); alumina; phosphates, including orthophosphates, polymetaphosphates and pyrophosphates; and mixtures thereof. Particularly preferred examples of abrasive polishing materials useful for the invention include silica (described in detail below), dicalcium orthophosphate dihydrate, calcium pyrophosphate, tricalcium phosphate, calcium polymetaphosphate, insoluble sodium polymetaphosphate, hydrated alumina, beta-calcium pyrophosphate, calcium carbonate, condensation products in the form of urea and formaldehyde particles, dicalcium phosphate, alumina trihydrate, insoluble sodium metaphosphate and others, t As described by Cooley, et al. US Pat. No. 3,070,510, issued December 25, 1962. Abrasive mixtures may also be used. Although calcium carbonate may be used here, it is not preferred, as it may not be compatible with the anti-carious agent described below; therefore, in a preferred embodiment, the dentifrice composition is substantially free of calcium carbonate.

Silicon dioxide based dental abrasives of various types are also particularly preferred due to their unique advantages of their outstanding brushing and polishing characteristics without excessive damage to tooth enamel or dentin. Silicon dioxide abrasive polishing materials as well as other abrasive polishing materials typically have an average particle size in the range of from about 0.1 to about 30 microns, preferably from about 5 to about 15 microns, and have good fluoride compatibility (i.e. . provide soluble fluoride ions). The abrasive polishing material may be precipitated silica or silica gel, such as silica xerogels described by Pader, et al. US Pat. No. 3,538,230 issued March 2, 1970; and DiGiulio US Pat. No. 3,862,307 issued January 21, 1975. Silica xerogels sold under the trade name "Syloid" by W. R. Grace & Company, Davison Chemical Division are preferred. Precipitated silica materials are also preferred, such as those sold by J.M. Huber Corporation under the trade name "Zeodent", in particular silicon dioxide, called "Zeodent 119". The types of silica-based dental abrasive polishing materials useful in the dentifrice of the present invention are described in more detail by Wason in US Pat. No. 4,340,583, issued July 29, 1982. The dentifrice composition contains abrasive polishing material in an amount of about 6% up to about 70%, preferably from about 10% to about 50%, and more preferably from about 15% to about 30% of the dentifrice composition.

Thickener

The thickener used in the invention acts as a binder to provide the desired consistency. The thickeners used in the dentifrices of the invention can be selected from an inorganic gelling thickener, a modified cellulose thickener, a thickener made from a natural vegetable resin, a thickener made from a bacterial resin, a thickener made from a synthetic organic polymer, a mixed natural thickener and a mixture thereof. Preferred inorganic gelling thickeners include precipitated silica, silica airgel, fumed silica, colloidal magnesium aluminum silicate, and a mixture thereof. Preferred modified cellulose thickeners include carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxymethyl carboxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxymethyl carboxypropyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose and a mixture thereof. Such thickeners are available, for example, from Aqualon Co., Hopewell, VA, USA; Jiangmen Fenghua Fine Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., Jiangmen City, China; and Zhangjiagang Xinguang Chemical Factory, Zhangjiagang City, China. Preferred natural vegetable resin thickeners include Irish moss (carrageenan), locust bean gum, gum arabinum, ghatti gum, acacia gum, robinia bean gum, sodium alginate, and a mixture thereof. A preferred bacterial resin thickener is xanthan gum. Preferred thickeners of synthetic organic polymers include polyacrylate, polyvinylpyrrolidone and a mixture thereof, more preferably a crosslinked acrylic acid homopolymer such as carbomer. Particularly preferred carbomers include carbomers of the Carbopol series, especially Carbopol 956 manufactured by BF Goodrich Co., Calvert City, Kentucky, USA.

Preferred mixed natural thickeners include agar, pectin, gelatin and mixtures thereof. For reasons of performance, economics, safety and cost, the most preferred thickener is carboxymethyl cellulose, carbomer and a mixture thereof.

The thickener is present in an amount of from about 0.5% to about 4.5%, preferably from about 0.5% to about 2%, and more preferably from about 0.8% to about 1.5% of the dentifrice composition.

Six-atom water-retaining substance

The present dentifrice composition contains a six-atom moisture-retaining substance which serves to keep the toothpaste compositions from hardening when exposed to air and usually also to impart a desired sweetness to the dentifrice composition. The six-atom water-retaining material used here has six hydroxyl groups and is usually, although not necessarily, a sugar or a sugar derivative. The six-atom water-retaining substance may have a linear, branched or cyclic structure; and preferably a six-atom water-retaining substance has a cyclic structure with about 6 carbon atoms. A six-atom water-retaining substance may also have one or more additional functional groups, such as carboxylic acid groups, amine groups, amido groups, ether (complex) groups, and mixtures thereof. More preferably, the six-atom water-retaining substance is selected from the group consisting of sorbitol, xylitol, glucose, and mixtures thereof, and more preferably sorbitol. Such sugars can further reduce the cost of the composition, reducing or eliminating the need for an optional sweetener.

Without intending to be limited by theory, it is believed that such six-atom water-retaining substances, and in particular sorbitol, xylitol, glucose and their mixtures, interact with the thickeners described here, providing excellent water-binding ability due to the availability and distribution of their numerous hydroxyl groups. In addition, it is believed that such advantages are absent, if, for example, an increase in the concentration of the hexatomic water-retaining substance alone. Such a synergistic effect can, in turn, reduce the need for more expensive thickeners and diatomic and triatomic alcohols, and can further reduce the cost of the composition, while maintaining an acceptable rheology and texture of the dentifrice composition. Such six-atom water-retaining substances are also usually readily available, cost-effective, safe in almost all cases and unexpectedly stable when included in the dentifrice composition of the present invention.

In addition, it is believed that the high hydrophilicity of such six-atom water-retaining substances directly improves the retention of taste and the release of taste of oil-based flavoring systems and allows the use of lower concentrations of flavoring agents. Because flavor systems are typically highly refined and expensive blends, the present dentifrice composition can have a significantly lower manufacturing cost. Since oil-based flavoring systems are relatively insoluble in such a hydrophilic compound, more taste is directly perceived by the user of the dentifrice composition. In contrast, oil-based flavoring systems can be partially or completely soluble in dihydric and / or trihydric alcohols, such as glycerin and polyethylene glycol, which are commonly used in dentifrice compositions; this, in turn, reduces the ability of the taste system to be perceived by the user of the dentifrice composition and can increase manufacturing costs by requiring a higher concentration of the taste system to be included.

Without intending to be limited by theory, it is believed that the combination of a six-atom water-retaining substance and a thickener described herein interacts synergistically, providing acceptable rheology, appearance, stability and equal or better performance without the need for traditionally high concentrations (e.g. 15% or more) of dihydric and trihydric alcohols . As noted above, such dihydric and trihydric alcohols are usually expensive, and therefore, the reduction or removal of such compounds can significantly reduce the cost of preparing a composition for brushing your teeth. Accordingly, the dentifrice composition of the present invention typically contains less than about 10%, preferably between 0% and about 5%, of dihydric and trihydric alcohols. More preferably, the dentifrice composition of the present invention is substantially free of dihydric and trihydric alcohols.

A six-atom water-retaining agent is usually present in an amount of from about 0.5% to about 45%, preferably from about 5% to about 40%, and more preferably from about 10% to about 35 wt.% Of the dentifrice composition.

Carious Agent

Reducing the cost of the formulation by reducing or eliminating dihydric and trihydric alcohols gives the formulation designer more freedom to incorporate and / or increase the level of anti-caries agent in the dentifrice composition without having to increase the selling price. In some countries and areas, this may increase the availability of good, effective oral hygiene products to a large part of the population. An anti-caries agent typically contains a fluoride ion, preferably a water-soluble fluoride ion. Sources of fluoride ions for use in oral compositions as caries agents are well known. To this end, fluoride ions are contained in a number of oral care compositions, in particular in such dentifrice compositions as toothpastes. Patents describing such dentifrice compositions include USP 3538230, 11/03/1970 (Pader, et al.), USP 3689/637, 5091972 (Pader, et al.), USP 3711604, 01/16/1973 (Colodney, et al. ), USP 3911104, 10/7/1975 (Harrison), USP 3935306, 01/27/1976 (Roberts, et al.) And USP 4040858, 08/09/1977 (Wason).

The application of fluoride ions to tooth enamel serves to protect teeth from carious decay. A wide variety of fluoride ion-generating materials can be used as sources of soluble fluoride in the present compositions. Examples of suitable fluoride ion emitting materials can be found in Briner, et al., USP 3535421, issued October 20, 1970 and Widder, et al., USP 3678154, issued July 18, 1972. Preferred sources of fluoride ion include sodium fluoride, fluoride potassium, ammonium fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate, tin fluoride and mixtures thereof. Sodium fluoride is particularly preferred and is available, for example, from Jinan Chemical Sub-Factory, Jinan City, Shandong Province, China. Preferably, the dentifrice composition provides from about 50 ppm to 10,000 ppm, more preferably from about 100 to 3,000 ppm of fluoride ion in a composition that contacts the surface of the teeth when used with the delivery system of the present invention . Such fluoride ion concentrations are usually determined by suspending 3: 1 water and a dentifrice composition. Typically, an anti-caries agent, preferably an anti-caries agent with a fluoride ion, will be present in an amount of from about 0.05% to about 2.5%, preferably from about 0.1% to about 1%, and more preferably from about 0.1% to about 0.5% by weight of the composition.

However, when fluoride ions are used as an anti-cavity agent, precautions should be taken to reduce interactions with incompatible materials, such as calcium carbonate, which may be present as an abrasive polishing material. Accordingly, if fluoride ion, and especially sodium fluoride, is present, it is highly preferred that the dentifrice composition is substantially free of calcium carbonate. Although fluoride ion containing anti-caries agents are preferred, well-known anti-caries cavity fluoride agents such as monosodium phosphate monohydrate are also used in the invention, alone or in combination with a fluoride-containing anti-caries agent .

Water

The dentifrice composition further comprises at least 30 wt.% Water from the dentifrice composition. As described and defined herein, “water” includes water from solutions (ie, a solution of a water-retaining substance, a solution of a sweetener, a solution of a surfactant, etc.), but not bound water (ie, from hydrates at room temperature). Before being added to the dentifrice composition, the water used is usually purified or distilled to remove impurities.

Auxiliary connection

The dentifrice composition may further comprise one or more adjuvants known in the art, preferably an adjuvant selected from the group consisting of a diatomic or triatomic humectant, a buffering agent, a peroxide source, an alkali metal bicarbonate source, an anti-deposition agent stone, surfactant, titanium oxide, antioxidant, dye, flavoring system, sweetener, herbal agent, antimicrobial agent and mixtures thereof.

The composition of the present invention may contain up to 10% diatomic or triatomic water-retaining substances, such as are traditionally used in dentifrice compositions. However, in a preferred embodiment, the dentifrice composition contains between 0% and about 5% dihydric and trihydric alcohols. More preferably, the dentifrice composition of the present invention is substantially free of dihydric and trihydric alcohols. Suitable humectants for use in the invention include glycerin, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, other edible polyhydric alcohols and a mixture thereof, and preferably glycerin, polyethylene glycol and a mixture thereof.

The present composition typically contains a buffering agent. If the dentifrice composition is a two-phase system, a buffering agent will be present in both phases of the dentifrice composition. The term “buffering agents”, as used herein, refers to agents that can be used to adjust the pH of the composition to a range of from about pH 4 to about pH 10, with a pH of from about 4 to about 8 being preferred, and a pH of from about 5.5 to about 8 is more preferred. Such agents include alkali metal hydroxides, carbonates, sesquicarbonates, borates, silicates, phosphates, imidazole, and mixtures thereof. Specific buffering agents include monosodium phosphate, trisodium phosphate, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, alkali metal carbonate salts, sodium carbonate, imidazole, pyrophosphate salts, citric acid and sodium citrate. Buffering agents are used in an amount of from about 0.01% to about 30%, preferably from about 0.1% to about 10%, and more preferably from about 0.3% to about 7% by weight of the composition. Preferred buffering agents are monosodium phosphate, trisodium phosphate, pyrophosphate salts, citric acid, sodium citrate, and mixtures thereof. It was unexpectedly discovered that the dentifrice composition of the present invention does not require such a high concentration of buffer salts as traditional dentifrice compositions. Not wishing to be limited by theory, it is believed that this may be the result of reduced irritation of the user's gums and oral cavity.

Pyrophosphate salts may be present as buffering agents. Pyrophosphate salts useful in the present compositions include pyrophosphate salts of di (alkali metals), pyrophosphate salts of tetra (alkali metals) and mixtures thereof. Acid sodium pyrophosphate, disodium dihydrogen pyrophosphate (Na ₂ H ₂ P ₂ O ₇ ), tetrasodium pyrophosphate (Na ₄ P ₂ O ₇ ) and tetracal pyrophosphate (K ₄ P ₂ O ₇ ) in their unhydrated as well as hydrated forms are preferred compounds. Pyrophosphate salts may be present in the compositions of the present invention in one of three ways: predominantly dissolved, predominantly undissolved, or as a mixture of dissolved and undissolved pyrophosphate.

Compositions containing predominantly dissolved pyrophosphate relate to compositions in which at least one source of pyrophosphate ion is present. Free pyrophosphate ions may be present in various protonated states depending on the ph composition.

Compositions containing predominantly undissolved pyrophosphate relate to compositions containing not more than about 20% of the total pyrophosphate salt dissolved in the composition, preferably less than about 10% of the total pyrophosphate dissolved in the composition. Preferred pyrophosphate salts in such compositions are the tetrasodium pyrophosphate salt and the tetrapotassium pyrophosphate salt, with tetrasodium pyrophosphate salt being more preferred. Tetrasodium pyrophosphate may be in the form of an anhydrous salt or in a decahydrate form, or in any other form, stable in solid form in a dentifrice composition. The salt is in the form of its solid particles, which may be in a crystalline and / or amorphous state, with a particle size of salt that is preferably small enough to be aesthetically acceptable and easily soluble during use. The amount of pyrophosphate salt used in the manufacture of such compositions is any amount effective for controlling tartar. Part or all of tetrasodium pyrophosphate may be insoluble in the product and present as particles of tetrasodium pyrophosphate. Pyrophosphate ions in different protonated states (e.g. HP ₂ O $\genfrac{}{}{0ex}{}{\text{-3}}{\text{7}}$ ) may also exist depending on the pH of the composition and if part of the tetrasodium pyrophosphate is dissolved.

The composition may also contain a mixture of dissolved and undissolved pyrophosphate salts. Any of the above pyrophosphate salts may be used. Pyrophosphate salts are described in more detail in Kirk & Othmer, Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Third Edition, Volume 17, Wiley-Interscience Publishers (1982).

The present invention may include a peroxide source for a whitening effect. The source of peroxide is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide, calcium peroxide, urea peroxide and mixtures thereof. A preferred source of peroxide is urea peroxide. The following amounts represent the amount of peroxide feed, although the source of peroxide may contain other ingredients than the peroxide feed. The present composition may contain from about 0.01% to about 10%, preferably from about 0.1% to about 5%, more preferably from about 0.2% to about 3%, and even more preferably from about 0.3% up to about 0.8% peroxide source by weight of the composition.

The present invention may also include an alkali metal bicarbonate salt. Bicarbonate salts of alkali metals are soluble in water and, if not stabilized, are capable of releasing carbon dioxide in aqueous systems. Sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda, is the preferred alkali metal bicarbonate salt. The alkali metal bicarbonate salt may also act as a buffering agent. The present composition may contain from about 0.5% to about 50%, preferably from about 0.5% to about 30%, more preferably from about 2% to about 20%, and most preferably from about 5% to about 18% bicarbonate alkali metal salts by weight of the composition.

Anti-calculus agents known for use in dentifrices include phosphates. Phosphates include pyrophosphates, polyphosphates, polyphosphonates, and mixtures thereof. Pyrophosphates are among the best known for use in dental hygiene products. Pyrophosphate and polyphosphate ions are delivered to the teeth, forming from pyrophosphate and polyphosphate salts. Pyrophosphate salts used in the present compositions include pyrophosphate salts of di (alkali metals), pyrophosphate salts of tetra (alkali metals) and mixtures thereof. Acid sodium pyrophosphate, disodium dihydrogen pyrophosphate (Na ₂ H ₂ P ₂ O ₇ ), tetrasodium pyrophosphate (Na ₄ P ₂ O ₇ ) and tetracal pyrophosphate (K ₄ P ₂ O ₇ ) in their unhydrated as well as hydrated forms are preferred compounds. Although any of the above pyrophosphate salts may be used, a tetrasodium pyrophosphate salt is preferred. Preferred are, for example, sodium polyphosphate and triethanolamine polyphosphates.

Pyrophosphate salts are described in more detail in Kirk & Othmer, Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Third Edition, Volume 17, Willey-Interscience Publishers (1982). Additional anti-calculus agents include pyrophosphates or polyphosphates described in US Pat. No. 4,590,066 issued to Parran and Sakkab on May 20, 1986; polyacrylates and other polycarboxylates, such as those described in US Pat. No. 3,429,963, issued to Shediovsky on February 25, 1969; U.S. Patent 4,304,766 issued to Chang on December 8, 1981; and U.S. Patent 4,661,341 issued to Benedict and Sunberg on April 28, 1987; polyepoxysuccinates, such as those described in US Pat. No. 4,846,650, issued to Benedict, Bush and Sunberg on July 11, 1989; ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, as described in British Patent 490384 of February 15, 1937; nitrilotriacetic acid and related compounds described in US Pat. No. 3,687,154 to Widder and Briner on July 18, 1972; polyphosphonates described in US Pat. No. 3,737,533, issued to Francis on June 5, 1973, US Pat. No. 3,988,443, issued to Ploger, Schmidt-Dunker and Gloxhuber on October 26, 1976, and US Pat. sodium tripolyphosphate, diphosphonates such as ethane-1-hydroxy-1,1-diphosphonate, 1-azacycloheptane-1,1-diphosphonate, and linear alkyl diphosphonates, linear carboxylic acids, and sodium zinc citrate.

Anti-calculus agents that can be used in place of or in combination with pyrophosphate salt include known substances such as synthetic anionic polymers, including polyacrylates and copolymers of maleic anhydride or acid and methyl vinyl ether (e.g. Gantrez), as described, for example, U.S. Patent 4,627,977 (Gaffar, et al.); as well as, for example, polyaminopropanesulfonic acid (APSK), zinc citrate trihydrate, polyphosphates (e.g. tripolyphosphate; hexametaphosphate), diphosphonates (e.g. EHDP; ANP), polypeptides (such as polyaspartame and polyglutamic acid) and mixtures thereof.

The present compositions may also contain a surfactant (surfactant), also commonly referred to as a “foaming” agent. Suitable surfactants are those that are sufficiently stable and form a foam over a wide pH range. Surfactants can be anionic, nonionic, amphoteric, zwitterionic, cationic, or mixtures thereof. Anionic surfactants used herein include water-soluble salts of alkyl sulfates having from 8 to 20 carbon atoms in an alkyl radical (e.g. sodium alkyl sulfate) and water-soluble salts of sulfonated fatty acid monoglycerides having from 8 to 20 carbon atoms. Sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium sulfonates of coconut oil monoglycerides are examples of anionic surfactants of this type. Sodium lauryl sulfate is available, for example, from the Rhodia Specialty Chemical Wuxi Company, Wuxi City, Jiangsu province, China. Other suitable anionic surfactants are sarcosinates, such as sodium lauryl sarcosinate, taurates, sodium lauryl sulfoacetate, sodium lauroyl isethionate, sodium laureth carboxylate and sodium dodecyl benzosulfonate. Mixtures of anionic surfactants may also be used. Many suitable anionic surfactants are described by Agricola, et al. US Pat. No. 3,959,458, May 25, 1976. Nonionic surfactants that can be used in the compositions of the present invention can be broadly defined as compounds obtained by condensation of alkylene oxide groups (hydrophilic in nature) with an organic hydrophobic compound, which may be aliphatic or alkyl aromatic. Examples of suitable nonionic surfactants include poloxamers (commercially available under the trade name Pluronic), polyoxyethylene, polyoxyethylene sorbitan esters (commercially available under the trade name Tweens), fatty alcohol ethoxylates, condensation products of polyethylene oxide with alkyl phenols, products obtained by condensation of ethylene oxide with a reaction product of propylene and ethylenediamine, condensation products of ethylene oxide with aliphatic alcohols, long chain tertiary amine oxides, long chain tertiary phosphine oxides, long chain dialkyl sulfoxides and mixtures of such substances. Amphoteric surfactants that can be used in the compositions of the present invention can be broadly defined as derivatives of aliphatic secondary and tertiary amines in which the aliphatic radical can be straight or branched, and in which one of the aliphatic substituents contains from about 8 to about 18 atoms carbon, and one contains an anionic water-soluble group, for example, carboxylate, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphate or phosphonate. Other suitable amphoteric surfactants are betaines, especially cocamidopropyl betaine. Mixtures of amphoteric surfactants may also be used. Many of these suitable nonionic and amphoteric surfactants are described by Gieske, et al. in US patent 4051234, issued September 27, 1977. The present composition usually contains one or more surfactants with each content from about 0.25% to about 12%, preferably from about 1% to about 10%, and more preferably from about 1% to approximately 8% by weight of the composition.

Titanium dioxide may also be added to the dentifrice composition. Titanium dioxide is a white powder that gives the composition opacity. Titanium dioxide is usually included in an amount of from about 0.1% to about 5% by weight of the composition.

An antioxidant is generally considered useful for the present composition and may be included therein. Antioxidants are described in textbooks such as Cadenas and Packer, The Handbook of Antioxidants, ©, 1966, Marcel Dekker, Inc. Antioxidants that may be included in the oral composition or in the substance of the present invention include, but are not limited to, vitamin E, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), uric acid, carotenoids, vitamin A, flavonoids, plant antioxidants, melatonin, aminoindoles, lipoic acids and mixtures thereof. Vitamins E and C are preferred, wherein a content of from about 0.01% to about 0.10% is desired, and a content of from about 0.01% to about 0.05% is preferred.

One or more coloring agents may also be added to the present composition. The coloring agent may be in the form of an aqueous solution, preferably 1% of a coloring agent in an aqueous solution. Coloring solutions usually include in an amount of from about 0.01% to about 5% by weight of the composition.

A flavor system may also be incorporated into the composition. Suitable flavoring components include tea mint, pear oil, peppermint oil, peppermint oil, onion kidney oil, menthol, anethole, methyl salicylate, eucaptol, cassia, 1-methyl acetate, sage, eugenol, parsley oil, oxanone, alpha irisone, marjoram, marjoram , lemon, orange, propenyl-guayatol, cinnamon, vanillin, ethyl vanillin, heliotrope, 4-cis-heptenal, diacetyl, methyl para-tert-butyl phenyl acetate and mixtures thereof. Non-limiting examples of commercially available flavoring systems include those sold under the trade names "Smoothmint", "Ultimint", and "Icy Mint" and are available from International Flavors and Fragnances, USA & China. Coolers can also be part of the flavor system. Preferred chillers in the present compositions are para-carboxamide agents such as N-ethyl-p-menthan-3-carboxamide (known commercially as “WS-3”) and mixtures thereof. The flavor system is typically used in the compositions in an amount of from about 0.01% to about 5% by weight of the composition.

A sweetener such as saccharin, dextrose, sucrose, lactose, maltose, levulose, aspartame, sodium cyclamate, D-tryptophan, dihydrochalcones, acesulfame and mixtures thereof can be incorporated into the present composition. Sweeteners are typically used in toothpastes in concentrations from about 0.005% to about 5% by weight of the composition.

An herbal agent including, but not limited to, smoke extract, honeysuckle extract, and a mixture thereof, may also be present in these compositions at concentrations from about 0.01% to about 0.5%. It is believed that such herbal agents provide an antibacterial effect.

Although not required, conventional antimicrobial agents may also be present in the dentifrice compositions of the present invention. However, since they are usually expensive, and since the present invention showed unexpected stability without them, a preferred embodiment of the present invention essentially does not contain traditional antimicrobial agents. A preferred traditional antimicrobial agent is 5-chloro-2- (2,4-dichloro-phenoxy) phenol, commonly called triclosan, which is described in The Merck Index, 11th Ed. (1989), p.1529 (entry no. 9573), in US patent 3506720 and in European patent application 0251591 from Beecham Group, PLC, published January 7, 1988. Other specific antimicrobial agents include chlorhexidine, triclosan monophosphate and essential oils, including thymol , geraniol, carvacrol, citral, hinokitiol, eucaptol and mixtures thereof. Triclosan and other agents of this type are described by Parran, Jr., et al. in US patent 5015466, issued May 14, 1991 and in US patent 4894220, issued January 16, 1890 (Nabi, et al.). Such agents may be present in concentrations from about 0.01% to about 1.5% by weight of the composition.

Other antimicrobial agents also include water-insoluble non-cationic antimicrobial agents, such as halogenated diphenyl ethers, phenolic compounds, including phenol and its homologs, mono- and polyalkyl and aromatic halogenophenols, resorcinol and its derivatives, bisphenol compounds and halogenated salicylanilides, esters and halogenated carbanilides. Water soluble antimicrobial agents include, but are not limited to, quaternary ammonium salts and bisquananide salts. Triclosan monophosphate is also a suitable water soluble antimicrobial agent. Quaternary ammonium based agents include those in which one or two quaternary nitrogen substituents have a carbon chain (usually an alkyl group) of about 8 to about 20, usually about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms, while the rest of the substituents (usually alkyl or benzyl groups) have a lower number of carbon atoms, such as from about 1 to about 7 carbon atoms, and usually represent methyl or ethyl groups. Typical examples of quaternary ammonium-based antibacterial agents are dodecyl trimethylammonium bromide, tetradecyl pyridinium chloride, domiphen bromide, N-tetradecyl-4-ethyl-pyridinium chloride, dodecyl dimethyl-dimethyl-diamide diamide diamide diamide diamide diamide diamide diamide bis (2-ethylhexyl) -5-methylhexahydrolirimidine, benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride and methylbenzetonium chloride. Other compounds are bis [4- (R-amino) -1-pyridinium] alkanes described in US Pat. No. 4,206,215, issued June 3, 1980 (Bailey). Tin salts such as tin pyrophosphate and tin gluconate and other antimicrobial agents such as copper bisglycinate, copper glycinate, zinc citrate and zinc lactate may also be included. Enzymes are also used, including endoglycosidase, papain, dextranase, mutanase, and mixtures thereof. Such agents are described in US Pat. No. 2,946,725 of July 26, 1960 (Norris, et al.) And US Pat. No. 4,051,234 of September 27, 1977 (Gieske, et al.), Incorporated herein by reference.

Phthalic acid and its salts are also suitable as antimicrobial agents, including but not limited to those described in US Pat. No. 4,994,262 of February 19, 1991, preferably magnesium monopotassium phthalate; chlorhexidine (Merck Index, no. 2090), alexidine (Merck Index, no.222), hexetidine (Merck Index, no. 4624); sanguinarine (Merck Index, no. 8320); benzalkonium chloride (Merck Index, no. 1066); salicylanilide (Merck Index, no. 8299); domifenbromide (Merck Index, no. 3411); cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) (Merck Index, no. '2024); tetradecylpyridinium chloride (TLC); N-tetradecyl-4-ethylpyridinium chloride (TDEPC); octenidine; delmopinol, octapinol and other piperidine derivatives; nitsin preparations; ionic zinc / tin agents; antibiotics such as augmentin, amoxilin, tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline and metronidazole; analogues and salts of the above; methyl salicylate; hydrogen peroxide; chlorite metal salts and mixtures thereof.

Mode of application

In the practice of the present invention, the user only needs to apply the dentifrice composition described herein to the surface of a human or animal’s teeth in a desired area to obtain the desired effect, for example, whitening, breath freshening, caries prevention, pain relief, gum healing, control of tartar deposits, etc. .d. The compositions may also be applied to other surfaces of the oral cavity, such as gingival or mucous tissues, although it is believed that a beneficial effect is better achieved when the dentifrice composition is applied to the teeth. The dentifrice composition may contact the teeth and / or the surface of the oral cavity either directly or indirectly; however, it is preferred that the dentifrice composition be applied directly. The dentifrice composition can be applied by any means, but preferably is applied with a toothbrush. Production method

The dentifrice composition can be obtained by conventional means and methods; known in the art. For example, a six-atom water-retaining substance and any optional dihydric and trihydric alcohols can be added to purified water and homogenized with an anti-carious agent in the mixer for about 2 minutes. Then, a sweetener, an antimicrobial agent and other auxiliary compounds (other than the flavoring system, surfactant and titanium dioxide) can be added, and the mixture is homogenized for an additional 10 minutes. Then a thickener and titanium dioxide are added to the mixture under a vacuum of about 0.1-0.2 bar over about 20 minutes to remove air bubbles. Then surfactant and flavoring agent are added and the mixture is homogenized under vacuum for 15 to 30 minutes to obtain the final dentifrice composition. The dentifrice composition is then packaged in individual dispensers, for example a tube for toothpaste, for transportation and sale.

The final dentifrice composition typically has a viscosity of from about 8 to about 100 BKU, preferably from about 15 to about 80 BKU, and more preferably from about 15 to about 50 BKU. As used in the description, “BKU” represents a unit of viscosity. The viscometer is a Brookfield viscometer, model 1/2 RVT (1/2 spring tension), with a Brookfield "Helipath" bed. The spindle is a regular "E-Series" spindle. The viscometer is placed on a Helipath bed and aligned to the alcohol level. An E-spindle is attached and the viscometer is set to 2.5 rpm during startup. Viscosity is measured after 10 minutes at a constant temperature of 25 ° C. Commercially acceptable dentifrice compositions generally have acceptable rheology, good texture, pleasant aesthetic characteristics, and a specific gravity greater than that of water, preferably from about 1 to 1.5 g / ml, more preferably from about 1.1 to about 1.3 g / ml A dentifrice having the above viscosity and specific gravity is generally acceptable to customers.

The examples of the invention are presented below to illustrate and are in no way intended to limit the invention.

Examples 1-2

The following dentifrice compositions were prepared according to the method described above, and their results are presented in table 1

Non-limiting examples of dentifrice compositions of the invention are given in Examples 1 and 2, and Comparative Example A is also presented. All three compositions showed unexpectedly good rheology and stability; however, the unit cost of the composition of comparative example A is about 50% higher than the cost of the compositions of examples 1 and 2. Moreover, the compositions of examples 1 and 2 have excellent stability, even when they contain more than 50% water. In addition, the compositions of examples 1 and 2 provide improved release of taste (i.e., taste perception) at the same concentration of the taste system as in comparative example A. Unexpectedly, after 1 month, the microbial growth in the composition of example 1 was comparable to that in comparative example A and example 2, although the composition of example 1 did not contain triclosan.

Examples 3-4

The following dentifrice compositions were prepared according to the method described above, and their results are presented in table.2.

Claims (4)

1. A composition for cleaning teeth containing A) 6 - 70% of abrasive polishing material; B) 0.5 to 4.5% of a thickener selected from the group consisting of carboxymethyl cellulose, carbomer, xanthan gum and mixtures thereof; C) 0.5 - 45% of a six-atom water-retaining substance selected from the group consisting of sorbitol, xylitol, glucose, and mixtures thereof; D) 0.05 - 2.5% of the anti-carious cavity agent; E) at least 40% water, where the composition is substantially free of dihydric and trihydric alcohols and the viscosity of the composition is 8-100 BKU. 2. The dentifrice composition of claim 1, wherein the viscosity of the composition is 15 to 80 BKU. 3. The dentifrice composition according to claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary compound selected from the group consisting of a peroxide source, an alkali metal bicarbonate source, an anti-tartar deposition agent, a surfactant, titanium dioxide, an antioxidant, a dye, a flavor system, sweetener, herbal agent, antimicrobial agent, and mixtures thereof. 4. A dentifrice composition comprising A) 6 to 70% abrasive polishing material based on silicon dioxide; B) 0.5 to 4.5% of a thickener selected from the group consisting of carboxymethyl cellulose, carbomer, xanthan gum and mixtures thereof; C) 5 - 30% of a six-atom water-retaining substance selected from the group consisting of sorbitol, xylitol, glucose, and mixtures thereof; D) 0.1 to 1% sodium fluoride; E) at least 30% water, where the composition is substantially free of dihydric and trihydric alcohols and the viscosity of the composition is 15-50 BKU.