EP4500146A1

EP4500146A1 - Method for demonstrating efficacy of oral care product

Info

Publication number: EP4500146A1
Application number: EP23711033.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ying LE; Chixiang LI; Weining LIU
Original assignee: Unilever Global IP Ltd; Unilever IP Holdings BV
Current assignee: Unilever Global IP Ltd; Unilever IP Holdings BV
Priority date: 2022-03-24
Filing date: 2023-03-13
Publication date: 2025-02-05
Also published as: CL2024002698A1; CN118922708A; WO2023180107A1

Abstract

A method is disclosed for measuring and/or demonstrating efficacy of an oral care product or a component thereof against acid erosion, the method comprising: (i) selecting a substrate; (ii) treating the substrate with an oral care product or component thereof; (iii) immersing the substrate in an acidic medium; and (iv) assessing at least one attribute; characterized in that the at least one attribute is an amount of gas bubbles released from the substrate; wherein the attribute is assessed via observing by the naked eye directly; and wherein the substrate is selected from marble, chalk, pearl, shell, magnesium calcite, magnesium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate or a combination thereof.

Description

METHOD FOR DEMONSTRATING EFFICACY OF ORAL CARE PRODUCT

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method for measuring, comparing and/or demonstrating the efficacy of an oral care product, especially against acid erosion.

Background of the Invention

Oral care through use of everyday hygiene techniques like brushing of teeth at least two times a day, use of mouthwashes, regular flossing among others have now been understood by most of the consumers around the world. This has become a habit among most consumers primarily to kill bacteria present in the mouth so that problems like gingivitis, periodontal diseases of the teeth and gums as well as tooth decay (also known as caries) leading to dental cavities can be minimized. While the problems described above could lead eventually to the need for medical/dental treatments, they are believed to be preventable by use of everyday habits of oral hygiene described above like brushing, mouth rinsing and flossing.

Yet, even with everyday hygiene practices, one further problem facing consumers is that many products we consume, especially acidic foods and drinks, for example, tomato sauce, fruit juices, soda or pop, coffee and tea, can have a negative impact on teeth. In particular, such products can result in tooth erosion by attacking enamel that coats and protects teeth.

US2011/059425A1 discloses comparative effectiveness of various oral care products such as dentifrices on preventing dental erosion may be demonstrated using simulated enamel.

U S2016/202137A1 discloses an apparatus for assessing treatment effectiveness of tooth sensitivity with an oral care product comprising a tooth shaped member comprises an outer layer simulating an enamel, wherein the outer layer at least partially covers an exterior surface of an inner layer simulating a pulp, and a liquid sensor contained either between the outer layer and inner layer, or within the inner layer; and a plurality of holes, simulating open dentin tubules, configured through the outer layer to the inner layer, and in fluid communication with the liquid sensor; wherein the liquid sensor is configured to sense liquid passing through at lest one of the plurality of holes as simulating the treatment effectiveness of tooth sensitivity of the oral care product.

Fita Kararzyne et al “The impact of selected fluoridated toothpastes on dental erosion in profilometric measurement” discloses the influence of selected marketed toothpastes on the human enamel exposed to acid beverages.

Given the popularity of acidic foods and drinks as well as the plethora of oral care products available for consumers, there remains a need for methods which can easily and quickly measure, compare and/or demonstrate the efficacy of oral care products, especially against acid erosion, directly to consumers.

The present inventors have thus identified a need to provide methods which can measure and/or compare and/or demonstrate the efficacy of an oral care product, especially against acid erosion, but which does not need specialized equipment and/or is easily related to consumer benefits.

Summary of the Invention

In one aspect, a method is provided for measuring and/or demonstrating efficacy of an oral care product or a component thereof against acid erosion, the method comprising:

(i) selecting a substrate;

(ii) treating the substrate with an oral care product or a component thereof;

(iii) immersing the substrate in an acidic medium; and

(iv) assessing at least one attribute; characterized in that the at least one attribute is an amount of gas bubbles released from the substrate; wherein the attribute is assessed via observing by the naked eye directly; and wherein the substrate is selected from marble, chalk, pearl, shell, magnesium calcite, magnesium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate or a combination thereof.

In another aspect, a method is provided for measuring, demonstrating and/or comparing efficacy of an oral care product or a component thereof against acid erosion, the method comprising:

(i) selecting a first substrate and a second substrate; (ii) treating the first substrate with a first oral care product and treating the second substrate with a second oral care product;

(iii) immersing the first and the second substrates in an acidic medium; and

(iv) assessing at least one attribute, preferably an amount of gas bubbles released from each substrate.

In another aspect, a method is provided for comparing the efficacy of two or more oral care products and/or components thereof against acid erosion by conducting the method disclosed herein.

In another aspect, a method is provided for displaying images and/or videos on visible display units for measuring and/or demonstrating the efficacy of an oral care product or a component thereof for protecting against acid erosion on teeth, the method comprising:

(i) selecting a substrate;

(ii) treating the substrate with an oral care product or a component thereof;

(iii) immersing the substrate in an acidic medium; and

(iv) displaying images and/or videos of any previous step(s) in order to assess at least one attribute of the substrate.

In yet another aspect, a method is provided for displaying images and/or videos on visible display units for measuring, demonstrating and/or comparing the efficacy of an oral care product or a component thereof for protecting against acid erosion on teeth, the method comprising:

(i) selecting a first substrate and a second substrate;

(ii) treating the first substrate with a first oral care product and treating the second substrate with a second oral care product;

(iii) immersing the first and the second substrates in an acidic medium; and

(iv) displaying images and/or videos of any previous step(s) in order to assess at least one attribute of the first substrate and/or the second substrate.

All other aspects of the present invention will more readily become apparent upon considering the detailed description and examples which follow. Detailed Description

Except in the examples, or where otherwise explicitly indicated, all numbers in this description indicating amounts of material or conditions of reaction, physical properties of materials and/or use may optionally be understood as modified by the word “about”.

All amounts are by weight of any of the oral care products, unless otherwise specified. It should be noted that in specifying any ranges of values, any particular upper value can be associated with any particular lower value.

For the avoidance of doubt, the word “comprising” is intended to mean “including” but not necessarily “consisting of’ or “composed of”. In other words, the listed steps or options need not be exhaustive.

The disclosure of the invention as found herein is to be considered to cover all embodiments as found in the claims as being multiply dependent upon each other irrespective of the fact that claims may be found without multiple dependency or redundancy.

As used herein, “acid erosion” refers to the erosion of enamel by acidic sources on, for example, the surface of teeth, and protection against acid erosion, refers to being able to reduce or inhibit acid erosion of enamel, especially on the surface of teeth.

As used herein, “oral care” refers to providing a benefit in the mouth, especially to the teeth.

As used herein, the “oral care product” refers to any product that is used in the mouth. For example, an oral care product may be use used on teeth, such as a product used with a toothbrush to clean teeth.

As used herein, a “first oral care product” is an oral composition which comprises a calcium source and phosphate source, together, being precursors for in-situ hydroxyapatite formation on teeth. Preferably, the first oral care product in accordance with the present invention includes the oral compositions described in applications WO 2011/110414, WO 2011/160996, WO 2012/143220, WO 2013/017665, WO 2015/007503 each of which is incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. The first oral care product may be a paste, powder, gel, liquid (like mouthwash), spray, foam, balm, carried on a mouthstrip or a buccal adhesive patch, chewable tablet (or pastille), lozenge, cream or a strip of gum, but preferably a paste. For example, the first oral care product may be Regenerate™.

As used herein, a “component” of an oral care product refers to the combination of the calcium and phosphate sources of the first oral care product, as described herein.

As used herein, a “calcium source” refers to, for example, calcium phosphate, calcium gluconate, calcium oxide, calcium lactate, calcium carbonate, calcium hydroxide, calcium sulfate, calcium carboxymethyl cellulose, calcium alginate, calcium salts of citric acid, calcium silicate, and/or mixtures thereof or the like.

As used herein, a “phosphate source” refers to, for example, a source of phosphate that may be used in a composition suitable for use in an oral cavity. Examples of the types of phosphate source suitable for use in this invention include monosodium phosphate, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, disodium hydrogen phosphate, sodium pyrophosphate, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, potassium dihydrogenphosphate, trisodium phosphate, tripotassium phosphate, mixtures thereof or the like. The phosphate source is preferably one which is water soluble.

In addition to the calcium and phosphate sources, the first oral care product may include other ingredients common in the art such as: antimicrobial agents, anti-inflammatory agents, anti-caries agents, plaque buffers, vitamins, plant extracts, desensitizing agents, anti-calculus agents, biomolecules, flavors, proteinaceous materials, preservatives, opacifying agents, coloring agents, pH-adjusting agents, sweetening agents, surfactants, particulate abrasive materials, fluoride sources, polymeric compounds, and buffer, all which are described in, for example, WO 2011/110414.

As used herein, a “second oral care product” refers to oral care products other than the first care product or components thereof which can be used in the mouth. A second oral care product may be a paste, powder, gel, liquid (e.g., mouthwash mouth rinse and/or oral rinse, including antiseptic and/or antibacterial mouthwash), spray, foam, balm, carried on a mouthstrip or a buccal adhesive patch, chewable tablet (or pastille), lozenge, cream and/or or a strip of gum which do not contain the calcium source and the phosphate source, as described herein. For example, a second oral care product may be a “conventional toothpaste” or “toothpaste”, which is a single-phase or multi-phase composition which is intended to be used to clean teeth, preferably with a toothbrush which does not contain the combination of calcium and phosphate sources, as described herein.

The methods described herein for measuring, assessing, demonstrating and/or comparing efficacy of an oral care product or a component thereof against acid erosion, does not require specialized equipment and can be determined by visually evaluating, for example, the amount or difference in the amount of gas released (e.g., gas bubbles) from the substrate(s).

In order to measure, demonstrate and/or compare the efficacy of an oral care product or component thereof against acid erosion, the method includes the step of selecting a substrate. A substrate, as used herein, refers to any material comprising calcium carbonate (CaCCh), for example, marble, chalk, pearl, shell or a combination thereof. As used herein, “shell” refers to, for example, an eggshell, seashell or snail shell.

Additionally or alternatively, the substrate may comprise magnesium calcite, magnesium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate. The substrate, as described herein, is capable of releasing gas, for example, carbon dioxide (CO2), in acidic conditions (pH <7) resulting in bubbles. The substrate may be a cylinder, sphere, disc, platelet, cube or irregular shape form, and be in a variety of sizes. The substrate should be visible to the naked eye. Preferably, the substrate is selected from chalk, magnesium calcite, magnesium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate or a combination thereof. It is particularly preferred that the substrate comprises or is chalk.

In one aspect, the substrate may be polished with an abrasive paper prior to treating the substrate with an oral care product or component thereof.

In one aspect, the method may use more than one substrate. When two substrates are used, the first and second substrates may be the same or different material, preferably, the first and the second substrates are the same material. Preferably, the substrates are the same size and shape. In another aspect, at least two substrates may be used, for example, three substrates, or four substrates, or five substrates, or more, where each substrate may be the same or different material, preferably, each substrate is the same material. Preferably, each substrate is the same size and shape.

Then, the method includes the step of treating the substrate(s) with an oral care product or component thereof. In one aspect, “treating” refers to immersing the substrate(s) in a slurry of an oral care product or component thereof and a liquid. As referred to herein, immersing a substrate(s) in a slurry means that at least a portion of the substrate(s) is submerged, soaked or dipped in the slurry, such that at least one surface of the substrate is coated in the slurry, preferably, such that all surfaces of the substrate are coated in the slurry. In another aspect, “treating” refers to applying an oral care product or a component thereof to the substrate(s) such that at least a portion of the substrate is coated with the oral care product or component thereof, for example smearing or spreading a layer of the oral product or component thereof on the substrate by using a finger/hand or an applicator, for example, a swab, brush and/or toothbrush, to apply the oral care product or component to the substrate. In one aspect, if more than one substrate is used, each substrate does not need to be treated in the same manner, e.g., one substrate can be immersed in a slurry, and another substrate can have an oral care product or component thereof applied to the substrate.

If a substrate(s) is treated by immersing a substrate(s) in, for example, a slurry, the slurry may comprise an oral care product or component thereof and a liquid. As described herein, a slurry has less than 1% to about 75% by weight, or about 1% to about 60% by weight, or about 2% to about 55% by weight, or about 4% to about 40% by weight, or about 5% to 35% by weight, or about 10% to about 30% by weight, or about 15% to about 25% by weight, or about 18% to about 22% by weight, of an oral care product or a component thereof, with the remainder of the slurry being a liquid or combination of liquids including but not limited to: water, spring water, distilled water, deionized water or water containing mineral cations (e.g., mineral water), real or artificial saliva, simulated oral/body fluid, phosphate buffered saline (PBS) or phosphate solution (Na or K phosphate water solutions). In one aspect, a slurry comprises about 1% to about 60% by weight, or about 2% to about 55% by weight, or about 4% to about 40% by weight, or about 5% to about 35% by weight, or about 10% to about 30% by weight, or about 15% to about 25% by weight, or about 18% to about 22% by weight, of an oral care product or component thereof, and the slurry may also include about 40% to 99% by weight, or about 45% to about 98% by weight, or about 60% to about 96% by weight, or about 65% to about 95% by weight, or about 70% to about 90% by weight, or about 75% to about 85% by weight, or about 78% to about 82% by weight, of a liquid, such that the liquid is water, spring water, distilled water, deionized water or water containing mineral cations (e.g., mineral water), real or artificial saliva, simulated oral/body fluid, phosphate buffered saline (PBS) or phosphate solution (Na or K phosphate water solutions). Alternatively, a control slurry does not contain any oral care product or a component thereof, preferably the control slurry is water, spring water, distilled water, deionized water or water containing mineral cations (e.g., mineral water), real or artificial saliva, simulated oral/body fluid, phosphate buffered saline (PBS) or phosphate solution (Na or K phosphate water solutions). The substrate(s) can be immersed in the slurry for a duration of less than one minute to 60 minutes or greater, or about 1 minute to about 40 minutes, or about 5 minutes to about 35 minutes, or about 5 minutes to about 30 minutes, or about 5 minutes to about 20 minutes, or about 10 minutes to about 20 minutes, or about 10 minutes or about 15 minutes, or about 15 minutes to about 20 minutes, or about 10 minutes, or about 15 minutes.

In one aspect, if more than one substrate is used, each substrate is immersed in a different slurry, where each slurry has a different oral care product. In one aspect, if more than one substrate is used, one slurry may be a control substrate, such that no oral care product is included in the slurry. Each slurry is in a different vessel, in which the vessel can hold the slurry and the substrate. In one aspect, the first substrate is immersed is a first slurry including the first oral care product and water, and the second substrate is immersed in a second slurry including a second oral care product and water. In one aspect, the first substrate is immersed is a first slurry including the first oral care product and water, and the second substrate is immersed in a second slurry including a second oral care product and water, and a third substrate is immersed in a third slurry with a second oral care product and water, with the proviso that the second oral care product in the second slurry is different than the one in the third slurry. In one aspect, the first substrate is immersed is a first slurry including the first oral care product and water, and the second substrate is immersed in a second slurry including a second oral care product and water, and a third substrate is immersed in a control slurry (e.g., water). Each substrate may be immersed for the same or different duration, preferably each substrate is immersed for the same duration. Preferably, this step is conducted simultaneously with each substrate. Alternatively, if the substrate(s) is treated by applying the oral care product or component thereof to the substrate(s), about 0.001g to about 5g, or about 0.01g to about 4g, or about 0.1g to about 3g, or about 0.1g to about 2g, or about 0.5g to about 3g, or about 0.5g to about 2g, or about 1g to about 3g, or about 1g to about 2g of an oral care product or component thereof is applied to at least one surface of the substrate(s). In one aspect, if more than one substrate is used, a different oral care product or a component thereof is applied to each substrate. In one aspect, if more than one substrate is used, one substrate may be a control substrate, such that no oral care product is applied to that substrate. In one aspect, the first oral care product or a component thereof is applied to the first substrate and the second oral care product is applied to the second substrate. In one aspect, the first oral care product or a component thereof is applied to the first substrate and a second oral care product is applied to the second substrate, and the second oral care product is applied to a third substrate, with the proviso that the second oral care product applied to the second substrate is different than the one applied to the third substrate. In one aspect, the first oral care product is applied to the first substrate and the second substrate is a control substrate. In one aspect, the first oral care product is applied to the first substrate and a second oral care product is applied to the second substrate, and the third substrate is a control substrate.

Once the substrate(s) has been treated, the substrate(s) is immersed in an acidic medium. As referred to herein, immersing a substrate in an acidic medium is such that at least a portion of the substrate in submerged or soaked in the acidic medium, preferably such that all surfaces of the substrate are coated in the acidic medium. The acidic medium, as used herein, is an acidic liquid or solution, including but is not limited to: sauces (e.g., tomato sauce, barbeque sauce, steak sauce, soy sauce), carbonated liquids, sport drinks, alcoholic beverages (e.g., wine and beer), juice, coffee, tea and mixtures thereof. As used herein, “carbonated liquids” include carbonated beverages such as cola and soda (or pop). As used herein, “juices” include fruit and vegetable juices, for example, orange juice, lemon juice, apple juice, or tomato juice. Alternatively, if the desired acidic product is not in the form of a liquid or solution, for example, artificial sweeteners, sugars, and certain meats, fish and dairy products, it is possible for the acidic product to be included in a slurry with a liquid, for example, water, in order to create an acidic medium. The substrate(s) can be immersed for a duration of less than one minute to 60 minutes or greater, or about 1 minute to about 40 minutes, or about 1 minute to about 30 minutes, or about 3 minutes to about 20 minutes, about 5 minutes to about 15 minutes, or about 10 minutes to about 15 minutes.

In one aspect, if more than one substrate is used, each substrate is immersed in the same or different acidic medium, preferably the same acidic medium, in the same or different container. A “container”, as used herein, is something which can hold at least the substrate(s) and the medium, while being able to easily observe the substrate(s), for example, a glass beaker or a petri dish. In one aspect, if more than one substrate is used, each substrate may be immersed for the same or different duration, preferably each substrate is immersed for the same duration. Preferably, this step is conducted simultaneously with each substrate.

Once the substrate(s) is immersed in the acidic medium, the method includes assessing and/or measuring at least one attribute of the substrate(s) in the acidic medium.

The attribute is gas released from the substrate in the form of bubbles (e.g., gas bubbles). The attribute is assessed and/or measured via observing by the naked eye directly. The amount of gas bubbles released from each substrate serves as an indicator providing a visual cue of the acid erosion, such that the less gas bubbles released means that the oral care product applied to the substrate is affording greater protection against acid erosion. Additionally or alternatively, the attribute is assessed and/or measured by taking images and/or videos with magnification of no greater than 100 times, preferably less than 10 times. Preferably, the method is conducted simultaneously with each substrate.

In one aspect, the method is particularly effective for measuring, comparing and/or demonstrating the efficacy of oral care products against acid erosion by performing the method described herein and comparing, for example, two or more oral care products. Preferably, the method is conducted simultaneously with each substrate. For example, using the method described herein, should one substrate release more gas bubbles, this would thus provide a purposeful demonstration of the efficacy of one oral care product over another. Thus, such demonstrations would demonstrate superiority of protecting, e.g., teeth, against acid erosion based on one oral care product over another.

In one aspect, a method is provided to measure and/or demonstrate efficacy of an oral care product or a component thereof against acid erosion, the method comprising: selecting a substrate; treating the substrate by immersing the substrate in a slurry of an oral care product or component thereof, for about 1 minute to about 40 minutes, or about 5 minutes to about 35 minutes, or about 5 minutes to about 30 minutes, or about 10 minutes to about 20 minutes, or about 15 minutes to about 20 minutes. The slurry has about 1% to about 60% by weight, or about 2% to about 55% by weight, or about 4% to about 40% by weight, or about 5% to 35% by weight, or about 10% to about 30% by weight, or about 15% to about 25% by weight, or about 18% to about 22% by weight of an oral care product of component thereof. Then, the substrate is removed from the slurry and immersed in an acidic medium, for about 1 minute to about 40 minutes, or about 1 minute to about 30 minutes, or about 3 minutes to about 20 minutes, about 5 minutes to about 15 minutes. Finally, the substrate is assessed for an amount of gas bubbles released the substrate in the acidic medium. In one aspect, this method can be conduct with at least two substrates, such that each substrate is treated with a different oral care product or is a control substrate.

In one aspect, a method is provided to measure and/or demonstrate efficacy of an oral care product or a component thereof against acid erosion, the method comprising: selecting a substrate; treating the substrate by applying an oral care product or component thereof to the substrate. Then, the substrate is immersed in an acidic medium, for about 1 minute to about 40 minutes, or about 1 minute to about 30 minutes, or about 3 minutes to about 20 minutes, about 5 minutes to about 15 minutes. Finally, the substrate is assessed for an amount of gas bubbles released from the substrate in the acidic medium. In one aspect, this method can be conduct with at least two substrates, such that each substrate is treated with a different oral care product or is a control substrate.

In one aspect, a method is provided to measure, demonstrate and/or compare efficacy of an oral care product or a component thereof against acid erosion, the method comprising: selecting a first substrate and a second substrate; treating the first substrate in a first slurry of the first oral care product and water, and immersing the second substrate in a second slurry the second oral care product, preferably, a conventional toothpaste, and water, for about 1 minute to about 40 minutes, or about 5 minutes to about 35 minutes, or about 5 minutes to about 30 minutes, or about 10 minutes to about 20 minutes, or about 15 minutes to about 20 minutes. Each slurry has about 1% to about 60% by weight, or about 2% to about 55% by weight, or about 4% to about 40% by weight, or about 5% to 35% by weight, or about 10% to about 30% by weight, or about 15% to about 25% by weight, or about 18% to about 22% by weight of the oral care product. Then, the first and second substrates are removed from the slurries and immersing immersed in an acidic medium, for about 1 minute to about 40 minutes, or about 1 minute to about 30 minutes, or about 3 minutes to about 20 minutes, about 5 minutes to about 15 minutes. Finally, each substrate is assessed for an amount of gas bubbles released from the substrates in the acidic medium. In one aspect, this method can further include a control substrate, or additional substrates treated with different oral care products. Preferably, the steps of the method are conducted simultaneously for each substrate.

In one aspect, a method is provided to measure, demonstrate and/or compare efficacy of an oral care product or a component thereof against acid erosion, the method comprising: selecting a first substrate and a second substrate; treating the substrate by applying a different oral care product or component thereof to each substrate (e.g. the first oral care product and the second oral care product). Then, each substrate is immersed in an acidic medium, for about 1 minute to about 40 minutes, or about 1 minute to about 30 minutes, or about 3 minutes to about 20 minutes, about 5 minutes to about 15 minutes. Finally, each substrate is assessed for an amount of gas bubbles released from the substrates in the acidic medium. In one aspect, this method can further include a control substrate, or additional substrates treated with different oral care products. Preferably, the steps of the method are conducted simultaneously for each substrate.

In one aspect, the method comprises a step of capturing images and/or shooting videos and/or storing and/or transmitting the images and/or videos of at least portion of the method described herein. The images may be, e.g., photographs or illustrations of one of more steps of the method described herein. The images and/or videos may, for example, be stored on a recordable medium such as CD, flash drive or other computer-readable memory. The images and/or videos may be transmitted, for example, for display on one or more visible display units. Suitable visible display units include, for example, posters, point-of-sale displays, brochures, advertisement handouts, monitors, TV screens and/or mobile device screens. As used herein, at least a portion of the method, may refer to at least one step or a combination of steps of the method described herein, or how the substrate(s) appears before, during and/or after conducting a step of the method described herein. Additionally or alternatively, the method further comprises a step of capturing images and/or shooting videos of at least portion of the method (e.g., image/video of the substrate before, during and/or after any of the steps described herein) and storing the same on a recordable medium.

In one aspect, a method is provided for displaying images and/or videos on visible display units for measuring, demonstrating and/or comparing the efficacy of an oral care product or a component thereof for protecting against acid erosion on teeth, the method comprising:

(i) selecting a substrate;

(ii) treating the substrate with an oral care product or component thereof;

(iii) immersing the substrate in an acidic medium; and

(i) selecting a first substrate and a second substrate;

(iii) immersing each of the first and the second substrates in an acidic medium; and

In another aspect, more than two substrates may be used, for example, three substrates, or four substrates, or five substrates, or more, where each substrate may be the same or different material, preferably, each substrate is the same material.

As used herein, “displaying images and/or photos of any previous step(s)”, may refer to an image and/or photo of conducting at least one step or a combination of steps of the method described herein, and/or how the substrate(s) appears before, during and/or after conducting a step or more than one step of the method described herein. The following examples are provided to facilitate an understanding of the invention. The examples are not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

Examples

Example 1

This example measured the efficacy of the oral composition against acid erosion.

Methods

The product tested was Regenerate™ toothpaste (e.g., a first oral care product). The comparative product was Closeup™ anticavity fluoride toothpaste, which is a conventional toothpaste or toothpaste, as described herein as a second oral care product.

Two identical chalk discs were used, one was immersed in a slurry comprising 20% Regenerate™ and 80% water for about 20 minutes, and the other was immersed in a slurry comprising 20% Closeup™ and 80% water for about 20 minutes. Then, each disc was removed from the slurries, and placed in separate petri dishes, each of which has the same acidic medium, e.g., cola, and observed for the generation of air bubbles (about 5 minutes).

Results

It was observed that the chalk disc treated with Regenerate™ released less air bubbles compared to the chalk disc treated with Closeup™, which indicated the chalk disc treated with Regenerate™ was able to provide better protection against acid erosion.

Claims

1. A method for measuring and/or demonstrating efficacy of an oral care product or a component thereof against acid erosion, the method comprising:

(i) selecting a substrate;

(ii) treating the substrate with an oral care product or component thereof;

(iii) immersing the substrate in an acidic medium; and

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the substrate is selected from chalk, magnesium calcite, magnesium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate or a combination thereof.

3. The method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the substrate comprises or is chalk.

4. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the oral care product or component thereof is selected from a first oral care product or component thereof or a second oral care product.

5. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the oral care product or component thereof is a first oral care product or a component thereof and wherein the first oral care product is an oral care composition which comprises a calcium source and phosphate source together being precursors for in-situ hydroxyapatite formation on teeth and a component of an oral care product refers to the combination of the calcium and phosphate sources of the first oral care product.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the calcium source refers to calcium phosphate, calcium gluconate, calcium oxide, calcium lactate, calcium carbonate, calcium hydroxide, calcium sulfate, calcium carboxymethyl cellulose, calcium alginate, calcium salts of citric acid, calcium silicate or mixtures thereof. The method according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the phosphate source comprises monosodium phosphate, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, disodium hydrogen phosphate, sodium pyrophosphate, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, potassium dihydrogenphosphate, trisodium phosphate, tripotassium phosphate or mixtures thereof. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein step (ii) further comprises immersing the substrate in a slurry comprising the oral care product or component thereof or applying the oral care product or component thereof to the substrate. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the acidic medium is selected from carbonated liquids, sport drinks, alcoholic beverages, juice, coffee and tea and mixtures thereof. The method according to any of the preceding claims further comprising at least two substrates, or at least three substrates, or at least four substrates, or at least five substrates, or at least six substrates, preferably, where each substrate is the same. The method according to claim 10, wherein each substrate is treated with a different oral care product or component thereof or is a control substrate. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the method further comprises a step of capturing images and/or shooting videos of at least portion the method and storing the same on a recordable medium. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the method further comprises a step of displaying images and/or videos of any previous step(s). The method according to claim 13, further comprises at least two substrates, or at least three substrates, or at least four substrates, or at least five substrates, or at least six substrates, preferably, wherein each substrate is the same, and more preferably wherein each substrate is treated with a different oral care product or component thereof or is a control substrate.