GB1066466A - Dentifrice composition and method of making same - Google Patents

Abstract

A dentifrice comprises an inorganic water-soluble fluoride capable of retarding caries, an insoluble alkali-metal metaphosphate abrasive, and a sacrificial metal ion-free dentifrice vehicle, the dentifrice being buffered at an acid pH which can be tolerated by oral tissues with either a phosphate buffer capable of adjusting pH to the acid side or an hydroxy carboxylate buffer, the latter being used when the water-soluble fluoride tends to form insoluble salts with the phosphate buffer. The water-soluble fluoride component may comprise HF in aqueous solution, or an alkali metal (e.g. Na, K or Li), ammonium, or transition metal (e.g. Mn or Sn) salt thereof. Insoluble Na, K or ammonium metaphosphates e.g. Maddrell's salts may be used as the abrasive, optionally with other non-calcium-containing abrasives e.g. Al2O3, TiO2, ground pumice, powered nylon, ground melamine-aldehyde resins, calcined aluminium silicate, and micro-crystalline cellulose. The phosphate buffer may be H3PO4, or one of its alkali metal salts, ammonium salts, or salts of an organic base e.g. ethanolamine. The salts may be in the mono-, di- or tri-basic forms. Either aliphatic or aromatic mono- or poly-hydroxy carboxylic acids or salts thereof may be used. Specified hydroxy carboxylates are sodium malate, malic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, tartronic acid, and salicylic acid. The dentifrice may also contain one or more surface active agents, flavouring agents, and sweeteners. The dentifrice may be formulated as a toothpaste or toothpowder with conventional carriers, softeners, binders, and/or humectants.