GB2566963A

GB2566963A - Tooth whitening composition

Info

Publication number: GB2566963A
Application number: GB1715705.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peyami Arash; Nangle Meg
Original assignee: Pro Teeth Whitening Co Ltd
Current assignee: Pro Teeth Whitening Co Ltd
Priority date: 2017-09-28
Filing date: 2017-09-28
Publication date: 2019-04-03
Also published as: GB201715705D0

Abstract

A cosmetic preparation for whitening teeth, comprising a mineral base and a charcoal powder in a ratio of 1 part charcoal to between 25 and 90 parts mineral is provided. Preferably the preparation is provided in a bulk powder form, for application by placing on the bristles of a conventional toothbrush. The mineral base may comprise bentonite clay and calcium carbonate (CaCO3), preferably in a ratio of between 2:1 and 3:1. The mineral base preferably makes up at least 90% by weight of the preparation. The preparation may also comprise up to 10% flavouring, including one or more or mint, peppermint, sodium chloride and ginger. A tooth whitening powder comprising bentonite clay 66.73%, calcium carbonate 26.67%, activated charcoal 2.00%, mint flavouring 1.87%, peppermint leaf extract 1.33%, sodium chloride 0.73% and ginger root extract 0.67% is exemplified. The charcoal powder preferably acts as an adsorbent removing surface staining from the tooth.

Description

Tooth Whitening Composition

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tooth whitening composition, i.e. a composition for 10 cosmetic use which is able to remove stains from teeth.

BACKGROUND ART

Tooth whitening or tooth bleaching, is either the restoration of natural tooth shade or whitening beyond natural tooth shade, depending on the definition used.

Restoration of the underlying, natural tooth shade is possible by simply removing surface stains (such as from tea, coffee, red wine and tobacco) and calculus (tartar). This can be achieved by having the teeth cleaned by a dental professional (commonly termed scaling and polishing), or at home by various oral hygiene methods. Calculus is difficult to remove without a professional clean.

To whiter the natural tooth shade, bleaching is a common procedure in cosmetic 20 dentistry, and a umber of different techniques are used by dental professionals. Many different products are also marketed for home use. Techniques include bleaching strips, bleaching pens, bleaching gels, and laser tooth whitening. Bleaching methods generally use carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. Carbamide peroxide is considered less effective than hydrogen peroxide but with fewer side effects such as increased sensitivity of the teeth 25 and irritation of the gums.

-2Some toothpastes (dentifrices) are advertised as whitening”. These rarely contain carbamide peroxide, hydrogen peroxide or any other bleaching agent, Typically, they are abrasive as a resuit of containing nigh concentrations of one or more of alumina, dicalcium phosphate dehydrate, calcium carbonate or silica, intended to remove surface stains from 5 the tooth surface. Unlike bleaches, whitening toothpaste does not alter the intrinsic colour of teeth. Excessive or long term use of abrasive toothpastes will cause dental abrasion, thinning the enamel layer and slowly darkening the appearance of the tooth as the dentin layer becomes more noticeable,

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention therefore provides a cosmetic preparation for whitening teeth, comprising a mineral base and a charcoal powder in a weight ratio of 1 part charcoal to between 25 and 90 parts mineral. The charcoal powder acts as an adsorbent, removing surface staining from the tooth. When present in this ratio, the charcoal is present in sufficient amounts to be effective whilst still being safe and capable of being rendered palatable. The preparation is ideally provided in a bulk powder form, for application by (for example) placing on the bristles of a conventional toothbrush.

The charcoal is in the form of activated charcoal, as described herein, as this is particularly efficacious. The charcoal is more preferably present in a weight ratio of 1 part charcoal to between 40 and 50 parts mineral base.

The mineral base may comprise one or more constituents that are widely available and safe for such use. The mineral base may comprise one or more aluminosilicates and clays or day minerals, such as clay minerals of the kaolin and smectite groups, for example montmorillonite. In one embodiment, the mineral base comprises a smectite day such as a Bentonite clay, an alumina-silicate composition principally made up of AI2O3.2SiO-z.2H2O.

Alternatively, or additionally, the mineral base may comprise one or more metal carbonates and in particular alkali metal and alkaline earth metal carbonates such as magnesium carbonate and calcium carbonate. A particular example of an metal carbonate is caldum carbonate (CaCO₃).

The mineral base may comprise a mixture of a clay or clay mineral and a metal 30 carbonate as defined herein. A particular combination is a mixture of Bentonite day and

-3calcium carbonate. Where the mineral base comprises a mixture of a clay mineral and a metal carbonate., the clay mineral may constitute at least 50% by weight of the mixture and more usually may comprise at least 60% by weight of the mixture. The weight ratio of the day mineral to the metal carbonate may, for example, be in the range from 4:1 to 1:1, more 5 usually from 3:1 to 2:1. Currently, we prefer a combination of Bentonite and calcium carbonate, preferably in a weight ratio of between 2:1 and 3:1.

The mineral base typically makes up at least 75%, more typically at least 80%, usually at least 85% and ideally at least 90% by weight of the preparation as a whole.

The preparation may also comprise up to 10% by weight of a flavouring agent, but 10 preferably no more than 5% flavouring agent. The flavouring agent may comprise one or more of mint, peppermint, sodium chloride, and ginger.

In one embodiment, the tooth whitening powder of the invention comprises:

(a) 50-85 parts by weight of a clay mineral (e.g. a Bentonite clay);

(b) 15 to 50 parts by weight of a metal carbonate (e.g. an alkaline earth metal carbonate, such as calcium carbonate), (c) 0.5 to 5 parts by weight of activated charcoal; and (d) 0.5 to 5 parts by weight, of a flavouring agent (for example a flavouring agent- selected from mint flavouring, peppermint leaf extract, sodium chloride and ginger root extract, and mixtures thereof).

In another embodiment, the tooth whitening powder of the invention comprises:

(aa) 60-70 parts by weight of a clay mineral (e.g. a Bentonite clay);

(bb) 20 to 30 parts by weight of a metal carbonate (e.g. an alkaline earth metal carbonate such as calcium carbonate);

(cc) 1 to 4 parts by weight of activated charcoal; and (cd) 1 to 5 parts by weight of a flavouring agent (for example a flavouring agent selected from mint flavouring, peppermint leaf extract, sodium chloride and ginger root extract, and mixtures thereof):.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method of cosmetic tooth whitening, which method comprises applying to teeth an effective amount of a cosmetic preparation as defined herein and brushing or otherwise rubbing the cosmetic preparation against the teeth so as to remove (or reduce the amount of) surface staining on the teeth.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLE

An example of the present invention will now be described.

A tooth whitening powder according to the present invention comprises:

Bentonite clay	66.73%
Calcium Carbonate	26,67%
Activated Charcoal	2.00%
Mint flavouring	1 87%
Peppermint leaf extract	1 33%
Sodium Chloride	073%
Ginger root extract	0.67%

Total

100,00%

References in the table to percentages are pen entoges bv weight of the total weight of the powder.

The bentonite, Calcium Carbonate, charcoal and Sodium Chloride are prepared tn rhe 15 form of a fine powder, and mixed thoroughly. The mint, peppermint and ginger extracts are then added to the powder arid further mixed until the resulting powder is substantially uniform.

The resulting product can be applied to the bristles of a toothbrush, which can then be used to brush a user's teeth in the normal manner. The activated charcoal acts as an

-5adsorbent, removing surface staining from the teeth which is then rinsed away with the powder as part of the usual step of rinsing after brushing the teeth.

Activated (or active) charcoal is a form of carbon that is processed in order to have small, low-volume pores that Increase the surface area available for adsorption, i.e. the 5 adhesion of atoms, ions or molecules from a gas, liquid or dissolved solid to a surface.

Activated charcoal is also used in a medical context to treat poisonings and overdose following oral ingestion of toxic substances. Other applications include the filtration of potable or drinking water and air purification. In the approximate range of between 1:25 and 1:90 charcoal to mineral base, the charcoal is efficacious and can also be made 10 palatable as (for example) disclosed herein. The activated charcoal preferred for use in this composition is derived from coconut, as this is a natural source and thus more attractive to a range of consumers.

Activated charcoal is also known as CI 77266 or D & C Black No. 2. CI 77266. It is listed as a colourant in annex IV of cosmetic regulation 1223 / 2009. CI 77266 is also known 15 as D & C Black No. 2 or activated charcoal. It is a high purity carbon black. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the USA have stated that it may be safely used for colouring cosmetics such as eyeliner, brusn-on brow, eye shadow, mascara, lipstick, blushers and rouge, makeup and foundatior ana nail enamel, in amounts consistent with good manufacturing practice. Cosmetic regulation 1223/2009 permits ths use of CI 77266 20 providing its purity conforms to that of ΕΊ53 as specified in Commission Directive 95/45/EC.

Further details can be found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Activated_carbon.

Bentonite is a colloidal clay consisting primarily of montmorillonite (CI 77004). Montmorillonite is an example of a natural hydrated aluminium silicate, AI2O3.2SIO2.2H2O, also containing calcium, magnesium or iron carbonates, ferric hydroxide, quart-sand and 25 mica as impurities. It is listed as a colorant in annex IV of cosmetic regulation 1223 / 2009 and its use as a colorant is not restricted. Other minerals such as illite, kaolinite and nonargillaceous detrital minerals can be present. Most bentonites appear relatively pure, and other mineral contributions rarely exceed 10%. Cristobalite is often present. Bentonite is conventionally used as an absorbent, bulking agent and viscosity modifier.

Calcium carbonate is also known as CI 77220. It is listed as a colourant in annex IV of cosmetic regulation j.223 / 2009. It is permitted for use in cosmetics, providing its purity

-β· meets the criteria for E 170 as set out in Commission Directive 95/45/EC. The Food and Drug Administration includes calcium carbonate on its list of direct food substances affirmed as Generally Recognised as Safe (GRAS). It is also approved as an active ingredient in over the counter antacid products.

Together, the bentonite and the calcium carbonate make up a relatively inert base or carrier for the activated charcoal that is also not unpalatable. The precise ratio of the two is not absolutely essential, but a ratio of between about 2:1 and 3:1 tends to give an acceptable outcome.

Ginger Root Extract is the extract of the roots of the ginger, Zingiber officinale. It is 10 also used in perfumery and as a skin conditioner. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers ginger (Zingiber Officinale) as generally recognised as safe (GRAS) for food for human consumption. Cosmetic regulation 1223 / 2009 does not restrict the use of Zingiber Officinale Root Extract.

Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract is an extract of the leaves of the Peppermint, Mentha 15 piperita, Labiatae. The extract may be available in powder or oil form. Mentha piperita Leaf Extract has skin conditioning properties and can be used as a flavourant. According to Gardner Z. and McGuffin M. (American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook 2nd Edition pg 560) peppermint leaf is classed as an herb that can be safely consumed when used appropriately. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) includes 20 peppermint on its list of spices and other natural seasonings and flavoring considered Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS).

Sodium chloride is on a list of substances considered Generally Recognised as Safe (GRAS) by the FDA.

Together, we have found that the constituents (mint, peppermint, and ginger 25 extracts, and sodium chloride) present in the amounts noted above lead to a product that is very' palatable without affecting its efficacy. The precise amounts can of course be varied to taste, and other taste modifiers can be added or substituted as desired.

In this way, an effective, stable and usable compound is provided that is straightforward and inexpensive to prepare.

-7It will of course be understood that many variations may be made to the abovedescribed embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1, A cosmetic preparation for whitening teeth, comprising a mineral base and a charcoal powder in a ratio of 1 part charcoal to between 25 and 90 parts mineral,

2. A cosmetic preparation according to claim 1, provided in a bulk powder form,

5

3. A cosmetic preparation according to any one of the preceding claims in which the charcoai is in the form of activated charcoal.

4, A cosmetic preparation according to any one of the preceding claims in which the mineral base comprises bentonite,

5. A cosmetic preparation according to any one of the preceding claims in which the

10 mineral base comprises an alumina-silicate composition.

6. A cosmetic preparation according to any one of the preceding claims in which the mineral base is a powder comprising Ai2Ov2SiO2.2H2O,

7, A cosmetic preparation according to any one of the preceding claims in which the mineral base comprises calcium carbonate.

15

8. A cosmetic preparation according to claim 7 in which the mineral base comprises an alumina-silicate and calcium carbonate in a ratio of between 2:1 and 3:1.

9, A cosmetic preparation according to claim 7 or claim 8 in which the alumina-silicate and calcium carbonate make up at least 90% by weight of the preparation.

10. A cosmetic preparation according to any one of the preceding claims in which the

20 charcoal is present in a ratio of 1 part charcoal to between 40 and 50 parts mineral base,

11. A cosmetic preparation according to any one of the preceding claims/ further comprising up to 10% flavouring.

12, A cosmetic preparation according to any one of the preceding claims, further

25 comprising up to 5% flavouring,

13. A cosmetic preparation according to claim 11 or claim 12, in which the flavouring comprises one or more of mint, peppermint, sodium chloride, and ginger.

14, A method of cosmetic tooth whitening, which method comprises applying to teeth an effective amount of a cosmetic preparation as defined in any one of claims 1 to 13

5 and brushing or other-wise rubbing the cosmetic preparation against the teeth so as to remove (or reduce the amount of) surface «taming on the teeth.