MX2008006889A - Dentifrice composition - Google Patents

Abstract

Dentifrice compositions which provide chemical cleaning of the oral surfaces with a combination of surfactant, chelant, and pH;further this dentifrice composition can minimize the use of abrasives to provide a gentle cleaning of the oral surfaces.

Description

DENTÍFRICA COMPOSITION FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to dentifrice compositions that can provide chemical cleaning of the surfaces of the oral cavity. Furthermore, this invention relates to a method for treating or preventing oral diseases. The dentifrice compositions of the present invention are suitable for use by humans or animals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A satisfactory dentifrice cleans and removes residues from the surfaces of the oral cavity, in particular hard tissue surfaces, such as teeth. This cleansing helps prevent cavities and promote gingival health. The conventional abrasive dentifrice compositions aid in the removal of the film. This film usually comprises a thin non-cellular glycoprotein mucoprotein coating that adheres to the enamel within a few minutes after the teeth are cleaned. The presence of several food pigments deposited inside the film determines for the majority of cases the discoloration of the teeth. In addition, antiplaque agent (s) may be included in the dentifrice composition. The antiplaque agent (s) provide benefits in addition to cleaning the film. The formation of dental plaque is the main cause of dental caries, gingivitis, periodontal diseases and loss of teeth. The plaque is a mixed matrix of bacteria, epithelial cells, leukocytes, macrophages and other buccal exudates. Bacteria associated with plaque can secrete enzymes and endotoxins that can irritate the gums and cause inflammatory gingivitis. As the gums get irritated more and more by this process, they have a tendency to bleed, lose their hardness and resistance, and separate from the teeth. This separation results in periodontal cavities that in turn result in the accumulation of debris, secretions, and more bacteria / toxins. This process, eventually, leads to the destruction of the hard and soft tissue of the oral cavity. The use of a variety of agents to clean the oral cavity and reduce plaque and malodor of the mouth are described in U.S. Pat. num. 3,696,191, 3,991, 177, 4,058,595, 4,115,546, 4,138,476, 4,140,758, 4,154,815, 4,737,359, 4,986,981, 4,992,420, 5,000,939, 4,652,444, 4,725,428, 4,355,022, US patent applications. 02 / 105,898, 03 / 128,313, 03 / 223,209, and the PCT application of WO 86/02831. Despite several exposures related to compositions for film cleaning and antiplaque activity, there remains a need to perfect the products. The present invention has developed buccal compositions that provide for film cleaning and antiplaque activity while minimizing the use of abrasives; In this way, the surfaces of the oral cavity are gently cleaned. Specifically, the present invention includes oral dentifrice compositions that provide chemical cleaning with a combination of a chelant, surfactant and pH, while maintaining low levels or being virtually free of abrasives. In addition, for gentle cleaning of the oral cavity surfaces, this composition can maximize the flavor and impact of cleaning without increasing the levels of flavoring and cleaning additives, because abrasives, such as silica, frequently they absorb these additives.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a dentifrice composition comprising a buccal care carrier, a fluoride ion source, at least 2.5% of a chelating agent, from 0.5% to 5% of a surfactant, wherein the dentifrice composition has a pH of at least 8, has a PCR of at least 20 and where 10% of the PCR index results from chemical cleaning. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a dentifrice composition comprising a buccal care carrier, from 0% to 10% by weight of an abrasive of the total dentifrice composition, a fluoride, from 2.5% to 15% of a chelating agent, from 1% to 3% of a surfactant, wherein the dentifrice composition has a pH of at least about 8. In some embodiments, the dentifrice composition will have a PCR of at least 20, wherein more than 20% of the PCR index results from chemical cleaning.

In other embodiments, the present invention may contain from 0% to 5% by weight of an abrasive of the total dentifrice composition. The dentifrice composition containing a chelating agent can minimize tooth erosion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A. Definitions The term "orally active", as used herein, refers to a material that provides a cosmetic, prophylactic or therapeutic benefit within the oral cavity. The term "teeth" as used herein, refers to natural teeth, dentures, dental plates, amalgams, inlays, crowns, bridges, dental implants and the like, as well as any hard surface dental prostheses that are fixed to permanent or temporary way in the oral cavity. The term "safe and effective amount", as used herein, refers to an amount of an agent (eg, an anticalculus agent) sufficiently high to improve the condition to be treated, but sufficiently low to avoid serious side effects (in a reasonable risk / benefit ratio) within the reach of the correct judgment of the doctor or dentist. The safe and effective amount of an agent (eg, an anticalculus agent) can vary according to the particular condition to be treated, the age and physical condition of the patient, the severity of the condition, the duration of treatment, the nature of the concurrent therapy, the specific form of the source used and the particular vehicle from which the agent is added. The term "dentifrice" or "tooth composition" as used herein refers to paste, powder, tooth gel, or liquid formulations used to clean the surfaces of the oral cavity. The dentifrice is a buccal composition that is not intentionally ingested for the purpose of systematically administering the therapeutic agents, but is retained in the oral cavity for a sufficient time to come into contact with the dental surfaces or mucosal tissues in relation to the oral activity . In addition, a product that can be intentionally ingested but not ingested for the purpose of systematically administering the therapeutic agents is understood to be detrimental. The term "oral condition," as used herein, refers to diseases or conditions of the oral cavity including cavities, plaque, bad breath, tooth erosion, gingivitis, and periodontal disease. Oral conditions are further described in patent WO 02/02096 A2 published on January 10, 2002, P &G. The terms "tooth surfaces" or "tooth surfaces", as used herein, refer to the pits, fissures, occlusal surfaces, cracks, crevices, grooves, depressions, interstices, irregularities, the interproximal surfaces between the teeth or along the line of the gums, the smooth surfaces of the teeth, or the grinding and biting surfaces of a tooth. The term "total body health", as used herein, refers to total systemic health, characterized by a reduction in the risk of developing major systemic conditions and diseases, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, severe respiratory infections. , premature births and low birth weight (including postpartum dysfunction in neurological function / development), and the increase associated with mortality risk. It is believed that oral infections could lead to systemic infection. Bacteria can spread from the mouth to the bloodstream and other parts of the body, thereby putting the person's health at risk. Oral infection can contribute to the development of many serious conditions including heart disease, diabetes, respiratory diseases, premature births and low birth weight. The total health of the body and the promotion thereof through the treatment of oral cavity infections are further described in WO 02/02063 A2, WO 02/02096 A2, WO 02/02128 A2, all published on January 10. 2002. All percentages and proportions used hereafter are expressed by weight of the total composition of the tooth unless indicated otherwise. All measurements mentioned herein are made to ° C unless indicated otherwise. All percentages, proportions and levels of the ingredients referred to herein, are based on the actual amount of the ingredient and do not include solvents, fillers or other materials that can be combined with the ingredient in the form of commercially available products, unless indicated otherwise. B. Low Abrasive Chemical Cleaning System A significant portion of the cleaning provided by the inventive tooth composition results from the action of the chemicals (hereinafter "chemical cleaning") instead of the physical abrasion that results from an abrasive component of the dentifrice composition (hereinafter "abrasive cleaning"). This chemical cleaning softens the plaque and deposits of the biofilm on the teeth, making these deposits easy to remove with brushing. This results in the removal of deposits with brushing, or with brushing and the addition of minimum levels of abrasive components such as silica. Chemical cleaning is provided by a combination of chelating level, surfactant level, and pH or the use of a chelating surfactant and pH. The dentifrice composition of the present invention provides cleaning equivalent to, or greater than, dentifrice compositions having levels of conventional abrasives (in excess of 10% by weight of the abrasive of the total dentifrice composition), while maintaining a low level or tooth composition practically free of abrasives. The low level of abrasives, as used herein, is from about 5% to about 10% by weight of the total dentifrice composition. Virtually free of abrasives, as used herein, is from about 0 to about 5% by weight of the total dentifrice composition. The dentifrice composition comprising a low level of abrasive or the practically abrasive-free dentifrice composition gently cleans the surfaces of the oral cavity while minimizing abrasion or scraping of the buccal surfaces. In addition, for gentle cleaning of buccal surfaces, minimizing the level of abrasive in the dentifrice composition can reduce the amount of other components required to provide the preferred benefit. For example, it is known that abrasives, such as silica, generate compatibility problems with the flavoring components, fluoride and cetylpyridinium chloride (hereinafter "CPC"). Therefore, minimizing the level of abrasives in the tooth composition maximizes the impact of flavor and CPC, and improves the stability of fluoride. The chemical cleaning provided by the present invention with only a minimal amount of abrasive can also provide protection against excessive tooth wear, which includes excessive tooth wear that can occur as a result of tooth erosion. The chemical cleaning of the present invention will minimize any dental erosion. Dental erosion is expressed as the permanent loss of tooth substance from the surface by the action of strong or dangerous abrasives or acids, such as acidic juices and drinks. The dentifrice composition of the present invention has a low level or is virtually free of an abrasive and still provides the necessary cleaning. This low level of abrasion can help protect the teeth from excessive wear and minimize any dental erosion. The cleanliness resulting from the use of the dentifrice composition can be measured with a film cleaning index test, hereinafter "PCR" (for its acronym in English). The oral cleaning resulting from the use of the inventive tooth composition is provided at least in part by the chemistry of the tooth composition. In particular, the chemistry can assist in the removal of the film, and thus this removal will not only be a result of the abrasive that can be included in the tooth composition. For example, in one embodiment, from about 10% to about 100% of the PCR value results from the chemical cleaning and less than 90% of the PCR value results from the abrasive cleaning. In another embodiment, from about 15% to about 100% of the PCR value results from the chemical cleaning and less than 85% of the PCR value results from the abrasive cleaning. Even in another embodiment, from about 20% to about 100% of the PCR value results from the chemical cleaning and less than 80% of the PCR value results from the abrasive cleaning. Even in another embodiment, approximately 25% to approximately 100% of the PCR value results from chemical cleaning and less than 75% of the PCR value results from abrasive cleaning; and even in another embodiment of the invention, from about 50% to about 100% of the PCR value results from the chemical cleaning and less than 50% of the PCR value results from the abrasive cleaning. In other words, from about 10% to about 75% of the cleaning is chemical cleaning, and from about 0 to about 75% of the cleaning, it is abrasive cleaning. In another embodiment, from about 10% to about 50% of the cleaning is chemical cleaning, and in another embodiment, from about 10% to about 25% of the cleaning is chemical cleaning, and even in another embodiment, approximately 15% a approximately 50% of the cleaning is chemical cleaning, and even in another mode, approximately 20% to approximately 50% of the cleaning is chemical cleaning. The PCR cleaning values ((Pellicle Cleaning Ratio) are determined by a slightly modified version of the PCR test described in "In Vitro Removal of Stain With Dentifrice". In vitro removal of spots with toothpaste), GK Stookey, TA Burkhard and B. R. Schemerhorn, J. Dental Research, 61, 1236-9, 1982. Cleaning is accomplished in vitro by the use of the cleaning index test of the modified film. This test is identical to that described by Stookey et al. with the following modifications: (1) an artificial clear film is applied to wind chips before the application of the stained film, (2) the heating of a solution is used instead of a radiation heating during the application of the film, (3) the number of brushes is reduced to 1000 brushed and (4) the milky concentration is 1 part of toothpaste for 3 parts of water. To determine the percentage of the PCR value attributable to the chemical cleaning versus the percentage of the PCR value attributable to the abrasive cleaning, the PCR test is run with the dentifrice composition in solution, and the dentifrice composition in solution with the abrasive removed. As defined herein, the term "abrasive" includes any component of the dentifrice composition that fits the bottom of a centrifuge tube when the dentifrice composition is diluted 3: 1 with water, agitated, placed in a centrifuge tube and rotated at 1047.2 rad / sec (10,000 rpm) for fifteen minutes at room temperature ± 5 ° C. The components that make up the "ball" that is fixed to the bottom of the tube are the abrasives of the tooth composition. The PCR test runs with the dentifrice composition diluted 3: 1 with water (hereinafter "diluted dentifrice composition") and again with the supernatant (solution suspended above the pellet) resulting from the centrifugation of the dentifrice composition diluted 3: 1 with water (hereinafter "supernatant"). The percentage of PCR attributable to chemical cleaning is calculated using the following formula: (PCR of the supernatant / PCR of the diluted dentifrice composition) x 100 =% of the PCR index resulting from chemical cleaning The dentifrice composition of the present invention includes a surfactant (from about 0.5% to about 5%), a chelating agent (from about 2.5% to about 15%), and can include one or more of the following: a plate or a specific solvent of a stain (from about 0.001% to about 10%), a thickening agent (from about 0.1% to about 5%), a humectant (from about 10% to about 55%), a sweetening agent (from about 0.1% to about 3%), a flavoring agent (from about 0.001% to about 10%), a coloring agent (from about 0.01% to about 0.5%), an abrasive (from about 0% to about 10%) and water (from about 2% to about 45%). This dentifrice composition may also include one or more additional anti-caries agents (from about 0.05% to about 10% of the additional anti-caries agent) and an anticalculus agent (from about 0.1% to about 13%). Practically, all the components of dental powders are not liquid. In addition, suitable carriers are described in U.S. Pat. num. 5,198,220, and 5,242,910. 1. Chelant A chelating agent can be selected from the group consisting of tartaric acid and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, citric acid and alkali metal citrates and mixtures thereof. Chelating agents have the ability to complex with calcium from the cell walls of bacteria. They can also affect the development of plaque by removing calcium from calcium bridges that help keep this biomass intact. However, it is possible to use a chelating agent whose affinity for calcium is very high. This causes demineralization of the teeth and is contrary to the aims and intentions of the present invention. In one embodiment of the dentifrice composition the alkaline chelating metal citrate may comprise potassium citrate or sodium citrate or mixtures thereof. In another embodiment, the chelant is a combination of citric acid / alkali metal citrate. In yet another embodiment the dentifrice composition comprises alkali metal salts of tartaric acid. Even in another embodiment, the dentifrice composition comprises disodium tartrate, dipotassium tartrate, potassium sodium tartrate, sodium hydrogen tartrate and potassium hydrogen tartrate. In one embodiment the level of chelating agent suitable for use in the present invention is from about 2.5% to about 15%, and even in another embodiment, the level is from about 5% to about 10%, and even in another embodiment, the chelating agent is from about 4% to about 7%, and even in another embodiment, the chelating agent is about 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14% to about 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3% and any combination thereof, by weight of the total dentifrice composition. The chelating agent of the tartaric acid salt can be used alone or in combination with other chelating agents. Other chelating agents can be used. These chelating agents which may have a calcium binding constant of about 101 to 105, provide better cleaning and a reduction in plaque and stone formation. Another group of agents suitable for use as chelating agents in the present invention are soluble pyrophosphates. The pyrophosphate salts used in the present compositions can be any of the alkali metal pyrophosphate salts or any combination thereof. Specific salts include alkaline tetrametal pyrophosphate, alkalimetal diacid pyrophosphate, alkaline trimetal monoacid pyrophosphate and mixtures of these, where the alkali metals can be sodium or potassium. The salts are useful both in their hydrated and non-hydrated forms. In one embodiment, an effective amount of pyrophosphate salt useful in the present composition may be sufficient to provide at least about 1.0% of the pyrophosphate ion, in another embodiment, from about 1.5% to about 6%, even in another embodiment, from about 3.5% to about 6% of those ions. It should be understood that the level of pyrophosphate ions is that which has the ability to be supplied to the composition (i.e., the theoretical amount at an appropriate pH) and that other forms of pyrophosphates other than P2O7-4 (e.g. ., (HP2O7-3)) may be present when a pH of the final product is established. The pyrophosphate salts are described in more detail in Kirk & amp;; Othmer, Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Second Edition, Volume 15, Interscience Publishers (1968). Another group of chelating agents suitable for use in the present invention is the group of the polyionic anionic polycarboxylates. These materials are well known in the industry and are used in the form of free acids or salts of ammonium or alkali metal (eg, potassium and sodium) soluble in water, partially or totally neutralized. In one embodiment, the chelating agents are 1: 4 to 4: 1 copolymers of anhydride or maleic acid with another ethylenically polymerizable unsaturated monomer, which includes methyl vinyl ether (methoxyethyl) having a molecular weight (MW). ) from about 30,000 to about 1,000,000. These copolymers are available, for example, as Gantrez (AN 139 (MW 500,000), AN 119 (MW 250,000) and as S-97 pharmaceutical grade (MW 70,000), from GAF Chemicals Corporation (Chemicals Corporation) Other polymeric polycarboxylates Examples include the 1: 1 copolymers of maleic anhydride with ethyl acrylate, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone or ethylene, the latter, for example, can be obtained as Monsanto EMA No. 1103, MW 10,000 and EMA Grade 61 and the 1: 1 copolymers of acrylic acid with methyl or hydroxyethylmethacrylate, methyl or ethylacrylate, isobutylvinylether or N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone Some additional polymeric polycarboxylates are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,138,477 and 4,183,914, which include copolymers of maleic anhydride with styrene, isobutylene or ethylvinyl ether, polyacrylic, poly-taconic and polymaleic acids, and sulfoacrylic oligomers with a MW as small as 1000 available as a iroyal ND-2 2. Surfactant To give the desired cleaning, the dentifrice composition of the present invention has a surfactant level of from about 0.5% to about 5% by weight of the total dentifrice composition. In one embodiment the level of surfactant is from about 1% to about 3% of the surfactant by weight of the total dentifrice composition. Surfactants that are considered suitable are those that are reasonably stable and in the form of foam over a wide pH range. Surfactants include nonionic, anionic, amphoteric, cationic, zwitterionic, synthetic detergent agents and mixtures thereof. Various suitable non-ionic and amphoteric surfactants are described in U.S. Pat. num. 3,988,433 and 4,051, 234, and various suitable nonionic surfactants are described in U.S. Pat. no. 3,959,458. In one embodiment, the surfactant is sodium lauryl sulfate. In one embodiment, a surfactant having chelating properties is used. A suitable chelating surfactant, such as a surfactant comprising phosphonate groups, is disclosed in U.S. patent application publication. no. 2005/0153938, and includes 2,2-diphosphono-5-hydroxyl-3-oxa-6-hexyltrimethylammonium chloride and 6-trimethylammoniohexyl-1,1-bisphosphonic acid chloride. The use of the chelating surfactants in the dentifrice composition of the present invention can provide the operation of the surfactant or the operation of the chelating agent. This chelating surfactant can be used at levels of from about 0.1 to about 5% by weight of the total composition and can additionally be included in the dentifrice composition in combination with the existing surfactant or chelating agent or can be used to replace all or a portion of the surfactant or agent chelator 3. pH In one embodiment, the pH of the dentifrice compositions described herein ranges from about 6.5 to about 10, in another embodiment, the pH is from about 8 to about 10, and even in another embodiment, the pH is about 8. 4 Ion fluoride The present invention comprises a safe and effective amount of a fluoride compound (eg, water soluble). The fluoride ion is present in an amount sufficient to give a concentration of fluoride in the composition at 25 ° C, or in one embodiment, it can be used at levels from about 0.0025% to about 5.0% by weight, in another embodiment, from about 0.005% to about 2.0% by weight, to provide anticaries effectiveness. In the present compositions, the source of soluble fluoride can be selected from a wide variety of materials that produce the fluoride ion. Examples of suitable fluoride ion performance materials are described in U.S. Pat. num. 3,535,421, and 3,678,154. Representative sources of fluoride ion include: stannous fluoride, sodium fluoride, potassium fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate, and many others. In one embodiment, the dentifrice composition comprises stannous fluoride or sodium fluoride, as well as mixtures of these. 5. Optional ingredients a. Tooth carrier The carriers suitable for the preparation of the dentifrice compositions of the present invention are well known in the industry. Their selection will depend on secondary considerations, such as flavor, cost, and shelf stability, etc. A dentifrice carrier can be used for a toothpaste, dental gels, chewable tablets, etc. such as those set forth in U.S. Pat. no. 3,988,433 (p. eg, abrasive materials, surfactants, binders, humectants, flavorings and sweeteners, etc.). b. Abrasives A dentifrice composition of the present invention may comprise low levels or be virtually free of abrasives. The selected material must be compatible with the dentifrice composition of the present and should not wear too much dentin. If present, suitable abrasives include, for example, silicas including gels and precipitates, insoluble sodium polymetaphosphate, hydrated alumina, calcium carbonate, dicalcium orthophosphate dihydrate, calcium pyrophosphate, tricalcium phosphate, calcium polymetaphosphate, and resinous abrasive materials, such as the particulate condensation products of urea and formaldehyde. Another type of abrasives useful in the dentifrice compositions herein are the particulate polymerized thermosetting resins such as those described in U.S. Pat. no. 3,070,510. Suitable resins include, for example, melamines, phenols, ureas, melamine ureas, melamine formaldehydes, urea formaldehydes, melamine urea formaldehydes, crosslinked epoxides and polyesters. Mixtures of abrasives can also be used. Silica-based dental abrasives of various types can be used due to their unique benefits in terms of exceptional cleaning and polishing performance, without undue abrasion of tooth enamel or dentin. The silica abrasive polishing materials herein, as well as other abrasives, may have an average particle size ranging from about 0.1 to about 30 microns and, in another embodiment, from about 5 to about 15 microns. The abrasive can be precipitated silica or silica gels, such as the silica xerogels described in U.S. Pat. num. 3,538,230 and 3,862,307. The suitable silica xerogels are those distributed under the trade name of "Syloid" by W.R. Grace & Company, Davison Chemical Division. Precipitated silica materials, such as those distributed by J.M may also be used. Huber Corporation may be used under the trade name Zeodent®; in one embodiment, the silica bearing the designation Zeodent 109® can be used. The types of dental silica abrasives useful in toothpastes of the present invention are described in more detail in U.S. Pat. no. 4,340,583. Examples of suitable precipitated silicas are the silicas described in U.S. Pat. num. 5,603,920; 5,589,160; 5,658,553; 5,651, 958; and 6,740,311. The abrasive in the dentifrice composition described herein is generally present in an amount of from about 0% to about 10% by weight of the abrasive of the dentifrice composition. In another embodiment, the dentifrice composition comprises an abrasive of from about 0.01% to about 10% by weight of the total dentifrice composition. In yet another embodiment, the dentifrice composition comprises an abrasive of from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of the total composition. In another embodiment, the dentifrice composition comprises from about 0% to about 5% by weight of the abrasive of the dentifrice composition. In yet another embodiment, the dentifrice composition comprises from about 5 to about 10% by weight of the abrasive of the dentifrice composition. In yet another embodiment, the dentifrice composition comprises from about 2.5% to about 5% by weight of the abrasive of the dentifrice composition, and even in another embodiment, the dentifrice composition comprises from about 1% to about 3% by weight of the abrasive of the dentifrice. tooth composition. Even in another embodiment, the dentifrice composition comprises an abrasive greater than about 0.01, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9% and less than about 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1% by weight of the total dentifrice composition. c. Specific solvent for the plate or stain The cleaning of the chemical cleaning system can be improved with specific solvents for dirt in the oral cavity. Examples of these solvents include, but are not limited to, limonene, PVP and alternating copolymers, monoethanolamine, 1-pentanol and botanical extracts such as those described in U.S. Pat. no. 11 / 217,274 filed on September 1, 2005. d. Thickening agents When preparing toothpastes or gels, it is necessary to add some thickening material to provide an adequate consistency of the dentifrice composition, provide the preferred release characteristics when using it, provide shelf stability and dentifrice composition, etc. . Suitable thickening agents are polymers of carboxyvinyl, carrageenan, hydroxyethylcellulose, laponite and the water soluble salts of cellulose ethers such as sodium carboxymethylcellulose and sodium carboxymethylhydroxyethylcellulose. Natural gums can also be used, such as karaya gum, xanthan gum, gum arabic, and tragacanth gum. The aluminum and magnesium colloidal silicate can be used as part of the thickening agent to further improve the texture. However, the thickening agents may include polymeric polyether compounds, for example, polypropylene oxide or polyethylene (MW 300 to 1,000,000) topped with alkyl or acyl groups containing from 1 to about 18 carbon atoms. A suitable type of thickening agents or gelling agents includes a class of homopolymers of acrylic acid crosslinked with an alkyl ether of pentaerythritol or an alkyl ether of sucrose, or carbomers. The carbomers are commercially distributed by B.F. Goodrich as the Carbopol® series. Particularly, carbopoles include Carbopol 934, 940, 941, 956, and mixtures thereof. The copolymers of lactide monomers and glycolides, wherein the copolymer has a molecular weight ranging from about 1000 to about 120,000 (numerical average), are useful for delivering active in or around periodontal pockets as a "subgingival gel carrier" . These polymers are described in U.S. Pat. num. 5,198,220; 5,242,910 and 4,443,430. Thickening agents can be used in an amount of from about 0.1% to about 15%, or from about 0.2% to about 6%, in another embodiment, from about 0.4% to about 5% by weight of the dentifrice composition. and. Humectants Another optional component of the topical buccal carriers of the dentifrice compositions of the present invention is a humectant. The humectant serves to prevent the dentifrice compositions from hardening when exposed to air, to provide the dentifrice compositions with a moist sensation in the mouth, and for particular humectants to impart a pleasant sweet taste to the dentifrice compositions. The humectant, based on the pure humectant, may comprise from about 0% to about 70% and, in another embodiment, from about 5% to about 25%, by weight of the dentifrice compositions herein. Suitable humectants for use in the dentifrice compositions of the present invention include edible polyhydric alcohols, such as glycerin, sorbitol, xylitol, butylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, and propylene glycol, especially sorbitol and glycerin. F. Sweetening agents The sweetening agents that can be used include sucrose, glucose, saccharin, aspartame, dextrose, levulose, lactose, mannitol, sorbitol, fructose, maltose, xylitol, saccharin salts, thaumatin, D-tryptophan, dihydrochalcones, acesulfame and salts of cyclamate, especially sodium cyclamate and sodium saccharin, and mixtures thereof. A dentifrice composition of the present invention may contain from about 0.1% to about 10% of these agents, in another embodiment from about 0.1% to about 1%, by weight of the dentifrice composition. In addition to the sweetening agents, in the dentifrice compositions of the present invention, refreshing, salivating, heating and numbing agents can be used as optional ingredients. These agents are present in the dentifrice compositions at a level from about 0.001% to about 10%, in another embodiment, from about 0.1% to about 1%, by weight of the dentifrice composition. The refresher can be any of a wide variety of materials. These materials include carboxamides, menthol, ketals, diols, and mixtures thereof. Suitable fresheners in the dentifrice compositions herein include the carboxamide paramentan agents, such as N-ethyl-p-menthane-3-carboxamide, commercially known as "WS-3", N, 2,3-thmethyl-2- isopropylbutanamide, known as "WS-23", and mixtures thereof. Other refreshing agents are selected from the group comprising menthol, 3-1-menthoxypropane-1,2-diol, known as TK-10 and made by Takasago, menthone glycerol acetal, known as MGA and made by Haarmann and Reimer and menthyl lactate, known as Frescolat® and produced by Haarmann and Reimer. As used herein, the terms menthol and menthyl include the dextro and levorotatory isomers of these compounds and racemic mixtures thereof. TK-10 is described in U.S. Pat. no. 4,459,425. WS-3 and other agents are described in U.S. Pat. no. 4,136,163. Salivating agents suitable in the present invention include Jambu® made by Takasago. Heating agents include capsicum and nicotinate esters, such as benzyl nicotinate. Suitable numbing agents include benzocaine, lidocaine, clove bud oil and ethanol. g. Flavoring agents Suitable flavoring agents or flavoring compositions can also be added to the tooth composition. Suitable flavoring agents include, but are not limited to, spearmint oil, clove oil, menthol, anethole, methyl salicylate, eucalyptol, cassia, 1-mentyl acetate, sage, eugenol, parsley oil, oxanone. , alpha-irisone, marjoram, lemon, orange, propenyl guaetol, cinnamon, vanillin, ethyl vanillin, heliotropin, 4-cis-heptenal, diacetyl, methyl-para-tert-butyl phenyl acetate, chocolate, green tea and mixtures of these. In one embodiment, the flavoring composition can be selected from the group comprising orange, lemon, cinnamon, mint, and combinations thereof. The cooling agents can also be part of the flavoring composition.

A flavoring composition is generally used in dentifrice compositions at levels from about 0.001% to about 10% by weight of the dentifrice composition. The flavoring composition, preferably, will be present in an amount of from about 0.01% to about 5%, more preferably from about 0.1% to about 3% and, more preferably, from about 0.5% to about 1.5% by weight. Other botanical extracts can be added, particularly plants. Non-limiting examples include grape, red pomegranate, and cranberry. The extracts, flavors, refreshing, salivating agents, anti-adhesion, anti-plaque, tongue coating agents, and other additive can be used to contribute to the impression or feeling of cleanliness and softness. h. Cosmetic or therapeutic active ingredients The dentifrice composition may also comprise suitable cosmetic or therapeutic active ingredients. These assets include any material that is generally considered safe for use in the oral cavity and that provides changes in the appearance or overall health of the oral cavity including, but not limited to, anticalculus agents, fluoride ion sources, sources of blood stannous, bleaching agents, antimicrobial agents, antiplaque agents, anti-inflammatory agents, nutrients, antioxidants, antiviral agents, analgesic and anesthetic agents, H-2 receptor antagonists, components that impart a clean sensation in teeth, pigments and dyes, fragrances and skin sensing agents, and mixtures thereof. If it is present in the dentifrice composition, the level of the cosmetic or therapeutic active is, in one embodiment, from about 0.001% to about 90%, in another embodiment, from about 0.01% to about 50%, and, in another embodiment, of about 0.1% to about 30%, by weight of the dentifrice composition. The following is a non-limiting list of active agents that can be used in the present invention. 1) Anticalculus agent The dentifrice compositions of the present invention may also comprise an anticalculus agent, which in one embodiment may be present from about 0.05% to about 50%, by weight of the dentifrice composition, in another form from about 0.05% to about 25% and, in another modality, from approximately 0.1% to approximately 15%. The anticalculus agent can be selected from the group comprising polyphosphates (including pyrophosphates) and salts thereof; polyamino propane sulphonic acid (AMPS) and salts thereof; polyolefin sulfonates and salts thereof; polyvinyl phosphates and salts thereof; polyolefin phosphates and salts thereof; diphosphonates and salts thereof; phosphonoalkane carboxylic acid and salts thereof; polyphosphonates and salts thereof; polyvinyl phosphonates and salts thereof; polyolefin phosphonates and salts thereof; polypeptides; and mixtures of these. In one embodiment, the salts are alkali metal salts. The polyphosphates are generally used as fully or partially neutralized salts of water-soluble alkali metals, such as the potassium, sodium, ammonium salts and mixtures thereof. Inorganic polyphosphate salts include tripolyphosphate, tetrapolyphosphate of alkali metals (eg, sodium), potassium hydrogen phosphate, sodium hydrogen phosphate, dialkali metal diacid (eg, disodium), trialkaline metal monoacid (p. eg, trisodium), alkali metal hexametaphosphate (eg, sodium), and mixtures thereof. Polyphosphates greater than tetrapolyphosphate usually occur as amorphous vitreous materials. In one embodiment, the polyphosphates are those manufactured by FMC Corporation, commercially known as Sodafso (n = 6), Hexaphos (n = 13) and Glass H (n ~ 21, sodium hexametaphosphate), and mixtures thereof. Pyrophosphate salts useful in the present invention include alkali metal pyrophosphates, mono, di, and tripotassium or sodium pyrophosphates, double alkali metal pyrophosphates, alkaline tetrametal pyrophosphate salts, and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the pyrophosphate salt is selected from the group comprising trisodium pyrophosphate, disodium diacid pyrophosphate (Na2H2P2O), dipotassium pyrophosphate, tetrasodium pyrophosphate (Na4P2O7), tetrapotassium pyrophosphate ("4P2O7), and mixtures thereof. The polyolefin sulfonates include those in which the olefin group contains 2 or more carbon atoms, and salts thereof. Polyolefin phosphonates include those wherein the olefin group contains 2 or more carbon atoms. Polyvinylphosphonates include polyvinylphosphonic acid. The diphosphonates and their salts include azo-cycloalkane-2,2-diphosphonic acids and their salts, azo-cycloalkane-2,2-diphosphonic acid ions and their salts, azacyclohexane-2,2-diphosphonic acid, azacyclopentane-2,2-diphosphonic acid, N-Methyl-azaciclopentan-2,3-diphosphonic acid, ethan-1-hydroxy-1,1-diphosphonic acid (EHDP), azacycloheptan-2,2-diphosphonic acid (AHP, for short) in English), ethan-1-amino-1, 1-diphosphonate, dichloromethane diphosphonate, etc. Phosphonoalkanecarboxylic acid or its alkali metal salts include phosphonopropanetricarboxylic acid (PPTA), phosphonobutane-1, 2,4-tricarboxylic acid (PBTA), each as acid or metal salts alkaline Polyolefin phosphates include those wherein the olefin group contains 2 or more carbon atoms. The polypeptides include polyaspartic and polyglutamic acids. 2) Stale Ion The dentifrice compositions of the present invention may include a source of stannous ion. The stannous ions can be generated from stannous fluoride and other stannous salts. It has been found that stannous fluoride contributes to decrease gingivitis, plaque, sensitivity and improves the benefits of oral breath. The stannous ions provided in a dentifrice composition will give efficacy to the subject using the dentifrice composition. Although efficacy could include benefits other than decreased gingivitis, efficacy is defined as a remarkable degree of reduction in in situ plaque metabolism. Formulations that provide this efficacy generally include stannous levels generated by stannous fluoride or other stannous salts ranging from about 3000 ppm to about 15,000 ppm of stannous ions in the total dentifrice composition. The stannous ion is present in an amount of about 4000 ppm to about 12,000 ppm, in a form of about 5000 ppm to about 10,000 ppm. Other stannous salts include organic stannous carboxylates, such as stannous acetate, stannous gluconate, stannous oxalate, stannous malonate, stannous citrate, stannous ethylene glycolate, stannous format, stannous sulfate, stannous lactate, stannous tartrate, and the like. Other sources of stannous ion include stannous halides such as stannous chloride, stannous bromide, stannous iodide, and stannous chloride dihydride. In one embodiment, the source of stannous ion is stannous fluoride and in another stannous chloride dihydrate. The combined stannous salts may be present in an amount from about 0.001% to about 11%, by weight of the dentifrice compositions. In one embodiment, the stannous salts may be present in an amount of from about 0.01% to about 7%, in another embodiment, that amount may be from about 0.1% to about 5% and, in another embodiment, from about 1.5% to about 3%, by weight of the tooth composition. 3) Bleaching agent In the dentifrice compositions of the present invention a bleaching agent may be included as an active agent. The active agents suitable for bleaching are selected from the group comprising alkali metal or alkaline earth metal peroxides, metal chlorites, perborates including mono and tetrahydrates, perfosphates, percarbonates, peroxyacids and persulfates, such as ammonium, potassium, sodium and lithium persulfates and combinations thereof. Suitable peroxide compounds include hydrogen peroxide, urea peroxide, calcium peroxide, carbamide peroxide, magnesium peroxide, zinc peroxide, strontium peroxide and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the peroxide compound is carbamide peroxide. Suitable metal chlorites include calcium chlorite, barium chlorite, magnesium chlorite, lithium cloate, sodium chlorite, and potassium chlorites. The additional bleaching assets can be hypochlorite and chlorine dioxide. In one embodiment, chlorite is sodium chlorite. In another embodiment, the percarbonate is sodium percarbonate. In one embodiment, the persulphates are oxones. The level of these substances depends respectively on the available oxygen or chlorine that the molecule can provide to whiten the stain. In one embodiment, bleaching agents may be present at levels from about 0.01% to about 40%, in another embodiment, from about 0.1% to about 20%, in another embodiment, from about 0.5% to about 10%, and in another mode, from about 4% to about 7%, by weight of the dentifrice composition. 4) Antimicrobial agent Antimicrobial agents can be included in the dentifrice compositions of the present invention. These agents may include, but are not limited to, 5-chloro-2- (2,4-dichlorophenoxy) phenol, commonly known as triclosan.; 8-hydroxyquinoline and its salts; copper II compounds, including, but not limited to, copper chloride (II), copper sulfate (II), copper acetate (II), copper fluoride (II) and copper hydroxide (II); The italic acid and its salts including, but not limited to, those described in U.S. Pat. no. 4,994,262, which include magnesium phthalate and monopotassium; chlorhexidine; alexidina; hexetidine; sanguinarine; benzalkonium chloride; salicylanilide; domiphene bromide; cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC, for its acronym in English); tetradecylpyridinium chloride (TPC, for its acronym in English); N-tetradecyl-4-ethylpyridinium chloride (TDEPC, for its acronym in English); octenidine; iodine sulfonamides; biguids; phenolic; delmopinol, octapinol and other piperidino derivatives; niacin preparations; zinc or stannous agents; nystatin; grape fruit extract; apple extract% thyme oil; thyme; antibiotics, such as augmentin, amoxicillin, tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline, metronidazole, neomycin, kanamycin, cetylpyridinium chloride, and clindamycin; analogues and salts of the above; methyl salicylate; hydrogen peroxide; salts of chlorite metal; and mixtures of all the above. The antimicrobial components may be present from about 0.001% to about 20% by weight of the dentifrice composition. In another embodiment, the antimicrobial agents generally comprise from about 0.1% to about 5% by weight of the dentifrice compositions of the present invention. 5) Anti-plaque Agent The dentifrice compositions of the present invention can include an anti-plaque agent, such as stannous salts, copper salts, strontium salts, magnesium salts or a dimethicone copolyol. The dimethicone copolyol is selected from C12 to C20 alkyldimeticone copolyols and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the dimethicone copolyol is copolyol of cetyl dimethicone marketed under the name of Abil EM90. In one embodiment, the dimethicone copolyol may be present at a level of from about 0.001% to about 25%, in another embodiment, from about 0.01% to about 5%, and in another embodiment, from about 0.1% to about 1.5% in Weight of the tooth composition. 6) Anti-inflammatory agent The dentifrice compositions of the present invention may also comprise anti-inflammatory agents. These agents may include, but are not limited to, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs), oxicam, salicylates, propionic acids, acetic acids and fenamates. NSAIDs include, but are not limited to, ketorolac, flurbiprofen, ibuprofen, naproxen, indomethacin, diclofenac, etodolac, sulindac, tolmetin, ketoprofen, fenoprofen, piroxicam, nabumetone, aspirin, diflunisal, meclofenamate, mefenamic acid, oxifenbutazone, phenylbutazone, and acetaminophen. . The use of NSAIDs such as ketorolac is claimed in U.S. Pat. no. 5,626,838. In the present methods are described for preventing or treating primary and recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx by topical administration in the buccal cavity or oropharynx of an effective amount of an NSAID. Suitable steroidal antiinflammatory agents include corticosteroids, such as fluccinolone and hydrocortisone. 7) Nutrients Nutrients can improve the condition of the oral cavity and can be included in the dentifrice compositions of the present invention. Nutrients include minerals, vitamins, oral nutritional supplements, enteric nutritional supplements and mixtures of these. Useful minerals include calcium, phosphorus, zinc, manganese, potassium and mixtures of these. Vitamins can be included with minerals or they can be used independently. Suitable vitamins include vitamins C and D, thiamine, riboflavin, calcium pantothenate, niacin, folic acid, nicotinamide, pyridoxine, cyanocobalamin, para-aminobenzoic acid, bioflavonoids, and mixtures thereof. Other nutritional supplements include amino acids, lipotropics, fish oil and mixtures thereof. The amino acids include, but are not limited to, L-tryptophan, L-lysine, methionine, threonine, levocarnitine or L-carnitine and mixtures thereof. Lipotropic agents include, but are not limited to, choline, inositol, betaine, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, and mixtures thereof. Fish oil contains large amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids Omega-3 (N-3), eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. Enteric nutritional supplements include, but are not limited to, protein products, glucose polymers, corn oil, safflower oil, medium chain triglycerides. Minerals, vitamins, oral nutritional supplements, and enteral nutritional supplements are described in more detail in Drug Facts and Comparisons (Drug Information Service Bulletins), Wolters Kluer Company, St. Louis, Mo., © 1997, pgs. 3-17 and 54-57. 8) Antioxidants Generally, it is recognized that antioxidants are useful in dentifrice compositions. Antioxidants are described in such texts as Cadenas and Packer, The Handbook of Antioxidants, © 1996 by Marcel Dekker, Inc. Antioxidants useful in the present invention include, but are not limited to, vitamin E, ascorbic acid , uric acid, carotenoids, vitamin A, flavonoids and polyphenols, herbal antioxidants, melatonin, aminoindoles, lipoic acids and mixtures of these. 9) Analgesic and anesthetic agents Desensitizing or pain-killing agents can also be included in the dentifrice compositions of the present invention. Analgesics are agents that relieve pain through its action at the central level, which increases the threshold of pain without altering consciousness or other sensory abilities. These agents may include, but are not limited to: strontium chloride; potassium nitrate; sodium fluoride; sodium nitrate; acetanilide; phenacetin; acertofan; tiorfan; Spiradoline; aspirin; codeine; Thebaine; levorphenol; hydromorphone; oxymorphone; phenazocine; fentanyl; buprenorphine; butafanol; nalbuphine; pentazocine; natural herbs, such as sour walnut; nard; cubebine; Galanga scutellaria; liangmianzen; and baizi. Topical anesthetic or analgesic agents, such as acetaminophen, sodium salicylate, trolamine salicylate, lidocaine, and benzocaine, may also be present. These analgesic active agents are described in detail in the publication Kirk-Othmer, Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, fourth edition, volume 2, Wiley-lnterscience Publishers (1992), p. 729-737. 10) H1 and H2 Antagonists The present invention may also optionally comprise selective antagonists of the H1 and H2 receptors, including the compounds described in U.S. Pat. no. 5,294,433. 11) Pigments and dyes Pigments can be added to the dentifrice compositions herein to indicate more precisely the location in which the dentifrice composition actually makes contact. Additionally, these substances may be adequate to modify the color of the teeth to satisfy the consumer. These substances include particles that when applied to the surface of the teeth modify the characteristics of absorption or reflection of the light of said surface. Such particles provide a benefit in appearance when a film containing said particles is applied on the surfaces of a tooth or teeth. Pigments, dyes, colorants and lacquers may also be added to modify the appearance of the dentifrice compositions herein and make the product more acceptable to the consumer. The appropriate levels of pigment are selected to achieve a particular effect on the consumer. For example, for teeth that are particularly dark or stained, pigments should be used in sufficient quantities to clarify them. On the other hand, if the individual teeth or spots on them are lighter than other teeth, the pigments may be useful to darken them. The levels of pigments and dyes can vary from about 0.001% to about 20%, in one embodiment, from about 0.01% to about 15%, and in another embodiment, from about 0.1% to about 10% by total weight of the tooth composition . The pigments and colorants include inorganic white pigments, inorganic colored pigments, pearlizing agents, charged powders and the like; see the Japanese patent application published Kokai no. 9 [1997] -100215. Specific examples are selected from the group comprising talc, mica, magnesium carbonate, calcium carbonate, magnesium silicate, magnesium aluminum silicate, silica, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, red iron oxide, brown iron oxide, yellow iron oxide, black iron oxide, ferric ammonium ferrocyanide, manganese violet, ultramarine, nylon powder, polyethylene powder, methacrylate powder, polystyrene powder, silk powder, crystalline cellulose, starch, mica titanada, mica titanada of iron oxide, bismuth oxychloride, and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the pigments and dyes are those selected from the group comprising titanium dioxide, bismuth oxychloride, zinc oxide, red 27 D &C opatint, Cl 16185: 1 acid 27 E123 lacquer, E122 aluminum lacquer carnosoyin Cl 14720 : 1, red lacquer 7 or red lacquer 30, and mixtures of these. 12) Additional Assets Additional assets suitable for use in the present invention may include, but are not limited to, insulin, steroids, herbal remedies and other plant derivatives. In addition, anti-gingivitis or gum care agents known in the industry may also be included. Optionally, components that impart a clean feeling to the teeth can be included. These components may include, for example, sodium bicarbonate or Glass-H. It is also considered that in certain forms of therapy, combinations of the aforementioned agents may be useful to obtain an optimum effect. Thus, for example, an antimicrobial agent and an anti-inflammatory agent can be combined into a single dentifrice composition to provide the combined efficacy. Optional agents to be used include materials known as synthetic anionic polymers, including polyacrylates and copolymers of anhydride or maleic acid and methyl vinyl ether (eg, Gantrez), as described, for example, in the US patent. .US. no. 4,627,977, such as, for example, polyamino propane sulfonic acid (AMPS), zinc trihydrate citrate, polyphosphates (eg, tripolyphosphate, hexametaphosphate), diphosphonates (eg, EHDP, AHP), polypeptides (such as polyaspartic and polyglutamic acids), and mixtures thereof. In addition, the dentifrice composition may include a polymeric carrier, such as those described in U.S. Pat. num. 6,682,722 and 6,589,512 and in U.S. patent applications. num. 10 / 424,640 and 10 / 430,617. 13) Alkali metal bicarbonate salt The present invention may also include a bicarbonate salt of alkali metals. The alkali metal bicarbonate salts are water soluble and if not stabilized, they tend to release carbon dioxide in an aqueous system. In one embodiment, sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda, is the alkali metal bicarbonate salt.

The dentifrice composition herein may contain from about 0. 5% to approximately 30%, in another mode, of approximately 0. 5% to about 15%, and in another embodiment, from about 0.5% to about 5% of an alkali metal bicarbonate salt. i. Miscellaneous carriers The water used in the preparation of commercially suitable dentifrice compositions should have a low ionic content and should be free of organic impurities. The water generally comprises from about 5% to about 70% and, in another embodiment, from about 20% to about 50% by weight of the dentifrice composition of the present invention. These amounts of water include the free water that is added, plus the water that is introduced with other materials such as sorbitol. The titanium dioxide can also be added to the present dentifrice composition. Titanium dioxide is a white powder that adds opacity to dentifrice compositions. Generally, titanium dioxide comprises from about 0.25% to about 5% by weight of the dentifrice compositions. The titanium dioxide can be coated mica. Other optional agents include synthetic anionic polymeric polycarboxylates which are employed in the form of their free acids or partially or fully neutralized salts of alkali metals (eg, potassium and sodium) or water soluble ammonium, and are described in the patents from the USA num. 4,152,420; 3,956,480; 4,138,477; 4,183,914; and 4,906,456. In one embodiment, the copolymers may be 1: 4 to 4: 1 copolymers of anhydride or maleic acid with another ethylenically polymerizable unsaturated monomer, in particular methylvinyl ether (methoxyethylene) which may have a molecular weight (MW) of about 30,000 to about 1, 000,000. These copolymers are available, for example, as Gantrez (AN 139 (MW 500, 000), AN 119 (MW 250,000) and S-97 pharmaceutical grade (MW 70,000), from GAF Corporation. C. Methods of use A safe and effective amount of the dentifrice compositions of the present invention may be applied, topically, to the mucosal tissue of the buccal cavity, to the gingival tissue of the buccal cavity or to the surface of the teeth, for the treatment or prevention of the aforementioned conditions of the oral cavity, in various conventional ways. For example, the gingival / mucosal or dental tissue is bathed in the liquid or foam generated by brushing the teeth with a dentifrice composition. A chewable toothpaste tablet can be chewed to thereby deliver the dental assets to the surfaces of the oral cavity as described in the US patent application publications. num. 2004/0101493 and 2004/0101494. The teeth can be brushed after chewing the tablet. Other non-limiting examples include applying the paste or gel directly to the gingival / mucosal tissue or to the teeth, with or without an oral care apparatus described below. In the method intended for the treatment of diseases or conditions of the oral cavity, including caries, a safe and effective amount of the present dentifrice composition can be applied to the gingival / mucosal tissue or to the teeth of a person who needs it, for at least about 10 seconds, in another embodiment, from about 20 seconds to about 10 minutes, even in another embodiment from about 30 seconds to about 60 seconds. The method frequently involves expectorating most of the tooth composition after said contact. The frequency of this type of contact can be from approximately once a week to approximately four times a day; in another modality, from approximately three times a week to approximately three times a day, and still in another modality, from approximately once a day to approximately twice a day. The period of this treatment usually varies from approximately once a day to throughout a lifetime. For particular diseases or oral care conditions, the duration of treatment depends on the severity of the disease or oral condition being treated, the particular form of supply used and the response to the patient's treatment.

D. Test methods film cleaning index The PCR cleaning indexes ((Pellicle Cleaning Ratio)) are determined by a slightly modified version of the PCR test described in "In Vitro Removal of Stain". With Dentifrice "(In vitro removal of spots with toothpaste), GK Stookey, TA Burkhard and B. R. Schemerhorn, J. Dental Research, 61, 1236-9, 1982. Cleaning is accomplished in vitro by the use of the modified film cleaning index test. This test is identical to that described by Stookey et al. with the following modifications: (1) an artificial clear film is applied to wind chips before the application of the stained film, (2) the heating of a solution is used instead of a radiation heating during the application of the film, (3) the number of brushes is reduced to 1000 brushed and (4) the milky concentration is 1 part of toothpaste for 3 parts of water.

E. Examples The dentifrice compositions of this invention are useful for being applied to humans and other animals of the so-called minor species (eg, pets, zoo animals or domestic animals). The following non-limiting examples further describe the embodiments that fall within the scope of the present invention. Many variations of these examples are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. A dentifrice composition of the present invention contains the following components as described below.

The humectants and thickening agents are added to the mixing tank and the stirring is started. When the thickening agents are homogeneously dispersed within the humectant, water is added to the mixing tank. Then, fluoride, sweetening agents, buffering agents, chelating agents, coloring agents and titanium dioxide are added. If required, then the abrasive is added to the mixing tank with high agitation and vacuum. The surfactants and flavoring agents are added to the combination and the mixing continues. This mixing continues for approximately 5 minutes. The resulting composition can have a pH of about 8. The first angle is measured in side view and is defined between a long axis of the first rubber cleaning or massage element and a tangent line (t). Instead, if it is specified in any other way, each dimension will mean both the aforementioned value and an equivalent functional range that encompasses that value. For example, a dimension expressed as "40 mm" will be understood as "approximately 40 mm". All documents cited in the detailed description of the invention are incorporated, in relevant part, as reference herein; The mention of any document should not be construed as an admission that it corresponds to a prior industry with respect to the present invention. While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the industry that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all changes and modifications that are within the scope of the invention.

Claims (10)

1. A dentifrice comprising: a. a carrier for oral care; b. a safe and effective amount of a fluoride ion source; c. at least 2.5% of a chelating agent; d. from 0.5% to 5% of a surfactant; characterized in that the dentifrice has a pH of at least 8, and characterized in that the dentifrice has a PCR index of at least 20, and characterized in that more than 10% of the PCR index results from chemical cleaning.

2. The dentifrice according to claim 1, further characterized in that the oral care carrier includes a flavor that ranges from 0.5 to 1.5% by weight of the total dentifrice.

3. The dentifrice according to claim 1, which further comprises 0.01% to 10% of an abrasive.

4. The dentifrice according to claim 1, further characterized in that the pH is from 8 to 10.

The dentifrice according to claim 1, further characterized in that from 20% to 100% of the PCR index results from chemical cleaning , preferably, from 50% to 100% of the PCR index.

6. The dentifrice according to claim 1, further characterized in that the chelant is present in an amount of 2.5% to 15%.

7. The dentifrice according to claim 1, further characterized in that the surfactant is present in an amount of 1% to 3%.

8. The dentifrice according to claim 1, further characterized in that the dentifrice has a PCR index of at least 40.

9. The use of a chelating agent in the manufacture of a composition according to any of the preceding claims to minimize dental erosion

10. A dentifrice comprising: a. a carrier for oral care; b. a safe and effective amount of a fluoride ion source; c. from 2.5 to 15% of a chelating agent; d. from 1% to 3% of a surfactant; and. from 0% to 10% of an abrasive; further characterized in that the dentifrice has a pH of at least 8.