Patent Application
20080063611
One embodiment of the present invention is a stain-removal dentifrice composition. The dentifrice comprises a fluoride agent; an abrasive agent; a proteolytic agent; a foaming agent; a sweetening/flavoring agent; an emulsifying agent; and a delivery agent.
Preferably, the fluoride agent comprises sodium fluoride. Preferably, the abrasive agent comprises silica and alumina, each of which is stable in the presence of sodium fluoride. Preferably, the proteolytic agent comprises bromelain. Preferably, the foaming agent comprises saponins. More preferably, the foaming agent comprises yucca saponins or quillaja saponins. More preferably, the foaming agent comprises specially purified quillaja extracts. Preferably, the sweetening agent comprises acesulfame potassium and xylitol. Preferably the emulsifying agent comprises hydrogenated castor oil.
Preferably, the delivery agent comprises soft hollow shapes that are visible to the user and can be loaded with cosmetic and active ingredients, resist dissolution during incorporation and storage in the dentifrice, yet are soft enough to be crushed during brushing. More preferably, the delivery agent comprises Metasomes or Florasomes. Preferably, the Metasomes and Florasomes are loaded with an abrasive polishing agent and a breath-freshening flavoring agent. More preferably, the Metasomes and Florasomes are loaded with a mixture of alumina and menthol. The Metasomes and Florasomes may also be loaded with other flavors, active agents (such as cetylpyridinium chloride, Triclosan, and the like), minerals (such as ortho- or hexametaphosphates for remineralization), vitamins, amino acids, or similar orally-beneficial agents.
The dentifrice of the present invention is characterized by low abrasivity. Low abrasive dentifrices are advantageous because they are not as likely to abrade the soft dentin portion of the tooth and thus will not contribute to gingival recession. This low abrasivity is provided by the combination of the silica and alumina mechanical polishing agents. The inventive dentifrice thus avoids unnecessary removal of tooth structure and because of the use of bromelain, as an effective proteolytic agent, enhances the mechanical stain-removal abilities of silica and alumina. The dentifrice of the present invention also provides a soothing feel to a user's gums and teeth. This feeling is provided in part by the saponins which unlike both sodium lauryl sulfate and cocamidopropyl betaine do not to contribute to mucosal irritation. The hydrating agent, hyaluronic acid, is also included to enhance overall oral health and contribute to oral soothing capabilities. In addition to acting as a sweetening agent, the xylitol used in the present inventive dentifrice provides ancillary benefits including anticariogenic and antibacterial benefits. The dentifrice of the present invention is also characterized by a long shelf life. Unlike dentifrices that do not employ emulsifiers such as hydrogenated castor oil, the inventive dentifrice does not suffer from the problem of synersis that is common with age. The inventive dentifrice is also characterized by a pleasing visual appearance. The appearance is enhanced by the use of Metasomes and Florasomes that are preferably of a color that contrasts with the dentifrice itself and look like crystals. As the Metasomes and Florasomes preferably contain alumina they would be found to be stain-fighting crystals that will gently polish teeth. The Metasomes and Florasomes advantageously resist dissolution during incorporation and storage in the dentifrice, yet are soft enough to be crushed during brushing. By incorporating menthol in the Metasomes and Florasomes, because menthol is solid at room temperature, when brushing the user can experience a tactile “crunching” sensation along with the cooling and long-lasting breath-freshening feeling that menthol affords.
Dentifrice compositions were made from the following components:
add an effective amount of potassium nitrate to Example 1
add an effective amount of sodium bicarbonate to Example 1
add an effective amount of sodium tripolyphosphate and tetrasodium pyrophosphate to Example 1
add calcium peroxide to Example 1
add an effective amount of potassium nitrate, an effective amount of sodium tripolyphosphate and tetrasodium pyrophosphate, an effective amount of sodium bicarbonate and add calcium peroxide to Example 1
add an effective amount of Triclosan or cetylpyridinium chloride to Example 1
remove titanium dioxide and alumina from Example 1
add an effective amount of potassium nitrate to Example 8
add an effective amount of sodium tripolyphosphate and tetrasodium pyrophosphate to Example 8
add calcium peroxide to Example 8
add an effective amount of potassium nitrate, an effective amount of sodium tripolyphosphate and tetrasodium pyrophosphate, an effective amount of sodium bicarbonate and add calcium peroxide to Example 8
add an effective amount of Triclosan or cetylpyridinium chloride to Example 8
The present invention provides a stain-removal dentifrice that has a low abrasivity and does not contribute to mucosal irritation and does not suffer from synersis. Additionally alternate versions the present invention provide for dentifrices that are aesthetically pleasing, offer desensitizing, antitartar, and antigingivitis benefits, can be made with baking soda and combinations of the foregoing benefits and impart a soothing sensation when used while brushing teeth.
Although particular embodiments of this invention have been disclosed herein for purposes of explanation, further modifications or variations thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. Further, although certain processes have been described by a number of steps in a particular order, the present invention is not limited to any particular order. Thus, the scope of the present invention is not meant to be limited in any way.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60843699 | Sep 2006 | US |
