Oral Compositions

The present invention is concerned with oral compositions useful for controlling dental plaque and gingivitis and for preventing caries. The active agent is a cationic antimicrobial agent, such as bisbiguanides or quaternary ammonium compounds, which agents are known in the art to be useful for such purposes. It is also known in the art that cationic antimicrobial agents such as bisbiguanides and quaternary ammonium compounds have the disadvantages of staining teeth. The present invention provides an oral composition utilizing bisbiguanides or quaternary ammonium compounds together with an anti-stain agent which reduces the staining effect of the bisbiguanide or quaternary ammonium compound to a level which is cosmetically acceptable.

It is known in the art that bisbiguanides inhibit the formation of plaque and caries (see U.S. Pat. No. 1,365,030) and that anti-calculus agents may be combined therewith to inhibit the tendency of the bisbiguanides to stain the oral surfaces (see U.S. Pat. No. 3,934,002). Among the anti-calculus agents disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,934,002 are quaternary ammonium compounds, zinc phenolsulfonate, hydroxyquinoline, citric acid, lactic acid and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

The present invention is based on the surprising discovery that malic acid markedly inhibits the staining on oral surfaces of the bisbiguanide or quaternary ammonium active agent of the instant compositions.

More particularly, the present invention comprises an oral composition useful for controlling dental plaque and gingivitis and for preventing caries which comprises an effective amount of a bisbiguanide or quaternary ammonium compound which is capable of controlling dental plaque and gingivitis and preventing caries and a stain-inhibiting amount of malic acid.

According to one embodiment of the present invention the antimicrobial agent is a bisbiguanide.

According to another embodiment of the present invention the antimicrobial agent is a quaternary ammonium compound.

According to another embodiment of the present invention the amount of antimicrobial agent is from 0.01% to about 1.0% w/w based on the total weight of ingredients or w/v when in liquid form.

According to another embodiment of the present invention the amount of malic acid is from 0.1% to 10.0% w/w or w/v, especially from 0.1% to 1.0%.

According to another embodiment of the present invention the pH of the composition is from about 5.0 to about 8.0.

According to another embodiment of the present invention the bisbiguanide is 1,6-bis(2-ethylhexyldiguanido hexane)dihydrochloride [alexidine dihydrochloride]; 1,6-bis(2-ethylhexyl diguanido hexane)dihydrofluoride; 1,6-bis(2-ethylhexyl diguanido octane)dihydrochloride; 1,6-bis(2-ethylhexyl diguanido nonane)dihydrochloride; 1,6-bis(2-ethylhexyl diguanido dodecane)dihydrochloride; or 1,6-di(4-chlorophenyl diguanido hexane)dihydrochloride or the diacetate or digluconate salt thereof. Alexidine dihydrochloride is especially preferred.

According to another embodiment of the present invention the quaternary ammonium compound is dodecyl dimethyl(2-phenoxyethyl)-ammonium; benzyldimethyl(2-)2-(p-1,3,3-tetramethyl butyl phenoxy)ethoxyl)ethyl)ammonium; p-bromobenzyldimethyl-.gamma.-(2'-isopropyl, 4'-chloro, 5'-methyl phenoxy)propyl ammonium; 1-hexadecyl-pyridinium salt; acylchloaminoformylmethyl pyridinium chloride-iodide complex; 1-alkyl-4-aminoquinaldinium salt; decamethylene bis(4-aminoquinaldinum chloride or hexadecamethylene bis(isoquinolinium chloride).

The usual flavoring agents, binders, sudsing agents, humectants, alcohols, fragrances, abrasives and excipients known in the art can be added to the compositions of the present invention.

When the oral composition of the present invention is in the form of a mouthwash, oral rinse or gargle, the composition is brought into contact with the oral cavity and then expectorated. A dose of 15 to 20 ml. for adults and about 10 ml. for children is generally sufficient when used on a daily basis.

When the instant composition is in the form of a dentifrice, such as a paste, powder, concentrate, solution or gel for direct application to the teeth, it can be used in the normal manner in which a toothpaste is used. When the oral composition of the present invention is in a concentrate for use with mechanical irrigation devices such as a water jet or "water pik" type device, approximately 10 to 15 ml. should be sprayed into the mouth and circulated in the oral cavity and then be expectorated. When the present composition is in the form of a breath freshener, either pump spray or aerosol type, approximately 10 to 15 ml. should be sprayed into the mouth, circulated therethrough and expectorated. When the composition of the present invention is in the form of a troche or a lozenge, it should be allowed to dissolve in the mouth and then be expectorated.

The following nonlimitative example more particularly illustrates the present invention.

The mouth-rinse is used in 15 ml. doses for adults to rinse the mouth and then is expectorated. For children in the 6 to 12 year old range, 10 ml. is the recommended mouth-rinsing dose.