Use of a Carboxy-Substituted Polymer to Inhibit Plaque Formation Without Tooth Staining

The present invention relates to a method of inhibiting plaque formation on teeth. In particular, it relates to a method of inhibiting plaque formation on teeth wherein the tooth surface is coated with a carboxy-substituted polymer active agent. This invention also relates to oral compositions containing said active agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Dental plaque is a combination of minerals and bacteria. The bacteria associated with plaque can cause inflammatory gingivitis. Gingivitis, in turn, may lead to periodontitis. Therefore, it would be highly desirable to develop compositions and methods for inhibiting plaque. As such, numerous compositions and methods for inhibiting the formation of plaque are reported in the literature.

U.S. Patent 4,847,070, issued Jul. 11, 1989, to Pyrz et al., discloses oral compositions which are effective against calculus and contain a chelating agent which is an acrylic acid polymer or copolymer or EDTA, a strontium ion source, a fluoride ion source, a pyrophosphate ion source, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The mass average molecular weight of the acrylic acid polymer or copolymer used in this invention may be in the range of about 1,000 to about 1,200,000.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,245, issued Mar. 28, 1989, to Gaffar, discloses a method of inhibiting human dental plaque and gingivitis involving regular application to the oral cavity of an oral composition containing an effective plaque- and gingivitis-inhibiting amount of polyvinyl phosphonic acid, or salt thereof, having a number average molecular weight of about 4,000 to 9,100.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,775,525, issued Oct. 4, 1988, to Pera, discloses a dental treatment composition and method for reducing dental plaque. The disclosed method comprises treating dental surfaces with a composition containing sodium alginate, which acts as a calcium ion chelating agent which weakens the bond between the plaque and the teeth, thereby allowing easy removal of the plaque by subsequent brushing. The compositions disclosed in this patent may also contain benzalkonium chloride and zinc sulfate, which provide for desensitizing the teeth and eliminating of halitosis.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,759,925, issued Jul. 26, 1988, to Gaffar et al., discloses the use of a mixture of the perfluoroalkyl surfactant of the general formula C.sub.x F.sub.2x+1 (CH.sub.2).sub.n S(CH.sub.2).sub.n 'CO.sub.2 M, wherein x is an integer of 3-8, n and n' are independently integers of 2 to 4, and M is hydrogen, and an alkali metal or ammonium as a dentifrice or a mouthwash with the benefit of preventing plaque formation.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,627,977, issued Dec. 9, 1986, to Gaffar et al., discloses an oral composition containing a calculus-inhibiting amount of a linear molecularly dehydrated polyphosphate salt and, to inhibit enzymatic hydrolysis of said polyphosphate salt in saliva, a combination of a fluoride ion-providing source and a synthetic anionic linear polymeric polycarboxylate.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,528,179, issued Jul. 9, 1985, to Gaffar, discloses a method of inhibiting human dental plaque and gingivitis by the regular application to the oral cavity of an oral composition containing an effective plaque- and gingivitis-inhibiting amount of polyvinyl phosphonic acid or salt thereof. The polyvinyl phosphonic acid of this reference has a preferred number average molecular weight of about 6,000 to about 100,000.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,428,930, issued Jan. 31, 1984, to Chang, discloses a dentifrice composition containing a water-dispersible, membrane-forming material which, when applied to tooth surfaces in an oral environment, attaches thereto and forms a substantially continuous hydrophobic barrier thereon, which hydrophobic barrier substantially reduces elution of a previously applied therapeutic agent. This patent also discloses a method for inhibiting plaque formation on teeth which comprises contacting the teeth with an effective amount of the above-described composition. Polymeric anionic membrane forming materials disclosed as useful in the compositions of this patent include a class of polymers having a polyolefinic main chain with acid functionalities pendent therefrom. Typical of the materials which can comprise the polyolefinic main chain are polymers of ethylene, propylene, styrene, unsaturated carboxylic acids, and copolymers of two or more of these materials. Representative polymeric anionic membrane forming materials disclosed as useful in the compositions of this patent include polyacrylic acid having a molecular weight in the range of 2,000 to 4,000,000; sodium polystyrenesulfonate having a molecular weight in the range of about 5,000 to 6,000,000; "Gantrez AN", available from GAF corporation; polyvinyl phosphate; and copolymers of acrylates which contain pendent carboxyl groups.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,375,461, issued Mar. 1, 1983, to Gander al., discloses compositions and methods for preventing the attachment of dental plaque to the surfaces of the teeth of mammals. These disclosed compositions and methods comprise certain sulfonated vinylaromatic homopolymers and copolymers and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle, and a periodic application thereof to teeth. Hydrophilic polymeric anionic sulfates useful for dental plaque control in accordance with the disclosure of this patent are essentially sulfonated homopolymers of both unsubstituted and substituted styrene, 1-vinylnaphthalene, 2-vinylnaphthalene, and acenaphthylene, and certain copolymers thereof. Representative examples of vinyl aromatic monomers, homopolymers, and copolymers which are available in commerce and can be converted to the hydrophilic polymeric sulfonates of this patent are the following: (a) polystyrene and sodium polystyrene sulfonate of varying molecular weights available from Pressure Chemical Company; (b) styrene/butadiene (85/15) copolymer; (c) styrene/isobutylene (60/40) copolymer; (d) vinylbenzyl chloride monomer, 60/40 meta-/paraisomers, available from Dow Chemical Company; and (e) halostyrene monomers available from Polysciences Inc., and Aldrich Chemical Company.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,362,713, issued Dec. 7, 1982, to Buck, discloses compositions and methods for preventing the attachment of dental plaque to the teeth of mammals. The disclosed compositions and methods comprise certain salts of certain maleic acid copolymers in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle and the periodic application thereof to teeth. This patent further discloses that certain hydrophilic alkali metal and ammonium salts of 1:1 copolymers of styrene and maleic acid and 1:1 copolymers of certain linear 1-alkenes and maleic acid have been found to inhibit the deposition of dental plaque onto human teeth when applied thereon.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,224,309, issued Sep. 23, 1980, to Gaffar et al., discloses an oral composition containing an antibacterial antiplaque agent and an anti-stain additive which reduces staining caused by the antibacterial antiplaque agent, without substantially diminishing the activity of the antibacterial antiplaque agent. Bis-biguanido hexanes, such as chlorhexidine and alexidine, and quaternary ammonium salts, such as benzethonium chloride and cetyl pyridinium chloride, are typical examples of antibacterial agents. The anti-stain additive is 2-phosphono-butane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid or an orally acceptable salt thereof.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,138,477, issued Feb. 6, 1979, to Gaffar, discloses a composition which is useful for the prevention and control of mouth odor and is also effective in preventing calculus, plaque, caries and periodontal disease. This composition contains, as its essential agent, a zinc-polymer combination formed by the reaction or interaction of a zinc compound with an anionic polymer containing carboxylic, sulfonic and/or phosphonic acid radicals.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,118,474, issued Oct. 3, 1978, to Gaffar et al., discloses an antibacterial oral composition effective to promote oral hygiene which contains an antibacterial antiplaque agent and an additive for reducing staining of dental surfaces without substantially diminishing the activity of the antibacterial and antiplaque agent. Bis-biguanido hexanes, such as chlorhexidine and alexidine, and quaternary ammonium salts, such as benzethonium chloride and cetyl pyridinium chloride, are typical examples of antibacterial antiplaque agents. The antistain additive is phosphonoacetic acid or salts thereof.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,118,473, issued Oct. 3, 1978, to Gaffar et al., discloses an antibacterial oral composition effective to promote oral hygiene which contains an antibacterial antiplaque agent and an additive for reducing staining of dental surfaces without substantially diminishing the activity of the antibacterial and antiplaque agent. Bis-biguanido hexanes, such as chlorhexidine and alexidene, and quaternary ammonium salts, such as benzethonium chloride and cetyl pyridinium chloride, are typical examples of antibacterial antiplaque agents. The antistain additive is an N-methylene phosphonate compound, such as iminodiacetic N-methylene phosphonic acid and salts thereof.

United Kingdom Patent Application 2151478-A, published Jul. 24, 1985, assigned to the Colgate-Palmolive Company, discloses that dental plaque and gingivitis are inhibited by the regular application to the oral cavity of an oral composition containing an effective plaque- and gingivitis-inhibiting amount of polyvinyl phosphonic acid or a salt thereof. The polyvinyl phosphonic acid, and salt thereof, have a preferred number average molecular weight of from about 6,000 to 100,000.

European Patent Application 0241179, published Oct. 14, 1987, assigned to Rohto Pharmaceutical Company, discloses a pharmaceutical composition for treating periodontal diseases which comprises one or more of therapeutically active ingredients admixed with a polymer capable of dissolving in an aqueous medium having a pH of 4.0 or higher. Examples of polymers capable of dissolving in such aqueous medium include, but are not limited to, hemiesters of organic bivalent acid together with polyvinyl alcohol and its derivatives. Therapeutically active ingredients useful in such composition are those generally known to be effective for prevention or treatment of periodontal diseases.

In spite of the many disclosures of agents useful for inhibiting and reducing plaque, the need for improved antiplaque products still exists, particularly for antiplaque products that do not cause staining of the teeth.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method for inhibiting plaque formation on teeth, without tooth staining, by applying a plaque-inhibiting, carboxy-substituted polymer active agent to the oral cavity.

It is another object of the present invention to provide for oral compositions containing such active agent polymer and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

These objects will be realized by the present invention.

The present invention embraces oral compositions comprising: (a) a safe and effective amount of a carboxy-substituted polymer active agent having the formula ##STR2## of the salts thereof, wherein R is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl group, n is in the range of from 0 to about 2,000, m is in the range of from about 10 to about 2,000, and p is in the range of from about 1 to about 10; and (b) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

The present invention also encompasses a method for inhibit-ing plaque formation on tooth surfaces.

The oral compositions of the present invention are useful for inhibiting plaque and comprise: (a) a safe and effective amount of a carboxy-substituted polymer active agent; and (b) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The compositions of this invention may optionally contain additional ingredients which include, but are not limited to, a fluoride ion source, flavoring agents, sweetening agents, and emulsifying agents.

"Oral compositions", as used herein, means a product which in the ordinary course of usage is retained in the oral cavity for a time sufficient to contact substantially all the dental surfaces and/or oral tissues for purposes of oral activity.

"Safe and effective amount", as used herein for the oral compositions of the present invention, means a sufficient amount of the carboxy-substituted polymer and other ingredients contained in such compositions for inhibiting the formation of plaque on tooth surfaces while being safe to the hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity. When used in the context of a method of applying the carboxy-substituted polymer of the present invention to the oral cavity for the purpose of inhibiting plaque formation, "safe and effective amount" means applying a sufficient amount of such carboxy-substituted polymer to the oral cavity, in unit dosage form, to inhibit the formation of plaque on tooth surfaces within the oral cavity, while being safe to the hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity.

The term "pharmaceutically acceptable carrier", as used herein, means a suitable vehicle which is pharmaceutically acceptable for application inside the oral cavity and can be used to apply the present compositions in the oral cavity.

The carboxy-substituted polymer useful as the active agent in the oral compositions of the present invention is of the formula: ##STR3## or the salts thereof, wherein R is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl group, preferably a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 straight-chain aliphatic group, most preferably a methyl group, n is in the range of from 0 to about 2,000, preferably from 0 to about 1,000, most preferably from 0 to about 500, m is in the range of from about 10 to about 2,000, preferably from about 25 to about 1,500, most preferably from about 50 to about 1,000, and p is in the range of from about 1 to about 10, preferably from about 2to about 5, most preferably about 2. Based upon the values that m and n can have, the mass average molecular weight of the carboxy-substituted polymer may theoretically range from about 1,440 to about 880,000 However, the mass average molecular weight is typically in the range of from about 2,000 to about 500,000, preferably from about 5,000 to about 250,000, most preferably from about 5,000 to about 200,000.

The carboxy-substituted polymer active agent of the present invention can be prepared by methods generally known to those skilled in the art. One method found to be useful involves the following reaction: ##STR4##

In this reaction, an alcohol polymer and an anhydride are combined in a solvent to form a reaction mixture. The preferred solvent is pyridine, although it is believed that most solvents known in the art may be used in the above-described reaction, with the exception of alcohol solvents. This reaction mixture is heated until the reaction is complete. The resulting product mixture is concentrated and neutralized. The crude product is then dialyzed and freeze-dried.

In the above-described reaction, it is possible that not all of the available alcohol groups contained on the alcohol polymer reactant will react with the anhydride to form the carboxy-substituted polymer. Typically from about 50 to about 100 mole percent, more typically from about 70 to about 100 mole percent, most typically from about 80 to about 100 mole percent of the available alcohol groups will participate in the carboxy-substitution reaction. These pecentages are dependent upon the method of preparation and reaction conditions. The degree of carboxy-substitution of the active agent of the present invention can be determined by methods generally known to those skilled in the art. One method found to be useful is quantitative C-13 NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance).

A preferred carboxy-substituted polymer useful in the present invention is of the general formula: ##STR5## or the salt thereof. This preferred carboxy-substituted polymer may be prepared by methods known to those skilled in the art. It may also be prepared by the method already disclosed herein, allowing for the appropriate selection of variables for the reactants.

The carboxy-substituted polymer of the present invention may comprise repeating units of the two-monomer block shown as structure I, it may comprise a block polymer, such as when a long chain of the monomer containing the n subscript is joined with a long chain of the monomer containing the m subscript, or it may comprise a random mixture of the individual monomers of the two-monomer block shown as structure I.

Mixtures of carboxy-substituted polymers may be used as the plaque-inhibiting active agent in the compositions of the present invention. For example, polymers having differing molecular weights or polymers having a differing order of individual monomers may be mixed together. The mass average molecular weight of active agent in such polymer mixture typically is in the range of from about 2,000 to about 500,000, preferably from about 5,000 to about 250,000, most preferably from about 5,000 to about 200,000. Mixtures of high molecular weight and low molecular weight carboxy-substituted polymers may be used to achieve a polymer mixture having an appropriate mass average molecular weight.

The salts of the carboxy-substituted polymers are prepared by neutralizing the available carboxylic acid groups of the carboxy-substituted polymer with a cation. While not required, it is preferred that such salts be water-soluble. Examples of cations useful in the present invention include, but are not limited to, alkali metal or quaternary ammonium cations, with alkali metals being preferred, and sodium being most preferred.

The carboxy-substituted polymers useful in the present invention may optionally be interspersed with other monomers. Preferred are monomers which add carboxylate groups to the polymer. Most preferred are acrylic acid and acrylate monomers.

The compositions of the present invention comprise a safe and effective amount of the carboxy-substituted polymer active agent (a), along with the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier (b). Such compositions typically comprise from about 0.1% to about 10.0% by weight, preferably from about 1.0% to about 10.0% by weight, most preferably from about 1.0% to about 6.0% by weight of the carboxy-substituted polymer active agent (a), and from about 99.9% to about 90.0% by weight, preferably from about 99.0% to about 90.0% by weight, most preferably from about 99.0% to about 94.0% by weight of the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier (b). In particular, for a dentifrice composition, the most preferred concentration of active agent ranges from about 1.0% to about 6.0% by weight. For a mouthwash composition, the most preferred concentration of active agent ranges from about 1.0% to about 6.0% by weight.

As discussed above, the carboxy-substituted polymers of the present invention are useful for inhibiting the formation of plaque on tooth surfaces. While not intending to necessarily be limited thereby, it is believed that this plaque-inhibiting carboxy-substituted polymer active agent is additionally beneficial in that it inhibits plaque formation without discernibly staining the tooth surfaces.

The carrier for the plaque-inhibiting active agent of the present invention can be any vehicle suitable for use in the oral cavity, including the usual components of mouthwashes, toothpastes, topical dental gels, toothpowders, prophylaxis pastes, lozenges, gums and the like, and are more fully described hereinafter. Without necessarily being limited thereby, the compositions of the present invention are typically prepared for rinsing and purging from the oral cavity, not for substantial oral ingestion. Dentifrices and mouthwashes are the preferred systems, with toothpastes being the more preferred.

Toothpastes and toothpowders contain an abrasive as a component. The abrasive polishing material contemplated for use in the present invention can be any material which does not excessively abrade dentin. These include, for example, silicas including gels and precipitates, calcium carbonate, dicalcium orthophosphate dihydrate, calcium pyrophosphate, tricalcium phosphate, calcium polymetaphosphate, insoluble sodium polymetaphosphate, hydrated alumina, and resinous abrasive materials such as particulate condensation products of urea and formaldehyde, and others such as disclosed by Cooley et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 3,070,510, issued Dec. 25, 1962, which is incorporated herein by reference. Mixtures of abrasives may also be used.

Various types of silica dental abrasives can provide the unique benefits of exceptional dental cleaning and polishing performance without unduly abrading tooth enamel or dentin. Silica abrasive materials are also exceptionally compatible with sources of soluble fluoride and other ion sources. For these reasons they are preferred for use herein. Of course the abrasive selected should also exhibit excellent compatibility with soluble strontium ion sources.

The silica abrasive polishing materials useful herein, as well as the other abrasives, generally have an average particle size ranging between about 0.1 and 30 microns, preferably between 5 and 15 microns. The silica abrasive can be precipitated silica or silica gels such as the silica xerogels described in Pader et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,538,230, issued Mar. 2, 1970 and DiGiulio, U.S. Pat. No. 3,862,307, issued Jun. 21, 1975, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. Preferred are the silica xerogels marketed under the tradename "Syloid" by the W. R. Grace & Company, Davidson Chemical Division. Preferred precipitated silica materials include those marketed by the J. M. Humber Corporation under the tradename "Zeodent", particularly the silica carrying the designation "Zeodent 119". These silica abrasives are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,340,583, issued Jul. 29, 1982, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The abrasive in the dentifrice compositions described herein is present at a level of from about 6% to about 70%, preferably from about 15% to about 25% when the dentifrice is a toothpaste. Higher levels, as high as 90%, may be used if the composition is a toothpowder.

Another embodiment of the prevent invention is a mouthwash composition. Conventional mouthwash composition components can comprise the carrier for the actives of the present invention. Typical carriers include water and a water/ethanol solution, with the water/ethanol solution being preferred. The ethanol is preferably included in the composition of the present invention due to its properties as a preservative and a solubilizing agent. Mouthwashes generally comprise from about 20:1 to about 2:1 of a water/ethanol solution and preferably other ingredients such as flavoring agents, sweeteners, humectants and sudsing agents such as those described above. In a preferred embodiment, the mouthwash composition will contain one or more humectants, such as glycerin and sorbitol, to give a moist feel to the mouth. Generally, on a weight basis the mouthwashes of the invention comprise from about 5% to about 60%, preferably from about 10% to about 25%, of ethyl alcohol; from 0% to about 20%, preferably from about 5% to about 20%, of a humectant; from 0% to about 2%, preferably from about 0.01% to about 0.15%, of an emulsifying agent; from 0% to about 0.5%, preferably from about 0.005% to about 0.06%, of a sweetening agent such as saccharin; from 0% to about 0.3%, preferably from about 0.03% to about 0.3%, of a flavoring agent; and the balance water.

Suitable lozenge and chewing gum components are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,083,955, issued Apr. 11, 1978 to Grabenstetter et al., which is incorporated herein by reference.

Suitable topical dental gels generally comprise a base of a humectant such as glycerin thickened with a suitable agent. Such gels generally do not contain an abrasive.

The plaque-inhibiting active agents of the present invention are highly effective in reducing the deposition of plaque on treated tooth surfaces in in vitro testing.

An in vitro test procedure that can be employed in ascertaining the plaque-inhibiting properties of said active agents is carried out follows: 25 mgs. of hydroxyapatite (HAP) beads are precoated with human saliva for 1.5 hours. The HAP beads are then washed three times with a buffer solution of 0.05M KCl, 1 mM PO.sub.4 (pH 6.0), 1 mM CaCl.sub.2 and 0.1 mM MgCl.sub.2. The HAP beads are then equilibrated with an aqueous solution of the carboxy-substituted polymer of the formula disclosed herein (at a desired concentration such as 5%), at pH 7.0, for 5 minutes with agitation. The HAP beads are removed from the aqueous solution and then washed once with a buffer solution as described above.

For the bacteria adsorption studies 25 mg of the HAP beads prepared as described above are placed in 1.0 ml of a cell suspension comprising about 1.5.times.10.sup.8 3 H radiolabelled bacteria (S. sanguis) in a buffer solution as described above. The beads are equilibrated in the mixture for three hours, with agitation. The beads are allowed to settle for one minute and the supernatant, which contains unadsorbed cells, is removed. The HAP beads are washed three times with buffer solution (same composition as described above), collected by filtration, and dissolved in hydrochloric acid. Radioactivity of the dissolved HAP is then measured by liquid scintillation counts in order to determine the number of bound cells. These results are compared to the radioactivity of dissolved HAP that was prepared as a control without antiplaque agents.

In addition to the above-described components, the oral compositions of the present invention may include a number of optional ingredients.

Such optional ingredients include a safe and effective amount of a fluoride ion source, which typically is in the form of a water-soluble fluoride compound. This water-soluble fluoride compound is typically present in the compositions of this invention in an amount sufficient to give a fluoride concentration of from about 0.0025% to about 5.0% by weight, preferably from about 0.005% to about 2.0% by weight. Preferred fluorides are sodium fluoride, stannous fluoride, indium fluoride, acidulated phosphate fluoride and sodium monofluorophosphate. U.S. Pat. No. 2,946,735, issued Jul. 26, 1960 to Norris et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 3,678,154, issued Jul. 18, 1972 to Widder et al., disclose such salts as well as others. The disclosures of these patents are incorporated herein by reference.

Flavoring agents can also be added to the dentifrice and other compositions of the present invention. Suitable flavoring agents include oil of wintergreen, oil of peppermint, oil of spearmint, oil of sassafras and oil of clove. Sweetening agents are also useful and include aspartame, acesulfame, saccharin, dextrose, levulose and sodium cyclamate. Flavoring and sweetening agents are generally used in the compositions herein at levels of from about 0.005% to about 2% by weight.

The compositions of this invention may also contain emulsifying agents. Suitable emulsifying agents are those which are reasonably stable and foam throughout a wide pH range, and include non-soap anionic, nonionic, cationic, zwitterionic and amphoteric organic synthetic detergents. Many of these suitable surfactants are disclosed by Gieske et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,051,234, issued Sep. 27, 1977, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Water may also be present in the compositions of this invention. Water employed in the preparation of commercially suitable compositions should preferably be deionized and free of organic impurities. Water generally comprises from about 10% to about 50% by weight, preferably from about 20% to about 40% by weight, of the toothpaste compositions herein. These amounts of water include the free water which is added plus that which is introduced with other materials, such as with sorbitol.

In preparing toothpastes, it is necessary to add some thickening material to provide a desirable consistency. Preferred thickening agents are carboxyvinyl polymers, carrageenan, hydroxyethyl cellulose and water soluble salts of cellulose ethers such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose. Natural gums such as gum karaya, gum arabic and gum tragacanth, and polysaccharide gums such as xanthan gum can also be used. Colloidal magnesium aluminum silicate or finely divided silica can be used as part of the thickening agent to further improve texture. Thickening agents in an amount from about 0.5% to about 5.0% by weight of the total composition may be used.

It is also desirable to include a humectant in a toothpaste to keep it from hardening. Suitable humectants include glycerin, sorbitol and other edible polyhydric alcohols at a level of from about 10% to about 70% by weight.

The pH of the present compositions and/or its pH in the mouth should be a pH which is safe for the mouth's hard and soft tissues, and which does not cause chemical breakdown of the carboxy-substituted polymer active agent. Such pH's are generally neutral or acidic, and are typically in the range of from about 3 to about 10, preferably from about 4 to about 9.

In addition to the above-described oral compositions, the present invention also encompasses a method of inhibiting plaque formation on tooth surfaces in the oral cavity. This method involves applying a safe and effective amount of the carboxy-substituted polymer of structure I, in unit dosage form, to the oral cavity. Generally in such an application from about 0.0015 grams to about 0.15 grams, preferably from about 0.015 grams to about 0.15 grams, most preferably from about 0.015 grams to about 0.075 grams of the carboxy-substituted polymer of the present invention is applied to the oral cavity. Such application of the carboxy-substituted polymer of the present invention is typically made by applying the oral compositions of the present invention containing the carboxy-substituted polymer to the oral cavity. When the oral composition is a toothpaste, typically from about 0.5 grams to about 2.5 grams, preferably from about 0.5 grams to about 2.0 grams, most preferably from about 1.0 grams to about 2.0 grams of toothpaste containing from about 0.1% to about 10.0% by weight, preferably from about 1.0% to about 10.0% by weight, most preferably from about 1.0% to about 6.0% by weight of the carboxy-substituted polymer of the present invention is applied to an applicating device, e.g., a toothbrush. The applicating device is then contacted with the tooth surface in a manner such that the toothpaste is contacted with the tooth surface. The applicating device may be further used to effect an even distribution of the oral composition onto said tooth surface, for example by brushing. The brushing will typically last for a period of 2 minutes, although the actual time period of brushing is dependent upon the individual user. Following brushing, the toothpaste residue is typically removed from the tooth surface by using a liquid acceptable to the oral cavity, typically water, to rinse the tooth surface. Typically 10 ml. of water will suffice for such rinsing.

When the oral composition is embodied in a mouthwash, typically from about 5.0 to about 20.0 ml., preferably from about 5.0 to about 15.0 ml., most preferably about 10.0 ml. of liquid mouthwash containing from about 0.1% to about 10.0% by weight, preferably from about 1.0% to about 10.0% by weight, most preferably from about 1.0% to about 6.0% by weight of the carboxy-substituted polymer of the present invention is introduced to the oral cavity. The liquid mouthwash is then agitated, preferably for a period of 2 minutes, within the oral cavity to obtain an improved distribution of the mouthwash over the tooth surface. The actual time of agitation is dependent upon the individual user. Following agitation, the mouthwash is typically expectorated from the oral cavity.

The following are representative oral compositions of the present invention.

This example shows the synthesis of a succinylated polyvinyl alcohol useful as the active agent of the present invention. The following steps are performed: 5.0 grams of polyvinyl alcohol having a molecular weight of 2,000 (obtained from Aldrich Chemical Company, located in Milwaukee, Wis.) and 11.4 grams of succinic anhydride are combined in 50 ml. of pyridine to form a reaction mixture. The reaction mixture is stirred at 100.degree. C. for a period of 18 hours, and then concentrated to a product under vacuum. The product is treated with 1 N HCl and concentrated to isolate crude succinylated polyvinyl alcohol. The crude succinylated polyvinyl alcohol is dissolved in NH.sub.4 OH solution, transferred to a 1,000 MW cutoff dialysis tube and dialyzed for a period of 18 hours with distilled water. The solution of product is removed from the dialysis tube and freeze-dried, producing 7.1 grams of tan solid succinylated polyvinyl alcohol. It is determined by quantitative C-13 NMR that 93 mole percent of the available groups had been succinylated.

The following is a representative example of a toothpaste prepared with the active agent of the present invention.

The above composition is made by combining the water and part of the sorbitol in an agitated mixture and heating this mixture to 140.degree. F. The succinylated polyvinyl alcohol, saccharin, sodium fluoride and precipitated silica are then added in order and the total mixture is mixed for from 5 to 10 minutes. The flavor, dye and surfactant are then added. In a separate vessel the remainder of the sorbitol, the Carbopol and the xanthan gum are slurried together and then added to the main mix tank. The complete batch is mixed for about one-half hour and subsequently milled and deaerated.

The following is another representative example of a toothpaste prepared using the active agent of the present invention.

In addition to the levels and combinations of ingredients shown in these examples, others can be used which are consistent with the invention disclosed.

This example shows a mouth rinse composition containing the active agent of the present invention.

The mouth rinse is prepared as follows:

The mouth rinse is prepared by adding each of the ingredients to the distilled water and stirring.