Anti-sensitivity oral hygiene composition

Abstract: An oral hygiene composition for use in the treatment of dentine hypersensitivity comprises a water soluble strontium salt and a water soluble potassium salt, together with a dentally acceptable excipient. Preferably, the composition is in the form of a dentifrice comprising an abrasive silica and a thickening silica, and optionally includes an ionic fluorine-containing compound.

Description: The present invention relates to oral hygiene compositions, and in particular to compositions for the treatment of dentine hypersensitivity. Many compositions have been proposed for the treatment of dentine hypersensitivity, for instance compositions comprising as the active agent formaldehyde, sodium or stannous fluoride, zinc chloride, silver nitrate, sodium citrate/citric acid (US 4 011 309, Lutz H.J., to Marion Laboratories, Inc), strontium salts (US 3 122 483, Rosenthal M.W., to Block Drug Company, US 4 367 219, Schole M.L., EP O 200 323, Leigh P.L., to Beecham Group p.l.c.), potassium and other alkali metal nitrates (UK 1 466 930, Hodosh, M.) and other potassium salts (EP O 095 871, Reckitt and Colman, PCT/US 85/00123, The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York, and UK application No. 87 06187, to Unilever plc). In addition, an application (EP O 346 957, to Unilever plc) published after the priority date of the present application discloses a tooth desensitising oral composition comprising a finely divided hydroxyapatite in combination with a source of potassium and/or strontium ions. Whilst hydroxyapatite is known as an abrasive, the use thereof with strontium or potassium had been previously unreported. In 'Proceedings of Symposium on Hypersensitive Dentin: Origin and Management', November 20, 1985, the University of Michigan, N.H. Rowe (ed.) it is mentioned that KNO₃ is ineffective at occluding dentinal tubules. We have now discovered that particularly effective anti-sensitivity activity can be achieved by a particular combination of anti-sensitivity agents. Accordingly, the present invention provides a dentifrice comprising of a water soluble, non-toxic, strontium salt and a water soluble, non-toxic, potassium salt; a silica abrasive and a dentally acceptable excipient; and excluding dentifrices comprising from 250 to 2000 ppm of fluoride ions provided by potassium monofluorophosphate or potassium fluoride Suitable strontium salts include strontium chloride, strontium bromide, strontium iodide, strontium acetate, strontium edetate, strontium nitrate, strontium salicylate and strontium lactate, of which strontium acetate is especially preferred. It is advantageous to use strontium acetate in the form of the hemihydrate. Typically the strontium salt is present in a range to provide from 0.1 to 15%, preferably 1 to 10%, more preferably 2 to 8%, by weight of the composition as strontium ions. Suitable potassium salts include potassium chloride, potassium bromide, potassium iodide, potassium acetate, potassium citrate, potassium nitrate and potassium lactate, of which potassium chloride or potassium acetate especially preferred. Typically the potassium salt is present in a range to provide from 0.1 to 15%, preferably 0.25 to 15%, more preferably 0.5 to 10%, by weight of the composition as potassium ions. It will be appreciated that the potassium salt should be selected such that the anions thereof are compatible in aqueous solution with strontium ions. Suitably, the ratio of the potassium salt to the strontium salt will be in the range of from 10:1 to 1:10, preferably 5:1 to 1:5, by weight of the respective ions. The dentally acceptable excipient in compositions of the invention will include any of the well known ingredients conventionaly used in oral hygiene compositions, provided that they are compatible with strontium ions in aqueous solution. In a further aspect of the invention, compositions may also comprise an ionic fluorine-containing compound, to provide an additional anti-caries effect. The ionic fluorine-containing compound may be a fluoride salt, preferably an alkali metal fluoride. Sodium fluoride is especially preferred but the corresponding potassium and/or lithium salts can also be employed. Other suitable fluoride salts include ammonium fluoride, tin (II) fluoride and zinc fluoride. In addition to, or instead of, the above fluoride salts, the ionic fluorine-containing compound may also comprise a monofluorophosphate, preferably an alkali metal monofluorophosphate. Sodium monofluorophosphate is especially preferred but the corresponding potassium and/or lithium salts may also be employed. Other suitable monofluorophosphates include monofluoropolyphosphate salts, for instance compounds of the formulae Na₄P₃O₉F,K₄P₃O₉F,Na₃KP₃O₉F, Na₃KP₃O₉F (NH₄)₃NaP₃O₉F, and Li₄P₃O₉F. The total amount of fluoride and/or monofluorophosphate used is to some extent dependent on the type of oral hygiene composition, but it should be an effective, but non-toxic, amount. Typically the ionic fluorine-containing compound(s) is present in an amount to provide a total of from 0.01 to 0.25% of fluorine, preferably 0.025 to 0.15%, based on the weight of the composition. A composition of the invention may optionally contain other agents known to enhance the anticaries effect of fluoride and monofluorophosphate, for instance, calcium glycerophosphate (which is known to enhance the anticaries activity of monofluorophosphate) which may be incorporated in a weight ratio of up to 1:3, preferably 1:20 to 1:3, compared to the total weight of monofluorophosphate. The silica abrasive is typically present in the range from 5 to 75% preferably 5 to 50%, by weight of the composition. The silica abrasive may be a natural amorphous silica, for instance, diatomaceous earth, or a synthetic amorphous silica, for instance a precipitated silica or a silica gel, such as the silica xerogels described in US Patent No. 3 538 230. Preferred precipitated silicas are those marketed under the trade marks 'Zeodent' and 'Tioxosil' by J.M. Huber Corporation and Rhone-Poulenc, respectively. The coformulation of a strontium salt and an ionic-fluorine containing compound is recognised to present a problem due to the formation of, for instance, insoluble strontium fluoride or insoluble strontium monofluorophosphate. It has been found that in compositions of the present invention, further comprising an ionic fluorine-containing compound, this problem may be overcome by the inclusion of a silica, by analogy with the disclosure of EP-A-O 200 323 (to Beecham Group p.l.c.). Accordingly, in a further aspect of the invention, there is provided an oral hygiene composition, as hereinbefore defined, comprising an ionic fluorine-containing compound, as hereinbefore defined, and silica which may be a thickening silica or an abrasive silica or a combination thereof and optionally comprising an additional non-silica abrasive. Preferably, an abrasive silica, as hereinbefore defined, is used in combination with a thickening silica, with suitable amounts thereof being in the weight ranges of from 5 to 20% (abrasive silica) and from 3 to 12% (thickening silica), by weight of the composition. Preferred thickening silicas include the products marketed under the trade marks 'Sipernat' and 'Syloid' by Degussa and by W.R. Grace, respectively. The compositions of the invention will also usually contain as excipients surfactants, humectants, gelling agents, and other ingredients such as flavouring, sweetening and colouring agents. Surfactants used in the composition of the invention are normally water-soluble, non-soap, or synthetic organic detergents. Particularly preferred surfactants are low ionic materials such as for example sodium N-methyl-N-cocoyl taurate, which is marketed under the trade name 'Adinol CT' by Croda or non-ionic materials such as for example condensates of propylene glycol and polyethoxylated hydrogenated castor oil, for instance, cremaphors. Other suitable surfactants include the water-soluble salts of: higher fatty acid monoglyceride monosulphates (for example sodium hydrogenated coconut fatty acid monoglyceride monosulphate); higher alkyl sulphates (for example sodium lauryl sulphate); alkylarylsulphonates (for example sodium dodecylbenzenesulphonates); and higher alkyl sulphoacetates (for instance sodium lauryl sulphoacetate). There may also be used the saturated higher aliphatic acyl amides of lower aliphatic amino carboxylic acids having 12 to 16 carbon atoms in the acyl radical and in which the amino acid portion is derived from the lower aliphatic saturated monoaminocarboxylic acids having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, such as the fatty acid amides of glycine, sarcosine, alanine, 3-aminopropanoic acid and valine, particularly the N-lauroyl, myristoyl and palmitoyl sarcosinate compounds. The surfactants are generally present in an amount of 0.05 to 15%, preferably 0.05 to 5% by weight of composition. Humectants suitable for use in compositions of the invention include, for example, glycerine, sorbitol and/or a glycol, including suitable mixtures thereof. Suitably, the glycol is propylene glycol or a polyethylene glycol. It is also preferred to use in those compositions of the invention which are toothpastes a gelling agent such as a natural or synthetic gum or gum-like material. Whilst non-ionic gums such as guar gum or xanthan gum are particularly preferred, other gums or gum-like materials, such as, for example, Irish Moss, gum tragacanth, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, starch or a thickening silica may also be used. The gelling agent content is usually from 0.001 to 10%, preferably 0.01 to 5% by weight of the composition. Other materials may be added such as for example sweetening agents (e.g. soluble saccharin), flavouring oils (e.g. oils of spearmint, wintergreen peppermint), menthol, chloroform, colouring or whitening agents (e.g. titanium dioxide), preservative (e.g. sodium benzoate), emulsifying agents, silicones, alcohol, chlorophyll compounds (e.g. sodium copper chlorophyllin), antibacterial agents (e.g. triclosan, chlorhexidine), antiplaque agents and anti-calculus agents. If necessary and required, compositions of the invention may include water. The pH of compositions according to the invention will be dentally acceptable, and typically in the range pH 5 to 9. Oral hygiene compositions according to the invention may be prepared by mixing the ingredients thereof in the required proportions in any order that is convenient and thereafter and if necessary adjusting the pH. This invention will now be illustrated with reference to the following Examples. Example I - Toothpasste % Sorbitol (70% solution) 33.0 Saccharin (30% solution) 1.0 Xanthan gum 1.0 Glycerin 11.0 Titanium dioxide 1.0 Thickening silica 6.5 Abrasive silica 14.0 Strontium acetate 8.0 Potassium acetate 4.9 Sodium N-methyl-N-cocoyl laurate 2.0 Preservatives 0.1 Flavour 1.0 Water to 100.0 Data Introduction The ability of a dentifrice according to the invention comprising strontium acetate (8%), potassium chloride (3.75%) and sodium fluoride (0.22%) to alleviate dentine hypersensitivity was compared with that of a dentifrice comprising strontium acetate (8%) and sodium fluoride (0.22%). Method Subjects (n=5) were initially assessed for sensitivity by exposing a sensitive tooth to cold air and to ethyl chloride stimulation. A subjective assessment was made on the scale 0 to 10 (0 being no pain at all, 10 being extremely painful). The appropriate dentifrice was assigned to each subject to use for a period of five weeks and further assessments of sensitivity were made at weekly intervals. The results are presented in Figures 1 and 2 (SrAc being strontium acetate). Results Figure 1 - Ethyl chloride stimulation SrAc/KCl/NaF superior to SrAc/NaF p< 0.001 at 2, 3, 4 and 5 weeks use of dentifrices. Figure 2 - Air Blast stimulation SrAc/KCl/NaF superior to SrAc/NaF p< 0.01 at 4 weeks use of dentifrices p< 0.05 at 3 and 5 weeks use of dentifrices Conclusion Figures 1 and 2 show quite clearly that, in response to either ethyl chloride or air blast stimulation, a strontium acetate/potassium chloride/sodium fluoride dentifrice is statistically superior to a similar dentifrice in which potassium chloride is omitted.

Claims: Claims for the following Contracting States : AT, BE, CH, DE, DK, FR, GB, GR, IT, LI, LU, NL, SE A dentifrice comprising: a water soluble, non-toxic, strontium salt and a a water soluble, non-toxic, potassium salt; a silica abrasive and a dentally acceptable excipient; and excluding dentifrices comprising from 250 to 2000 ppm of fluoride ions provided by potassium monofluorophosphate or potassium fluoride. A composition as claimed in claim 1 in which the strontium salt is strontium acetate. A composition as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the potassium salt is potassium acetate or potassium chloride. A composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 further comprising an ionic fluorine-containing compound. An oral hygiene composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to claim 4 further comprising a thickening silica. A composition as claimed in claims 5 and 6 comprising a from 5-20 % (w/w) of an abrasive silica and from 3 to 12 % (w/w) of a thickening silica. A composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 comprising a surfactant which is a non-ionic or a low ionic material. A process for the preparation of a dentifrice as defined in any one of claims 1 to 7 which process comprises admixing the ingredients thereof in the required proportions in any order that is convenient and thereafter and if necessary adjusting the pH. A composition as defined in any one of claims 1 to 7 for use in the treatment of dentine hypersensitivity. Claims for the following Contracting State : ES A process for preparing a dentifrice comprising: a water soluble, non-toxic, strontium salt and a water soluble, non-toxic, potassium salt; a silica abrasive and a dentally acceptable excipient; and excluding dentifrices comprising from 250 to 2000 ppm of fluoride ions provided by potassium monofluorophosphate or potassium fluoride; which process comprises admixing the ingredients thereof in the required proportions in any order that is convenient and thereafter and if necessary adjusting the pH. A process for preparing a composition as claimed in claim 1 in which the strontium salt is strontium acetate. A process for preparing a composition as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the potassium salt is potassium acetate or potassium chloride. A process for preparing a composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 further comprising an ionic fluoride-containing compound. A process for preparing a composition as claimed in claim 4 in which the ionic fluorine-containing compound is an alkali metal fluoride or an alkali metal fluorophosphate or a mixture thereof. A process for preparing a composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 in which an abrasive is present in the range from 5 to 75% by weight of the composition. A process for preparing an oral hygiene composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 further comprising a thickening silica. A process for preparing a composition as claimed in claim 7 in which the thickening silica is present in from 1 to 15% by weight of the composition. A process for preparing a composition as claimed in claim 7 comprising a combination of an abrasive silica and a thickening silica, present in from 5 to 20% and from 3 to 12% by weight of the composition respectively. A process for preparing a composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 comprising a surfactant which is a non-ionic or a low ionic material.

Inventors: DUKE SUSAN ANN, JACKSON ROBERT JOHN, WICKS MARK ANDREW, DUKE, SUSAN ANN, JACKSON, ROBERT JOHN, WICKS, MARK ANDREW
Applicants: BEECHAM GROUP PLC
Application year: 1990
Main classification: A61K7
IPC codes: A61Q11, A61K8