Use of oral compositions for reducing plaque formation on the teeth

Abstract: Oral compositions comprising the combination of an effective surface tension reducing amount of an amphoteric surfactant and an effective antimicrobial amount of a blend of phenolic agents and a substantially water insoluble noncationic antibacterial agent, such as Triclosan, is disclosed. These compositions are indicated in the management or control of dental plaque.

Description: This invention relates to oral compositions. More particularly, it relates to oral compositions such as mouthrinse, mouthwash, toothpaste, gel dentifrice, tooth powder, chewing gum, lozenge and the like for the control or management of dental plaque and gingivitis. These oral compositions comprise as active ingredients the combination of an amphoteric surfactant, phenolic flavors (agents) and substantially water insoluble noncationic antibacterial agent such as Triclosan in an orally acceptable vehicle forming the desired dosage forms. These compositions may optionally contain other types of surfactants to improve the efficacy, e . g ., wetting. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Dental plaque is a soft deposit which may form on any part of the tooth surface whereas calculus is a hard mineralized formation. Plaque has been implicated in gingival inflammation (gingivitis). Gingivitis, if untreated, could lead to other complications such as periodontitis and eventually the loss of teeth. Consequently, many measures, in addition to regular tooth brushings, have been proposed as a means of removing dental plaque thereby reducing the incidents of gingivitis. These include, for example, rinsing the mouth with oral compositions containing antiplaque or antimicrobial agents, alone or in combination with phenolic flavors. DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART U. S. Patent 4,749,562 discloses dentifrice compositions comprising the combination of an anionic surfactant and an antiplaque agent or a zinc salt. Among the anionic surfactants mentioned are sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate. Dr. Gaffar, et al. teaches in U.S. Patent 4,627,977 anticalculus compositions comprising, as an anticalculus agent a linear molecularly dehydrated polyphosphate salt and to inhibit enzymatic hydrolysis of the polyphosphate salt in saliva, a combination of a fluoride ion-providing source and a synthetic linear polymeric carboxylate. According to this patent organic surface-active agents are used to achieve increased prophylactic action, assist in achieving thorough and complete dispersion of the anticalculus agent throughout the oral cavity. These organic surface active-materials may be anionic, nonionic or ampholytic in nature. Oral antiseptic compositions comprising a combination of boric acid, benzoic acid, menthol, methyl salicylate, thymol and eucalyptol are described in U.S. Patent 3,164,524. The use of a water-insoluble non-cationic antibacterial agent such as triclosan is taught for example in several U.S. patents, such as 4,894,220; 4,002,880 and 4,749,562; Finally, The American Journal of Dentistry , Vol. 3, Special Edition Sept. 1990, page 53, describes the antiplaque effects of a triclosan and a copolymer mouthrinse. While the art has taught the combination of amphoteric agents with anticalculus compounds, and it has also taught the use of phenolic agents or antimicrobial agents as flavoring agents in oral compositions, we are not aware of any disclosure or suggestion that by combining an amphoteric agent with a phenolic flavor and a substantially water insoluble noncationic antibacterial agent would yield a composition having a greatly improved activity in inhibiting the formation of dental plaque than employing any of these classes of compounds alone. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Broadly speaking, the present invention relates to oral compositions useful for the management or control of plaque formation on the tooth surfaces. These compositions are based on the findings that a combination of an amphoteric surfactant with a blend of phenolic flavors and a substantially water insoluble noncationic antibacterial agent, as described more fully below, exhibit enhanced efficiency to inhibit dental plaque formation than either of the ingredients used alone. To broaden the therapeutic spectrum, these compositions may optionally contain other known therapeutic agents, e . g ., orally acceptable anti-plaque antimicrobial agents. To facilitate even greater efficacy, other types of surfactants, e . g ., anionic or cationic agents may also be incorporated into the present compositions. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided the use in combination in the preparation of an oral composition of surface tension lowering amount of a betaine, a blend of phenolic agents and a substantially water insoluble noncationic antibacterial agent to reduce plaque formation on the teeth. We have found the alkyl betaines, e.g., alkyl dimethyl betaines which include decyl betaine or 2-(N-decyl-N,N-dimethylammonio) acetate, myristyl betaine, palmityl betaine, lauryl betaine, cetyl betaine, stearyl betaine, cocoamidopropylbetaine etc., are particularly suitable for the present invention. Betaine is present in the oral composition in an effective surface tension reducing amount typically from 0.01% to 2% by weight. Depending on the dosage form of the oral composition selected, we have found a 2% weight of betaine is particularly suitable when the dosage form is a solid such as toothpaste, tooth powder, gel dentifrice, lozenge, chewing gum, tablets, breath fresheners and the like. For oral compositions in liquid form, such as mouthwash or mouth rinse, we have found from 0.3% w/v to 0.5% w/v of betaine is particularly suitable. "Phenolic agents" as that term is employed in this specification and in the claims, describes those compounds which include phenolic groups, or derivatives thereof, which are orally acceptable and which have an acceptable flavour, which is preferably like that of the preferred flavours of the working example formulas that will be given subsequently in this specification. Such agents are selected from the group consisting of eucalyptol, thymol, methyl salicylate, menthol, chlorothymol and phenol, and halogenated and other derivatives thereof, with the first six being more preferred, and the first four being even more preferred. In the blend of phenolic flavours one utilizes two or more thereof and preferably all four (of the first four listed) will be in the final flavour composition. In such composition it is desirable that there be at least 5% of each of such four flavours in the total flavour, preferably at least 10%, and more preferably at least 15% of each. A much preferred composition includes 35% of eucalyptol, 27% of thymol, 21% of methyl salicylate and 17% of menthol. Other phenolic agents and derivatives which may be advantageously employed in this invention include: Phenol and its Homologs Phenol Methyl - Phenol Methyl - Phenol Methyl - Phenol Ethyl - Phenol 2,4-Dimethyl - Phenol 2,4-Dimethyl - Phenol 3,4-Dimethyl - Phenol 2,6-Dimethyl - Phenol 4-n Propyl - Phenol 4-n-Butyl - Phenol 4-n Amyl - Phenol 4-tert-Amyl - Phenol 4-n-Hexyl - Phenol 4-n-Heptyl - Phenol 2-Methoxy-4-(2-Propenyl)-Phenol (Eugenol) Mono- and Poly-Alkyl and Aralkyl Halophenols Methyl - p-Chlorophenol Ethyl -p-Chlorphenol n-Propyl - p-Chlorophenol n-Butyl - p-Chlorophenol n-Amyl - p-Chlorophenol sec-Amyl - p-Chlorophenol n-Hexyl - p-Chlorophenol Cyclohexyl - p-Chlorophenol n-Heptyl - p-Chlorophenol n-Octyl - p-Chlorophenol o-Chlorophenol Methyl - o-Chlorophenol Ethyl - o-Chlorophenol n-Propyl - o-Chlorophenol n-Butyl - o-Chlorophenol n-Amyl - o-Chlorophenol tert-Amyl - o-Chlorophenol n-Hexyl - o-Chlorophenol n-Heptyl - o-Chloropenol p-Chlorophenol o-Benzyl - p-Chlorophenol o-Benzyl-m-methyl - p-Chlorophenol o-Benzyl-m, m-dimethyl - p-Chlorophenol o-Phenylethyl - p-Chlorophenol o-Phenylethyl-m-methyl - p-Chlorophenol 3-Methyl - p-Chlorophenol 3,5-Dimethyl - p-Chlorophenol 6-Ethyl-3-methyl - p-Chlorophenol 6-n-Propyl-3-methyl - p-Chlorophenol 6-iso propyl-3-methyl - p-Chlorophenol 2-Ethyl-3,5-dimethyl - p-Chlorophenol 6-sec Butyl-3-methyl - p-Chlorophenol 2-iso-Propyl-3,5-dimethyl - p-Chlorophenol 6-Diethylmethyl-3-methyl - p-Chlorophenol 6-iso-Propyl-2-ethyl-3-methyl - p-Chlorophenol 2-sec Amyl-3,5-dimethyl - p-Chlorophenol 2-Diethylmethyl-3,5-dimethyl - p-Chlorophenol 6-sec Octyl-3-methyl - p-Chlorophenol p-Bromophenol Methyl - p-Bromophenol Ethyl - p-Bromophenol n-Propyl - p-Bromophenol N-Butyl - p-Bromophenol n-Amyl - p-Bromophenol sec-Amyl - p-Bromophenol n-Hexyl - p-Bromophenol cyclohexyl - p-Bromophenol o-Bromophenol tert-Amyl - o-Bromophenol n-Hexyl - o-Bromophenol N-Propyl-m,m-Dimethyl - o-Bromophenol -Phenyl Phenol 4-Chloro-2-methyl phenol 4-chloro-3-methyl phenol 4-chloro-3,5-dimethyl phenol 2,4-dichloro-3,5-dimethyl phenol 3,4,5,6-tetrabromo-2 methyphenol 5-methyl-2-pentylphenol4-isopropyl-3-methylphenol 5-chloro-2-hydroxydiphenyl methane Resorcinol and Its Derivatives Resorcinol Methyl - Resorcinol Ethyl - Resorcinol n-Propyl - Resorcinol N-Butyl - Resorcinol n-Amyl - Resorcinol n-Hexyl - Resorcinol n-Heptyl - Resorcinol n-Octyl - Resorcinol n-Nonyl - Resorcinol Phenyl - Resorcinol Benzyl - Resorcinol Phenylethyl - Resorcinol Phenylpropyl - Resorcinol p-Chlorobenzyl - Resorcinol 5-Chloro -2,4-Dihydroxydiphenyl Methane 4'-Chloro -2,4-Dihydroxydiphenyl Methane 5-Bromo -2,4-Dihydroxydiphenyl Methane 4'-Bromo -2,4-Dihydroxydiphenyl Methane Bisphenolic Compounds Bisphenol A 2,2'-methylene bis (4-chlorophenol) 2,2'-methylene bis (3,4,6-trichlorophenol) (hexachlorophene) 2,2'-methylene bis (4-chloro-6-bromophenol) bis (2-hydroxy-3,5-dichlorophenyl) sulfide bis (2-hydroxy-5-chlorobenzyl) sulfide As mentioned above, the oral compositions of this invention may include an effective antiplaque amount of a non-cationic antibacterial agent. These are typically halogenated diphenyl ethers, halogenated salicylanilides, benzoic esters or halogenated carbanilides. Examples of halogenated diphenyl ethers are: 2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxy-diphenyl ether (Triclosan) 2,2'-dihydroxy-5,5'-dibromo-diphenyl ether. Examples of halogenated salicylanilides are: 5-dibromosalicylanilide 3,4',5-trichlorosalcylanilide 3,4',5-tribromosalicylanilide 2,3,3',5-tetrachlorosalicylanilide 3,3,3',5-tetrachlorosalicylanilide 3,5-dibromo-3'-trifluoromethyl salicylanilide 5-n-octanoly-3'-trifluoromethyl salicylanilide 3,5-dibromo-4'-trifluoromethyl salicylanilide 3,5-dibromo-3'-trifluoro methyl salicylanilide (Flurophene) Examples of benzoic esters are: Methyl - p-Hydroxybenzoic Ester Ethyl - p-Hydroxybenzoic Ester Propyl - p-Hydroxybenzoic Ester Butyl - p-Hydroxybenzoic Ester Examples of halogenated carbanilides are: 3,4,4'-trichlorocarbanilide 3-trifluoromethyl-4,4'-dichlorocarbanilide 3,3,4'-trichlorocarbanilide The noncationic antibacterial agent is present in the oral composition in an effective antiplaque amount, typically 0.01-5% by weight, preferably 0.03-1% and more preferably 0.3-0.4%. The antibacterial agent is substantially water-insoluble meaning that its solubility is less than 1% by weight in water at 25 C. and may be even less than 0.1%. The preferred halogenated diphenyl ether is triclosan. The present invention may include as optional agents other types of surface active agents. i . e ., anionic, cationic or non-ionic surfactants. Suitable examples of anionic surfactants are water-soluble salts of higher fatty acid monoglyceride monosulfates, such as the sodium salt of the monosulfated monoglyceride of hydrogenated coconut oil fatty acids, higher alkyl sulfates such as sodium lauryl sulfate, alkyl aryl sulfonates such as sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, higher alkyl sulfoacetates, higher fatty acid esters of 1,2 dihydroxy propane sulfonate, and the substantially saturated higher aliphatic acyl amides of lower aliphatic amino carboxylic acid compounds, such as those have 12 to 16 carbons in the fatty acid, alkyl or acyl radicals, and the like. Examples of water-soluble nonionic surfactants are condensation products of ethylene oxide with various reactive hydrogen-containing compounds reactive therewith having long hydrophobic chains ( e . g ., aliphatic chains of about 12 to 20 carbon atoms), which condensation products ("ethoxamers") contain hydrophilic polyoxyethylene moieties, such as condensation products of poly(ethylene oxide) with fatty acids, fatty alcohols, fatty amides, polyhydric alcohols ( e . g ., sorbitan monostearate) and polypropyleneoxide ( e . g ., Pluronic materials). These surface active agents, which can be employed alone or in combinations, are typically present in an amount of 0.5 to 5% by weight, preferably 1 to 2.5% by weight. Anionic surfactants which are incompatible with cationic surfactants are obviously to be avoided in the same formulation. The oral compositions may also contain an anticaries amount of a fluoride ion source sufficient to supply about 25 ppm to 5000 ppm of fluoride ions. The sources of fluoride ions, or fluoride-providing component are well known in the art as anticaries agents. These compounds may be slightly soluble in water or may be fully water-soluble. They are characterized by their ability to release fluoride ions in water and by substantial freedom from undesired reaction with other compounds of the oral preparation. Among these materials are inorganic fluoride salts, such as soluble alkali metal, alkaline earth metal salts, for example sodium fluoride, potassium fluoride, ammonium fluoride, calcium fluoride, a copper fluoride such as cuprous fluoride, zinc fluoride, barium fluoride, sodium fluorosilicate, ammonium fluorosilicate, sodium fluorozirconate, ammonium fluorozirconate, sodium monofluorphosphate, aluminum mono-and difluorophosphate, and fluorinated sodium calcium pyrophosphate. Alkali metal and tin fluorides, such as sodium and stannous fluorides, sodium monofluorophosphate (MFP) and mixtures thereof, are preferred. The amount of fluorine-providing compound is dependent to some extent upon the type of compound, its solubility, and the type of oral preparation, but it must be a non-toxic amount, generally about 0.0005 to about 3.0% in the preparation. In a dentifrice preparation, an amount of such compound which releases up to about 5,000 ppm of F ion by weight of the preparation is considered satisfactory. Any suitable minimum amount of such compound may be used, but it is preferable to employ sufficient compound to release about 300 to 2,000 ppm, more preferably about 800 to about 1,500 ppm of fluoride ion. Typically, in the cases of alkali metal fluorides, this component is present in an amount up to about 2% by weight, based on the weight of the preparation, and preferably in the range of about 0.05% to 1%. In the case of sodium monofluorophosphate, the compound may be the present in an amount of about 0.1-3%, more typically about 0.76%. Various other materials may be incorporated in the oral preparations of this invention such as whitening agents, preservatives, silicones, chlorophyll compounds and/or ammoniated material such as urea, diammonium phosphate, and mixtures thereof. These adjuvants, where present, are incorporated in the preparations in amounts which do not substantially adversely affect the properties and characteristics desired. Suitable sweetening agents include sucrose, lactose, maltose, sorbitol, xylitol, sodium cyclamate, perillartine, AMP (aspartyl phenyl alanine, methyl ester), saccharine and the like. Suitably, flavor and sweetening agents each or together comprise from about 0.1% to 5% more of the preparation. In the preferred practice of this invention on oral compositions containing the active ingredients of the present invention it is preferably administered to the oral cavity, such as rinsing with the mouthrinse every day or every second or third day or preferably from 1 to 3 times daily, at a pH of about 3 to about 9, generally about 5.5 to about 8, preferably about 6 to 8, for at least 2 weeks up to 8 weeks or more up to lifetime. The liquid compositions of the present invention are typically prepared by mixing together the ingredients using simple blending procedure with the aqueous vehicle in a suitable vessel. The solid compositions of this invention can be prepared as lozenges, or as chewing gum or other products, e.g. by stirring the ingredients into a warm gum base or candy base, illustrative of which may be mentioned jelutong, rubber latex, vinylite resins, etc., optionally with conventional plasticizers, softeners, sugar or other sweeteners or carbohydrates such as glucose, sorbitol and the like. In a commercial embodiment of the present invention the oral compositions of the present invention are sold or distributed in suitable labelled packages, e.g., bottles for mouthrinse, collapsible tubes for toothpaste and the like. The following examples are further illustrative of the nature of the present invention, but it is understood that the invention is not limited thereto. All amounts and proportions referred to herein and in the appended claims are by weight, unless otherwise indicated. The term "Phenolic flavors" used hereinafter denotes a mixture of 35% eucalyptol, 27% thymol, 21% methyl salicylate and 17% menthol. Example 1 An oral mouthwash is prepared by mixing together: sorbitol 10% glycerine 10% betaine (35%aq) 1.42% ethanol 10% propylene glycol 7.0% Phenolic flavors 0.15% Triclosan 0.06% Water, a sufficient amount to make 100% Example 2 sorbitol 10% glycerine 10% betaine (35%aq) 0.857% ethanol 10% propylene glycol 7.0% Phenolic flavors 0.15% Triclosan 0.06% Water, a sufficient amount to make 100% The betaine used in Examples 1 and 2 is cocoamidopropyl betaine. Example 3 The effects of mouth rinses on dental plaque formation in vitro. The antiplaque efficacy of the formulation was tested in an in vitro model of dental plaque using procedures described in the American Journal of Dentistry , Vol. 3, Special Edition Sept. 1990, i.e., the flow cell system. The test cells were treated with the rinses (shown in Examples 3 and 4) four times in a 48 hour period. The effects of the rinses were compared to a vehicle control rinse. Sample % plaque reduction Example 1 rinse 37.1% Example 2 rinse 68.6% In the above Example 1, it contains about 0.5% betaine and in Example 2, it contains about 0.3% betaine. Example 4 The effects of the mouth rinses on human dental plaque formation. A human clinical study was also conducted to measure the effect of an triclosan/cocoamidopropyl betaine/phenolic flavor mouth rinse on dental plaque formation. Ten healthy adults were asked to use the experimental rinses, twice per day for 4 consecutive days, in a cross-over design clinical study. The subjects were given an initial cleaning prophylaxis at the beginning of the study. No other oral hygiene was allowed during the 4 day experimental period. Effects of the rinse treatments were compared to a water control. Sample % plaque reduction Example 1 rinse 31% Example 2 rinse 32% Example 5 Mouthrinses containing the following formulations were prepared and a plaque reduction study were initiated over a 4-day period in human volunteers, in accordance with the protocol described in Example 4. The date from the study are also summarised below: Example ingredient Ingredient Plaque score 5A control water 1.17 + or - 0.20 5B control Anionic 0.25% SLS 1.19 + or - 0.15 5C 0.15% phenolic Flavours 1.17 + or - 0.18 0.25% SLS 0.2% tauranol 5D 0.06% triclosan 1.21 + or - 0.14 0.15% phenolic 0.25% SLS 0.2% tauranol 5E 0.06% triclosan 1.12 + or - 0.13 0.15% phenolic 0.3% SLS 0.2% tauranol 5F 0.06% triclosan 1.00 0.15% phenolic 0.3% cocoamidopropyl betaine 5G 0.06% triclosan 1.04 0.15% phenolic 0.5% cocoamidopropyl betaine From the above data, it clearly shows that the combination of phenolics with triclosan with an amphoteric surfactant, i.e., betaine, is superior to triclosan and phenolics in an anionic system, i.e., sodium lauryl sulfate and tauranol.

Claims: The use in combination in the preparation of an oral composition of a surface tension reducing amount of a betaine, a blend of two or more phenolic flavourants and a substantially water insoluble noncationic antibacterial agent, to reduce plaque formation on the teeth. The use as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that the oral composition is a mouthwash. The use as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 characterised in that of 0.3 % w/v to 0.5 % w/v of the betaine. The use as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 characterised in that the said antibacterial antiplaque agent is a halogenated diphenyl ether. The use as claimed in claim 4 characterised in that said halogenated diphenyl ether is 2,4,4'-tricholoro-2'hydroxy-diphenyl ether. The use as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 characterised in that the said antibacterial antiplaque agent is present from 0.01% w/v to 1.0% w/v. The use as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 characterised in that the phenolic flavourants comprise eucalyptol, thymol, methyl salicylate and menthol, each present in an amount of at least 5 % by weight of the total blend of phenolic flavourants. The use as claimed in claim 7 characterised in that the phenolic flavourants comprises a mixture of 35% eucalyptol, 27% thymol, 21% methyl salicylate and 17% menthol. The use as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 characterised in that the said betaine is cocoamidopropyl betaine.

Inventors: AFFLITTO JOHN, ESPOSITO ANTHONY, GAFFAR ABDUL, KELLY ERNEST, AFFLITTO, JOHN, ESPOSITO, ANTHONY, GAFFAR, ABDUL, KELLY, ERNEST
Applicants: COLGATE PALMOLIVE CO, COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY
Application year: 1995
Main classification: A61K7
IPC codes: A61K8, A61Q11