Oral care compositions comprising a whitening agent comprising a peroxide, a silica abrasive and a solvent

Abstract

Aspects of the invention are directed to oral care compositions and, particularly, oral care compositions providing a whitening effect. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, provided is an oral care composition having a whitening agent comprising a peroxide source; an abrasive comprising a silica abrasive; and a solvent system.

Description

ORAL CARE COMPOSITIONS CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.63 / 634,110, filed April 15, 2024, titled Oral Care Compositions, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. BACKGROUND

[0002] Oral care compositions, such as dentifrice compositions, can typically include one or more ingredients for maintaining the health of the oral cavity. Consumers have become aware of and desiring oral care compositions that maintain the aesthetics of their teeth. To address a desire for whiter teeth, consumer product companies have focused on producing toothpastes having a whitening agent.

[0003] Additionally, many toothpastes include an abrasive to debride and physically scrub the external surface of the teeth. This scrubbing action removes the organic film (i.e., the pellicle), formed of salivary proteins which covers the teeth and which is known to become stained and discolored by foods, such as coffee, tea and berries, as well as, by tobacco smoke, cationic antibacterials, and chromogenic bacteria. Such physical removal of the stained pellicle is a simple and effective means of removing the undesirable surface staining and discoloration which occurs daily. Further, such physical removal of the pellicle also removes plaque bacteria on the pellicle surface.

[0004] However, common abrasives used in dentifrice compositions are often problematic for hydrogen peroxide. For instance, toothpaste tubes formulated with hydrogen peroxide and silica abrasive or alumina abrasive have been known to explode as soon as one day after filling. BRIEF SUMMARY

[0005] This summary is intended merely to introduce a simplified summary of some aspects of one or more implementations of the present disclosure. Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. This summary is not an extensive overview, nor is it intended to identify key or critical elements of the present teachings, nor to delineate the scope of the disclosure. Rather, its purpose is merely to present oneor more concepts in simplified form as a prelude to the detailed description below.

[0006] Aspects of the invention are directed to oral care compositions and, particularly, oral care compositions providing a whitening effect to teeth. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, provided is an oral care composition having a whitening agent comprising a peroxide source; an abrasive comprising a silica abrasive; and a solvent system.

[0007] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, provided is an oral care composition having a whitening agent comprising hydrogen peroxide; an abrasive comprising a silica abrasive and calcium pyrophosphate; a solvent system comprising a polyethylene glycol-polypropylene glycol copolymer and a polyol chosen from ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, pentylene glycol, hexylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, pentaethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, a polyethylene glycol, a polypropylene glycol, a polyethylene glycol, a polypropylene glycol, or a combination of two or more thereof.

[0008] In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, provided is a method of manufacturing an oral care composition, the method comprising: mixing a whitening agent comprising a peroxide source, an abrasive comprising a silica abrasive, and a solvent system; and preparing an oral care composition from such mixture.

[0009] A non-limiting list of exemplary embodiments is provided below:

[0010] In accordance with an embodiment 1, provided is an oral care composition comprising: a whitening agent comprising a peroxide source; an abrasive comprising a silica abrasive; and a solvent system.

[0011] In accordance with an embodiment 2, provided is the oral care composition according to embodiment 1, wherein the peroxide source comprises a non-complexed peroxide present in an amount from about 0.01 to about 10 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0012] In accordance with an embodiment 3, provided is the oral care composition according to embodiment 2, wherein the non-complexed peroxide is selected from hydrogen peroxide, lithium peroxide, potassium peroxide, sodium peroxide, magnesium peroxide, calcium peroxide, barium peroxide, alkyl hydrogen peroxides, dialkyl peroxides, alkyl peroxy acids, peroxy esters, diacyl peroxides, benzoyl peroxide, and a combination of two or more thereof.

[0013] In accordance with an embodiment 4, provided is the oral care composition according to any foregoing embodiment, wherein the silica abrasive is present in an amount from about 1 to about 10 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0014] In accordance with an embodiment 5, provided is the oral care composition according to any foregoing embodiment, wherein the abrasive further comprises calcium pyrophosphate.

[0015] In accordance with an embodiment 6, provided is the oral care composition according to any foregoing embodiment, wherein the total amount of abrasive is from about 1 to about 35 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0016] In accordance with an embodiment 7, provided is the oral care composition according to any foregoing embodiment, wherein the solvent system comprises ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, pentylene glycol, hexylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, pentaethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, a polyethylene glycol, a polypropylene glycol, a polyethylene glycol, a polypropylene glycol, a polyethylene glycol- polypropylene glycol copolymer, or a combination of two or more thereof.

[0017] In accordance with an embodiment 8, provided is the oral care composition according to embodiment 7, wherein the solvent system comprises a polyethylene glycol-polypropylene glycol copolymer.

[0018] In accordance with an embodiment 9, provided is the oral care composition according to any foregoing embodiment, wherein the solvent system comprises propylene glycol.

[0019] In accordance with an embodiment 10, provided is the oral care composition according to embodiment 9, wherein the propylene glycol is present in an amount from about 30 to about 70 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0020] In accordance with an embodiment 11, provided is the oral care composition according to any foregoing embodiment, wherein the oral care composition comprises less than about 5 wt.% of water, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0021] In accordance with an embodiment 12, provided is the oral care composition according to any foregoing embodiment further comprising: one or more thickening agent, optionally, in an amount from about 1 to about 20 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0022] In accordance with an embodiment 13, provided is the oral care composition according to embodiment 12, wherein the one or more thickening agent comprises a plurality of thickening agents, the plurality of thickening agents comprising a silica thickener.

[0023] In accordance with an embodiment 14, provided is the oral care composition according to embodiment 13, wherein the silica thickener is present in an amount up to 7 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0024] In accordance with an embodiment 15, provided is the oral care composition according to any one of embodiment 12 to embodiment 14, wherein the one or more thickening agent comprises polyvinyl pyrrolidone.

[0025] In accordance with an embodiment 16, provided is the oral care composition according to any foregoing embodiment further comprising: an anti-calculus agent, optionally, in an amount from about 0.5 to about 10 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0026] In accordance with an embodiment 17, provided is the oral care composition according to embodiment 16, wherein the anti-calculus agent is selected from tetrasodium pyrophosphate, ammonium tripolyphosphate, hexametaphosphate salt, polycarboxylate polymers, polyvinyl methyl ether / maleic anhydride (PVME / MA) copolymers, and a combination of two or more thereof.

[0027] In accordance with an embodiment 18, provided is the oral care composition according to any foregoing embodiment further comprising: a fluoride source, optionally, in an amount from about 0.1 to about 2 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0028] In accordance with an embodiment 19, provided is the oral care composition according to embodiment 18, wherein the fluoride source is selected from sodium fluoride, potassium fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate, sodium fluorosilicate, ammonium fluorosilicate, amine fluoride, ammonium fluoride, and a combination of two or more thereof.

[0029] In accordance with an embodiment 20, provided is the oral care composition according to any foregoing embodiment further comprising: an anionic surfactant, optionally, in an amount from about 0.5 to about 10 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0030] In accordance with an embodiment 21, provided is the oral care composition according to embodiment 20, wherein the anionic surfactant is selected from ammonium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl ether sulfate, sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium coco-sulfate, ammonium coco- sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium lauryl ether sulfate, and a combination of two or more thereof.

[0031] In accordance with an embodiment 22, provided is the oral care composition according to any foregoing embodiment, wherein the oral care composition is a dentifrice.

[0032] In accordance with an embodiment 23, provided is an oral care composition comprising: a whitening agent comprising hydrogen peroxide; an abrasive comprising a silica abrasive and calcium pyrophosphate; and a solvent system comprising a polyethylene glycol-polypropyleneglycol copolymer and a polyol chosen from ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, pentylene glycol, hexylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, pentaethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, a polyethylene glycol, a polypropylene glycol, a polyethylene glycol, a polypropylene glycol, or a combination of two or more thereof.

[0033] In accordance with an embodiment 24, provided is the use of a peroxide, a silica abrasive, and a solvent system comprising at least one polyol to manufacture an oral care composition according to embodiment 23.

[0034] In accordance with an embodiment 25, provided is a method of manufacturing an oral care composition, the method comprising: mixing a whitening agent comprising a peroxide source, an abrasive comprising a silica abrasive, and a solvent system; and preparing an oral care composition from such mixture. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] For illustrative purposes, the principles of the present invention are described by referencing various exemplary embodiments thereof. Although certain embodiments of the invention are specifically described herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the same principles are equally applicable to, and can be employed in other compositions and methods. Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of any particular embodiment disclosed herein. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

[0036] As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context dictates otherwise. The singular form of any class of the ingredients refers not only to one chemical species within that class, but also to a mixture of those chemical species. The terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” may be used interchangeably herein. The terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” may be used interchangeably. The term “include” should be interpreted as “include, but are not limited to”. The term “including” should be interpreted as “including, but are not limited to”.

[0037] As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each and every value that is within the range. Any value within the range can be selected as the terminus of the range. Thus,a range from 1-5, includes specifically 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, as well as subranges such as 2-5, 3-5, 2-3, 2-4, 1-4, etc.

[0038] The term “about” when referring to a number means any number within a range of 10% of the number. For example, the phrase “about 2 wt.%” refers to a number between and including 1.8 wt.% and 2.2 wt.%.

[0039] All references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. In the event of a conflict in a definition in the present disclosure and that of a cited reference, the present disclosure controls.

[0040] The abbreviations and symbols as used herein, unless indicated otherwise, take their ordinary meaning. The abbreviation “wt.%” means percent by weight with respect to the oral care composition. The symbol “°” refers to a degree, such as a temperature degree or a degree of an angle. The symbols “h”, “min”, “mL”, “nm”, and “µm” refer to hour, minute, milliliter, nanometer, and micrometer, respectively. The abbreviation “UV-VIS” as referring to a spectrometer or spectroscopy, means Ultraviolet-Visible. The abbreviation “rpm” means revolutions per minute.

[0041] When referring to chemical structures, and names, the symbols “C”, “H”, and “O” mean carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, respectively. The symbols “–”, “=” and “≡” mean single bond, double bond, and triple bond, respectively.

[0042] “Volatile”, as used herein, means having a flash point of less than about 100° C. “Non- volatile”, as used herein, means having a flash point of greater than about 100° C.

[0043] Any member in a list of species that are used to exemplify or define a genus, may be mutually different from, or overlapping with, or a subset of, or equivalent to, or nearly the same as, or identical to, any other member of the list of species. Further, unless explicitly stated, such as when reciting a Markush group, the list of species that define or exemplify the genus is open, and it is given that other species may exist that define or exemplify the genus just as well as, or better than, any other species listed.

[0044] The phrases, “a mixture thereof,” “a combination thereof,” or a combination of two or more thereof” do not require that the mixture include all of A, B, C, D, E, and F (although all of A, B, C, D, E, and F may be included). Rather, it indicates that a mixture of any two or more of A, B, C, D, E, and F can be included. In other words, it is equivalent to the phrase “one or more elements selected from the group consisting of A, B, C, D, E, F, and a mixture of any two or more of A, B, C, D, E, and F.” Likewise, the term “a salt thereof” also relates to “salts thereof.” Thus, where thedisclosure refers to “an element selected from the group consisting of A, B, C, D, E, F, a salt thereof, and a mixture thereof,” it indicates that that one or more of A, B, C, D, and F may be included, one or more of a salt of A, a salt of B, a salt of C, a salt of D, a salt of E, and a salt of F may be included, or a mixture of any two of A, B, C, D, E, F, a salt of A, a salt of B, a salt of C, a salt of D, a salt of E, and a salt of F may be included.

[0045] All components and elements positively set forth in this disclosure can be negatively excluded from the claims. In other words, the oral care compositions of the instant disclosure can be free or essentially free of all components and elements positively recited throughout the instant disclosure. In some instances, the oral care compositions of the present disclosure may be substantially free of non-incidental amounts of the ingredient(s) or compound(s) described herein. A non-incidental amount of an ingredient or compound is the amount of that ingredient or compound that is added into the oral care composition by itself. For example, an oral care composition may be substantially free of a non-incidental amount of an ingredient or compound, although such ingredient(s) or compound(s) may be present as part of a raw material that is included as a blend of two or more compounds.

[0046] Some of the various categories of components identified may overlap. In such cases where overlap may exist and the oral care composition includes both components (or the composition includes more than two components that overlap), an overlapping compound does not represent more than one component. For example, certain compounds may be characterized as both a polyol and a humectant. If a particular claim to an oral care composition includes both a polyol and a humectant, glycerin will serve only as either a polyol or a humectant—not both.

[0047] For readability purposes, the chemical functional groups are in their adjective form; for each of the adjectives, the word “group” is assumed. For example, the adjective “alkyl” without a noun thereafter, should be read as “an alkyl group.”

[0048] Aspects of the invention are directed to oral care compositions and, e.g., oral care compositions comprising a whitening agent comprising a peroxide source and silica abrasive. For instance, certain embodiments of the oral care compositions, which comprise a whitening agent, such as a peroxide, and a silica abrasive, surprisingly achieve a high level of peroxide stability. It has been documented that silica abrasives are reactive with peroxides and, thus, typically degrade peroxide(s) in an oral care composition. In certain embodiments of the invention, however, the oral care composition contains a silica abrasive and a peroxide source (e.g., hydrogen peroxide)whiling achieving a desirable level of peroxide stability, such that the oral care composition exhibits a loss of peroxide of about 30% or less over a 1-week period at a temperature of 60° when sealed in a typical dentifrice tube (e.g., a PBL recyclable dentifrice tube). In some embodiments, the oral care composition exhibits a loss of peroxide of about 25% or less, preferably about 20% or less, preferably about 19% or less, over a 1-week period at a temperature of 60° when sealed in a PBL recyclable dentifrice tube.

[0049] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, provided is an oral care composition having a whitening agent comprising a peroxide source; an abrasive comprising a silica abrasive; and a solvent system.

[0050] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, provided is an oral care composition having a whitening agent comprising hydrogen peroxide; an abrasive comprising a silica abrasive and calcium pyrophosphate; a solvent system comprising a polyethylene glycol-polypropylene glycol copolymer and a polyol chosen from ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, pentylene glycol, hexylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, pentaethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, a polyethylene glycol, a polypropylene glycol, a polyethylene glycol, a polypropylene glycol, or a combination of two or more thereof.

[0051] In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, provided is a method of manufacturing an oral care composition, the method comprising: mixing a whitening agent comprising a peroxide source, an abrasive comprising a silica abrasive, and a solvent system; and preparing an oral care composition from such mixture.

[0052] The oral care compositions may be in the form of a dentifrice, a toothpaste, a gel, and / or the like. Suitable components, such as those listed below, may be included or excluded from the formulations for the oral care compositions disclosed herein depending on the specific combination of other ingredients and / or the form of the oral care compositions. Additionally or alternatively, the oral care compositions may in some embodiments have a single phase, which contains all of the components and / or ingredients of the oral care composition. In other embodiments, the oral care composition may include two or more phases, such as two, three, four, or five phases.

[0053] Typically, the oral care compositions have one or more whitening agent(s) including at least one peroxide, preferably in an effective amount. The total amount of whitening agent(s) present in the oral care composition may be from about 1 to about 30 wt.%, based on the totalweight of the oral care composition. For example, the whitening agent(s) may be present in the oral care composition in an amount from about 1 to about 26 wt.%, about 1 to about 22 wt.%, about 1 to about 19 wt.%, about 1 to about 16 wt.%, about 1 to about 13 wt.%, about 1 to about 10 wt.%, about 1 to about 8 wt.%, about 1 to about 6 wt.%, about 1 to about 5 wt.%, about 1 to about 4 wt.%, about 1 to about 3 wt.%, about 1 to about 2 wt.%; from about 2 to about 30 wt.%, about 2 to about 26 wt.%, about 2 to about 22 wt.%, about 2 to about 19 wt.%, about 2 to about 16 wt.%, about 2 to about 13 wt.%, about 2 to about 10 wt.%, about 2 to about 8 wt.%, about 2 to about 6 wt.%, about 2 to about 5 wt.%, about 2 to about 4 wt.%; from about 3 to about 30 wt.%, about 3 to about 26 wt.%, about 3 to about 22 wt.%, about 3 to about 19 wt.%, about 3 to about 16 wt.%, about 3 to about 13 wt.%, about 3 to about 10 wt.%, about 3 to about 8 wt.%, about 3 to about 6 wt.%; from about 5 to about 30 wt.%, about 5 to about 26 wt.%, about 5 to about 22 wt.%, about 5 to about 19 wt.%, about 5 to about 16 wt.%, about 5 to about 13 wt.%, about 5 to about 10 wt.%, about 5 to about 8 wt.%; from about 8 to about 30 wt.%, about 8 to about 26 wt.%, about 8 to about 22 wt.%, about 8 to about 19 wt.%, about 8 to about 16 wt.%, about 8 to about 13 wt.%; from about 11 to about 30 wt.%, about 11 to about 26 wt.%, about 11 to about 22 wt.%, about 11 to about 19 wt.%, about 11 to about 16 wt.%; from about 14 to about 30 wt.%, about 14 to about 26 wt.%, about 14 to about 22 wt.%, about 14 to about 19 wt.%; from about 18 to about 30 wt.%, about 18 to about 26 wt.%, about 18 to about 22 wt.%, or any range or subrange thereof, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0054] The whitening agent(s) include at least one peroxide source, such as hydrogen peroxide, peroxides of alkali and alkaline earth metals, organic peroxy compounds, peroxy acids, salts thereof, or combinations of two or more thereof. The peroxide source may include peroxides of alkali and alkaline earth metals, such as lithium peroxide, potassium peroxide, sodium peroxide, magnesium peroxide, calcium peroxide, barium peroxide, and combinations thereof. Examples of organic peroxy compounds include carbamide peroxide (also known as urea hydrogen peroxide), glyceryl hydrogen peroxide, alkyl hydrogen peroxides, dialkyl peroxides, alkyl peroxy acids, peroxy esters, diacyl peroxides, benzoyl peroxide, and monoperoxyphthalate. Examples of peroxy acids and their salts include organic peroxy acids, such as alkyl peroxy acids, monoperoxyphthalate, and a combination thereof as well as inorganic peroxy acid salts, such as persulfate, dipersulfate, percarbonate, perphosphate, perborate and persilicate salts of alkali and / or alkaline earth metals, such as lithium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium and barium, andmixtures thereof. In various embodiments, the peroxide compound comprises hydrogen peroxide, urea peroxide, sodium percarbonate, or a combination of two or more thereof.

[0055] The one or more peroxide(s) may be a non-complexed peroxide. The non-complexed peroxide may be chosen from one or more of the peroxides described above. In some preferred embodiments, the non-complexed peroxide comprises hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide may be incorporated into the oral care composition as an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution having about 40 to about 80 wt.% of hydrogen peroxide, based on the total weight of the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution, with the remainder being water. For example, the hydrogen peroxide may be incorporated as a solution having about 40 to about 70 wt.% of hydrogen peroxide, about 40 to about 60 wt.% of hydrogen peroxide, about 40 to about 55 wt.% of hydrogen peroxide, about 45 to about 80 wt.% of hydrogen peroxide, about 45 to about 70 wt.% of hydrogen peroxide, about 45 to about 60 wt.% of hydrogen peroxide, about 45 to about 55 wt.% of hydrogen peroxide, about 50 to about 80 wt.% of hydrogen peroxide, about 50 to about 70 wt.% of hydrogen peroxide, about 50 to about 60 wt.% of hydrogen peroxide, about 50 to about 55 wt.% of hydrogen peroxide, based on the total weight of the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution, e.g., with the remainder being water. In at least one embodiment, the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution comprises about 50 wt.% hydrogen peroxide with the remainder being water, relative to the total weight of the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution.

[0056] The total amount of whitening agent may comprise from about 0.01 to about 10 wt.% of a non-complexed peroxide source (e.g., hydrogen peroxide), based on the total weight of the oral care composition. For example, the whitening agent may comprise a non-complexed peroxide source in an amount from about 0.01 to about 8 wt.%, about 0.01 to about 6 wt.%, about 0.01 to about 4 wt.%, about 0.01 to about 3 wt.%, about 0.01 to about 2 wt.%, about 0.01 to about 1 wt.%; from about 0.1 to about 10 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 8 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 6 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 4 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 3 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 2 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 1 wt.%; from about 0.5 to about 10 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 8 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 6 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 4 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 3 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 2 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 1 wt.%; from about 1 to about 10 wt.%, about 1 to about 8 wt.%, about 1 to about 6 wt.%, about 1 to about 4 wt.%, about 1 to about 3 wt.%, about 1 to about 2 wt.%; from about 2 to about 10 wt.%, about 2 to about 8 wt.%, about 2 to about 6 wt.%, about 2 to about 4 wt.%; from about 3 to about 10 wt.%, about 3 to about 8 wt.%, about 3 to about 6 wt.%, about 3 to about 4 wt.%; from about 4 to about10 wt.%, about 4 to about 8 wt.%, about 4 to about 6 wt.%, or any range or subrange thereof, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0057] In some embodiments, however, the whitening agent may comprise a peroxide complex. The peroxide complex may comprise a peroxide component and a porous cross-linked polymer. As referred to herein, a “peroxide component” is any oxidizing compound comprising a bivalent oxygen-oxygen group. Peroxide components include peroxides and hydroperoxides disclosed above, such as hydrogen peroxide, peroxides of alkali and alkaline earth metals, organic peroxy compounds, peroxy acids, salts thereof, and mixtures thereof. In various embodiments, the peroxide component comprises hydrogen peroxide, urea peroxide, sodium percarbonate, and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the peroxide component comprises hydrogen peroxide. In one embodiment, the peroxide component consists essentially of hydrogen peroxide.

[0058] The peroxide complex may also be selected from N-vinyl heterocyclic polymers. Preferably, the N-vinyl heterocyclic polymer is crosslinked and adsorbs, absorbs, complexes, or otherwise retains the peroxide component. The chemical and physical characteristics of the particulate hinder the release of the peroxide compound from the polymer particulates, and in some embodiments provides controlled release of the peroxide compound.

[0059] In some embodiments, a non-peroxide whitening agent may be included in the oral care composition. Whitening agents among those useful herein include non-peroxy compounds, such as chlorine dioxide, chlorites, and hypochlorites. Chlorites and hypochlorites include those of alkali and alkaline earth metals, such as lithium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium and barium.

[0060] In addition to a whitening agent, the oral care compositions typically include one or more abrasive(s) comprising a silica abrasive. In some embodiments, the silica abrasive(s) is a high cleaning silica.

[0061] The amount of silica abrasive present in the oral care composition may be from about 1 to about 10 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition. In some instances, the silica abrasive is present in the oral care composition in an amount from about 1 to about 8 wt.%, about 1 to about 6 wt.%, about 1 to about 5 wt.%, about 1 to about 4 wt.%, about 1 to about 3 wt.%, about 1 to about 2 wt.%; from about 2 to about 10 wt.%, about 2 to about 8 wt.%, about 2 to about 6 wt.%, about 2 to about 5 wt.%, about 2 to about 4 wt.%, about 2 to about 3 wt.%; from about 3 to about 10 wt.%, about 3 to about 8 wt.%, about 3 to about 6 wt.%, about 3 to about 5 wt.%, about3 to about 4 wt.%; from about 5 to about 10 wt.%, about 5 to about 8 wt.%, about 5 to about 6 wt.%; from about 7 to about 10 wt.%, about 7 to about 8 wt.%, about 8 to about 10 wt.%, or any range or subrange thereof, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0062] The silica abrasive may have an average sphericity of about 0.2 or more. For example, the silica particles may have an average sphericity of about 0.2 to about 0.96, about 0.3 to about 0.96, about 0.4 to about 0.96, about 0.5 to about 0.96, about 0.6 to about 0.96, about 0.7 to about 0.96, about 0.8 to about 0.96, about 0.9 to about 0.96; from about 0.2 to about 0.9, about 0.3 to about 0.9, about 0.4 to about 0.9, about 0.5 to about 0.9, about 0.6 to about 0.9, about 0.7 to about 0.9, about 0.8 to about 0.9; from about 0.2 to about 0.85, about 0.3 to about 0.85, about 0.4 to about 0.85, about 0.5 to about 0.85, about 0.6 to about 0.85, about 0.7 to about 0.85, about 0.8 to about 0.85; from about 0.2 to about 0.8, about 0.3 to about 0.8, about 0.4 to about 0.8, about 0.5 to about 0.8, about 0.6 to about 0.8, about 0.7 to about 0.8; from about 0.2 to about 0.7, about 0.3 to about 0.7, about 0.4 to about 0.7, about 0.5 to about 0.7, about 0.6 to about 0.7; from about 0.2 to about 0.6, about 0.3 to about 0.6, about 0.4 to about 0.6, about 0.5 to about 0.6; from about 0.2 to about 0.5, about 0.3 to about 0.5, about 0.4 to about 0.5, or any range or subrange thereof. Sphericity is a measure of the degree to which a particle approximates the shape of a sphere, and is independent of its size. The sphericity, such as any of the foregoing sphericity ranges, may be calculated by the sphericity index defined as the ratio of the nominal surface area, Sn (surface area of a sphere having ∛^^^^^the same volume as the object), to the actual surface area of the object, S:Ψ= Sn / S = ^ ,where V is the volume of the object.

[0063] Additionally or alternatively, the silica abrasive may have an average roundness of about 0.3 or more. For example, the silica particles may have an average sphericity of about 0.3 to about 0.96, about 0.4 to about 0.96, about 0.5 to about 0.96, about 0.6 to about 0.96, about 0.7 to about 0.96, about 0.8 to about 0.96, about 0.9 to about 0.96; from about 0.3 to about 0.9, about 0.4 to about 0.9, about 0.5 to about 0.9, about 0.6 to about 0.9, about 0.7 to about 0.9, about 0.8 to about 0.9; from about 0.3 to about 0.85, about 0.4 to about 0.85, about 0.5 to about 0.85, about 0.6 to about 0.85, about 0.7 to about 0.85, about 0.8 to about 0.85; from about 0.3 to about 0.8, about 0.4 to about 0.8, about 0.5 to about 0.8, about 0.6 to about 0.8, about 0.7 to about 0.8; from about 0.3 to about 0.7, about 0.4 to about 0.7, about 0.5 to about 0.7, about 0.6 to about 0.7; from about 0.3 to about 0.6, about 0.4 to about 0.6, about 0.5 to about 0.6; from about 0.3 to about 0.5, about 0.4 to about 0.5, or any range or subrange thereof. Roundness is generally the measure of the sharpnessof a particle’s edges and corners. The roundness of the silica particles, such as any of the foregoing roundness ranges, may be determined as the ratio of the average radius of curvature of the corners of the object’s silhouette to the radius of the maximum inscribed circle: , where n is the number of corners, rithe radius of the ith corner curvature, and rmaxthe radius of the maximum inscribed circle.

[0064] In certain embodiments, the silica abrasive may have an average pore size of about 0.1 to about 0.5 cc / g. For instance, the average pore size of the silica abrasive may be from about 0.1 to about 0.5 cc / g, about 0.2 to about 0.5 cc / g, about 0.3 to about 0.5 cc / g, about 0.4 to about 0.5 cc / g; from about 0.1 to about 0.4 cc / g, about 0.2 to about 0.4 cc / g, about 0.3 to about 0.4 cc / g; from about 0.1 to about 0.3 cc / g, about 0.2 to about 0.3 cc / g, about 0.1 to about 0.2 cc / g, or any range or subrange thereof.

[0065] Additionally, the silica abrasive(s) may have at least one of the following properties: a N2BET surface area of less than 50 m2 / g, an Einlehner hardness of from 4 to 11, an oil absorption of from 80 cc / 100 g to 100 cc / 100 g, or a combination of two or more thereof. The silica abrasive may have a N2 BET surface area of from 1 m2 / g to 50 m2 / g, e.g., from 1 m2 / g to 45, from 1 m2 / g to 40 m2 / g, from 1 m2 / g to 35 m2 / g, or from 1 m2 / g to 30 m2 / g, in some embodiments. The silica abrasive may have an oil absorption of from 60 cc / 100 g to 120 cc / 100 g, from 70 cc / 100 g to 110 cc / 100 g, or from 80 cc / 100 g to 100 cc / 100 g of oil absorption (e.g., linseed oil absorption). Oil absorption may be determined by various means known by those of skill in the art. For example, oil absorption may be determined by absorption of linseed oil or dibutyl phthalate (DBP) per 100 grams or abrasive. Oil absorption values can be measured using the ASTM Rub-Out Method D281. In at least one embodiment, the oral care composition comprises a silica abrasive having have a N2BET surface area of less than 50 m2 / g and an Einlehner hardness of from 4 to 11, and an oil absorption of from 80 cc / 100 g to 100 cc / 100 g.

[0066] The silica abrasive may specifically have a reduced amount of impurities. In some embodiments, the silica abrasive may have about 15 mol.% or less, about 11 mol.% or less, about 9 mol.% or less, about 7 mol.% or less, about 5 mol.% or less, about 3 mol.% or less, about 1 mol.% or less, about 0.5 mol.% or less, about 0.1 mol.% or less, about 0.05 mol.% or less, about 0.01 mol.% or less of impurities, wherein the mol% is based on the silica abrasive. In at least one embodiment, the amount of impurities does not include fluoride. In further embodiments, the amount of impurities includes only metal containing impurities.

[0067] In some embodiments, the impurity is selected from: aluminum; potassium; iron; sodium; boron; calcium; magnesium; zinc; nickel; copper; cadmium; phosphate; and a combination of two or more thereof. In some embodiments, the impurity is present in an amount of less than equal to about 10 mg / kg, optionally less than 9 mg / kg, optionally less than 8 mg / kg, optionally less than 7 mg / kg, optionally less than 6 mg / kg, optionally less than 5 mg / kg, optionally less than 4 mg / kg, optionally less than 3 mg / kg, optionally less than 2 mg / kg, optionally less than 1 mg / kg.

[0068] In some embodiments, the silica abrasive has a surface chemistry similar to the surface chemistry of a calcium pyrophosphate abrasive.

[0069] The abrasive(s) may further include one or more additional abrasive other than silica abrasive. For instance, the oral care composition may include an abrasive chosen from silicate, silicon, alumina (including calcined aluminum oxide), aluminosilicates, bentonite, zeolite, kaolin, mica, siliceous or diatomaceous earth, pumice, calcium compounds, calcium carbonate, cuttlebone, composite resins (such as melamine resin, phenolic resin, and urea-formaldehyde resin), polycarbonate, silicon carbide, boron carbide, microcrystalline wax, microcrystalline cellulose (e.g., combinations of colloidal microcrystalline cellulose and carboxymethylcellulose) dicalcium phosphate, calcium pyrophosphate, dicalcium orthophosphate dihydrate, tricalcium phosphate, calcium polymetaphosphate, calcium carbonate, calcium bicarbonate, and a combination of two or more thereof. In some embodiments, the oral care composition includes one or more of abrasives chosen from dicalcium phosphate, calcium pyrophosphate, dicalcium orthophosphate dihydrate, tricalcium phosphate, calcium polymetaphosphate, calcium carbonate, calcium bicarbonate, or a combination of two or more thereof. In further embodiments, the oral care composition comprises an abrasive selected from calcium carbonate, dicalcium orthophosphate dihydrate, calcium pyrophosphate, tricalcium phosphate, calcium polymetaphosphate, insoluble sodium polymetaphosphate, hydrated alumina, resinous abrasive materials such as particulate condensation products of urea and formaldehyde, and combinations thereof.

[0070] The additional abrasive in some cases may be an insoluble phosphate salt, such as calcium pyrophosphate, dicalcium orthophosphate dihydrate, tricalcium phosphate, and calcium polymetaphosphate. As used herein, “mica” refers to any of a group of hydrous aluminum silicate minerals with plate morphology and / or perfect basal (micaceous) cleavage. Mica can be, for example, sheet mica, scrap mica or flake mica, as exemplified by muscovite, biotite or phlogopitetype micas.

[0071] In some embodiments, the additional abrasive is comprised primarily of calcium pyrophosphate. For example, the calcium pyrophosphate may comprise about 50 wt.% or more, about 60 wt.% or more, about 70 wt.% or more, about 80 wt.% or more, about 95 wt.% or more, about 98 wt.% or more, or about 99 wt.% or more of the total amount of the abrasive in the oral care composition.

[0072] The additional abrasive other than silica abrasive may be present in an amount of about 1 to about 30 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition. In some instances, the amount of additional abrasive(s) other than silica abrasive (e.g., insoluble phosphate salts, such as calcium pyrophosphate) present in the oral care composition is from about 1 to about 27 wt.%, about 1 to about 23 wt.%, about 1 to about 19 wt.%, about 1 to about 17 wt.%, about 1 to about 15 wt.%, about 1 to about 13 wt.%; from about 4 to about 30 wt.%, about 4 to about 27 wt.%, about 4 to about 23 wt.%, about 4 to about 19 wt.%, about 4 to about 17 wt.%, about 4 to about 15 wt.%, about 4 to about 13 wt.%; from about 7 to about 30 wt.%, about 7 to about 27 wt.%, about 7 to about 23 wt.%, about 7 to about 19 wt.%, about 7 to about 17 wt.%, about 7 to about 15 wt.%, about 7 to about 13 wt.%; from about 10 to about 30 wt.%, about 10 to about 27 wt.%, about 10 to about 23 wt.%, about 10 to about 19 wt.%, about 10 to about 17 wt.%, about 10 to about 15 wt.%; from about 13 to about 30 wt.%, about 13 to about 27 wt.%, about 13 to about 23 wt.%, about 13 to about 19 wt.%, about 13 to about 17 wt.%, about 13 to about 15 wt.%; from about 15 to about 30 wt.%, about 15 to about 27 wt.%, about 15 to about 23 wt.%, about 15 to about 19 wt.%; from about 17 to about 30 wt.%, about 17 to about 27 wt.%, about 17 to about 23 wt.%; from about 19 to about 30 wt.%, about 19 to about 27 wt.%, about 19 to about 23 wt.%, or any range or subrange thereof, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0073] In certain preferred embodiments, the oral care composition has certain weight ratios of silica abrasive to additional abrasive(s) selected from insoluble phosphate salts. For example, the oral care composition may have a weight ratio of silica abrasive to insoluble phosphate salt abrasive(s) of about 4:1 to about 1:9, about 3:1 to about 1:9, about 2:1 to about 1:9, about 1:1 to about 1:9; from about 4:1 to about 1:7, about 3:1 to about 1:7, about 2:1 to about 1:7, about 1:1 to about 1:7; from about 4:1 to about 1:5, about 3:1 to about 1:5, about 2:1 to about 1:5, about 1:1 to about 1:5; from about 4:1 to about 1:4, about 3:1 to about 1:4, about 2:1 to about 1:4, about 1:1 to about 1:4; from about 4:1 to about 1:3, about 3:1 to about 1:3, about 2:1 to about 1:3, about 1:1 toabout 1:3; from about 4:1 to about 1:2, about 3:1 to about 1:2, about 2:1 to about 1:2, about 1:1 to about 1:2; from about 4:1 to about 1:1, about 3:1 to about 1:1, about 2:1 to about 1:1, or about 1:1, including any range or subrange formed therefrom.

[0074] The total amount of abrasive(s) present in the oral care composition may be from about 1 to about 35 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition. In some instances, the total amount of abrasive(s) present in the oral care composition is from about 1 to about 31 wt.%, about 1 to about 27 wt.%, about 1 to about 23 wt.%, about 1 to about 19 wt.%, about 1 to about 17 wt.%, about 1 to about 15 wt.%, about 1 to about 13 wt.%; from about 4 to about 35 wt.%, about 4 to about 35 wt.%, about 4 to about 31 wt.%, about 4 to about 27 wt.%, about 4 to about 23 wt.%, about 4 to about 19 wt.%, about 4 to about 17 wt.%, about 4 to about 15 wt.%, about 4 to about 13 wt.%; from about 7 to about 35 wt.%, about 7 to about 35 wt.%, about 7 to about 31 wt.%, about 7 to about 27 wt.%, about 7 to about 23 wt.%, about 7 to about 19 wt.%, about 7 to about 17 wt.%, about 7 to about 15 wt.%, about 7 to about 13 wt.%; from about 10 to about 35 wt.%, about 10 to about 35 wt.%, about 10 to about 31 wt.%, about 10 to about 27 wt.%, about 10 to about 23 wt.%, about 10 to about 19 wt.%, about 10 to about 17 wt.%, about 10 to about 15 wt.%; from about 13 to about 35 wt.%, about 13 to about 35 wt.%, about 13 to about 31 wt.%, about 13 to about 27 wt.%, about 13 to about 23 wt.%, about 13 to about 19 wt.%, about 13 to about 17 wt.%, about 13 to about 15 wt.%; from about 15 to about 35 wt.%, about 15 to about 35 wt.%, about 15 to about 31 wt.%, about 15 to about 27 wt.%, about 15 to about 23 wt.%, about 15 to about 19 wt.%; from about 17 to about 35 wt.%, about 17 to about 35 wt.%, about 17 to about 31 wt.%, about 17 to about 27 wt.%, about 17 to about 23 wt.%; from about 19 to about 35 wt.%, about 19 to about 35 wt.%, about 19 to about 31 wt.%, about 19 to about 27 wt.%, about 19 to about 23 wt.%, or any range or subrange thereof, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0075] In addition to the one or more whitening agent and the abrasive(s) comprising silica abrasive, the oral care composition may comprise at least one solvent. The total amount of solvent present in the oral care composition may be from about 30 to about 75 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition. For example, the total amount of solvent(s) in the oral care compositions may from about 30 to about 70 wt.%, about 30 to about 66 wt.%, about 30 to about 62 wt.%, about 30 to about 58 wt.%, about 30 to about 54 wt.%, about 30 to about 50 wt.%, about 30 to about 46 wt.%, about 30 to about 42 wt.%; from about 35 to about 75 wt.%, about 35 to about 70 wt.%, about 35 to about 66 wt.%, about 35 to about 62 wt.%, about 35 to about 58 wt.%,about 35 to about 54 wt.%, about 35 to about 50 wt.%, about 35 to about 46 wt.%; from about 40 to about 75 wt.%, about 40 to about 70 wt.%, about 40 to about 66 wt.%, about 40 to about 62 wt.%, about 40 to about 58 wt.%, about 40 to about 54 wt.%, about 40 to about 50 wt.%; from about 44 to about 75 wt.%, about 44 to about 70 wt.%, about 44 to about 66 wt.%, about 44 to about 62 wt.%, about 44 to about 58 wt.%, about 44 to about 54 wt.%; from about 48 to about 75 wt.%, about 48 to about 70 wt.%, about 48 to about 66 wt.%, about 48 to about 62 wt.%, about 48 to about 58 wt.%; from about 52 to about 75 wt.%, about 52 to about 70 wt.%, about 52 to about 66 wt.%, about 52 to about 62 wt.%; from about 56 to about 75 wt.%, about 56 to about 70 wt.%, about 56 to about 66 wt.%; from about 58 to about 75 wt.%, about 58 to about 70 wt.%, about 58 to about 66 wt.%; from about 60 to about 75 wt.%, about 60 to about 70 wt.%, about 60 to about 66 wt.%, including any range or subrange thereof, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0076] The oral care composition may include 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 or more solvents, including any range or subrange thereof. In some cases, the oral care composition has a solvent system comprising a plurality of solvents. The solvents may be selected from polyols and polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymers. In some embodiments, the oral care composition has a solvent system consisting of one or more polyol and / or one or more polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer. In at least one embodiment, the solvent system comprises at least one polyol and at least one polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer. The oral care composition, in some cases, may have a solvent system consisting of at least one polyol and at least one polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer.

[0077] The oral care composition, in certain preferred embodiments, comprises a polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer. The polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer may have an average molecular weight of about 3,000 to about 20,000 g / mol, about 3,000 to about 17,000 g / mol, about 3,000 to about 15,000 g / mol, about 3,000 to about 13,000 g / mol, about 3,000 to about 11,000 g / mol, about 3,000 to about 9,000 g / mol, about 3,000 to about 7,000 g / mol; from about 6,000 to about 20,000 g / mol, about 6,000 to about 17,000 g / mol, about 6,000 to about 15,000 g / mol, about 6,000 to about 13,000 g / mol, about 6,000 to about 11,000 g / mol, about 6,000 to about 9,000 g / mol; from about 9,000 to about 20,000 g / mol, about 9,000 to about 17,000 g / mol, about 9,000 to about 15,000 g / mol, about 9,000 to about 13,000 g / mol, about 9,000 to about 11,000 g / mol; from about 11,000 to about 20,000 g / mol, about 11,000 to about17,000 g / mol, about 11,000 to about 15,000 g / mol, about 11,000 to about 13,000 g / mol; from about 13,000 to about 20,000 g / mol, about 13,000 to about 17,000 g / mol, about 13,000 to about 15,000 g / mol; from about 15,000 to about 20,000 g / mol, about 15,000 to about 17,000 g / mol, or any range or subrange thereof.

[0078] The amount of polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer in the oral care composition may be about 1 to about 14 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition. For example, the amount of polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer present in the oral care composition may be from about 1 to about 12 wt.%, about 1 to about 10 wt.%, about 1 to about 8 wt.%, about 1 to about 6 wt.%; from about 3 to about 14 wt.%, about 3 to about 12 wt.%, about 3 to about 10 wt.%, about 3 to about 8 wt.%, about 3 to about 6 wt.%; from about 5 to about 14 wt.%, about 5 to about 12 wt.%, about 5 to about 10 wt.%, about 5 to about 8 wt.%; from about 7 to about 14 wt.%, about 7 to about 12 wt.%, about 7 to about 10 wt.%; from about 9 to about 14 wt.%, about 9 to about 12 wt.%, or any range or subrange thereof, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0079] Additionally or alternatively, the solvent(s) may be selected from polyols. In some embodiments, the oral care composition includes a polyol system comprising a plurality of polyols. The polyol(s) may be chosen from glycols or compounds with numerous hydroxyl groups. The one or more polyols may be liquid at ambient temperature (25°C). In some cases, the oral care composition includes or excludes one or more polyol selected from the group consisting of C2-C32 polyols. The one or more polyols may have from 2 to 32 carbon atoms, from 3 to 16 carbon atoms, or from 3 to 12 carbon atoms. Examples of polyols that may be included in, or in some embodiments excluded from, the oral care composition include glycerin, glycol, inositol, maltitol, mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol, propylene glycol, polypropylene glycol (PPG), polyethylene glycol (PEG), or a combination of two or more thereof. In some preferred embodiments, the one or more polyol(s) comprises ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, pentylene glycol, hexylene glycol, glycerin, diglycerin, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, pentaethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, a polyethylene glycol, a polypropylene glycol, a polyethylene glycol, a polypropylene glycol, or a combination of two or more thereof.

[0080] Additional, non-limiting examples of polyols that may, optionally, be included in the oral care include and / or may be chosen from alkanediols such as glycerin, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, trimethylolpropane, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, pentylene glycol, hexyleneglycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, pentaethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, 2-butene-1,4-diol, 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol, 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol, caprylyl glycol, 1,2-hexanediol, 1,2-pentanediol, and 4-methyl-1,2-pentanediol; glycol ethers such as ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol mono-n-propyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-iso-propyl ether, diethylene glycol mono-iso-propyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-t-butyl ether, diethylene glycol mono-t-butyl ether, 1-methyl-1-methoxybutanol, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol mono-t- butyl ether, propylene glycol mono-n-propyl ether, propylene glycol mono-iso-propyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monoethyl ether, dipropylene glycol mono-n-propyl ether, dipropylene glycol mono-iso-propyl ether, sorbitol, sorbitan, triacetin, and a mixture of two or more thereof.

[0081] Additionally or alternatively, the oral care composition may include polyol(s) having a molecular weight of from about 100 to 5000 g / mol. For instance, the polyol may comprise a polyethylene glycol, a polypropylene glycol, a block polymer of polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol, a polyethylene glycol-polypropylene glycol copolymer, or a combination of two or more thereof. In some embodiments, the polyol comprises a polypropylene glycol, a polypropylene glycol, and / or a block polymer of polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol having a molecular weight of about 100 to about 900, about 200 to about 800, about 400, about 1500 to about 2500, about 2000 to about 4500 or any range or subrange thereof.

[0082] The oral care composition may be formulated to have polyol(s) in an amount of about 30 wt.% or more, based on the total weight of the oral care composition. For example, the amount of polyol(s) in the oral care composition may be from about 30 to about 80 wt.%, about 30 to about 70 wt.%, about 30 to about 60 wt.%, about 30 to about 50 wt.%, about 30 to about 40 wt.%; from about 40 to about 80 wt.%, about 40 to about 70 wt.%, about 40 to about 60 wt.%, about 40 to about 50 wt.%; from about 45 to about 80 wt.%, about 45 to about 70 wt.%, about 45 to about 60 wt.%, about 45 to about 50 wt.%; from about 55 to about 80 wt.%, about 55 to about 70 wt.%, about 65 to about 80 wt.%, or any range or subrange thereof, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0083] In some embodiments, the oral care composition may be formulated to have about 30 to about 70 wt.% of propylene glycol, based on the total weight of the oral care composition. For example, the oral care composition may have about 30 to about 80 wt.%, about 30 to about 70 wt.%, about 30 to about 60 wt.%, about 30 to about 50 wt.%, about 30 to about 40 wt.%; from about 40 to about 80 wt.%, about 40 to about 70 wt.%, about 40 to about 60 wt.%, about 40 to about 50 wt.%; from about 45 to about 80 wt.%, about 45 to about 70 wt.%, about 45 to about 60 wt.%, about 45 to about 50 wt.%; from about 55 to about 80 wt.%, about 55 to about 70 wt.%, about 65 to about 80 wt.%, or any range or subrange thereof, of propylene glycol, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0084] The oral care composition may comprise a thickening system comprising one or more thickening agent(s), such as those selected from a polysaccharide, a silica thickener, an acrylate, a polyacrylic acid, a polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyitaconates, an acrylamides, a salt there of, and a combination of two or more thereof. Silica thickeners, which form polymeric structures or gels in aqueous media, may be present. Silica thickeners are typically physically and functionally distinct from the particulate silica abrasives as the silica thickeners are very finely divided and provide little or no abrasive action.

[0085] In certain preferred embodiments, the one or more thickening agent(s) comprise a silica thickener. For instance, the oral care composition may have a thickening system comprising a silica thickener and a pyrrolidone. The silica thickener may comprise a fumed silica. In some embodiments, the one or more thickening agent consists of a silica thickener and / or polyvinyl pyrrolidone.

[0086] The thickening agent(s) may include a silica thickener in an amount up to 10 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition. For instance, the silica thickener may be present in an amount of about 0.1 to about 7 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 5 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 3 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 2 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 1 wt.%; from about 0.4 to about 7 wt.%, about 0.4 to about 5 wt.%, about 0.4 to about 3 wt.%, about 0.4 to about 2 wt.%, about 0.4 to about 1 wt.%; from about 0.8 to about 10 wt.%, about 0.8 to about 7 wt.%, about 0.8 to about 5 wt.%, about 0.8 to about 3 wt.%, about 0.8 to about 2 wt.%, about 0.8 to about 1.5 wt.%; from about 1.4 to about 10 wt.%, about 1.4 to about 7 wt.%, about 1.4 to about 5 wt.%, about 1.4 to about 3 wt.%; from about 2 to about 10 wt.%, about 2 to about 7 wt.%, about 2 to about 5 wt.%, about 2 to about 3 wt.%; from about 3 to about 10 wt.%, about 3 to about 7 wt.%, about 3 to about 5 wt.%, about 3to about 4 wt.%; from about 4 to about 10 wt.%, about 4 to about 7 wt.%, about 4 to about 6 wt.%, about 4 to about 5 wt.%; from about 5 to about 10 wt.%, about 5 to about 7 wt.%, about 5 to about 6 wt.%, or any range or subrange thereof, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0087] In some preferred embodiments, the oral care composition comprises polyvinyl pyrrolidone. Polyvinyl pyrrolidone generally refers to a polymer containing vinylpyrrolidone (e.g., N-vinylpyrrolidone, N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidione, and N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone) as a monomeric unit. The monomeric unit may include a polar imide group, four non-polar methylene groups, and a non-polar methane group. The polyvinyl pyrrolidone may have an average molecular weight in the range 5,000 to 100,000, preferably in the range 5,000 to 50,000 g / mol. In certain embodiments, the polyvinyl pyrrolidone has an average molecular weight of 10,000, 30,000 or 40,000 g / mol. In some embodiments, the polymer comprises crosslinked polyvinyl pyrrolidone (crosslinked PVP).

[0088] In some embodiments, the oral care compositions are formulated to have polyvinyl pyrrolidone in an amount ranging from about 4 to about 14 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition. In some instances, the amount of polyvinyl pyrrolidone in the oral care composition is about 4 to about 12 wt.%, about 4 to about 10 wt.%, about 4 to about 8 wt.%, about 4 to about 7 wt.%; from about 4 to about 14 wt.%, about 4 to about 12 wt.%, about 4 to about 10 wt.%, about 4 to about 8 wt.%, about 4 to about 7 wt.%; from about 6 to about 14 wt.%, about 6 to about 12 wt.%, about 6 to about 10 wt.%, about 6 to about 9 wt.%; from about 8 to about 14 wt.%, about 8 to about 12 wt.%, about 8 to about 10 wt.%; from about 10 to about 14 wt.%, about 10 to about 12 wt.%, or any range or subrange thereof, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0089] Additional examples of thickening agents, which may be included or excluded from embodiments of the oral care composition include polysaccharides, such as cellulose, carboxymethyl hydroxyethylcellulose, cellulose acetate propionate carboxylate, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxyethyl ethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, methyl hydroxyethylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium cellulose sulfate, carrageenan, or a combination of two more thereof. Natural gums such as karaya, gum arabic, and gum tragacanth can also be incorporated. Colloidal magnesium aluminum silicate can be used as a component of the thickening composition to further improve the composition's texture.

[0090] Examples of acrylates that may, optionally, be included or excluded from the oral care composition, include methacrylates, isobutyl acrylate, tert-butyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate,lauryl acrylate, lauryl / tridecyl acrylate, cetyl acrylate, stearyl acrylate, cyclohexyl acrylate, benzyl acrylate, isobornyl acrylate, 2-methoxyethyl acrylate, 2-ethoxyethyl acrylate, 2-ethoxyethoxyethyl acrylate, 2-phenoxyethyl acrylate, tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, 2- hydroxypropyl acrylate, 4-hydroxybutyl acrylate, dimethylaminoethyl acrylate, 1,4-butanediol acrylate, or a combination of two or more thereof. The acrylate may be chosen from diacrylates. In some embodiments, the diacrylate is chosen from 1,4-butanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, tetraethylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, ethoxylated bisphenol-A, or a combination of two or more thereof. Triacrylate monomers include trimethylol propane, ethoxylated, glyceryl propoxy, and pentaerythritol.

[0091] Examples of acrylamides that may, optionally, be included or excluded from the oral care composition, include acrylamide, methacrylamide and di(C1-C30) alkyl-acrylamides and - methacrylamides such as those of methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, and the like. N- substituted acrylamides that may be suitable include N-ethylacrylamide, N-tert-butylacrylamide, N-tert-octylacrylamide, N-octylacrylamide, N-decylacrylamide, N-dodecylacrylamide, and the corresponding N-substituted methacrylamides. Other N-substituted acrylamides include N- hydroxymethyl acrylamide, N-isopropylacrylamide, N-methylacrylamide, N,N'- methylenebisacrylamide, N-isobutoxymethylacrylamide, N,N-dimethylacrylamide, and 2- acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid.

[0092] The oral care compositions may include an anti-calculus agent. The amount of anti-calculus agent(s) present in the oral care composition may be from about 0.5 to about 10 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition. In some instances, the anti-calculus agent(s) is present in the oral care composition in an amount from about 0.5 to about 8 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 6 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 5 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 4 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 3 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 2 wt.%; from about 1 to about 10 wt.%, about 1 to about 8 wt.%, about 1 to about 6 wt.%, about 1 to about 5 wt.%, about 1 to about 4 wt.%, about 1 to about 3 wt.%, about 1 to about 2 wt.%; from about 2 to about 10 wt.%, about 2 to about 8 wt.%, about 2 to about 6 wt.%, about 2 to about 5 wt.%, about 2 to about 4 wt.%, about 2 to about 3 wt.%; from about 3 to about 10 wt.%, about 3 to about 8 wt.%, about 3 to about 6 wt.%, about 3 to about 5 wt.%, about 3 to about 4 wt.%; from about 5 to about 10 wt.%, about 5 to about 8 wt.%, about 5 to about 6 wt.%; from about 7 to about 10 wt.%, about 7 to about 8 wt.%, about 8 to about 10 wt.%, or any range or subrange thereof, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0093] The anti-calculus agent(s) may be chosen from phosphates and polyphosphates (e.g., pyrophosphates), polyaminopropanesulfonic acid (AMPS), hexametaphosphate salts, zinc citrate trihydrate, polypeptides, polyolefin sulfonates, polyolefin phosphates, diphosphonates, and combinations of two or more thereof. Examples of anti-calculus agents include tetrasodium pyrophosphate, ammonium tripolyphosphate, hexametaphosphate salt, polycarboxylate polymers, polyvinyl methyl ether / maleic anhydride (PVME / MA) copolymers, or combinations of two or more thereof. In some embodiments, the oral care composition includes one or more alkali metal polyphosphate, e.g., as tetrasodium pyrophosphate.

[0094] The oral care compositions may include a fluoride ion source. The fluoride ion source may be present in an effective amount. In some cases, the fluoride ion source is present in the oral care composition in an amount of about 0.1 to about 7 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition. For example, the fluoride ion source may be present in an amount of about 0.1 to about 7 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 5 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 3 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 2 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 1 wt.%; from about 0.4 to about 7 wt.%, about 0.4 to about 5 wt.%, about 0.4 to about 3 wt.%, about 0.4 to about 2 wt.%, about 0.4 to about 1 wt.%; from about 0.8 to about 7 wt.%, about 0.8 to about 5 wt.%, about 0.8 to about 3 wt.%, about 0.8 to about 2 wt.%, about 0.8 to about 1.5 wt.%; from about 1.4 to about 7 wt.%, about 1.4 to about 5 wt.%, about 1.4 to about 3 wt.%; from about 2 to about 7 wt.%, about 2 to about 5 wt.%, about 2 to about 3 wt.%; from about 3 to about 7 wt.%, about 3 to about 5 wt.%, about 3 to about 4 wt.%; from about 4 to about 7 wt.%, about 4 to about 6 wt.%, about 4 to about 5 wt.%; from about 5 to about 7 wt.%, about 5 to about 6 wt.%, or any range or subrange thereof, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0095] The fluoride ion source may be selected from soluble fluoride ion salts. For example, the fluoride ion source may comprise sodium fluoride, potassium fluoride, calcium fluoride, zinc fluoride, zinc ammonium fluoride, lithium fluoride, ammonium fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate, potassium monofluorophosphate, laurylamine hydrofluoride, diethylaminoethyloctoylamide hydrofluoride, didecyldimethylammonium fluoride, cetylpyridinium fluoride, dilaurylmorpholinium fluoride, sarcosine glycine potassium fluoride, glycine hydrofluoride, amine fluorides, or a combination of two or more thereof. In some embodiments, the fluoride ion source comprises sodium fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate, or a combination thereof. Additional examples of fluoride ion sources are disclosed in U.S. PatentNo.3,535,421, U.S. Patent No.4,885,155, and U.S. Patent No.3,678,154, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

[0096] Surfactants may be included in the oral care composition. The one or more surfactant(s) may be present in an amount ranging from about 0.5 to about 8 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition. For example, the oral care composition may include one or more surfactant in an amount from about 0.5 to about 7 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 6 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 5 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 4 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 3 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 2 wt.%; from about 1 to about 9 wt.%, about 1 to about 8 wt.%, about 1 to about 7 wt.%, about 1 to about 6 wt.%, about 1 to about 5 wt.%, about 1 to about 4 wt.%, about 1 to about 3 wt.%, about 1 to about 2 wt.%; from about 2 to about 9 wt.%, about 2 to about 8 wt.%, about 2 to about 7 wt.%, about 2 to about 6 wt.%, about 2 to about 5 wt.%, about 2 to about 4 wt.%, about 2 to about 3 wt.%; from about 2.5 to about 9 wt.%, about 2.5 to about 8 wt.%, about 2.5 to about 7 wt.%, about 2.5 to about 6 wt.%, about 2.5 to about 5 wt.%, about 2.5 to about 4 wt.%, about 2.5 to about 3.5 wt.%; from about 3 to about 9 wt.%, about 3 to about 8 wt.%, about 3 to about 7 wt.%, about 3 to about 6 wt.%, about 3 to about 5 wt.%, about 3 to about 4 wt.%, about 3 to about 3.5 wt.%; from about 4 to about 9 wt.%, about 4 to about 8 wt.%, about 4 to about 7 wt.%, about 4 to about 6 wt.%, about 4 to about 5 wt.%; from about 5 to about 9 wt.%, about 5 to about 8 wt.%, about 5 to about 7 wt.%, about 5 to about 6 wt.%; from about 7 to about 9 wt.%, about 7 to about 8 wt.%, or any range or subrange thereof, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0097] The one or more surfactants may be selected from anionic surfactants, such as sulfate based anionic surfactants, sulfonated monoglycerides of fatty acids, acyl isethionates, acyl sarcosinates, acyl taurate, or combinations thereof. Examples of sulfate based anionic surfactants include ammonium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl ether sulfate, sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium coco- sulfate, ammonium coco-sulfate, or a combination of two or more thereof. The one or more anionic surfactant(s) may be selected from non-sulfate based anionic surfactants, such as sulfonated monoglycerides of fatty acids, acyl isethionates, acyl sarcosinates, acyl taurate, or a combination of two or more thereof. For example, the anionic surfactants may be selected from water-soluble salts of higher fatty acid monoglyceride monosulfates, such as the sodium salt of the monosulfated monoglyceride of hydrogenated coconut oil fatty acids; sodium N- methyl N-cocoyl taurate; sodium cocomo-glyceride sulfate; higher alkyl sulfates, such as sodium lauryl sulfate; higher alkyl- ether sulfates, such as sodium laureth-2 sulfate; higher alkyl aryl sulfonates, such as sodiumdodecyl benzene sulfonate (sodium lauryl benzene sulfonate); higher alkyl sulfoacetates, such as sodium lauryl sulfoacetate (dodecyl sodium sulfoacetate), higher fatty acid esters of 1,2 dihydroxy propane sulfonate, sulfocolaurate (N-2- ethyl laurate potassium sulfoacetamide) and sodium lauryl sarcosinate.

[0098] The one or more surfactants may be chosen from nonionic, amphoteric, and cationic surfactants. Nonionic surfactants may be chosen from those compounds produced by the condensation of alkylene oxide groups (hydrophilic in nature) with an organic hydrophobic compound, which may be aliphatic or alkyl-aromatic in nature. Non-limiting examples of suitable nonionic surfactants include polyoxyethylene sorbitan esters, hydrogenated castor oil, fatty alcohol ethoxylates, ethylene oxide condensates of aliphatic alcohols, long chain tertiary amine oxides, long chain tertiary phosphaine oxides, glucosides, and long chain dialkyl sulfoxides.

[0099] The oral care composition may include amphoteric surfactants chosen from derivatives of aliphatic secondary and tertiary amines, in which the aliphatic radical can be a straight chain or branched and wherein one of the aliphatic substituents contains from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms and one contains an anionic water-solubilizing group, such as carboxylate, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphate, or phosphonate. Other exemplary amphoteric surfactants are betaines, such as cocamidopropyl betaine, lauryl dimethyl betaine, cetyl dimethyl betaine, and cocoamphodiacetate. Non-limiting examples of amphoteric surfactants include, for example, long chain imidazoline derivatives such as the product marketed under the trade name `Miranol C2M` by Miranol; long chain alkyl betaines, such as the product marketed under the tradename `Empigen BB` by Albright+Wilson, and long chain alkyl amidoalkyl betaines, such as cocamidopropylbetaine, and mixtures thereof. Additional amphoteric surfactants and nonionic surfactants can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,051,234, which is incorporated herein in its entirety for all purposes.

[0100] Examples of cationic surfactants that may, optionally, be present in the oral care composition include cetyl pyridinium chloride, coamidopropyl PG dimonium chloride phosphate (Phospholipid CDM), myristylamidopropyl PG dimonium chloride phosphate (Phospholipid PTM), stearamidopropyl PG dimonium chloride phosphate (Phospholipid SV), steapyrium chloride (Catemol WPC), and other suitable cationic materials. The cationic surfactants may be D,L-2-pyrrolidone-5-carbo- xylic. In some embodiments, the oral care composition is free of cationic surfactants.

[0101] The oral care compositions may include one or more sweeteners. The oral care composition may include caloric sweeteners and / or non-caloric sweeteners. Examples of non-caloric sweeteners include saccharin, for example, sodium saccharin, acesulfame, neotame, cyclamate or sucralose; natural high-intensity sweeteners, such as thaumatin, stevioside or glycyrrhizin; or sugar alcohols, such as sorbitol, xylitol, maltitol and mannitol. Examples of caloric sweeteners include sugars, such as fructose, glucose, sucrose, and high fructose syrups.

[0102] The one or more sweetener(s) may be present in the oral care composition in an amount from about 0.1 to about 50 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition. For example, the oral care composition may have a total amount of sweetener(s) from about 0.1 to about 40 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 30 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 20 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 10 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 5 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 3 wt.%; from about 1 to about 50 wt.%, about 1 to about 40 wt.%, about 1 to about 30 wt.%, about 1 to about 20 wt.%, about 1 to about 10 wt.%, about 1 to about 5 wt.%, about 1 to about 3 wt.%; from about 5 to about 50 wt.%, about 5 to about 40 wt.%, about 5 to about 30 wt.%, about 5 to about 20 wt.%, about 5 to about 10 wt.%; from about 10 to about 50 wt.%, about 10 to about 45 wt.%, about 10 to about 40 wt.%, about 10 to about 35 wt.%, about 10 to about 30 wt.%, about 10 to about 25 wt.%; from about 15 to about 50 wt.%, about 15 to about 45 wt.%, about 15 to about 40 wt.%, about 15 to about 37 wt.%, about 15 to about 34 wt.%, about 15 to about 31 wt.%, about 15 to about 28 wt.%, about 15 to about 25 wt.%; from about 20 to about 50 wt.%, about 20 to about 45 wt.%, about 20 to about 40 wt.%, about 20 to about 37 wt.%, about 20 to about 34 wt.%, about 20 to about 31 wt.%, about 20 to about 28 wt.%; from about 25 to about 50 wt.%, about 25 to about 45 wt.%, about 25 to about 40 wt.%, about 25 to about 37 wt.%, about 25 to about 34 wt.%, about 25 to about 31 wt.%; from about 28 to about 50 wt.%, about 28 to about 45 wt.%, about 28 to about 40 wt.%, about 28 to about 37 wt.%, about 28 to about 34 wt.%, about 28 to about 31 wt.%; from about 31 to about 50 wt.%, about 31 to about 45 wt.%, about 31 to about 40 wt.%, about 31 to about 37 wt.%; from about 34 to about 50 wt.%, about 34 to about 45 wt.%, about 34 to about 40 wt.%; from about 37 to about 50 wt.%, about 37 to about 45 wt.%, or any range or subrange thereof, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0103] In some embodiments, the oral care composition preferably is substantially free or free of caloric sweeteners. For example, the oral care compositions may have about 4 wt.% or less, about 3 wt.% or less, about 2 wt.% or less, about 1 wt.% or less, about 0.5 wt.% or less, or about 0.1wt.% or less of caloric sweeteners, based on the weight of the oral care composition. In at least one embodiment, the oral care composition contains about 0 wt.% or 0 wt.% of caloric sweeteners, based on the weight of the oral care composition.

[0104] The oral care compositions of the present disclosure may include a flavoring agent. The flavoring agent is typically incorporated in the oral care composition at a concentration of about 0.01 to about 3 wt.% by weight of the oral care composition. For example, the amount of flavoring agent(s) present in the oral care composition may be from about 0.01 to about 2 wt.%, about 0.01 to about 1 wt.%, about 0.01 to about 0.5 wt.%, about 0.01 to about 0.1 wt.%; from about 0.1 to about 3 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 2 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 1 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 0.5 wt.%; from about 0.5 to about 3 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 2 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 1 wt.%; from about 1 to about 3 wt.%, about 1 to about 2 wt.%; about 2 to about 3 wt.%, including any range or subrange thereof, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0105] Suitable flavoring agents include, but are not limited to, essential oils and various flavoring aldehydes, esters, alcohols, and similar materials. Examples of the essential oils include oils of spearmint, peppermint, wintergreen, sassafras, clove, sage, eucalyptus, marjoram, cinnamon, lemon, lime, grapefruit, and orange. Also useful are such chemicals as menthol, carvone, and anethole. Additional flavoring agents may include, but are not limited to menthol, artificial vanilla, cinnamon derivatives, and various fruit flavors, spearmint oil, peppermint oil, cinnamon oil, oil of wintergreen (methylsalicylate), clove oil, bay oil, anise oil, eucalyptus oil, thyme oil, cedar leaf oil, oil of nutmeg, oil of sage, oil of bitter almonds, cassia oil, and a combination of two or more thereof.

[0106] The oral care compositions may include one or more colorants. Exemplary colorants can include natural or uncertified colors from natural sources or certified colors for the effect of color. In some embodiments, the colorant can include dyes, certified aluminum lakes or colors derived from a natural source. The colorant may be water-based, oil-based or dry. The colorants can be primary colors, blends of colors or discrete mixtures of colors, such as confetti. The concentrations of the colorant in the oral care composition may be from trace amount to about 0.6 wt.%, from about 0.1 to about 0.5 wt.%, about 0.2 to about 0.4 wt.%, or about 0.15 to about 0.35 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0107] The oral care composition may include one or more pH adjusters to increase or decrease the overall pH of the oral care composition. For example, one or more acids may be included todecrease the pH of the oral care composition. Examples of suitable acids for decreasing the pH of the oral care composition include, but are not limited to, citric acid, acetic acid, sodium acid pyrophosphate, and the like. The oral care composition may include one or more bases, such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and the like, to increase the pH of the oral care composition. Additional or alternative acids and bases that are suitable for adjusting the pH of the oral care composition are readily known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0108] The amount of the pH adjuster in the oral care composition may be based on the desired pH of the final oral care composition and / or product. For example, the total amount of the pH adjuster may range from about 0.05 to about 20 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition. In some instances, the total amount of pH adjuster is from about 0.05 to about 15 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 10 wt.%, or about 0.12 to about 5 wt.%, including ranges and sub-ranges therebetween, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0109] The oral care compositions may have a pH from about 4.5 to about 10, 4.5 to about 9, about 4.5 to about 8, about 4.5 to about 7, about 4.5 to about 6; from about 5 to about 10, about 5 to about 9, about 5 to about 8, about 5 to about 7, about 5 to about 6; from about 6 to about 10, about 6 to about 9, about 6 to about 8, or about 6 to about 7; from about 7 to about 10, about 7 to about 9, or about 7 to about 8, including any ranges and subranges therebetween, e.g., as measured as a 10 wt.% solution. The pH of the solution (e.g., any of the foregoing pH ranges) may be measured as a 10 wt.% solution, whereby the solution comprises 10 wt.% of the oral care composition with the remainder being water.

[0110] The oral care compositions may have reduced amount of water. In some cases, the oral care compositions have water in an amount up to about 5 wt.%, up to about 4 wt.%, up to about 3 wt.%, up to about 2 wt.%, up to about 1 wt.%, up to about 0.5 wt.%, up to about 0.1 wt.%; from about 0.1 to about 5 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 3 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 2 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 1 wt.%; from about 0.5 to about 5 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 3 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 2 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 1 wt.%; from about 1 to about 5 wt.%, about 1 to about 4 wt.%, about 1 to about 3 wt.%, about 1 to about 2 wt.%; from about 2 to about 5 wt.%, about 2 to about 4 wt.%, about to about 3 wt.%; from about 3 to about 5 wt.%, about 3 to about 4 wt.%, or any range or subrange thereof, based on the total weight of the oral care composition. In some embodiments, however, the oral care composition may have a total amount of about 5 wt.% or less, about 4 wt.% or less, about 3 wt.% or less, about 2 wt.% or less, about 1 wt.% or less, about 0.5 wt.% or less, about 0.1wt.% or less, about 0.05 wt.% or less, or about 0.01 wt.% or less of added water, based on the total weight of the oral care composition. The oral care compositions may, in some instances, have a total amount of water of about 0 wt.% or 0 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0111] Embodiments of the present invention will now be further described by way of the following, non-limiting, examples. EXAMPLES Example 1

[0112] Two non-limiting, example oral care compositions (Example Compositions A and B) were prepared in accordance with aspects of the invention. Additionally, a comparative composition (Comparative Composition 1) was prepared. The formulations for Example Compositions A and B and Comparative Composition 1, which were in the form of dentifrices, are shown in Table 1.Table 1 Comp. 1 Ex. A Ex. B Compound Name (wt.%) (wt.%) (wt.%) Example 2

[0113] Example Compositions A and B were evaluated under accelerated aging conditions to determine the peroxide stability of such dentifrices. Specifically, Example Compositions A and B were kept in a controlled environment at a temperature of 60 °C for 1 week. The hydrogen peroxide concentration in each of Examples Compositions A and B were evaluated before and after the accelerated aging. Example Compositions A and B were both determined to have 3.4 wt.% of hydrogen peroxide after accelerated aging. Example 3

[0114] The whitening efficacy of Example Composition B was evaluated in comparison to Comparative Composition 1 using artificially stained bovine teeth. Specifically, 10 mm2blocks of bovine teeth mounted in a methacrylate resin such that only the enamel would exposed to the staining broth. To stain the enamel, the bovine teeth were cycled between air and a staining broth containing coffee, tea, mucin, soy broth, and Sarcina Lutea at a temperature of 37 ºC until the L* value of the bovine teeth was between 25 and 40.1. The bovine teeth for the study were selected following a 20 min brushing using 250 grams of force and a toothpaste slurry consisting of Max FreshTMand water in a weight ratio of 1:1. Teeth having an L* value near 60 after brushing were selected for this evaluation. Eight bovine teeth were selected for use with each of ExampleComposition B and Comparative Composition 1, with four bovine teeth mounted per tray using a thermal setting impression compound.

[0115] Toothpaste slurries for each of Example Composition B and Comparative Composition 1 were prepared by individually combining samples of Example Composition B and Comparative Composition 1 with water in weight ratios of 1:1. The toothpaste slurries were applied to the heads of soft Colgate 360º toothbrushes cut from the handles and mounted for use on the brushing machine. Brushing of the bovine teeth started immediately thereafter. The brushing machine was set to 120 strokes / min with 250 grams of pressure and the bovine teeth were brushed for 2 minutes. After the 2 minutes, the brushing was stopped, the slurry was removed, and the bovine teeth were rinsed with 100 grams of deionized water. The brushing treatment was repeated a total of 14 times to model twice daily use of either Example Composition B or Comparative Composition 1 for 7 days.

[0116] To evaluate the whitening effect of Example Composition B and Comparative Composition 1, software was used to measure the L*, a*, and b* values for the same area of each bovine tooth before and after the brushing with the toothpaste slurry of either of Example Composition B or Comparative Composition 1. The L*, a*, and b* values were used to calculate the change in the whiteness index for each bovine tooth by comparing the L*, a*, and b* values after the 14 brushings to the L*, a*, and b* values before such brushings. The whiteness index is calculated as ΔW*, where W* = (a*2+ b*2+ (L* - 100)2)1 / 2ΔW* = W* treated – W* baseline

[0117] It should be noted that the more negative the value of ΔW*, the closer the bovine tooth color is to white. Table 2 provides the ΔW* of the stained bovine teeth after the in-vitro brushing. The greater the reduction in ΔW, the better the whitening efficacy. Table 2 Comp. 1 Ex. B

[0118] While the everal embodiments,which embodiments have been set forth in considerable detail for the purposes of making a complete disclosure of the invention, such embodiments are merely exemplary and are not intended to be limiting or represent an exhaustive enumeration of all aspects of the invention. The scope of the invention is to be determined from the claims appended hereto. Further, it will beapparent to those of skill in the art that numerous changes may be made in such details without departing from the spirit and the principles of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS What Is Claimed Is:

1. An oral care composition comprising: a whitening agent comprising a peroxide source; an abrasive comprising a silica abrasive; and a solvent system.

2. The oral care composition according to claim 1, wherein the peroxide source comprises a non-complexed peroxide present in an amount from about 0.01 to about 10 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

3. The oral care composition according to claim 2, wherein the non-complexed peroxide is selected from hydrogen peroxide, lithium peroxide, potassium peroxide, sodium peroxide, magnesium peroxide, calcium peroxide, barium peroxide, alkyl hydrogen peroxides, dialkyl peroxides, alkyl peroxy acids, peroxy esters, diacyl peroxides, benzoyl peroxide, and a combination of two or more thereof.

4. The oral care composition according to any foregoing claim, wherein the silica abrasive is present in an amount from about 1 to about 10 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

5. The oral care composition according to any foregoing claim, wherein the abrasive further comprises calcium pyrophosphate.

6. The oral care composition according to any foregoing claim, wherein the total amount of abrasive is from about 1 to about 35 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

7. The oral care composition according to any foregoing claim, wherein the solvent system comprises ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, pentylene glycol, hexylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, pentaethylene glycol, dipropyleneglycol, a polyethylene glycol, a polypropylene glycol, a polyethylene glycol, a polypropylene glycol, a polyethylene glycol-polypropylene glycol copolymer, or a combination of two or more thereof.

8. The oral care composition according to claim 7, wherein the solvent system comprises a polyethylene glycol-polypropylene glycol copolymer.

9. The oral care composition according to any foregoing claim, wherein the solvent system comprises propylene glycol.

10. The oral care composition according to claim 9, wherein the propylene glycol is present in an amount from about 30 to about 70 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

11. The oral care composition according to any foregoing claim, wherein the oral care composition comprises less than about 5 wt.% of water, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

12. The oral care composition according to any foregoing claim further comprising: one or more thickening agent, optionally, in an amount from about 1 to about 20 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

13. The oral care composition according to claim 12, wherein the one or more thickening agent comprises a plurality of thickening agents, the plurality of thickening agents comprising a silica thickener.

14. The oral care composition according to claim 13, wherein the silica thickener is present in an amount up to 7 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

15. The oral care composition according to any one of claim 12 to claim 14, wherein the one or more thickening agent comprises polyvinyl pyrrolidone.

16. The oral care composition according to any foregoing claim further comprising: an anti-calculus agent, optionally, in an amount from about 0.5 to about 10 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

17. The oral care composition according to claim 16, wherein the anti-calculus agent is selected from tetrasodium pyrophosphate, ammonium tripolyphosphate, hexametaphosphate salt, polycarboxylate polymers, polyvinyl methyl ether / maleic anhydride (PVME / MA) copolymers, and a combination of two or more thereof.

18. The oral care composition according to any foregoing claim further comprising: a fluoride source, optionally, in an amount from about 0.1 to about 2 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

19. The oral care composition according to claim 18, wherein the fluoride source is selected from sodium fluoride, potassium fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate, sodium fluorosilicate, ammonium fluorosilicate, amine fluoride, ammonium fluoride, and a combination of two or more thereof.

20. The oral care composition according to any foregoing claim further comprising: an anionic surfactant, optionally, in an amount from about 0.5 to about 10 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

21. The oral care composition according to claim 20, wherein the anionic surfactant is selected from ammonium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl ether sulfate, sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium coco-sulfate, ammonium coco-sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium lauryl ether sulfate, and a combination of two or more thereof.

22. The oral care composition according to any foregoing claim, wherein the oral care composition is a dentifrice.

23. An oral care composition comprising:a whitening agent comprising hydrogen peroxide; an abrasive comprising a silica abrasive and calcium pyrophosphate; and a solvent system comprising a polyethylene glycol-polypropylene glycol copolymer and a polyol chosen from ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, pentylene glycol, hexylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, pentaethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, a polyethylene glycol, a polypropylene glycol, a polyethylene glycol, a polypropylene glycol, or a combination of two or more thereof.

24. The oral care composition according to any foregoing claim, wherein the silica abrasive has an average sphericity of about 0.2 or more, the average sphericity being calculated as the ratio of the nominal surface area to the actual surface area of the object.

25. The oral care composition according to claim 24, wherein the average sphericity is about 0.3 to about 0.

96.

26. The oral care composition according to any foregoing claim, wherein the silica abrasive has an average roundness of about 0.3 or more, the average roundness being calculated as the ratio of the average radius of curvature of the corners of the silica’s silhouette to the radius of the maximum inscribed circle: , where n is the number of corners, ri the radius of the ith cornerof the maximum inscribed circle.

27. The oral care composition according to claim 26, wherein the average roundness is about 0.4 to about 0.

96.

28. The oral care composition according to any foregoing claim, wherein the silica abrasive has an average pore size of about 0.1 to about 0.5 cc / g.

29. The oral care composition according to any foregoing claim, wherein the silica abrasive has a N2BET surface area of less than 50 m2 / g.

30. The oral care composition according to any foregoing claim, wherein the silica abrasive has an Einlehner hardness of from 4 to 11.

31. The oral care composition according to any foregoing claim, wherein the silica abrasive has an oil absorption of from 80 cc / 100 g to 100 cc / 100 g.

32. The oral care composition according to any foregoing claim, wherein the silica abrasive has about 1 mol.% or less or less of impurities.

33. Use of a peroxide, a silica abrasive, and a solvent system comprising at least one polyol to manufacture an oral care composition according to any one of claims 23 to 32.

34. A method of manufacturing an oral care composition, the method comprising: mixing a whitening agent comprising a peroxide source, an abrasive comprising a silica abrasive, and a solvent system; and preparing an oral care composition from such mixture.

Images