Oral care composition

Abstract

Aspects of the present invention relate to oral care compositions. According to one aspect, there is provided an oral care composition having: a surfactant system comprising at least one of (i) a non-sulfate-based anionic surfactant and an amphoteric surfactant, or (ii) a non-ionic surfactant and an amino acid surfactant; a source of stannous ions; a source of nitrate ions; and a source of phosphate radicals.

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related patent applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Application No. 63 / 427,124, filed on November 22, 2022, entitled Oral Care Compositions, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Background of the Invention

[0003] Tooth erosion involves the demineralization and damage of tooth structure due to acid attack from non - bacterial sources. Erosion typically first occurs in enamel and, if left unchecked, may progress to the underlying dentin.

[0004] Dental plaque can cause or exacerbate tooth erosion. Dental plaque is a sticky biofilm or colony of bacteria that is commonly found between teeth, along the gum line, and beneath the gingival margin. Dental plaque can cause dental caries and periodontal problems such as gingivitis and periodontitis. Dental caries, tooth decay, and / or tooth demineralization can be caused or exacerbated by acids produced by the bacterial degradation of fermentable sugars.

[0005] Sources of stannous ions (such as stannous fluoride and stannous chloride) are known in clinical dentistry, with a history of therapeutic benefits spanning over four decades, and can be used to reduce the growth of certain bacteria in the oral cavity. However, to date, the popularity of stannous ion sources has been limited due to their instability in aqueous solutions. The instability of stannous salts in water is mainly due to the reactivity of stannous ions (Sn 2+ ). Stannous salts are prone to hydrolysis at pH values above 4, resulting in precipitation from the solution. It has traditionally been thought that the formation of such insoluble stannous salts leads to the loss of therapeutic properties. A common way to overcome the stability problems that may be associated with stannous ions is to limit the amount of water in the composition to very low levels or to use a biphasic system.

[0006] Formulating oral care compositions containing stannous fluoride or stannous chloride and potassium salts is particularly challenging because of stability issues between these two components. U.S. Patent Application No. 6,464,963 discloses that attempts to simultaneously include stannous fluoride and a potassium salt (such as potassium nitrate) in a single - phase oral composition are hindered by the formation of insoluble tin salts and compounds such as Sn(OH)2 and SnO2. U.S. Patent Application No. 6,464,963 addressed this stability problem by employing a two - component composition, where one component contains the potassium salt and sodium hydroxide to adjust the pH of the component to 8 to 11, and a second component contains stannous fluoride or other stannous salts.

[0007] Another ingredient that may be present in an oral care composition is sodium lauryl sulfate. Sodium lauryl sulfate can be useful because it can increase the phase stability of the oral care composition (e.g., reduce the likelihood of phase separation) and generally does not affect the stability of the active ingredients in the oral care composition. In some cases, surfactant replacement—adding another surfactant in place of sodium lauryl sulfate—has a negative impact on the taste or stability of the active ingredients. Additionally, the absence of sodium lauryl sulfate can negatively affect the microbial stability of the formulation. There are also production benefits to having sodium lauryl sulfate in a given formulation. For example, by replacing sodium lauryl sulfate with other surfactants, the oral care composition may become overly aerated during production and may be more difficult to clean the equipment after the production process.

[0008] There is a continuing desire for improved oral care compositions. Summary of the Invention

[0009] This Summary of the Invention is only intended to provide a brief overview of some aspects of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Other applicable fields of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description provided below. This Summary of the Invention is not an exhaustive overview, nor is it intended to identify key or important elements of the teachings, nor to delineate the scope of the present disclosure. Instead, its purpose is only to present one or more concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the detailed description below.

[0010] Aspects of the present invention relate to oral care compositions. According to one aspect, there is provided an oral care composition having: a surfactant system comprising at least one of: (i) a non-sulfate anionic surfactant and an amphoteric surfactant, or (ii) a nonionic surfactant and an amino acid surfactant; a stannous ion source; a nitrate ion source; and a phosphate source (e.g., a phosphate ion source).

[0011] According to another aspect, there is provided an oral care composition comprising: a surfactant system comprising a betaine surfactant and a taurate surfactant; a stannous ion source; a nitrate ion source; and a phosphate source (e.g., a phosphate ion source).

[0012] According to another aspect, there is provided an oral care composition comprising: a surfactant system comprising a glutamate surfactant and a glucoside surfactant; a stannous ion source; a nitrate ion source; and a phosphate source (e.g., a phosphate ion source).

[0013] According to another aspect, there is provided an oral care composition comprising: a surfactant system comprising a betaine surfactant, a taurate surfactant, and an amino acid surfactant; a stannous ion source; a nitrate ion source; and a phosphate source (e.g., a phosphate ion source). Detailed Description

[0014] For purposes of illustration, the principles of the present invention are described by reference to various exemplary embodiments of the invention. While certain embodiments of the present invention are specifically described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the same principles equally apply to other compositions and methods and can be used in other compositions and methods. Before detailing the disclosed embodiments of the present invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of any particular embodiment disclosed herein. The terms used herein are for descriptive purposes and not for purposes of limitation.

[0015] As used herein and in the appended claims, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural references. The singular form of any category of ingredients refers not only to one chemical substance within that category but also to mixtures of those chemical substances. The terms "a", "one or more", and "at least one" are used interchangeably herein. The terms "comprising", "including", and "having" are used interchangeably. The term "including" should be construed to mean "including but not limited to". The term "comprising" should be construed to mean "comprising but not limited to".

[0016] As used throughout, ranges are used as a shorthand for describing each and every value within the range. Any value within the range can be selected as the endpoint of the range. Thus, the range 1 to 5 specifically includes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 and sub-ranges such as 2 to 5, 3 to 5, 2 to 3, 2 to 4, 1 to 4, etc.

[0017] When referring to a number, the term "about" means any number within 10% of that number. For example, the phrase "about 2 wt%" refers to a number between 1.8 wt% and 2.2 wt% and including 1.8 wt% and 2.2 wt%.

[0018] All references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. In the event of a conflict between the definitions in the present disclosure and the definitions of the cited references, the present disclosure shall control.

[0019] Unless otherwise indicated, the abbreviations and symbols used herein have their ordinary meanings. The abbreviation “wt%” means weight percentage relative to the weight of the oral care composition. The symbol “°” refers to degrees, such as degrees of temperature or degrees of an angle. The symbols “h”, “min”, “mL”, “nm” and “μm” refer to hour, minute, milliliter, nanometer and micrometer, respectively. The abbreviation “UV-VIS” when referring to a spectrometer or spectroscopy means ultraviolet-visible. The abbreviation “rpm” means revolutions per minute.

[0020] 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.

[0021] As used herein, “volatile” means having a flash point below about 100 °C. As used herein, “non-volatile” means having a flash point above about 100 °C.

[0022] Any member in a list of species used to illustrate or define a genus can be distinct from any other member of the list of species, or overlap with any other member of the list of species, or be a subset of any other member of the list of species, or be identical to any other member of the list of species, or be substantially the same as any other member of the list of species, or be the same as any other member of the list of species. Further, unless explicitly stated, for example when reciting a Markush group, the list of species defining or illustrating the genus is open-ended and other species can exist that define or illustrate the genus that are just as good as or better than any of the listed species.

[0023] The phrases “its mixtures”, “its combinations” or “combinations of any two or more thereof” do not require that the mixture contain all of A, B, C, D, E and F (although it can contain all of A, B, C, D, E and F). Instead, it means a mixture that can contain any two or more of A, B, C, D, E and F. In other words, it is equivalent to the phrase “one or more elements selected from A, B, C, D, E, F, and mixtures of any two or more of A, B, C, D, E and F”. Similarly, the term “its salts” also refers to “its multiple salts”. Thus, when the present disclosure refers to “elements selected from A, B, C, D, E, F, its salts and its mixtures”, it means that it can include one or more of A, B, C, D and F, it can include one or more of the salts of A, the salts of B, the salts of C, the salts of D, the salts of E and the salts of F, or it can include mixtures of any two of A, B, C, D, E, F, the salts of A, the salts of B, the salts of C, the salts of D, the salts of E and the salts of F.

[0024] All components and elements affirmatively set forth in this disclosure can be negatively excluded from the claims. In other words, the oral care compositions of the present disclosure can be free or substantially free of all components and elements affirmatively recited throughout the present disclosure. In some cases, the oral care compositions of the present disclosure can be substantially free of non-incidental amounts of the ingredients or compounds described herein. A non-incidental amount of an ingredient or compound is the amount of that ingredient or compound added separately to the oral care composition. For example, an oral care composition can be substantially free of non-incidental amounts of a certain ingredient or compound, although such an ingredient or compound may be present as part of a raw material included as a blend of two or more compounds.

[0025] Some of the various categories of components identified can overlap. In cases where overlap is possible and the oral care composition contains two components (or the composition contains more than two overlapping components), the overlapping compounds do not represent more than one component. For example, certain compounds can be characterized as both a fluoride ion source and a stannous ion source. If a particular oral care composition contains both a fluoride ion source and a stannous ion source, stannous fluoride will be used as only either the fluoride ion source or the stannous ion source - not both.

[0026] For readability purposes, chemical functional groups are in their adjectival form; for each adjective, it is assumed there is the word "group". For example, the adjective "alkyl" without a following noun should be interpreted as "alkyl group".

[0027] Aspects of the present invention relate to oral care compositions, such as oral care compositions that provide enhanced oral care benefits. The oral care compositions disclosed herein can simultaneously provide excellent oral health benefits, achieve desired foaming properties, and enhanced phase stability. Advantageously and unexpectedly, it has been found that certain oral care compositions of a surfactant system having a specific combination of surfactants can achieve highly desired oral care health benefits while achieving desired phase stability, desired foam properties, and minimizing or excluding sodium lauryl sulfate and / or sodium laureth sulfate.

[0028] According to one aspect, there is provided an oral care composition having: a surfactant system comprising at least one of: (i) a non-sulfate anionic surfactant and an amphoteric surfactant, or (ii) a non-ionic surfactant and an amino acid surfactant; a stannous ion source; a nitrate ion source; and a phosphate source.

[0029] According to another aspect, there is provided an oral care composition comprising: a surfactant system comprising a betaine surfactant and a taurate surfactant; a stannous ion source; a nitrate ion source; and a phosphate source. In some embodiments, the oral care composition comprises: a surfactant system comprising a betaine surfactant, a taurate surfactant, and an amino acid surfactant; a stannous ion source; a nitrate ion source; and a phosphate source (e.g., a phosphate ion source).

[0030] According to yet another aspect, there is provided an oral care composition comprising: a surfactant system comprising a glutamate surfactant and a glucoside surfactant; a stannous ion source; a nitrate ion source; and a phosphate source.

[0031] The oral care composition can be formulated to have improved phase stability while using very little or no sodium lauryl sulfate and / or sodium laureth sulfate. For example, the amount of sodium lauryl sulfate and / or sodium laureth sulfate present in the oral care composition can be 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 0.1 wt% or less, or about 0.05 wt% or less. In some embodiments, the oral care composition is substantially free or free of sodium lauryl sulfate and / or sodium laureth sulfate. In at least one embodiment, the oral care composition comprises 0 wt% or about 0 wt% of sodium lauryl sulfate and / or sodium laureth sulfate.

[0032] The oral care composition can be in the form of a dentifrice, toothpaste, mouthwash, etc. Depending on the specific combination of other ingredients and the form of the oral care composition, suitable components such as those listed below may or may not be included in the formulation for the oral care composition. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the oral care composition can have a single phase comprising the components and / or ingredients of the oral care composition. In other embodiments, the oral care composition can comprise two or more phases, such as two, three, four, or five phases.

[0033] Oral care compositions typically comprise a surfactant system that includes at least one of the following: (i) a non-sulfate anionic surfactant and an amphoteric surfactant and / or (ii) a nonionic surfactant and an amino acid surfactant. In some cases, the surfactant system may include a non-sulfate anionic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, and optionally an amino acid surfactant. In some embodiments, the surfactant system consists of (i) a non-sulfate anionic surfactant and an amphoteric surfactant and / or (ii) a nonionic surfactant and an amino acid surfactant. For example, the surfactant system may consist of one or more non-sulfate anionic surfactants and one or more amphoteric surfactants. As another example, the surfactant system may consist of one or more nonionic surfactants and one or more amino acid surfactants. As another example, the surfactant system may consist of one or more non-sulfate anionic surfactants, one or more amphoteric surfactants, and one or more amino acid surfactants. In yet other examples, the surfactant system may consist of one or more non-sulfate anionic surfactants, one or more amphoteric surfactants, and one or more nonionic surfactants.

[0034] As described above, it has been advantageously and unexpectedly found that certain oral care compositions with certain surfactant combinations in the surfactant system can simultaneously achieve multiple benefits, such as highly desired oral care health benefits, desired stability, and desired foam characteristics, while maintaining and minimizing or excluding sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate. The surfactant system may include two or more surfactants, such as 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 surfactants, or a range formed thereby. For example, the oral care composition may include 2 to 6, 2 to 5, 2 to 4, 2 or 3; 3 to 6, or 3 or 4 surfactants.

[0035] Based on the total weight of the oral care composition, the surfactant system can be present in the oral care composition in an amount of from about 0.5 wt% to about 9 wt%. For example, based on the total weight of the oral care composition, the oral care composition can contain the surfactant system in the following amounts: from about 0.5 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 7 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 2 wt%; from about 1 wt% to about 9 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 7 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 2 wt%; from about 2 wt% to about 9 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 7 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 3 wt%; from about 2.5 wt% to about 9 wt%, from about 2.5 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 2.5 wt% to about 7 wt%, from about 2.5 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 2.5 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 2.5 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 2.5 wt% to about 3.5 wt%; from about 3 wt% to about 9 wt%, from about 3 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 3 wt% to about 7 wt%, from about 3 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 3 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 3 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 3 wt% to about 3.5 wt%; from about 4 wt% to about 9 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 7 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 5 wt%; from about 5 wt% to about 9 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 7 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 6 wt%; from about 7 wt% to about 9 wt%, from about 7 wt% to about 8 wt%, or any range or sub-range thereof.

[0036] Oral care compositions typically comprise a surfactant system having one or more anionic surfactants. Based on the total weight of the oral care composition, the surfactant system may comprise one or more anionic surfactants in an amount that can range from about 0.1 wt% to about 7 wt%. In some cases, based on the total weight of the oral care composition, one or more anionic surfactants are present in the surfactant system in an amount of: about 0.1 wt% to about 6 wt%, about 0.1 wt% to about 5 wt%, about 0.1 wt% to about 4 wt%, about 0.1 wt% to about 3 wt%, about 0.1 wt% to about 2 wt%, about 0.1 wt% to about 1 wt%; about 0.4 wt% to about 7 wt%, about 0.4 wt% to about 6 wt%, about 0.4 wt% to about 5 wt%, about 0.4 wt% to about 4 wt%, about 0.4 wt% to about 3 wt%, about 0.4 wt% to about 2 wt%, about 0.4 wt% to about 1 wt%; about 0.8 wt% to about 7 wt%, about 0.8 wt% to about 6 wt%, about 0.8 wt% to about 5 wt%, about 0.8 wt% to about 4 wt%, about 0.8 wt% to about 3 wt%, about 0.8 wt% to about 2 wt%; about 1.4 wt% to about 7 wt%, about 1.4 wt% to about 6 wt%, about 1.4 wt% to about 5 wt%, about 1.4 wt% to about 4 wt%, about 1.4 wt% to about 3 wt%; about 2 wt% to about 7 wt%, about 2 wt% to about 6 wt%, about 2 wt% to about 5 wt%, about 2 wt% to about 4 wt%, about 2 wt% to about 3 wt%; about 3 wt% to about 7 wt%, about 3 wt% to about 6 wt%, about 3 wt% to about 5 wt%; about 4 wt% to about 7 wt%, about 4 wt% to about 6 wt%, about 5 wt% to about 7 wt%, or any range or sub-range thereof.

[0037] One or more anionic surfactants may be selected from non-sulfate anionic surfactants such as sulfonated monoglycerides of fatty acids, hydroxyethyl sulfonates, sarcosinates, taurates, or combinations of two or more thereof. While one or more anionic surfactants are typically selected from non-sulfate anionic surfactants, in some embodiments, the oral care composition may comprise a sulfate anionic surfactant selected from: ammonium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl ether sulfate, sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium coco sulfate, ammonium coco sulfate, and combinations of two or more thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the surfactant system comprises a sulfate anionic surfactant, wherein the oral care composition is substantially free or free of sodium lauryl sulfate and / or sodium lauryl ether sulfate.

[0038] An anionic surfactant may have at least one alkyl or acyl group, preferably a carbon chain containing 8 to 21 carbons. In some cases, the alkyl of the anionic surfactant contains a carbon chain of: 8 to 19 carbons, 8 to 17 carbons, 8 to 15 carbons, 8 to 13 carbons, 8 to 11 carbons; 9 to 21 carbons, 9 to 19 carbons, 9 to 17 carbons, 9 to 15 carbons, 9 to 13 carbons, 9 to 11 carbons; 11 to 21 carbons, 11 to 19 carbons, 11 to 17 carbons, 11 to 15 carbons, 11 to 13 carbons; 13 to 21 carbons, 13 to 19 carbons, 13 to 17 carbons, or any range or sub-range thereof. The anionic surfactants disclosed herein may be incorporated in salt form. The anionic surfactant in salt form may have an alkali metal (e.g., sodium or potassium) and / or an ammonium group.

[0039] Non-limiting examples of hydroxyethyl sulfonate surfactants include sodium hydroxyethyl sulfonate, sodium cocoyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate, sodium lauroyl methyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate, and sodium cocoyl methyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate. Sulfonated monoglycerides of fatty acids include sodium coconut monoglyceride sulfonate, etc. Examples of acyl sarcosinates include potassium lauroyl sarcosinate, potassium cocoyl sarcosinate, sodium cocoyl sarcosinate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, sodium myristoyl sarcosinate, sodium oleoyl sarcosinate, sodium palmitoyl sarcosinate, and ammonium lauroyl sarcosinate.

[0040] The anionic surfactant may be selected from taurate surfactants having a structure according to the following formula:

[0041]

[0042] wherein R1 is a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched alkyl chain having 6 to 18 carbon atoms, R2 is H or methyl, and M + is H, sodium, or potassium (e.g., sodium methyl cocoyl taurate).

[0043] Additional examples of taurate surfactant salts include sodium cocoyl taurate, potassium cocoyl taurate, potassium methyl cocoyl taurate, sodium hexanoyl methyl taurate, sodium cocoyl taurate, sodium lauroyl taurate, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate (SMCT), sodium methyl lauroyl taurate, sodium methyl myristoyl taurate, sodium methyl oleoyl taurate, sodium methyl palmitoyl taurate, sodium methyl stearoyl taurate, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the oral care composition comprises sodium lauroyl methyl taurate (or sodium methyl lauroyl taurate), sodium methyl cocoyl taurate (SMCT), or a combination thereof. In at least one preferred embodiment, the surfactant system comprises sodium methyl cocoyl taurate. In some embodiments, the oral care composition may not contain one or more of the above anionic surfactants.

[0044] In some embodiments, in addition to an anionic surfactant, the surfactant system preferably further comprises an amphoteric surfactant system. Based on the total weight of the oral care composition, the surfactant system can comprise one or more amphoteric surfactants, for example, in an amount of from about 0.1 wt% to about 5 wt%. For example, based on the total weight of the oral care composition, one or more amphoteric surfactants can be present in the surfactant system in the following amounts: from about 0.1 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 2 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 1 wt%; from about 0.3 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 0.3 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 0.3 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 0.3 wt% to about 2 wt%, from about 0.3 wt% to about 1 wt%; from about 0.6 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 0.6 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 0.6 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 0.6 wt% to about 2 wt%, from about 0.6 wt% to about 1 wt%; from about 1 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 2 wt%; from about 1.5 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 1.5 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 1.5 wt% to about 3 wt%; from about 2 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 3 wt%; from about 3 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 3 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 5 wt%, including any range or sub-range thereof.

[0045] Amphoteric surfactants are generally characterized by a combination of high surfactant activity, foam formation, and mildness. Amphoteric surfactants can comprise substituents containing 8 to 18 carbon atoms and substituents containing one or more carboxylate, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphate, or phosphonate groups. For example, amphoteric surfactants can have an alkyl group containing 8 to 20 carbon atoms, 8 to 16 carbon atoms, 10 to 16 carbon atoms, or 10 to 13 carbon atoms. Amphoteric surfactants can include, but are not limited to, derivatives of aliphatic secondary and tertiary amines in which the aliphatic group can be straight-chain or branched. In some cases, one of the aliphatic substituents of the amphoteric surfactant contains from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms and one of the aliphatic substituents contains an anionic hydrotropic group, such as a carboxyl, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphate, or phosphonate group. The amphoteric surfactants disclosed herein can be present in the oral care composition in salt form.

[0046] Amphoteric surfactants can include alkyl amphopropionates, betaines, alkyl sulfobetaines, alkyl amphoacetates, or a combination of two or more thereof. Preferably, the oral care composition comprises an amphoteric surfactant selected from betaine surfactants (also referred to herein as betaines). Examples of betaine surfactants include, for example, alkyl betaines such as coco dimethyl carboxymethyl betaine, lauryl dimethyl carboxymethyl betaine, lauryl dimethyl α-carboxyethyl betaine, cetyl dimethyl carboxymethyl betaine, lauryl bis-(2-hydroxyethyl) carboxymethyl betaine, stearyl bis-(2-hydroxypropyl) carboxymethyl betaine, oleyl dimethyl γ-carboxypropyl betaine, lauryl bis-(2-hydroxypropyl) α-carboxyethyl betaine. In some cases, the betaine surfactant is selected from coco betaine, cocoamidopropyl betaine, lauryl betaine, lauryl hydroxysulfobetaine, lauryl dimethyl betaine, behenyl betaine, caprylyl / capramidopropyl betaine, lauryl hydroxysulfobetaine, stearyl betaine, and combinations of two or more thereof. For example, the betaine surfactant can be coco betaine, cocoamidopropyl betaine, behenyl betaine, caprylyl / capramidopropyl betaine, and lauryl betaine, or a combination of two or more thereof. In at least one embodiment, the oral care composition comprises coco betaine, cocoamidopropyl betaine, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the oral care composition may not contain one or more of the above amphoteric surfactants.

[0047] The oral care composition can be formulated to have a weight ratio of the amount of anionic surfactant (such as taurine surfactant) to the amount of amphoteric surfactant (such as betaine surfactant). For example, the weight ratio of the total amount of anionic surfactant to the total amount of amphoteric surfactant in the oral care composition can be from about 1:5 to about 5:1, about 1:4 to about 5:1, about 1:3 to about 5:1, about 1:2 to about 5:1, about 1:1 to about 5:1; from about 1:5 to about 4:1, about 1:4 to about 4:1, about 1:3 to about 4:1, about 1:2 to about 4:1, about 1:1 to about 4:1; from about 1:5 to about 3:1, about 1:4 to about 3:1, about 1:3 to about 3:1, about 1:2 to about 3:1, about 1:1 to about 3:1; from about 1:5 to about 2:1, about 1:4 to about 2:1, about 1:3 to about 2:1, about 1:2 to about 2:1, about 1:1 to about 2:1; from about 1:5 to about 1:1, about 1:4 to about 1:1, about 1:3 to about 1:1, about 1:2 to about 1:1, or about 1:1, including ranges or sub-ranges formed therefrom.

[0048] Additionally or alternatively, the surfactant system can contain one or more amino acid-derived surfactants in variable amounts, but based on the total weight of the oral care composition, the one or more amino acid-derived surfactants can be present in an amount of from about 0.1 wt% to about 7 wt%. For example, based on the total weight of the oral care composition, the one or more amino acid-derived surfactants can be present in the surfactant system in the following amounts: from about 0.1 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 2 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 1 wt%; from about 0.4 wt% to about 7 wt%, from about 0.4 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 0.4 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 0.4 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 0.4 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 0.4 wt% to about 2 wt%, from about 0.4 wt% to about 1 wt%; from about 0.8 wt% to about 7 wt%, from about 0.8 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 0.8 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 0.8 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 0.8 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 0.8 wt% to about 2 wt%; from about 1.4 wt% to about 7 wt%, from about 1.4 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 1.4 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 1.4 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 1.4 wt% to about 3 wt%; from about 2 wt% to about 7 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 3 wt%; from about 3 wt% to about 7 wt%, from about 3 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 3 wt% to about 5 wt%; from about 4 wt% to about 7 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 7 wt%, or any range or sub-range thereof.

[0049] The amino acid-derived surfactant can be anionic, nonionic, amphoteric, or cationic. In some embodiments, the amino acid-derived surfactant is an anionic surfactant. The amino acid-derived surfactant can be based on alanine, arginine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, phenylalanine, serine, tyrosine, valine, sarcosine, threonine, and taurine. The amino acid-derived surfactants disclosed herein can be present in the oral care composition in salt form. The most common cations associated with acyl amino acids can be sodium or potassium. Alternatively, the cation can be an organic salt such as triethanolamine (TEA) or a metal salt.

[0050] The amino acid-derived surfactant can be an acyl amino acid-derived surfactant, and the acyl amino acid-derived surfactant has an aliphatic carbon chain with 3 to 21 carbons. For example, the amino acid-derived surfactant can include an alkyl group composed of the following carbon chains: 3 to 21 carbons, 3 to 19 carbons, 3 to 17 carbons, 3 to 15 carbons, 3 to 13 carbons, 3 to 11 carbons, 3 to 9 carbons, 3 to 7 carbons; 4 to 21 carbons, 4 to 19 carbons, 4 to 17 carbons, 4 to 15 carbons, 4 to 13 carbons, 4 to 11 carbons, 4 to 9 carbons, 4 to 7 carbons; 6 to 21 carbons, 6 to 19 carbons, 6 to 17 carbons, 6 to 15 carbons, 6 to 13 carbons, 6 to 11 carbons, 6 to 9 carbons; 9 to 21 carbons, 9 to 19 carbons, 9 to 17 carbons, 9 to 15 carbons, 9 to 13 carbons, 9 to 11 carbons; 11 to 21 carbons, 11 to 19 carbons, 11 to 17 carbons, 11 to 15 carbons, 11 to 13 carbons; 13 to 21 carbons, 13 to 19 carbons, 13 to 17 carbons, or any range or sub-range thereof.

[0051] Preferably, the amino acid-derived surfactant includes a glutamic acid-derived surfactant. The glutamic acid-derived surfactant can be selected from acyl glutamic acid-derived surfactants having an alkyl group composed of a carbon chain with 3 to 21 carbons or any range of carbon chains described above for the amino acid-derived surfactant. For example, the carbon chain of the acyl glutamic acid-derived surfactant can be 4 to 19 carbons, optionally 6 to 17 carbons, or optionally 9 to 13 carbons. In some preferred embodiments, the amino acid-derived surfactant includes sodium cocoyl glutamate. In some embodiments, the oral care composition may not contain one or more of the above amino acid-derived surfactants.

[0052] In some embodiments, in addition to amino acid-based surfactants, the surfactant system preferably further comprises a nonionic surfactant. The surfactant system may comprise one or more nonionic surfactants. Based on the total weight of the oral care composition, the one or more nonionic surfactants may be present in an amount of from about 0.1 wt% to about 7 wt%. In some cases, based on the total weight of the oral care composition, the one or more nonionic surfactants are present in the surfactant system in the following amounts: from about 0.1 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 2 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 1 wt%; from about 0.4 wt% to about 7 wt%, from about 0.4 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 0.4 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 0.4 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 0.4 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 0.4 wt% to about 2 wt%, from about 0.4 wt% to about 1 wt%; from about 0.8 wt% to about 7 wt%, from about 0.8 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 0.8 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 0.8 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 0.8 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 0.8 wt% to about 2 wt%; from about 1.4 wt% to about 7 wt%, from about 1.4 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 1.4 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 1.4 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 1.4 wt% to about 3 wt%; from about 2 wt% to about 7 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 3 wt%; from about 3 wt% to about 7 wt%, from about 3 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 3 wt% to about 5 wt%; from about 4 wt% to about 7 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 7 wt%, or any range or sub-range thereof.

[0053] The one or more nonionic surfactants may be selected from glucosides, compounds produced by the condensation of an alkylene oxide group (essentially hydrophilic) with an organic hydrophobic compound which may be essentially aliphatic or alkylaromatic. Examples of glucoside surfactants include decyl glucoside, stearyl glucoside, lauryl glucoside, coco glucoside, cetearyl glucoside, decyl lauryl glucoside, lauroyl ethyl glucoside, myristoyl ethyl glucoside, oleoyl ethyl glucoside, or a combination of two or more thereof. In some embodiments, the surfactant system comprises one or more nonionic surfactants selected from the following: lauryl glucoside, lauroyl ethyl glucoside, myristoyl ethyl glucoside, oleoyl ethyl glucoside, and combinations of two or more thereof. Additionally or alternatively, the glucoside surfactant may be selected from polyglucosides, such as alkyl polyglucosides.

[0054] Some other examples of nonionic surfactants include poloxamers; poly(ethylene oxide) condensates of alkylphenols; products condensed from the reaction products of ethylene oxide with propylene oxide and ethylenediamine; ethylene oxide condensates of aliphatic alcohols, acids, and esters; long-chain tertiary amine oxides; long-chain tertiary phosphine oxides; long-chain dialkyl sulfoxides; and mixtures of such substances. Additional examples of nonionic surfactants include polyethylene oxide, poly(ethylene oxide) sorbitan esters, poly(ethylene oxide) 40 hydrogenated castor oil, fatty alcohol ethoxylates, poly(ethylene oxide) condensates of alkylphenols, products condensed from the reaction products of ethylene oxide with propylene oxide and ethylenediamine, ethylene oxide condensates of aliphatic alcohols, long-chain tertiary amine oxides, long-chain tertiary phosphine oxides, long-chain dialkyl sulfoxides, or combinations of two or more thereof. In some cases, the nonionic surfactant includes amine oxides, fatty acid amides, ethoxylated fatty alcohols, block copolymers of polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol, glycerol alkyl esters, poly(ethylene glycol) octylphenol ethers, sorbitan alkyl esters, poly(ethylene glycol) sorbitan alkyl esters, or combinations of two or more thereof. In some embodiments, the oral care composition may not include one or more of the above nonionic surfactants.

[0055] The oral care composition can be formulated to have a weight ratio of the amount of amino acid surfactant to the amount of nonionic surfactant. For example, the weight ratio of the total amount of amino acid surfactant to the total amount of nonionic surfactant in the oral care composition can be from about 1:5 to about 5:1, about 1:4 to about 5:1, about 1:3 to about 5:1, about 1:2 to about 5:1, about 1:1 to about 5:1; from about 1:5 to about 4:1, about 1:4 to about 4:1, about 1:3 to about 4:1, about 1:2 to about 4:1, about 1:1 to about 4:1; from about 1:5 to about 3:1, about 1:4 to about 3:1, about 1:3 to about 3:1, about 1:2 to about 3:1, about 1:1 to about 3:1; from about 1:5 to about 2:1, about 1:4 to about 2:1, about 1:3 to about 2:1, about 1:2 to about 2:1, about 1:1 to about 2:1; from about 1:5 to about 1:1, about 1:4 to about 1:1, about 1:3 to about 1:1, about 1:2 to about 1:1, or about 1:1, including the ranges or sub-ranges formed therefrom.

[0056] In addition to the surfactant system, oral care compositions typically further comprise a stannous ion source, preferably in an effective amount. Based on the total weight of the oral care composition, the stannous ion source may be present in the oral care composition in an amount of from about 0.1 wt% to about 5 wt%. For example, based on the total weight of the oral care composition, the amount of stannous ions present in the oral care composition may be from about 0.1 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 2 wt%; from about 0.3 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 0.3 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 0.3 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 0.3 wt% to about 2 wt%; from about 0.6 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 0.6 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 0.6 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 0.6 wt% to about 2 wt%; from about 0.9 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 0.9 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 0.9 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 0.9 wt% to about 2 wt%; from about 1.2 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 1.2 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 1.2 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 1.2 wt% to about 2 wt%; from about 1.5 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 1.5 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 1.5 wt% to about 3 wt%; from about 2 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 3 wt%; from about 3 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 5 wt%, or any range or sub-range thereof.

[0057] The stannous ion source may be selected from: stannous fluoride, stannous chloride, stannous pyrophosphate, stannous formate, stannous acetate, stannous gluconate, stannous lactate, stannous tartrate, stannous oxalate, stannous malonate, stannous citrate, stannous glyoxide, and combinations of two or more thereof. The stannous source may include stannous fluoride, stannous chloride, stannous acetate, and combinations of two or more thereof. In at least one embodiment, the stannous ion source comprises stannous fluoride.

[0058] The oral care composition may comprise two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, or six or more stannous ion sources. For example, the oral care composition may comprise from 2 to 7, from 2 to 6, from 2 to 5, from 2 to 5, or from 2 to 4; from 3 to 7, from 3 to 6, from 2 to 5, or from 3 to 5 stannous ion sources. In some embodiments, the oral care composition comprises stannous fluoride and stannous pyrophosphate. Additionally or alternatively, the oral care composition may comprise stannous fluoride and stannous chloride.

[0059] Oral care compositions typically contain one or more sources of nitrate ions, and the one or more sources of nitrate ions are preferably present in an effective amount. Based on the total weight of the oral care composition, the source of nitrate ions can be present in the oral care composition in an amount of about 0.1 wt% to about 5 wt%. In some cases, based on the total weight of the oral care composition, the amount of nitrate ions present in the oral care composition can be about 0.1 wt% to about 4 wt%, about 0.1 wt% to about 3 wt%, about 0.1 wt% to about 2 wt%; about 0.3 wt% to about 5 wt%, about 0.3 wt% to about 4 wt%, about 0.3 wt% to about 3 wt%, about 0.3 wt% to about 2 wt%; about 0.6 wt% to about 5 wt%, about 0.6 wt% to about 4 wt%, about 0.6 wt% to about 3 wt%, about 0.6 wt% to about 2 wt%; about 0.9 wt% to about 5 wt%, about 0.9 wt% to about 4 wt%, about 0.9 wt% to about 3 wt%, about 0.9 wt% to about 2 wt%; about 1.2 wt% to about 5 wt%, about 1.2 wt% to about 4 wt%, about 1.2 wt% to about 3 wt%, about 1.2 wt% to about 2 wt%; about 1.5 wt% to about 5 wt%, about 1.5 wt% to about 4 wt%, about 1.5 wt% to about 3 wt%; about 2 wt% to about 5 wt%, about 2 wt% to about 4 wt%, about 2 wt% to about 3 wt%; about 3 wt% to about 5 wt%, about 4 wt% to about 5 wt%, or any range or sub-range thereof.

[0060] One or more sources of nitrate ions can be in the form of a salt or an ion derived therefrom, including, for example, nitrates selected from alkali metal or alkaline earth metal nitrates. Examples of sources of nitrate ions include lithium nitrate, sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, magnesium nitrate, calcium nitrate, zinc nitrate, silver nitrate, ammonium nitrate, or a combination of two or more thereof. In at least one embodiment, the source of nitrate ions includes potassium nitrate.

[0061] Oral care compositions can be formulated to have a molar ratio of nitrate ions to stannous ions, both measured as free ions, of about 2:1 or less. For example, the molar ratio of nitrate ions to stannous ions in the oral care composition, both measured as free ions, can be from about 0.5:1 to about 2:1, from about 0.5:1 to about 1.8:1, from about 0.5:1 to about 1.6:1, from about 0.5:1 to about 1.4:1, from about 0.5:1 to about 1.2:1, from about 0.5:1 to about 1:1; from about 0.7:1 to about 2:1, from about 0.7:1 to about 1.8:1, from about 0.7:1 to about 1.6:1, from about 0.7:1 to about 1.4:1, from about 0.7:1 to about 1.2:1, from about 0.7:1 to about 1:1; from about 0.9:1 to about 2:1, from about 0.9:1 to about 1.8:1, from about 0.9:1 to about 1.6:1, from about 0.9:1 to about 1.4:1, from about 0.9:1 to about 1.2:1, from about 0.9:1 to about 1:1, or any range or sub-range thereof. In some embodiments, the oral care composition is formulated to have a molar ratio of nitrate ions to stannous ions, both measured as free ions, of about 1:1.

[0062] Oral care compositions typically contain one or more phosphate sources, such as sources of phosphate ions. The phosphate source is preferably present in an effective amount. In some cases, based on the total weight of the oral care composition, the oral care composition may contain one or more phosphate sources in an amount from about 0.1 wt% to about 7 wt%. For example, based on the total weight of the oral care composition, one or more phosphate sources may be present in the oral care composition in the following amounts: about 0.1 wt% to about 6 wt%, about 0.1 wt% to about 5 wt%, about 0.1 wt% to about 4 wt%, about 0.1 wt% to about 3 wt%, about 0.1 wt% to about 2 wt%, about 0.1 wt% to about 1 wt%; about 0.4 wt% to about 7 wt%, about 0.4 wt% to about 6 wt%, about 0.4 wt% to about 5 wt%, about 0.4 wt% to about 4 wt%, about 0.4 wt% to about 3 wt%, about 0.4 wt% to about 2 wt%, about 0.4 wt% to about 1 wt%; about 0.8 wt% to about 7 wt%, about 0.8 wt% to about 6 wt%, about 0.8 wt% to about 5 wt%, about 0.8 wt% to about 4 wt%, about 0.8 wt% to about 3 wt%, about 0.8 wt% to about 2 wt%; about 1.4 wt% to about 7 wt%, about 1.4 wt% to about 6 wt%, about 1.4 wt% to about 5 wt%, about 1.4 wt% to about 4 wt%, about 1.4 wt% to about 3 wt%; about 2 wt% to about 7 wt%, about 2 wt% to about 6 wt%, about 2 wt% to about 5 wt%, about 2 wt% to about 4 wt%, about 2 wt% to about 3 wt%; about 3 wt% to about 7 wt%, about 3 wt% to about 6 wt%, about 3 wt% to about 5 wt%; about 4 wt% to about 7 wt%, about 4 wt% to about 6 wt%, about 5 wt% to about 7 wt%, or any range or sub-range thereof.

[0063] The phosphate source can be a source of phosphate ions. The source of phosphate ions can preferably include soluble phosphate compounds, such as soluble phosphates. In some cases, the phosphate source can include insoluble phosphate compounds, such as insoluble phosphates. Examples of phosphate sources include tetrasodium pyrophosphate, dicalcium orthophosphate dihydrate, dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, calcium hydrogen phosphate, calcium pyrophosphate, p-calcium pyrophosphate, tricalcium phosphate, calcium metaphosphate, potassium metaphosphate, sodium metaphosphate, or combinations thereof. The phosphate source can be selected from orthophosphates, poly metaphosphates, pyrophosphates, and combinations of two or more thereof. In some cases, the phosphate source includes tetrasodium pyrophosphate (TSPP), sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), or combinations thereof. In at least one embodiment, the phosphate source includes tetrasodium pyrophosphate.

[0064] Oral care compositions can comprise a zinc source (e.g., a zinc ion source). When present, the zinc source (e.g., the zinc ion source) is preferably in an effective amount. Based on the total weight of the oral care composition, the zinc source (e.g., the zinc ion source) can be present in the oral care composition in an amount of from about 0.1 wt% to about 8 wt%. For example, based on the total weight of the oral care composition, the amount of the zinc source (e.g., the zinc ion source) present in the oral care composition can be from about 0.1 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 2 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 1 wt%; from about 0.3 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 0.3 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 0.3 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 0.3 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 0.3 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 0.3 wt% to about 2 wt%; from about 0.6 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 0.6 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 0.6 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 0.6 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 0.6 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 0.6 wt% to about 2 wt%; from about 0.9 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 0.9 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 0.9 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 0.9 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 0.9 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 0.9 wt% to about 2 wt%; from about 1.2 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 1.2 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 1.2 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 1.2 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 1.2 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 1.2 wt% to about 2 wt%; from about 1.5 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 1.5 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 1.5 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 1.5 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 1.5 wt% to about 3 wt%; from about 2 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 3 wt%; from about 3 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 3 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 3 wt% to about 5 wt%; from about 4 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 5 wt%, or any range or sub-range thereof.

[0065] The zinc source and / or zinc ion source can be in the form of a salt. For example, the zinc source can include one or more zinc salts selected from the following: zinc sulfate, zinc chloride, zinc acetate, zinc phenolsulfonate, zinc borate, zinc bromide, zinc nitrate, zinc glycerophosphate, zinc benzoate, zinc carbonate, zinc carnosine, zinc citrate, zinc hexafluorosilicate, zinc diacetate trihydrate, zinc oxide, zinc peroxide, zinc salicylate, zinc silicate, zinc stannate, zinc tannate, zinc titanate, zinc tetrafluoroborate, zinc gluconate, zinc lactate, zinc glycinate, zinc phosphate, and combinations of two or more thereof. In some embodiments, the zinc source is selected from the group consisting of zinc citrate, zinc oxide, zinc phosphate, zinc lactate, zinc sulfate, zinc silicate, zinc gluconate, and combinations of two or more thereof. In at least one embodiment, the zinc source consists of zinc citrate, zinc oxide, zinc phosphate, zinc lactate, zinc sulfate, zinc silicate, or combinations of two or more thereof.

[0066] The oral care composition can comprise two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, or six or more zinc sources. For example, the oral care composition can comprise 2 to 7, 2 to 6, 2 to 5, 2 to 5, or 2 to 4; 3 to 7, 3 to 6, 2 to 5, or 3 to 5 zinc sources. In some embodiments, the oral care composition comprises zinc oxide, zinc citrate, zinc phosphate, or combinations of two or more thereof. In at least one preferred embodiment, the oral care composition comprises zinc phosphate.

[0067] The oral care composition can be formulated to have a weight ratio of the amount of zinc oxide to the amount of zinc citrate of from about 1.5:1 to about 4.5:1. For example, the weight ratio of the amount of zinc oxide to the amount of zinc citrate can be from about 1.5:1 to about 4.5:1, from about 1.5:1 to about 4:1, from about 1.5:1 to about 3.5:1, from about 1.5:1 to about 3:1, from about 1.5:1 to about 2.5:1; from about 2:1 to about 4.5:1, from about 2:1 to about 4:1, from about 2:1 to about 3.5:1, from about 2:1 to about 3:1; from about 2.5:1 to about 4.5:1, from about 2.5:1 to about 4:1, from about 2.5:1 to about 3.5:1; from about 3:1 to about 4.5:1, from about 3:1 to about 4:1, or any range or sub-range formed thereby. In some embodiments, the weight ratio of the amount of zinc oxide to the amount of zinc citrate is about 2:1, about 2.5:1, about 3:1, about 3.5:1, about 4:1, or a range formed thereby.

[0068] Oral care compositions can comprise a fluoride ion source. The fluoride ion source can be present in an effective amount. In some cases, based on the total weight of the oral care composition, the fluoride ion source is present in the oral care composition in an amount of from about 0.01 wt% to about 5 wt%. For example, based on the total weight of the oral care composition, the fluoride ion source is present in an amount of: from about 0.01 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 0.01 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 0.01 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 0.01 wt% to about 2 wt%, from about 0.01 wt% to about 1 wt%; from about 0.05 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 0.05 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 0.05 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 0.05 wt% to about 2 wt%, from about 0.05 wt% to about 1 wt%; from about 0.1 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 2 wt%; from about 0.3 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 0.3 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 0.3 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 0.3 wt% to about 2 wt%; from about 0.6 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 0.6 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 0.6 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 0.6 wt% to about 2 wt%; from about 0.9 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 0.9 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 0.9 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 0.9 wt% to about 2 wt%; from about 1.2 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 1.2 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 1.2 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 1.2 wt% to about 2 wt%; from about 1.5 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 1.5 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 1.5 wt% to about 3 wt%; from about 2 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 3 wt%; from about 3 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 5 wt%, or any range or sub-range thereof.

[0069] The fluoride ion source can be selected from soluble fluoride ion salts. For example, the fluoride ion source can include sodium fluoride, potassium fluoride, calcium fluoride, zinc fluoride, ammonium zinc fluoride, lithium fluoride, ammonium fluoride, stannous fluoride, stannous fluozirconate, sodium monofluorophosphate, potassium monofluorophosphate, laurylamine hydrofluoride, diethylaminoethyloctoylamide hydrofluoride, didodecyldimethylammonium fluoride, cetylpyridinium fluoride , dilauryldimethylammonium fluoride , stannous fluoride, potassium fluoride, glycine hydrofluoride, amine fluoride, 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. Patent No. 3,535,421, U.S. Patent No. 4,885,155, and U.S. Patent No. 3,678,154, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0070] In certain embodiments, the oral care composition of the present disclosure may contain stannous fluoride and a fluoride ion source or a fluorine-providing agent in an amount sufficient to supply a total of 25 ppm to 25,000 ppm (by weight) of fluoride ions, typically at least 500 ppm, such as about 500 ppm to about 2000 ppm, about 800 ppm to about 1800 ppm, about 1000 ppm to about 1600 ppm, about 1200 ppm to about 1550 ppm, or about 1450 ppm.

[0071] The oral care composition may contain one or more abrasives, for example, in an amount of about 5 wt% to about 35 wt% based on the total weight of the oral care composition. In some embodiments, based on the total weight of the oral care composition, one or more abrasives are present in the following amounts: about 5 wt% to about 30 wt%, about 5 wt% to about 25 wt%, about 5 wt% to about 21 wt%, about 5 wt% to about 17 wt%, about 5 wt% to about 14 wt%, about 5 wt% to about 11 wt%; about 10 wt% to about 35 wt%, about 10 wt% to about 30 wt%, about 10 wt% to about 25 wt%, about 10 wt% to about 21 wt%, about 10 wt% to about 17 wt%, about 10 wt% to about 14 wt%; about 15 wt% to about 35 wt%, about 15 wt% to about 30 wt%, about 15 wt% to about 25 wt%, about 15 wt% to about 21 wt%, about 15 wt% to about 19 wt%; about 18 wt% to about 35 wt%, about 18 wt% to about 30 wt%, about 18 wt% to about 25 wt%, about 18 wt% to about 21 wt%; about 21 wt% to about 35 wt%, about 21 wt% to about 30 wt%, about 21 wt% to about 25 wt%; about 24 wt% to about 35 wt%, about 24 wt% to about 30 wt%; about 27 wt% to about 35 wt%, about 27 wt% to about 30 wt%, or any range or sub-range thereof.

[0072] One or more abrasives can include: silica, silicate, silicon, aluminum oxide (including calcined alumina), aluminosilicate (such as bentonite, zeolite, kaolin and mica), silica or diatomaceous earth, pumice, calcium carbonate, cuttlebone, insoluble phosphate, composite resin (such as melamine resin, phenolic resin, urea formaldehyde resin), polycarbonate, silicon carbide, boron carbide, microcrystalline wax, microcrystalline cellulose (including a combination of colloidal microcrystalline cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose), and combinations and derivatives thereof. For example, one or more abrasives can be selected from silica (including gels and precipitates), calcium carbonate, dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, calcium pyrophosphate, tricalcium phosphate, calcium metaphosphate, insoluble sodium metaphosphate, hydrated alumina, resinous abrasive materials such as particulate condensation products of urea and formaldehyde, and combinations thereof.

[0073] As used herein, “mica” refers to any of a group of hydrous aluminosilicate minerals having a flaky morphology and / or perfect basal (mica-like) cleavage. Mica can be, for example, sheet mica, scrap mica or flake mica, as exemplified by muscovite, biotite or phlogopite-type mica. Abrasives can be selected from insoluble phosphates, such as orthophosphates, metaphosphates, pyrophosphates, and combinations thereof. Synthetic silica includes both silica gel and precipitated silica, which are prepared by neutralizing an aqueous silicate solution with a strong inorganic acid. Abrasives containing silica can be used in certain embodiments of the oral care composition. In certain embodiments, the oral composition can contain a particularly effective combination of silica abrasive particulate matter. For example, the abrasive is selected from high cleaning silica.

[0074] The oral care composition can contain an abrasive system containing two or more abrasives. For example, the abrasive system contains 2 to 7, 2 to 6, 2 to 5, 2 to 5, or 2 to 4; 3 to 7, 3 to 6, 2 to 5, or 3 to 5 abrasives. The abrasives can include one or more cleaning abrasives and / or one or more polishing abrasives. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, a single abrasive material typically performs at least some cleaning and polishing simultaneously. However, in the art, particles are generally classified according to their primary effect on the target oral surface. Generally, “polishing abrasives” are considered to be relatively small particles with high hardness, while abrasives with relatively large particle size and low hardness are considered “cleaning abrasives”. In certain embodiments, the oral care composition contains two or more silica-containing abrasives. In some embodiments, the first abrasive is selected to be a harder and smaller abrasive, such as a higher cleaning and / or polishing abrasive, while the second abrasive is a typical cleaning abrasive. In some embodiments, the oral care composition contains at least one polishing abrasive and / or at least one cleaning abrasive. Additional examples of abrasives are disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007 / 140986, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

[0075] Oral care compositions can comprise one or more thickening agents, for example, in an amount of from about 0.5 wt% to about 20 wt% based on the total weight of the oral care composition. For example, based on the total weight of the oral care composition, the amount of thickening agent in the oral care composition can be from about 0.5 wt% to about 17 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 14 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 11 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 9 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 7 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 3 wt%; from about 1 wt% to about 20 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 17 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 14 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 11 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 9 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 7 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 3 wt%; from about 2 wt% to about 20 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 17 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 14 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 11 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 9 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 7 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 3 wt%; from about 4 wt% to about 20 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 17 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 14 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 11 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 9 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 7 wt%; from about 7 wt% to about 20 wt%, from about 7 wt% to about 17 wt%, from about 7 wt% to about 14 wt%, from about 7 wt% to about 11 wt%; from about 10 wt% to about 20 wt%, from about 10 wt% to about 17 wt%, from about 10 wt% to about 14 wt%; from about 14 wt% to about 20 wt%, from about 14 wt% to about 17 wt%, or any range or sub-range thereof.

[0076] A thickening agent can be referred to as a "thickener" or a "viscosity modifier". Thickening agents are generally included to increase the viscosity of oral care compositions. Nevertheless, in some cases, certain thickening agents provide additional unexpected benefits to oral care compositions.

[0077] One or more thickeners can be selected from polysaccharides, silica thickeners, acrylates, polymers, and combinations of two or more thereof. Examples of polysaccharides include cellulose, carboxymethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate propionate, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium cellulose sulfate, carrageenan, or combinations of two or more thereof. Natural gums such as karaya gum, gum arabic, and tragacanth gum can also be incorporated. Colloidal magnesium aluminum silicate can also be used as a component of the thickening composition to further improve the texture of the composition. Silica thickeners can be present, which form a polymeric structure or gel in an aqueous medium. Silica thickeners are generally physically and functionally different from particulate silica abrasives, as silica thickeners are very finely divided and provide little or no abrasive action.

[0078] In some embodiments, one or more thickeners include polymers selected from polysaccharides, acrylates, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyitaconic esters, acrylamides, and combinations thereof. Polyvinylpyrrolidone generally refers to polymers that contain vinylpyrrolidone (e.g., N-vinylpyrrolidone, N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, and N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) as monomer units. The monomer units can contain polar imide groups, four nonpolar methylene groups, and a nonpolar methane group. The average molecular weight of polyvinylpyrrolidone can range from 5,000 to 100,000, preferably from 5,000 to 50,000. Polyvinylpyrrolidone with average molecular weights of 10,000, 30,000, and 40,000 are commercially available from Sigma Chemical Co, GAF Corporation, and Sigma Chemical Co. Polyvinylpyrrolidone can form a hydrogen peroxide-polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer complex. Examples of polyvinylpyrrolidone complexes include those disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,122,370, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. In some embodiments, the polymer includes crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone (crosslinked PVP). In at least one embodiment, the polymer consists of polyvinylpyrrolidone.

[0079] Examples of acrylates that can be included in an oral care composition include, for example, 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.

[0080] The acrylate can be selected from diacrylates. In some embodiments, the oral care composition comprises a diacrylate selected from the group consisting of 1,4-butanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, tetraethylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, ethoxylated bisphenol A, or a combination of two or more thereof. Triacrylate monomers include trimethylolpropane, ethoxylated, glycerol propoxylated, and pentaerythritol.

[0081] Acrylates also include methacrylates, such as methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, n-butyl methacrylate, isobutyl methacrylate, tert-butyl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, lauryl methacrylate, alkyl methacrylate, tridecyl methacrylate, stearyl methacrylate, cyclohexyl methacrylate, benzyl methacrylate, isobornyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate, dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, diethylaminoethyl methacrylate, glycidyl methacrylate, tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate, allyl methacrylate, ethylene glycol methacrylate, triethylene glycol methacrylate, tetraethylene glycol methacrylate, 1,3-butanediol methacrylate, 1,6-hexanediol methacrylate, trimethylolpropane methacrylate, ethoxyethyl methacrylate, trifluoroethyl methacrylate, or a combination of two or more thereof.

[0082] Examples of acrylamides include, but are not limited to, acrylamide, methacrylamide, and di(C1-C 30 )alkyl-acrylamide and di(C1-C 30)Alkyl-methacrylamides, such as those of methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, etc. Suitable N-substituted acrylamides can 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-hydroxymethylacrylamide, N-isopropylacrylamide, N-methylacrylamide, N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide, N-isobutoxymethylacrylamide, N,N-dimethylacrylamide, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, or a combination of two or more thereof.

[0083] The oral care composition can comprise one or more polyols. Based on the total weight of the oral care composition, one or more polyols can be present in the oral care composition in an amount of about 20% to about 60% by weight. For example, based on the total weight of the oral care composition, the oral care composition can comprise polyols in the following amounts: about 20% to about 55% by weight, about 20% to about 50% by weight, about 20% to about 45% by weight, about 20% to about 40% by weight, about 20% to about 37% by weight, about 20% to about 34% by weight, about 20% to about 31% by weight, about 20% to about 28% by weight; about 25% to about 60% by weight, about 25% to about 55% by weight, about 25% to about 50% by weight, about 25% to about 45% by weight, about 25% to about 40% by weight, about 25% to about 37% by weight, about 25% to about 34% by weight, about 25% to about 31% by weight; about 28% to about 60% by weight, about 28% to about 55% by weight, about 28% to about 50% by weight, about 28% to about 45% by weight, about 28% to about 40% by weight, about 28% to about 37% by weight, about 28% to about 34% by weight, about 28% to about 31% by weight; about 31% to about 60% by weight, about 31% to about 55% by weight, about 31% to about 50% by weight, about 31% to about 45% by weight, about 31% to about 40% by weight, about 31% to about 37% by weight; about 34% to about 50% by weight, about 34% to about 45% by weight, about 34% to about 40% by weight; about 37% to about 60% by weight, about 37% to about 55% by weight, about 37% to about 50% by weight, about 37% to about 45% by weight; about 40% to about 60% by weight, about 40% to about 55% by weight, about 40% to about 50% by weight, about 40% to about 45% by weight, or any range or sub-range thereof.

[0084] The polyol may be selected from diols or compounds having multiple hydroxyl groups. One or more polyols may be liquid at ambient temperature (25 °C). The polyol may be a humectant. In some preferred embodiments, the polyol includes glycerol, diols, inositol, maltitol, mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol, propylene glycol, polypropylene glycol (PPG), polyethylene glycol (PEG), block copolymers of PPG and PEG, sugars (such as fructose, glucose, sucrose, and sugar mixtures such as honey), or a combination of two or more thereof. For example, the oral care composition contains maltitol, mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol, polypropylene glycol (PPG), polyethylene glycol (PEG), block copolymers of PPG and PEG, or a combination of two or more thereof.

[0085] In some cases, the oral care composition contains one or more polyols selected from C2-C 32 polyols. One or more polyols may have 2 to 32 carbon atoms, 3 to 16 carbon atoms, or 3 to 12 carbon atoms. For example, the oral care composition may contain ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, hexylene glycol, glycerol, diglycerol, diethylene glycol, and dipropylene glycol, or a combination of two or more thereof. Additional non-limiting examples of polyols that may optionally be included in oral care include and / or may be selected from alkane diols such as glycerol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, trimethylolpropane, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, pentylene glycol, hexylene glycol, 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, octanediol, 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 monopropyl ether, ethylene glycol monoisopropyl ether, diethylene glycol monoisopropyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene glycol monotert-butyl ether, diethylene glycol monotert-butyl ether, 1-methyl-1-methoxybutanol, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol monotert-butyl ether, propylene glycol monopropyl ether, propylene glycol monoisopropyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monoethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monopropyl ether, dipropylene glycol monoisopropyl ether, sorbitol, dehydrated sorbitol, glyceryl triacetate, and mixtures of two or more thereof.

[0086] Additionally or alternatively, the oral care composition can comprise a polyol having a molecular weight of from about 100 g / mol to 5000 g / mol. For example, the polyol can include polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, block polymers of polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol, or a combination of two or more of them. In some embodiments, the polyol comprises polypropylene glycol, polypropylene glycol and / or block polymers of polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol having a molecular weight of from about 100 to about 900, from about 200 to about 800, about 400, from about 1500 to about 2500, from about 2000 to about 4500, or any range or sub-range thereof. In some embodiments, the polyol is polyethylene glycol, such as polyethylene glycol 600 (CAS-25322-68-3). In some embodiments, the oral care composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more polyethylene glycols, such as polyethylene glycols having a molecular weight range of 200 to 800. For example, the oral care composition can comprise one or more of polyethylene glycol 200, polyethylene glycol 300, polyethylene glycol 400, polyethylene glycol 600, or polyethylene glycol 800.

[0087] In some cases, the oral care composition can comprise one or more amino acids in an effective amount. In some embodiments, based on the total weight of the oral care composition, one or more amino acids can be present in the oral care composition in an amount of from about 0.1 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 2 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 1 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 0.5 wt%; from about 0.5 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 2 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 1 wt%; from about 1 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 2 wt%; from about 2 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 4 wt%; from about 3 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 3 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 3 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 3 wt% to about 4 wt%; from about 4 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 6 wt%; from about 6 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 6 wt% to about 8 wt%; from about 8 wt% to about 10 wt%, including any range or sub-range thereof.

[0088] One or more amino acids may be selected from basic amino acids, neutral amino acids, and combinations thereof. Basic amino acids may be selected from naturally occurring basic amino acids such as arginine, lysine, and histidine; and non-naturally occurring basic amino acids having a carboxyl group and an amino group in the molecule, which are water-soluble and provide an aqueous solution having a pH of 7 or greater. Examples of basic amino acids include arginine, lysine, serine, citrulline, ornithine, creatine, histidine, diaminobutyric acid, diaminopropionic acid, salts thereof, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the basic amino acid is selected from arginine, citrulline, and ornithine. In certain embodiments, the basic amino acid is arginine, such as L-arginine, or a salt thereof. Additionally or alternatively, the one or more amino acids may be selected from neutral amino acids, which may include, but are not limited to, one or more neutral amino acids selected from the following: alanine, aminobutyric acid, asparagine, cysteine, cystine, glutamine, glycine, hydroxyproline, isoleucine, leucine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, taurine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, valine, and combinations thereof.

[0089] In some embodiments, the oral care composition may comprise one or more sweeteners. The oral care composition may comprise caloric sweeteners and / or non-caloric sweeteners. Examples of non-caloric sweeteners include saccharin such as sodium saccharin, acesulfame potassium, neotame, cyclamate, or sucralose; natural high-intensity sweeteners such as miraculin, 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 corn syrup.

[0090] Based on the total weight of the oral care composition, one or more sweeteners may be present in the oral care composition in an amount of from about 0.1 wt% to about 50 wt%. For example, based on the total weight of the oral care composition, the total amount of sweeteners in the oral care composition may be from about 0.1 wt% to about 40 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 30 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 20 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 3 wt%; from about 1 wt% to about 50 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 40 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 30 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 20 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 3 wt%; from about 5 wt% to about 50 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 40 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 30 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 20 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 10 wt%; from about 10 wt% to about 50 wt%, from about 10 wt% to about 45 wt%, from about 10 wt% to about 40 wt%, from about 10 wt% to about 35 wt%, from about 10 wt% to about 30 wt%, from about 10 wt% to about 25 wt%; from about 15 wt% to about 50 wt%, from about 15 wt% to about 45 wt%, from about 15 wt% to about 40 wt%, from about 15 wt% to about 37 wt%, from about 15 wt% to about 34 wt%, from about 15 wt% to about 31 wt%, from about 15 wt% to about 28 wt%, from about 15 wt% to about 25 wt%; from about 20 wt% to about 50 wt%, from about 20 wt% to about 45 wt%, from about 20 wt% to about 40 wt%, from about 20 wt% to about 37 wt%, from about 20 wt% to about 34 wt%, from about 20 wt% to about 31 wt%, from about 20 wt% to about 28 wt%; from about 25 wt% to about 50 wt%, from about 25 wt% to about 45 wt%, from about 25 wt% to about 40 wt%, from about 25 wt% to about 37 wt%, from about 25 wt% to about 34 wt%, from about 25 wt% to about 31 wt%; from about 28 wt% to about 50 wt%, from about 28 wt% to about 45 wt%, from about 28 wt% to about 40 wt%, from about 28 wt% to about 37 wt%, from about 28 wt% to about 34 wt%, from about 28 wt% to about 31 wt%; from about 31 wt% to about 50 wt%, from about 31 wt% to about 45 wt%, from about 31 wt% to about 40 wt%, from about 31 wt% to about 37 wt%; from about 34 wt% to about 50 wt%, from about 34 wt% to about 45 wt%, from about 34 wt% to about 40 wt%; from about 37 wt% to about 50 wt%, from about 37 wt% to about 45 wt%, or any range or sub-range thereof.

[0091] In some embodiments, the oral care composition is preferably substantially free or free of calorically sweetening agents. For example, based on the weight of the oral care composition, the oral care composition can 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 0.1 wt% or less. In at least one embodiment, based on the weight of the oral care composition, the oral care composition comprises about 0 wt% or 0 wt% of calorically sweetening agents.

[0092] The oral care compositions of the present disclosure can include flavoring agents. The flavoring agents are typically incorporated into the oral care composition at a concentration of from about 0.01 wt% to about 3 wt% by weight of the oral care composition. For example, based on the total weight of the oral care composition, the amount of flavoring agent present in the oral care composition can be from about 0.01 wt% to about 2 wt%, from about 0.01 wt% to about 1 wt%, from about 0.01 wt% to about 0.5 wt%, from about 0.01 wt% to about 0.1 wt%; from about 0.1 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 2 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 1 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 0.5 wt%; from about 0.5 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 2 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 1 wt%; from about 1 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 2 wt%; from about 2 wt% to about 3 wt%, including any range or sub-range thereof.

[0093] Suitable flavoring agents include, but are not limited to, essential oils and various flavored aldehydes, esters, alcohols, and the like. Examples of essential oils include oil of spearmint, oil of peppermint, wintergreen oil, sassafras oil, clove oil, sage oil, eucalyptus oil, marjoram oil, cinnamon oil, lemon oil, lime oil, grapefruit oil, and orange oil. Such chemicals as menthol, carvone, and anethole are also useful. Additional flavoring agents can include, but are not limited to, menthol, artificial vanilla, cinnamon derivatives, and various fruit flavorings, oil of spearmint, oil of peppermint, cinnamon oil, wintergreen oil (methyl salicylate), clove oil, laurel oil, anise oil, eucalyptus oil, thyme oil, oil of cade, nutmeg oil, sage oil, oil of bitter almonds, cassia oil, and combinations of two or more thereof.

[0094] Oral care compositions can comprise one or more pigments, such as whitening pigments, and / or colorants. In some embodiments, the whitening pigments include particles having a size range of from about 0.1 μm to about 10 μm and a refractive index greater than about 1.2. Suitable whitening agents include, but are not limited to, titanium dioxide particles, zinc oxide particles, aluminum oxide particles, tin oxide particles, calcium oxide particles, magnesium oxide particles, barium oxide particles, silica particles, zirconium silicate particles, mica particles, talc particles, tetracalcium phosphate particles, amorphous calcium phosphate particles, α-tricalcium phosphate particles, β-tricalcium phosphate particles, hydroxyapatite particles, calcium carbonate particles, zinc phosphate particles, silica particles, zirconium silicate particles, etc., or mixtures and combinations thereof.

[0095] Exemplary colorants can include natural or uncertified pigments from natural sources, or certified pigments for color effects. In some embodiments, the colorants can include dyes, certified aluminum lakes, or pigments from natural sources. The colorants can be water-based, oil-based, or dry. The colorants can be primary pigments, pigment blends, or discrete pigment mixtures, such as confetti pigments. Based on the total weight of the oral care composition, the concentration of the colorant in the oral care composition can be from trace amounts to about 0.6 wt%, about 0.1 wt% to about 0.5 wt%, about 0.2 wt% to about 0.4 wt%, or about 0.15 wt% to about 0.35 wt%.

[0096] Oral care compositions can comprise one or more pH regulators to increase or decrease the overall pH of the oral care composition. For example, one or more acids can be included to lower the pH of the oral care composition. Examples of suitable acids for lowering the pH of the oral care composition include, but are not limited to, citric acid, acetic acid, etc. Oral care compositions can comprise one or more bases (such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, etc.) to increase the pH of the oral care composition. Other or alternative acids and bases suitable for adjusting the pH of oral care compositions are readily known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0097] The amount of the pH regulator in the oral care composition can be based on the desired pH of the final oral care composition and / or product. For example, based on the total weight of the oral care composition, the total amount of the pH regulator can be in the range of from about 0.05 wt% to about 20 wt%. In some cases, based on the total weight of the oral care composition, the total amount of the pH regulator is from about 0.05 wt% to about 15 wt%, about 0.1 wt% to about 10 wt%, or about 0.12 wt% to about 5 wt%, including the ranges and sub-ranges therebetween.

[0098] The pH of the oral care composition can be from 4.5 to about 10, 4.5 to about 9, 4.5 to about 8, 4.5 to about 7, 4.5 to about 6; 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; about 6 to about 10, about 6 to about 9, about 6 to about 8, or about 6 to about 7; about 7 to about 10, about 7 to about 9, or about 7 to about 8, including any range and sub-range therebetween.

[0099] In some embodiments, the oral care composition can comprise water. Based on the total weight of the oral care composition, water can be present in the oral care composition in an amount of from about 5 wt% to about 37 wt%. For example, based on the total weight of the oral care composition, the oral care composition can comprise water in the following amounts: from about 5 wt% to about 34 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 31 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 28 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 25 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 20 wt%; from about 10 wt% to about 37 wt%, from about 10 wt% to about 34 wt%, from about 10 wt% to about 31 wt%, from about 10 wt% to about 28 wt%, from about 10 wt% to about 25 wt%; from about 15 wt% to about 37 wt%, from about 15 wt% to about 34 wt%, from about 15 wt% to about 31 wt%, from about 15 wt% to about 28 wt%, from about 15 wt% to about 25 wt%; from about 20 wt% to about 37 wt%, from about 20 wt% to about 34 wt%, from about 20 wt% to about 31 wt%, from about 20 wt% to about 28 wt%; from about 25 wt% to about 37 wt%, from about 25 wt% to about 34 wt%, from about 25 wt% to about 31 wt%; from about 28 wt% to about 37 wt%, from about 28 wt% to about 34 wt%, from about 28 wt% to about 31 wt%; from about 31 wt% to about 37 wt%; from about 37 wt% to about 50 wt%, from about 37 wt% to about 45 wt%, or any range or sub-range thereof.

[0100] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides methods of treating or preventing erosive tooth demineralization, repairing tooth enamel, gingivitis, dental plaque, and / or dental caries, the methods comprising applying an oral composition disclosed herein to the oral cavity of a subject in need thereof, such as by brushing, for example once or more times per day. The methods can treat, reduce, or control the occurrence of tooth enamel erosion.

[0101] The method typically includes applying to the teeth any composition as described herein, such as by brushing, rubbing, rinsing, or otherwise administering an oral care composition to the oral cavity of the subject when the oral care composition is in the form of a mouthwash. The oral care composition can be administered regularly, such as once or more times per day. In various embodiments, administering the oral care composition of the present disclosure to a subject can provide one or more of the following benefits: (i) reducing tooth hypersensitivity, (ii) reducing plaque accumulation, (iii) reducing or inhibiting tooth demineralization and promoting tooth remineralization, (iv) inhibiting the formation of microbial biofilms in the oral cavity, (v) reducing or inhibiting gingivitis, (vi) promoting the healing of ulcers or wounds in the mouth, (vii) reducing the level of acid-producing bacteria, (viii) increasing the relative level of non-cariogenic and / or non-plaque-forming bacteria, (ix) reducing or inhibiting the formation of dental caries, (x) reducing, repairing, or inhibiting pre-carious lesions of tooth enamel, e.g., as detected by quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) or electrical caries measurement (ECM), (xi) treating, alleviating, or reducing dry mouth, (xii) cleaning the teeth and oral cavity, (xiii) reducing erosion, (xiv) whitening the teeth; (xv) reducing tartar buildup, and / or (xvi) promoting overall health, including cardiovascular health, e.g., by reducing the likelihood of systemic infections occurring via oral tissues. The present disclosure also provides a composition for any of the above methods. Some other embodiments provide a method of remineralizing at least one tooth after administering an oral composition as described herein.

[0102] Examples

[0103] Example 1

[0104] In accordance with aspects of the invention, two non-limiting examples of oral care compositions (Example Compositions A and B) were prepared in the form of dentifrices. Five comparative compositions (Comparative Compositions 1 to 5) were also prepared in the form of dentifrices. Example Compositions A and B and Comparative Compositions 1 to 5 were produced according to the formulations shown in Table 1.

[0105] Table 1

[0106]

[0107] Example 2

[0108] Examples of compositions A and B and comparative compositions 1 to 5 were evaluated to assess the foaming properties of such dentifrices. Specifically, the SITA foam tester was used to evaluate the foaming properties. The SITA foam tester provides automatic agitation of the diluted toothpaste formulation to simulate the mechanical actions experienced during brushing, which is correlated with the sensory ratings of a panel of expert (trained) members. The SITA foam tester quantifies foam generation and the rate of foam decay by using a needle array that monitors changes in electrical conductance. After applying a predetermined amount of agitation to the test solution, the instrument reports the change in foam height at ten-second intervals up to 120 seconds. Similarly, foam decay was measured at ten-second intervals up to one minute, but without further agitation of the solution. The results shown in Table 2 report the average foam height after three separate runs measured during foam generation at 30 seconds, 60 seconds, and 120 seconds of agitation and the foam height after one minute of decay with agitation removed.

[0109] A summary of the foam properties of Examples of compositions A and B and comparative compositions 1 to 5 is shown in Table 2.

[0110] Table 2

[0111]

[0112] Compared to comparative compositions 3 and 4, Example composition B achieved a significant improvement in foaming volume. The significant improvement in the foaming properties achieved by Example composition B was unexpected because comparative compositions 3 and 4 use the surfactants present in Example composition B and have a similar total amount of surfactant. Additionally, comparative composition 5, which contains a greater total amount of surfactant than either of Example compositions A and B, produced a significantly smaller foaming volume compared to either of Example compositions A or B. Without being limited to any particular theory, it is believed that Example composition B exhibits a synergistic effect with respect to foaming properties.

[0113] Example 3

[0114] Examples of compositions A and B and comparative compositions 1 to 5 were further evaluated to assess their respective properties. During the evaluation of Examples of compositions A and B and comparative compositions 1 to 5, it was noted that comparative composition 2 had a particularly opaque appearance. Given comparative compositions 1 and 2, the inventors did not expect Example composition A to achieve the foam levels exhibited while not having a particularly opaque appearance.

[0115] Example 4

[0116] In accordance with aspects of the present invention, two non-limiting examples of oral care compositions (Examples of compositions C and D) were prepared in the form of dentifrices. Examples of compositions C and D were produced according to the formulations shown in Table 3.

[0117] Table 3

[0118]

Claims

1. An oral care composition comprising: A surfactant system, the surfactant system comprising at least one of the following: - A non-sulfate anionic surfactant and an amphoteric surfactant, or - A non-ionic surfactant and an amino acid surfactant; A stannous ion source; A nitrate ion source; and A phosphate source.

2. The oral care composition according to claim 1, wherein the non-sulfate anionic surfactant is selected from sulfonated monoglycerides of fatty acids, acyl hydroxyethyl sulfonates, acyl sarcosinates, acyl taurates, and combinations of two or more thereof.

3. The oral care composition according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the non-sulfate anionic surfactant comprises an acyl taurate.

4. The oral care composition according to claim 3, wherein the acyl taurate has an aliphatic carbon chain of 8 to 21 carbons.

5. The oral care composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the non-sulfate anionic surfactant comprises sodium methyl cocoyl taurate.

6. The oral care composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the amphoteric surfactant is selected from alkyl amphopropionates, betaines, alkyl sulfobetaines, alkyl amphoacetates, and combinations of two or more thereof.

7. The oral care composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the amphoteric surfactant comprises a betaine surfactant.

8. The oral care composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the amphoteric surfactant comprises cocamidopropyl betaine.

9. The oral care composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the surfactant system is present in an amount of from about 0.5 wt% to about 9 wt% based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

10. The oral care composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the non-sulfate anionic surfactant is present in an amount of from about 0.1 wt% to about 7 wt% based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

11. The oral care composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the amphoteric surfactant is present in an amount of from about 0.1 wt% to about 5 wt% based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

12. The oral care composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the oral care composition is substantially free or free of sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate.

13. The oral care composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the non-ionic surfactant comprises a glucoside surfactant.

14. The oral care composition according to claim 13, wherein the glucoside surfactant is selected from lauryl glucoside, lauroyl ethyl glucoside, myristoyl ethyl glucoside, oleoyl ethyl glucoside, and combinations of two or more thereof.

15. The oral care composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the amino acid-derived surfactant is a glutamate-derived surfactant.

16. The oral care composition according to claim 15, wherein the glutamate-derived surfactant is an acylglutamate-derived surfactant, and the acylglutamate-derived surfactant has an aliphatic carbon chain of 3 to 21 carbons.

17. The oral care composition according to claim 16, wherein the aliphatic carbon chain of the acylglutamate-derived surfactant contains 4 to 19 carbons, optionally 6 to 17 carbons, or optionally 9 to 13 carbons.

18. The oral care composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the amino acid-derived surfactant comprises sodium cocoyl glutamate.

19. The oral care composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the nonionic surfactant is present in an amount of about 0.1 wt% to about 7 wt% based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

20. The oral care composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the amino acid-derived surfactant is present in an amount of about 0.1 wt% to about 7 wt% based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

21. The oral care composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the weight ratio of the total amount of the anionic surfactant to the total amount of the amphoteric surfactant in the oral care composition is about 1:1 to about 5:

1.

22. The oral care composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the weight ratio of the total amount of the amino acid-based surfactant to the total amount of the nonionic surfactant in the oral care composition is about 1:4 to about 4:

1.

23. An oral care composition comprising: a surfactant system, the surfactant system comprising: a betaine surfactant, and a taurate surfactant; a source of stannous ions; a source of nitrate ions; and a source of phosphate radicals.

24. An oral care composition comprising: a surfactant system, the surfactant system comprising: a glutamate surfactant, and a glucoside surfactant; a source of stannous ions; a source of nitrate ions; and a source of phosphate radicals.

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