Non-aqueous dentifrice compositions

Abstract

A stable, single-phase, non-aqueous dentifrice composition comprising stannous fluoride and at least one zinc salt.Preferably, the dentifrice composition comprises a toothpaste formulation.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to single-phase, non-aqueous dentifrice compositions comprising at least one zinc salt and stannous fluoride. In particular, the present invention relates to single-phase, non-aqueous dentifrice compositions comprising zinc chloride and stannous fluoride. [Background technology]

[0002] The present invention relates to a stable, non-aqueous dentifrice comprising stannous fluoride and at least one zinc salt.

[0003] Stannous fluoride is well known for its use in oral care applications, where it has been demonstrated to help protect against gingivitis, plaque formation, and sensitivity.

[0004] Zinc is commonly included in oral hygiene products to reduce oral malodor, reduce plaque formation, and inhibit tartar formation.

[0005] The two actives have different chemical and physical properties which make them very difficult to combine together in a single-phase dentifrice composition.

[0006] Previously, combining these actives into a single toothpaste typically required the use of different formulations that are squeezed together when used. For example, striped toothpastes are commonly used. This allows for different pastes to be optimized for each active ingredient, which are then only combined briefly on the brush before use. This method allows for a single dentifrice containing combined actives, but not without associated costs, including the manufacture of separate formulations and the use of more complex tubes, storage, and nozzle configurations. Summary of the Invention

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a single phase dentifrice composition that provides shelf stability to the environment of use for both stannous fluoride and zinc salts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a single-phase non-aqueous dentifrice composition comprising at least one solvent, stannous fluoride, at least one zinc salt, a supporting polymer, at least one surfactant, and carrageenan.

[0009] In a further embodiment of the invention, the at least one solvent comprises glycerol, polyethylene glycol (PEG), or a mixture thereof.

[0010] In a further embodiment of the invention, the at least one solvent comprises 30-70% by weight of glycerol and 10-30% by weight of polyethylene glycol (PEG).

[0011] In a further embodiment of the invention, the at least one zinc salt comprises zinc chloride.

[0012] In a further embodiment of the invention, the at least one zinc salt comprises from 0.05% to 1% by weight of the composition.

[0013] In a further embodiment of the invention, the supporting polymer is polyacrylic acid (PAA).

[0014] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the PAA is a high molecular weight PAA polymer.

[0015] In a further embodiment of the invention the supporting polymer comprises 0.1 to 1.5% by weight of the composition.

[0016] In a further embodiment of the invention, the PEG has a molar mass of 380 to 420 grams per mole.

[0017] In a further aspect of the invention, the carrageenan comprises 0.1 to 1% by weight of the composition.

[0018] In a further embodiment of the invention, the at least one surfactant is selected from the group comprising sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and cocamidopropyl betaine.

[0019] In a further embodiment of the invention, the composition comprises both SLS and cocamidopropyl betaine.

[0020] In a further aspect of the invention, the single-phase non-aqueous dentifrice comprises: a) 52 to 55% by weight of glycerol; b) 18 to 22% by weight of PEG 400; c) stannous fluoride, d) 0.2 to 0.4% by weight of zinc chloride; e) 0.6-0.8 wt.% of a high molecular weight PAA polymer; f) 1.0-2.4% by weight of the surfactants sodium lauryl sulfate and cocoamidopropyl betaine in a weight ratio of 3:1; and g) 0.1 to 0.4% by weight of carrageenan Includes.

[0021] In a further embodiment of the invention, the composition further comprises an additional fluoride source.

[0022] In a further embodiment of the invention, the composition comprises an antifouling agent.

[0023] In a further embodiment of the invention, the composition comprises one or more additional components selected from dental silica, thickening silica, flavors, colorants, preservatives, pH adjusters, rheology modifiers, and abrasives.

[0024] The present invention also includes the use of a composition according to any of the preceding claims for cleaning teeth in combination with a toothbrush. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] As used herein, the term "dentifrice" includes any semi-solid preparation in the form of a paste, cream, or gel for use in cleaning or treating all or a portion of an individual's oral cavity.

[0026] As used herein, the term "oral cavity" refers to an individual's teeth and gums, including all periodontal areas including the teeth down to the gingival margin and / or periodontal pockets.

[0027] As used herein, the term "non-aqueous" means anhydrous or substantially free of water. Individual components of a non-aqueous composition may contain limited amounts of water as long as the composition as a whole remains substantially free of water. For purposes of this disclosure, the terms "non-aqueous" and "anhydrous" are interchangeable and have the same meaning.

[0028] As used herein, the term "single-phase" means that the composition is homogenous and is not a composition that includes two or more different compositions disposed together.

[0029] The compositions of the present invention include stannous fluoride, which is well known for its use in oral care applications, where it has been demonstrated to help protect against gingivitis, plaque formation, and sensitivity.

[0030] Stannous fluoride is very sensitive to water and, in the presence of water in the mouth, oxidizes and breaks down to stannous ions (Sn 4+ ) It is believed that these insoluble salts provide stannous fluoride with its antisensitivity benefit. The salts form a protective barrier over exposed dentin tubules.

[0031] Therefore, to maximize the efficacy of stannous fluoride, it must be kept in an anhydrous environment before reaching the oral cavity.

[0032] The levels of stannous fluoride in commercial dentifrices are highly controlled by regulations and vary in different regions of the world. The formulations of the present invention are stable over a wide range of different levels of stannous fluoride.

[0033] Suitably, the composition comprises 0.05% to 0.5% by weight of stannous fluoride, for example 0.186% by weight (equivalent to 450 ppm fluoride), 0.382% by weight (equivalent to 927 ppm fluoride), or 0.454% by weight (equivalent to 1150 ppm fluoride).

[0034] The formulations of the present invention may contain up to 4% by weight of stannous fluoride.

[0035] Those skilled in the art will be aware of the fluoride level requirements in various jurisdictions.

[0036] The non-aqueous dentifrice compositions of the present invention may also optionally contain additional fluoride sources. Further non-limiting examples of additional fluoride sources include sodium fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate, potassium fluoride, ammonium fluoride, bis-(hydroxyethyl)amino-propyl-N-hydroxyethyloctadecylamine-dihydrofluoride, and mixtures thereof.

[0037] Preferably, any additional fluoride required in the formulation beyond that provided by stannous fluoride is supplied by sodium fluoride (NaF).

[0038] Zinc in the form of an ionic salt is also well known for its use in oral hygiene products. It is added to oral hygiene compositions to reduce plaque formation, reduce malodour (bad breath) by chemically bonding with volatile molecules that cause odour, and inhibit tartar formation. Zinc also provides antibacterial properties.

[0039] Zinc salts have low toxicity when ingested, making them advantageous for use in oral hygiene products.

[0040] Those skilled in the art will be aware of the various forms of zinc used in dentifrice compositions. Non-limiting examples of zinc salts commonly used in oral hygiene products include zinc chloride, zinc oxide, zinc citrate, zinc sulfate, and zinc gluconate.

[0041] Being salts, these products are typically used in water-based formulations since it is very difficult to obtain stable non-aqueous formulations with charged ionic components such as salts.

[0042] Non-aqueous dentifrice formulations of the present invention may contain from 0.05 to 5% by weight of a zinc salt, preferably from 0.1 to 2.5% by weight, and most preferably from 0.2 to 1.0% by weight of a zinc salt.

[0043] The zinc salt in the present invention may comprise a single zinc salt or may comprise a mixture of two or more different zinc salts.

[0044] In one particularly preferred embodiment, the zinc salt comprises zinc chloride, and preferably the zinc chloride is present at 0.1% to 0.5% by weight, more preferably 0.2% to 0.4% by weight.

[0045] However, zinc salts have drawbacks. They are known to impart an astringent taste at the levels required for efficacy, and to interfere with surfactants, reducing the foaming and cleaning power of toothpastes. They are also very difficult to formulate into anhydrous dentifrices. Their charged, ionic nature makes them unstable in non-aqueous formulations.

[0046] Applicants have surprisingly discovered anhydrous dentifrice compositions that are stable with both stannous fluoride and zinc salts at levels effective for the oral hygiene benefits described above. The dentifrice also provides consumer acceptable organoleptic properties (taste and foaming).

[0047] Applicants have found during their research work that simply adding zinc salts to several different known anhydrous dentifrice bases (known to be suitable for stannous fluoride stability) has produced unacceptable results. Even very low levels of zinc salts caused severe syneresis and / or rheology problems when added to these compositions. The result was either pastes with poor aesthetic appeal or poor viscosity, or completely unstable formulations that caused unacceptable loss of stannous over time.

[0048] Applicants were initially unable to solve these problems. Attempts were made to simply substitute combinations of known gelling polymers and solvent mixtures. Several different stabilizers, thickeners, and additives were also tried without success.

[0049] The non-aqueous dentifrice compositions of the present invention may include any non-aqueous / anhydrous solvent.

[0050] It was finally unexpectedly discovered that the addition of small amounts of carrageenan in combination with at least one solvent provided the required stable and effective anhydrous dentifrice suitable for delivering zinc and stannous ions to the oral cavity.

[0051] In particular, it was found that the solvent combination of glycerin and PEG together with carrageenan provided the required stable and effective anhydrous dentifrice suitable for delivering zinc and stannous ions to the oral cavity.

[0052] The non-aqueous dentifrice composition of the present invention may contain glycerin as a main solvent. The non-aqueous dentifrice composition of the present invention may contain 30 to 70% by weight of glycerin.

[0053] Glycerin is also known as glycerol and glycerin, which terms may be used interchangeably herein.

[0054] It is well known that commercially available glycerin may contain 0.1-2.0% by weight of water associated with the glycerin. Typically, this amount is less than 0.5% by weight of the glycerin, for example 0.1-0.5% by weight. This small amount of water is bound to the glycerin and is therefore not available to other ingredients. Those skilled in the art would still consider a composition containing glycerin to be non-aqueous.

[0055] In any case the solvent should be as anhydrous as possible.

[0056] In one particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the single-phase non-aqueous dentifrice composition comprises 52-55% by weight glycerin.

[0057] The solvent of the single-phase, non-aqueous dentifrice compositions of the present invention may also include polyethylene glycol (PEG).

[0058] The single-phase non-aqueous dentifrices of the present invention may contain 10-30% by weight PEG.

[0059] PEG is available in a variety of chain lengths (FW) with different chemical and physical properties. Suitably for the compositions of the present invention, the polyethylene glycol may be selected from PEG300, PEG400, and mixtures thereof.

[0060] In one embodiment, the polyethylene glycol comprises PEG 400. And in another preferred embodiment, PEG 400 comprises 18-22% by weight of the non-aqueous dentifrice compositions of the present invention.

[0061] At least one solvent of the single-phase non-aqueous dentifrices of the present invention may comprise a mixture of glycerin and polyethylene glycol. Preferably, the two solvents are present in a ratio (glycerin:PEG) of 1:1 to 4:1 by weight, more preferably 2:1 to 3:1, and most preferably 2.3:1 to 2.7:1.

[0062] Other additional solvents suitable for use in the present invention include sorbitol, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, or mixtures thereof.

[0063] Non-aqueous dentifrice compositions according to the present invention comprise a solvent and a supporting (or gelling) polymer for solidifying the active agent.

[0064] Those skilled in the art will be aware of the many different types of support polymers for use in dentifrices. Two non-limiting examples include copolymers of methyl vinyl ether and maleic anhydride, such as Gantrez®, and polyacrylic acid homopolymers, often referred to as carbomers.

[0065] Preferably for the present invention, the supporting (or gelling) polymer comprises a carboxyvinyl polymer, such as a carbomer.

[0066] Carbomers include synthetic high molecular weight cross-linked polymers of acrylic acid. Polymer chains formed from repeating units of acrylic acid can be cross-linked, for example, with allyl sucrose to provide the carbomer marketed in one form as Carbopol™ 934; with ethers of pentaerythritol to provide the carbomer marketed in one form as Carbopol™ 974; or with divinyl glycol to provide the carbomer marketed in one form as Noveon™ AA-1. Carbopol™ polymers are manufactured by the BF Goodrich Company.

[0067] In one embodiment, the carboxyvinyl polymer comprises Carbopol™ 974.

[0068] The carboxyvinyl polymer may be present in the range of about 0.1 to about 7.5% by weight of the non-aqueous composition, hi one embodiment, the carboxyvinyl polymer is present in an amount of about 0.3 to about 1.0% by weight of the composition.

[0069] The stable, single-phase, non-aqueous dentifrice formulation of the present invention must contain carrageenan.

[0070] Carrageenan is an extract from red algae commonly known as Irish Moss. This edible seaweed is native to the British Isles where it has been used in traditional cooking for hundreds of years. It is also widely used in the food industry, primarily as a thickening and gelling agent.

[0071] Carrageenans contain 15-40% ester-sulfate moiety, making them anionic polysaccharides. They can be primarily divided into three different classes based on their sulfate content: kappa-carrageenan has one sulfate group per disaccharide, iota-carrageenan has two, and lambda-carrageenan has three.

[0072] The single-phase, non-aqueous dentifrice compositions of the present invention may utilize any form of carrageenan, either individually or as a mixture of two or more forms. Preferably, the non-aqueous, single-phase dentifrice compositions of the present invention comprise iota-carrageenan, and more preferably, the carrageenan component of the non-aqueous, single-phase dentifrice compositions of the present invention comprises only the iota-carrageenan form.

[0073] The single phase anhydrous compositions of the present invention contain 0.05 to 2% by weight of carrageenan to enable the formation of a stable dentifrice composition.

[0074] Preferably, the carrageenan comprises from 0.1 to 1% by weight of the single-phase non-aqueous dentifrice composition, more preferably from 0.2 to 0.5% by weight.

[0075] Other gelling stabilizers may be used in addition to, but not as a replacement for, carrageenan. Other non-limiting examples of thickening gums that may be used include, but are not limited to, xanthan gum, lecithin, guar gum, gellan gum, locust bean gum, and gum arabic (acacia gum).

[0076] The single-phase non-aqueous dentifrice composition according to the present invention comprises at least one surfactant. The at least one surfactant may comprise a single surfactant. Alternatively, the at least one surfactant may comprise a mixture of a first surfactant and a second surfactant. Alternatively, the at least one surfactant may comprise a mixture of a first surfactant, a second surfactant, and a third surfactant, and / or additional surfactants.

[0077] The surfactant suitable for use in the composition according to the present invention belongs to the class of compounds known as betaines.Structurally, betaine compounds contain an anionic functional group (e.g., carboxylate functional group) and a cationic functional group (e.g., quaternary nitrogen functional group) separated by a methylene moiety.Betaine compounds include n-alkyl betaines, such as cetyl betaine and behenyl betaine, and n-alkyl amido betaines, such as cocoamidopropyl betaine.

[0078] In one embodiment, the betaine is cocoamidopropyl betaine, commercially available under the trade name Tego Betain®.

[0079] Suitably, the betaine is present in an amount ranging from about 0.05 to about 4% by weight of the single-phase non-aqueous composition, such as from about 0.2 to about 2.0% by weight, more preferably from about 0.3 to about 0.6% by weight of the non-aqueous composition.

[0080] Another surfactant for use in the single-phase non-aqueous dentifrice compositions according to the present invention is selected from the taurate surfactants. The taurate surfactants useful in the present invention are salts of fatty acid amides of N-methyl taurine. These have the structural formula: RC(O)N(CH 3 )CH 2 CH 2 SO 3 M (wherein RC(O)- represents a fatty acid group, and M represents sodium, potassium, ammonium, or triethanolamine.) Generally, fatty acids having a carbon chain length of 10-20 are used, including those derived from coconut oil, palm oil, and tall oil. In one embodiment, the fatty acids are derived from coconut. In one embodiment, the sodium salts are used.

[0081] In one embodiment, the taurate is sodium methyl cocoyl taurate. This taurate surfactant is sold by Croda under the trademark Adinol® CT.

[0082] The taurate surfactant may be present in an amount of about 0.1 to about 10% of the anhydrous dentifrice composition. In one embodiment, the taurate surfactant is present in an amount of about 0.1 to about 5% by weight of the non-aqueous composition. In one embodiment, the taurate surfactant is present in an amount of about 0.5 to about 2.0% by weight of the non-aqueous composition.

[0083] Another class of surfactants suitable for the present invention has the following structural formula: R 1 OSO 3 M (R 1 represents a fatty alcohol moiety, and M represents sodium, potassium, ammonium, or triethanolamine. The alkyl sulfate surfactants are fatty alcohols having a carbon chain length of about 10 to about 20, including those derived from coconut oil, palm oil, and tall oil. In one embodiment, the fatty alcohol is lauryl alcohol. In one embodiment, the sodium salt is used.

[0084] In one embodiment, the alkyl sulfate is sodium lauryl sulfate.

[0085] The alkyl sulfate surfactant may be present in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 10% by weight of the non-aqueous composition. In one embodiment, the alkyl sulfate surfactant may be present in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 5% by weight of the non-aqueous dentifrice composition.

[0086] In one embodiment, the alkyl sulfate surfactant is present in an amount of about 0.5 to about 2.0% by weight of the non-aqueous composition.

[0087] In certain embodiments, the at least one surfactant is 10-20 The composition includes a first surfactant which is an alkyl sulfate surfactant and a second surfactant which is a betaine. Preferably, the first surfactant is sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and the second surfactant is cocamidopropyl betaine.

[0088] Preferably, the ratio of SLS to cocamidopropyl betaine is from 2:1 to 4:1 by weight. Most preferably, the ratio of SLS to cocamidopropyl betaine is about 3:1.

[0089] In one particularly preferred embodiment, SLS comprises 1.0-1.4% by weight of the non-aqueous dentifrice composition and cocamidopropyl betaine comprises 0.3-0.5% by weight of the non-aqueous dentifrice composition.

[0090] An exemplary single-phase non-aqueous dentifrice of the present invention may include the compositions set forth in Table 1.

[0091] [Table 1]

[0092] Optional Ingredients The single-phase, non-aqueous compositions of the present invention may additionally (optionally) contain one or more oral care actives conventionally used in dentifrice formulations.

[0093] Those skilled in the art will recognize numerous additional ingredients that can be added to dentifrice formulations to provide or adjust beneficial properties.

[0094] Such agents may include, by way of non-limiting example, a desensitizing agent, an anti-tartar agent, an anti-erosion agent, a pH adjusting component, a rheology adjusting agent, an anti-microbial agent, an anti-plaque agent, a whitening agent, an oral malodor agent, or mixtures thereof.

[0095] A dentally acceptable abrasive may be optionally added to the non-aqueous composition. Advantageously, the presence or absence of a dentally acceptable abrasive and the amount of such abrasive may be used to selectively control the abrasivity of the dentifrice composition made with the non-aqueous composition of the present invention. As a further example, a desired amount of a dentally acceptable abrasive may be added to increase the abrasivity of the entire non-aqueous composition.

[0096] Suitable abrasives for use in non-aqueous compositions include, for example, amorphous silica, gelled silica, precipitated silica, or fumed silica, zinc orthophosphate, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), plastic particles, alumina, alumina hydrate, calcium carbonate, calcium pyrophosphate, insoluble metaphosphates, or mixtures thereof.

[0097] The silica abrasive may be a natural amorphous silica, such as diatomaceous earth, or a synthetic amorphous silica, such as precipitated silica. Examples of silica abrasives include those sold under the trade names Zeodent, Sident, Sorbosil, or Tixosil by Huber, Degussa, Ineos, and Rhodia, respectively.

[0098] Suitably the silica abrasive is present in an amount up to 25% by weight of the total composition, such as from 2 to 20% by weight of the total composition, for example from 5 to 15%.

[0099] Generally, the amount of abrasive suitable for use in the non-aqueous compositions of the present invention can be determined empirically or experimentally to provide an acceptable level of cleaning and polishing according to techniques well known in the art.Suitably, the abrasive is present in an amount of from about 0 to about 60%, typically from about 5 to about 30%, by weight of the non-aqueous composition.

[0100] Polyphosphates are known to help retard tartar formation and are examples of suitable anti-tartar agents for use in the present invention. Polyphosphates are generally understood to consist of two or more phosphate groups arranged primarily in a linear arrangement, although some cyclic derivatives may exist. Polyphosphates for use in the present invention include pyrophosphates, polyphosphates having three or more polyphosphate groups, such as sodium tripolyphosphate (STP), and polyphosphates having four or more polyphosphate groups, such as tetrapolyphosphate and hexametaphosphate, among others.

[0101] Desensitizing agents may be included in the compositions according to the invention, including tubule blocking agents or neurodesensitizing agents and mixtures thereof, as described, for example, in WO 02 / 15809 (Block). Such further optional desensitizing agents include strontium salts, such as strontium chloride, acetate, or nitrate, or potassium salts, such as potassium citrate, chloride, bicarbonate, gluconate, and especially potassium nitrate. Desensitizing agents may also include bioactive glasses.

[0102] The compositions of the present invention may further comprise an erosion inhibitor, such as the polymeric mineral surfactants described in WO 04 / 054529 (Procter & Gamble).

[0103] The compositions of the present invention may contain additional ingredient(s) selected from those conventionally used for such purposes in the art of oral health care compositions, such as flavoring agents, sweetening agents, opacifying or coloring agents, and preservatives.

[0104] In general, optional agents may be used in small amounts or as small percentages of the total formulation. By way of example, such components are typically present at about 0.001 to about 5% by weight of the non-aqueous composition. The total of such components may range from 0.1 to 25% by weight of the composition.

[0105] Dentifrice compositions typically have a viscosity suitable for application to the oral cavity. Viscosity varies depending on the type of dentifrice composition made and its ultimate use. Given the teachings provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art can readily prepare a composition having a viscosity suitable for use in the oral cavity.

[0106] Preferably, the composition according to the invention may further comprise an inorganic thickening agent, such as a thickening silica. Preferably, the thickening agent is a thickening silica, such as a colloidal hydrous silica, such as that commercially available as Sident 22S or Syloid 244FP.

[0107] In one embodiment, the thickening silica is present in the range of about 0 to about 15% by weight of the non-aqueous composition, preferably about 5.0 to about 15.0% by weight.

[0108] Compositions according to the invention may be prepared by mixing the components in the appropriate relative amounts in any convenient order.

[0109] The single-phase non-aqueous dentifrice composition according to the present invention may be slightly acidic, neutral or slightly alkaline, i.e. having a slurry pH in the range of 6.0 to 7.5, e.g. pH 6.1 to 7.4, 6.2 to 7.3, or 6.2 to 7.2. In one embodiment, the composition has a pH of about 6.2. In a further embodiment, the composition has a pH of about 7.0. The pH referred to is measured when the dentifrice composition is slurried with water in a weight ratio of 1:3 dentifrice composition to water. Suitably, the slurry is prepared by slurrying the dentifrice composition with water in a weight ratio of 1 part dentifrice composition to 3 parts distilled water. The pH is determined using a standard pH meter.

[0110] Table 2 sets forth a preferred general formulation for the non-aqueous dentifrice compositions of the present invention.

[0111] [Table 2]

[0112] The non-aqueous dentifrice compositions of the present invention are stable for extended periods of time. All compositions were stable for 3 months at 40° C. and 75% relative humidity. By stable, we mean that the formulation shows no visible signs of degradation or stress and that the levels of actives are maintained.

[0113] A specific example of a non-aqueous dentifrice composition of the present invention is shown in Table 3.

[0114] [Table 3]

Claims

1. a) at least one solvent; b) stannous fluoride, c) at least one zinc salt; d) a supporting polymer; e) at least one surfactant, and f) Carrageenan 1. A single-phase non-aqueous dentifrice composition comprising:

2. 10. The single-phase non-aqueous dentifrice composition of claim 1, wherein the at least one solvent comprises glycerin, polyethylene glycol (PEG), or a mixture thereof.

3. 10. The single-phase non-aqueous dentifrice composition of claim 1, wherein the at least one solvent comprises 30-70% by weight glycerin and 10-30% by weight polyethylene glycol (PEG).

4. 10. The single-phase non-aqueous dentifrice composition of claim 1, wherein the at least one zinc salt is zinc chloride.

5. 10. The single-phase, non-aqueous dentifrice composition of claim 1, wherein the at least one zinc salt comprises from 0.05% to 1% by weight of the composition.

6. 10. The single-phase non-aqueous dentifrice composition of claim 1, wherein the supporting polymer is polyacrylic acid (PAA).

7. 7. A single-phase non-aqueous dentifrice composition according to claim 6, wherein the PAA is a carbopol homopolymer, preferably Carbopol 974P.

8. 10. The single-phase, non-aqueous dentifrice composition of claim 1, wherein the support polymer comprises 0.1 to 1.5% by weight of the composition.

9. 3. The single-phase non-aqueous dentifrice composition of claim 2, wherein the PEG has a molar mass of 380 to 420 grams per mole.

10. 10. The single-phase, non-aqueous dentifrice composition of claim 1, wherein the carrageenan comprises 0.1 to 1% by weight of the composition.

11. 10. The single-phase non-aqueous dentifrice composition of claim 1, wherein the at least one surfactant is selected from the group consisting of SLS and cocamidopropyl betaine.

12. 10. The single-phase non-aqueous dentifrice composition of claim 9 comprising both SLS and cocamidopropyl betaine.

13. Toothpaste, a) 52 to 55% by weight of glycerin; b) 18-22 wt% PEG400; c) stannous fluoride, d) 0.2 to 0.4% by weight of zinc chloride; e) 0.6 to 0.8 wt % of a high molecular weight PAA polymer; f) 1.0 to 2.4 wt. % of the surfactants sodium lauryl sulfate and cocoamidopropyl betaine in a weight ratio of 3:1; and g) 0.1 to 0.4% by weight of carrageenan 10. The single-phase non-aqueous dentifrice composition of claim 1, comprising:

14. 10. The single-phase, non-aqueous dentifrice composition of claim 1, further comprising an additional fluoride source.

15. 10. The single-phase, non-aqueous dentifrice composition of claim 1, comprising an antifouling agent.

16. 10. The single-phase, non-aqueous dentifrice composition of claim 1, comprising one or more additional ingredients selected from dental silica, thickening silica, flavoring agents, coloring agents, preservatives, pH adjusters, rheology modifiers, and abrasives.

17. 10. Use of the single-phase non-aqueous dentifrice composition of claim 1 for cleaning teeth in combination with a toothbrush.

Images