Composition for dentifrice

Abstract

To prevent the production of precipitates during storage in a composition for dentifrice that contains silica.SOLUTION: A composition for dentifrice includes: water; silica; and calcium chloride.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to dentifrice compositions. [Background technology]

[0002] It is known that dentifrices (dentifrice compositions) are used to remove stains that adhere to teeth and cause tooth discoloration, etc. Dentifrice compositions may contain silica as an abrasive, and for example, the dentifrice composition described in Patent Document 1 lists silica as an example of an abrasive. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-69909 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In this manner, in conventional dentifrice compositions containing silica, deposits sometimes formed on the surface of the composition during storage.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to inhibit the formation of precipitates on the surface of a dentifrice composition containing silica during storage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] As a result of extensive investigation, the inventors discovered that the precipitate formed on the surface during storage was sodium sulfate, and considered this in more detail as follows. Sodium sulfate may be contained as an impurity during the manufacture of silica, and is also contained as an impurity in dentifrice compositions. Shortly after the dentifrice composition is stored, sodium sulfate is dispersed throughout the dentifrice composition and does not precipitate. However, as time passes, as the moisture in the dentifrice composition moves to the surface of the composition and evaporates, sodium sulfate moves to the surface of the dentifrice composition together with the moisture, but sodium sulfate does not evaporate and remains on the surface, concentrating and precipitating as crystals.

[0007] The inventors therefore came up with the idea that by making sodium sulfate a water-insoluble component before it migrates to the surface of a dentifrice composition, it is possible to prevent it from migrating with moisture and inhibit precipitation, and they have embodying this idea to complete the present invention.

[0008] The present application discloses a dentifrice composition comprising water, silica, calcium chloride, and optionally further comprising sodium fluoride.

[0009] The content of calcium chloride relative to the content of silica may be 0.01% or more. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to inhibit the formation of precipitates on the surface of a dentifrice composition containing silica during storage. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] The present disclosure will now be described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof.

[0012] In this embodiment, the dentifrice composition is a paste-like composition, and contains at least silica as an abrasive (and a thickener), and further contains calcium chloride. This can suppress the above-mentioned deposits on the surface of the dentifrice composition. The dentifrice composition will be described in more detail below.

[0013] [water] In this embodiment, the dentifrice composition contains water. Preferably, the water is purified water. In the dentifrice composition of this embodiment, the amount of water is preferably 5% by mass or more relative to the composition. More preferably, it is 15% by mass or more. On the other hand, the amount of water is preferably 30% by mass or less relative to the composition. More preferably, it is 25% by mass or less. If the amount of water is less than 5% by mass, there is a risk that dispersibility will be poor and it will be difficult to achieve uniformity. If the amount of water exceeds 30% by mass, this is unlikely to cause any problems, but the proportion of other ingredients will be relatively low.

[0014] [Moisturizer] The dentifrice composition of this embodiment may contain a humectant. As the humectant, any humectant that has been used in dentifrice compositions in the past may be used. Specifically, humectants include polyglycerins such as glycerin and diglycerin, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, sorbitol, xylitol, mannitol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, and monomethyl ether. Two or more of these may be used in combination. Preferably, the dentifrice composition of this embodiment contains at least one of glycerol, propylene glycol, and sorbitol. The content ratio of the humectant in the dentifrice composition is adjusted appropriately depending on the materials used, but in the dentifrice composition of this embodiment, the humectant can be contained in an amount of 10% by mass to 60% by mass. The preferred amount of the humectant is 20% by mass to 50% by mass. If the humectant content is less than 10% by mass, the composition may become weak against drying and may not be able to maintain its paste form, while if the humectant content is more than 60% by mass, the composition may become too fluid and may cause problems such as dripping from a brush during use.

[0015] [Abrasive] The dentifrice composition of this embodiment contains an abrasive. The abrasive is silica. However, this does not prevent the inclusion of an abrasive other than silica, and an abrasive that has been used in dentifrice compositions in the past may be used in combination. Examples of abrasives other than silica include alumina and mixtures thereof. An example of commercially available silica is ZEODENT (registered trademark). The mixing ratio of the abrasive to the dentifrice composition is adjusted appropriately depending on the materials used, but in the dentifrice composition of this embodiment, the abrasive can be contained in an amount of 10% by mass to 40% by mass relative to the composition. Preferably, the amount is 20% by mass to 30% by mass relative to the composition. If the amount of the abrasive is less than 10% by mass, the cleaning power may decrease, and if it exceeds 40% by mass, the paste form may not be maintained.

[0016] [Precipitation inhibitor] In this embodiment, the dentifrice composition contains a deposition inhibitor. Calcium chloride is used as the deposition inhibitor. This makes it possible to inhibit the occurrence of deposition on the surface of the dentifrice composition during storage. In this embodiment, the dentifrice composition contains silica in the abrasive as described above, but sodium sulfate may be included as an impurity during the production of silica, and in this case, sodium sulfate may also be included as an impurity in the dentifrice composition. This sodium sulfate is dispersed throughout the dentifrice composition immediately after the start of storage, so it does not precipitate. However, since sodium sulfate is water-soluble, as the moisture in the dentifrice composition migrates to the surface of the composition over time and evaporates, sodium sulfate also migrates to the surface of the dentifrice composition together with the moisture. Then, while the moisture evaporates, sodium sulfate does not evaporate and remains on the surface, so it is concentrated and precipitates as crystals. In contrast, when calcium chloride is included in a dentifrice composition, sodium sulfate reacts to form calcium sulfate. Since calcium sulfate is insoluble in water, it is difficult for it to follow the movement of water, and precipitation is also suppressed.

[0017] The content ratio of calcium chloride in the dentifrice composition is not particularly limited as long as it can suppress the precipitation of sodium sulfate, but it is preferably 0.01% to 16% relative to the content of silica. More preferably, it is 0.1% to 6%, and even more preferably, it is 1% to 4%. If it is less than 0.01%, the effect of suppressing precipitation may not be sufficiently obtained. If it exceeds 6%, the saltiness and bitterness tend to become stronger, but there is no problem in terms of suppressing precipitation and it can be used. In addition, the saltiness and bitterness can be adjusted as necessary by being tolerated or mitigated with other materials.

[0018] [Thickener] The dentifrice composition of this embodiment may contain a thickener to improve the viscosity of the composition. Any thickener that has been used in dentifrice compositions in the past may be used as the thickener. Specific examples of the thickener include sodium carboxymethylcellulose, sodium alginate, carboxypolymethylene, carboxymethylcellulose, calcium carboxymethylcellulose, methylvinylether-maleic anhydride copolymer, sodium starch glycolate, sodium starch phosphate, sodium polyacrylate, methylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, vinyl polymers, xanthan gum, carrageenan, and other polysaccharide thickeners. Two or more of these may be used in combination.

[0019] The dentifrice composition may contain an inorganic thickener. Any inorganic thickener that has been used in dentifrice compositions can be used as the inorganic thickener. Specific examples of inorganic thickeners include calcium carbonate, calcium silicate, magnesium silicate, silicic acid powder, various glasses, amorphous hydrated silicic acid, fumed silica, titanium dioxide, and LiNaMg-silicate. Two or more types may be used in combination, and may be used in combination with the polysaccharide thickener. As mentioned above, the thickener may also contain silica, but the silica contained in the thickener does not usually contain sodium sulfate as an impurity.

[0020] The content of the thickener is adjusted appropriately depending on the material used, but the dentifrice composition of this embodiment can contain the thickener in an amount of 1% to 10% by mass, preferably 2% to 8% by mass.

[0021] [others] In addition, the dentifrice composition of this embodiment may contain colorants, preservatives, sweeteners, flavorings, caries prevention materials, and the like, as necessary, in amounts that do not substantially adversely affect the properties and characteristics of the dentifrice composition.

[0022] The coloring agent may be any coloring agent that has been used in conventional dentifrice compositions. The coloring agent may be a water-soluble coloring agent. Specific examples of coloring agents include titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Titanium dioxide is a white powder that adds opacity to the dentifrice composition. The content of the coloring agent is adjusted appropriately depending on the material used, but the dentifrice composition of this embodiment can contain the coloring agent in an amount of 0% to 5% by mass based on the composition. The more preferred content of the coloring agent is 0.5% to 2% by mass based on the composition.

[0023] As the preservative, any preservative that has been conventionally used in dentifrice compositions can be used, and specific examples of the preservative include ethylparaben and propylparaben. The content of the preservative is appropriately adjusted depending on the material used, but the dentifrice composition of this embodiment can contain the preservative in a ratio of 0% to 2% by mass based on the composition. The more preferred ratio of the preservative is 0.01% to 0.5% by mass based on the composition.

[0024] As the sweetener and flavoring agent, any sweetener and flavoring agent that has been conventionally used for dentifrice compositions can be used. Specific examples of sweeteners include sucrose, sucralose, lactose, maltose, sorbitol, xylitol, sodium cyclamate, perillartine, AMP (aspartylphenylalanine, methyl ester), sodium saccharin, and the like. Specific examples of flavoring agents include flavor oils, such as oils of spearmint, peppermint (menthol), wintergreen, sassafras, clove, sage, eucalyptus, marjoram, cinnamon, lemon, and orange, and methyl salicylate.Preferably, the oral care composition of this form includes methyl salicylate. The amount of sweetener or flavoring may be adjusted appropriately depending on the materials used, but the dentifrice composition may contain a sweetener or flavoring in a ratio of 0% to 10% by mass based on the composition. The amount of sweetener or flavoring is preferably 0.5% to 3% by mass based on the composition.

[0025] The dentifrice composition of this embodiment can contain a material such as sodium fluoride that is expected to have a caries-preventing effect. The material may be contained in an amount that is expected to have a caries-preventing effect, and the amount is preferably 0% by mass or more and 10% by mass or less relative to the composition. However, due to the nature of the effect expected of the dentifrice composition, it is preferable that sodium fluoride is contained to a certain extent or more from the viewpoint of caries prevention. Specifically, 1% by mass or more is preferable, and 2% by mass or more is more preferable. According to the inventors' research, the amount of problematic precipitates tends to increase when sodium fluoride is contained in a large amount. In the present disclosure, the amount of precipitates can be reduced even when sodium fluoride is contained in a large amount, and from this perspective, it is possible to reduce the amount of precipitates while maintaining the function of preventing tooth decay. EXAMPLES

[0026] The present disclosure will now be further described with reference to the following examples, although the present disclosure is not limited to these examples.

[0027] [Composition details] In Examples 1 to 7, dentifrice compositions were prepared as shown in Table 1. Example 1 did not contain calcium chloride and corresponds to a comparative example. Examples 2 to 7 contained calcium chloride at different contents and correspond to working examples. The dentifrice composition of each example can be obtained by mixing and stirring all of the materials constituting each component.

[0028] Table 1 also shows the ratio (%) of calcium chloride to silica.

[0029] [Test method and evaluation] Each dentifrice composition was filled into a plastic container (open at the top), and the container was sealed by closing the opening with a sealant. The sealed container was placed in a bag with aluminum vapor deposition on the surface and stored at 60°C for 2 weeks (accelerated test). After storage, the sealing material was removed, and the surface of the dentifrice composition was visually observed and evaluated according to the following criteria. -: No precipitates observed ±: slight precipitation +: Precipitation The evaluation results are also shown in Table 1.

[0030] [Table 1]

[0031] As described above, the inclusion of calcium chloride can suppress the formation of precipitates. In particular, by making the ratio of calcium chloride to silica greater than 1%, the formation of precipitates can be suppressed more reliably.

[0032] As described above, for example, when comparing Example 2 and Example 7, it can be seen that there is a difference in the results of precipitation by reducing sodium fluoride. On the other hand, sodium fluoride may be required to ensure the function of the dentifrice composition, and even when a certain amount of sodium fluoride is essential, the occurrence of precipitation can be suppressed by including sodium chloride as in the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A dentifrice composition comprising: A composition comprising water, silica, and calcium chloride. Dentifrice compositions.

2. 2. The dentifrice composition according to claim 1, wherein the content of said calcium chloride relative to the content of said silica is 0.01% or more.

3. 3. The dentifrice composition of claim 1, further comprising sodium fluoride.

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