Oral care compositions

The oral care compositions utilizing peroxymonosulfate as a whitening agent, combined with fatty stearate and a polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer solvent system, address the limitations of high peroxide concentrations in existing technologies, achieving enhanced whitening and stability.

WO2025137496A1PCT designated stage expired Publication Date: 2025-06-26COLGATE PALMOLIVE CO
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Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/US2024/061356
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2023-12-22
Filing Date
2024-12-20
Publication Date
2025-06-26

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing oral care compositions, particularly those using peroxide-based whitening agents, often require high concentrations of peroxide and may not effectively address both extrinsic and intrinsic dental stains while maintaining aesthetic appeal.

Method used

The development of oral care compositions that incorporate a whitening agent comprising peroxymonosulfate, combined with a thickening agent such as fatty stearate and/or its acid, and a solvent system including polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer, which provides enhanced whitening efficacy and stability without the need for high peroxide concentrations.

Benefits of technology

These compositions achieve significant whitening effects and improved stability of the peroxymonosulfate, outperforming compositions that use polyvinyl pyrrolidone as a thickening agent, while also providing superior foam stability and polishing efficacy.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

Oral care compositions and, particularly, oral care compositions providing a whitening effect. In accordance with an aspect, provided is an oral care composition having a whitening agent comprising a peroxymonosulfate; one or more thickening agent comprising a fatty stearate and / or acid thereof; and a solvent system comprising polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer.
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Description

ORAL CARE COMPOSITIONSCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 613,844, filed December 22, 2023, titled Oral Care Compositions, from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 613,959, filed December 22, 2023, titled Oral Care Compositions, and from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 613,929, filed December 22, 2023, titled Oral Care Compositions, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties for all purposes.BACKGROUND

[0002] Oral care compositions, such as dentifrice compositions, can typically include one or more ingredients for maintaining the health of the oral cavity. Consumers have become aware of and desiring oral care compositions that also maintain the aesthetics of their teeth.

[0003] Teeth can become discolored by foods, drinks, and tobacco use. Dental stains can be classified as either extrinsic, which occur on the outer surface of teeth, or intrinsic, which occur below the surface of enamel. Most abrasive containing toothpaste remove extrinsic stains. Peroxide oxidizing agents can bleach both extrinsic and intrinsic stains and so provide fast and superior whitening efficacy compared to abrasive methods. It can be desirable to have dentifrice compositions with a relatively high level of peroxide of at least about 1 wt.% of the total weight of the oral care composition to achieve high whitening efficacy.

[0004] Over the last 10-15 years, many of the leading peroxide-based tooth whitening dentifrice composition have comprised a pre-formed complex between cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone (cPVP) and hydrogen peroxide (often called “CPVP-H2O2 complex” or simply “PVP-HP complex”).BRIEF SUMMARY

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

[0006] Aspects of the invention are directed to oral care compositions and, particularly, oral care compositions providing a whitening effect. In accordance with some aspects, provided is an oral care composition having a whitening agent comprising a peroxymonosulfate; one or more thickening agent comprising a fatty stearate and / or acid thereof; and a solvent system comprising polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer.

[0007] In accordance with additional aspects, provided is an oral care composition having a whitening agent comprising a peroxymonosulfate; one or more thickening agent comprising from about 0.1 to about 7 wt.% of a fatty acid and / or salt thereof; less than about 5 wt.% of added water, wherein the oral care composition comprises less than about 2 wt.% of polyvinyl pyrrolidone, and wherein all weight percentages are based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0008] In accordance with further aspects, provided is an oral care composition having a whitening agent comprising a peroxymonosulfate; a fatty acid and / or salt thereof; and a solvent system comprising from about 15 to about 50 wt.% of a polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer and from about 15 to about 50 wt.% of a polyol, wherein all weight percentages are based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0009] A list of non-limiting exemplary embodiments in accordance with aspects of the invention is provided below.

[0010] In accordance with an embodiment 1, provided is an oral care composition comprising: a whitening agent comprising a peroxymonosulfate; one or more thickening agent comprising a fatty stearate and / or acid thereof; and a solvent system comprising a polyoxypropylenepolyoxyethylene block copolymer.

[0011] In accordance with an embodiment 2, provided is the oral care composition according to claim 1, wherein the whitening agent consists of peroxymonosulfate.

[0012] In accordance with an embodiment 3, provided is the oral care composition according to embodiment 1 or embodiment 2, wherein the perooxymonosulfate comprises sodium peroxymonosulfate, potassium peroxymonosulfate, or a combination thereof.

[0013] In accordance with an embodiment 4, provided is the oral care composition according to any foregoing embodiment, wherein the perooxymonosulfate is present in an amount from about 0.1 to about 10 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0014] In accordance with an embodiment 5, provided is the oral care composition according to embodiment 4, wherein the amount of perooxymonosulfate is from about 0.5 to about 6 wt.%, optionally from about 0.75 to about 5 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0015] In accordance with an embodiment 6, provided is the oral care composition according to any foregoing embodiment, wherein the fatty stearate and / or acid thereof comprises sodium stearate, potassium stearate, zinc stearate, ammonium stearate, stearic acid, or a combination of two or more thereof.

[0016] In accordance with an embodiment 7, provided is the oral care composition according to any foregoing embodiment, wherein the fatty stearate and / or acid thereof is present in an amount from about 0.5 to about 5 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0017] In accordance with an embodiment 8, provided is the oral care composition according to any foregoing embodiment, wherein the one or more thickening agent further comprising a silica thickener in an amount up to 7 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0018] In accordance with an embodiment 9, provided is the oral care composition according to embodiment 8, wherein the silica thickener comprises fumed silica.

[0019] In accordance with an embodiment 10, provided is the oral care composition according to any foregoing embodiment, wherein one or more thickening agent consists of the fatty stearate and / or acid thereof and, optionally, a silica thickener and / or polyvinyl pyrrolidone.

[0020] In accordance with an embodiment 11, provided is the oral care composition according to any foregoing embodiment, wherein the oral care composition is substantially free of or free of polyvinyl pyrrolidone.

[0021] In accordance with an embodiment 12, provided is the oral care composition according to any foregoing embodiment, wherein the solvent system comprises ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, pentylene glycol, hexylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, pentaethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, a polyethylene glycol, a polypropylene glycol, a polyethylene glycol, a polypropylene glycol, a polyethylene glycolpolypropylene glycol copolymer, or a combination of two or more thereof.

[0022] In accordance with an embodiment 13, provided is the oral care composition according to embodiment 12, wherein the solvent system comprises a propylene glycol, a polyethylene glycol, a polypropylene glycol, a polyethylene glycol-polypropylene glycol copolymer, or a combination of two or more thereof.

[0023] In accordance with an embodiment 14, provided is the oral care composition according to any foregoing embodiment, wherein the oral care composition comprises about 14 wt.% or less of propylene glycol, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0024] In accordance with an embodiment 15, provided is the oral care composition according to any foregoing embodiment, wherein the oral care composition comprises less than about 5 wt.% of water, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0025] In accordance with an embodiment 16, provided is the oral care composition according to any foregoing embodiment, wherein the oral care composition is substantially free of or free of added water.

[0026] In accordance with an embodiment 17, provided is the oral care composition according to any foregoing embodiment, wherein the oral care composition is substantially free of or free of ammonium persulfate and sodium persulfate.

[0027] In accordance with an embodiment 18, provided is the oral care composition according to any foregoing embodiment, wherein the oral care composition is substantially free of or free of hydrogen peroxide.

[0028] In accordance with an embodiment 19, provided is the oral care composition according to any foregoing embodiment, wherein the oral care composition is a dentifrice.

[0029] In accordance with an embodiment 20, provided is an oral care composition comprising: a whitening agent comprising a peroxymonosulfate; one or more thickening agent comprising from about 0.1 to about 7 wt.% of a fatty acid and / or salt thereof; and less than about 5 wt.% of added water, wherein the oral care composition comprises less than about 2 wt.% of polyvinyl pyrrolidone, and wherein all weight percentages are based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0030] In accordance with an embodiment 21, provided is the oral care composition according to embodiment 20, wherein the oral care composition is free of added water and is free of polyvinyl pyrrolidone.

[0031] In accordance with an embodiment 22, provided is the oral care composition according to embodiment 20 or embodiment 21, wherein the one or more thickening agent further comprises a silica thickener in an amount up to 7 wt.%.

[0032] In accordance with an embodiment 23, provided is an oral care composition comprising: a whitening agent comprising a peroxymonosulfate; a fatty acid and / or salt thereof; and a solventsystem comprising: from about 15 to about 50 wt.% of a polyoxypropylene-polyoxy ethylene block copolymer, and from about 15 to about 50 wt.% of a polyol, wherein all weight percentages are based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0033] In accordance with an embodiment 24, provided is the oral care composition according to embodiment 23, wherein the polyol comprises a propylene glycol, a polyethylene glycol, a polypropylene glycol, a polyethylene glycol-polypropylene glycol copolymer, or a combination of two or more thereof.

[0034] In accordance with an embodiment 25, provided is the oral care composition according to embodiment 23 or embodiment 24, wherein the oral care composition comprises about 14 wt.% or less of propylene glycol.

[0035] In accordance with an embodiment 26, provided is the oral care composition according to one of embodiment 23 to embodiment 25, wherein the oral care composition is substantially free of or free of polyvinyl pyrrolidone.

[0036] In accordance with an embodiment 27, provided is the oral care composition according to any foregoing embodiment, wherein the oral care composition has a weight ratio of the peroxymonosulfate to the fatty acid and / or salt thereof of about 1.5: 1 to about 1 :4.

[0037] In accordance with an embodiment 28, provided is the oral care composition according to embodiment 27, wherein the weight ratio of the peroxymonosulfate to the fatty acid and / or salt thereof is about 1 : 1 to about 1 :3.

[0038] In accordance with an embodiment 29, provided is the oral care composition according to one of embodiment 23 to embodiment 28, wherein the fatty acid and / or salt thereof is selected from sodium stearate, potassium stearate, zinc stearate, ammonium stearate, an ester of stearic acid, stearic acid, or a combination of two or more thereof.

[0039] In accordance with an embodiment 30, provided is the oral care composition according to embodiment 29, wherein the fatty acid and / or salt thereof comprises from sodium stearate, potassium stearate, or a combination thereof.

[0040] In accordance with an embodiment 31, provided is the oral care composition according to one of embodiment 20 to embodiment 30, wherein the fatty acid and / or salt thereof is selected from a fatty stearate and / or acid thereof.

[0041] In accordance with an embodiment 32, provided is an oral care composition comprising: a whitening agent comprising a peroxymonosulfate; a thickening system comprising: a silicathickener, and a fatty stearate and / or acid thereof comprising sodium stearate, potassium stearate, zinc stearate, ammonium stearate, stearic acid, or a combination of two or more thereof; and a solvent system comprising: from about 15 to about 50 wt.% of a polyoxypropylenepolyoxyethylene block copolymer, and from about 15 to about 50 wt.% of a polyol, wherein the oral care composition is free of polyvinylpyrrolidone, and wherein all weight percentages are based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0042] In accordance with an embodiment 33, provided is the oral care composition according to embodiment 32, wherein the oral care composition has a weight ratio of the peroxymonosulfate to the fatty acid and / or salt thereof of about 1.5: 1 to about 1 :4.

[0043] In accordance with an embodiment 34, provided is an oral care composition comprising: a whitening agent comprising a peroxymonosulfate; a thickening system consisting of: a fatty acid and / or a salt thereof selected from the group consisting of C14-22 fatty acids and / or salt thereof, and a combination of two or more thereof, wherein the peroxymonosulfate and the fatty acid and / or salt thereof are present in a weight ratio of the total amount of peroxymonosulfate to the total amount of the fatty acid and / or the salt thereof of about 1.5: 1 to about 1:4; a solvent system comprising a polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer, and wherein the oral care composition is free of polyvinylpyrrolidone, and wherein all weight percentages are based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0044] In accordance with an embodiment 35, provided is an oral care composition comprising: a whitening agent comprising a peroxymonosulfate; a thickening system consisting of: a silica thickener, and a fatty acid and / or a salt thereof, wherein the fatty acid and / or the salt thereof is selected from the group consisting of C14-22 fatty acids, salts thereof, and combinations of two or more thereof; and a solvent system comprising: from about 15 to about 50 wt.% of a polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer, and from about 15 to about 50 wt.% of a polyol, wherein the oral care composition is free of polyvinylpyrrolidone, and wherein all weight percentages are based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0045] In accordance with an embodiment 36, provided is the oral care composition according to any one of embodiment 32 to embodiment 35, wherein the oral care composition is free of hydrogen peroxide.

[0046] In accordance with an embodiment 37, provided is the oral care composition according to any one of embodiment 32 to embodiment 36, wherein the oral care composition has a weight ratioof the total amount of fatty stearate and / or acid thereof to the total amount of silica thickener of about 3 : 1 to about 1 :4.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0047] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0048] FIG. 1 is a graph illustrating the whitening effect of non-limiting, exemplary oral care compositions and a comparative composition in accordance with aspects of the invention;

[0049] FIG. 2 is a graph showing the polishing effect of a non-limiting, exemplary oral care composition and a comparative composition in accordance with aspects of the invention; and

[0050] FIG. 3 is a bar graph indicating the foam stability of a non-limiting, exemplary oral care composition and a comparative composition in accordance with aspects of the invention.

[0051] It should be understood that the various aspects of the invention are not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the drawings.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] For illustrative purposes, the principles of the present invention are described by referencing various exemplary embodiments thereof. Although certain embodiments of the invention are specifically described herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the same principles are equally applicable to, and can be employed in other compositions and methods. Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of any particular embodiment disclosed herein. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

[0053] As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context dictates otherwise. The singular form of any class of the ingredients refers not only to one chemical species within that class, but also to a mixture of those chemical species. The terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” may be used interchangeably herein. The terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” may be used interchangeably. The term “include” should be interpreted as “include, but are not limited to”. The term “including” should be interpreted as “including, but are not limited to”.

[0054] As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each and every value that is within the range. Any value within the range can be selected as the terminus of the range. Thus, a range from 1-5, includes specifically 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, as well as subranges such as 2-5, 3-5, 2-3, 2-4, 1-4, etc.

[0055] The term “about” when referring to a number means any number within a range of 10% of the number. For example, the phrase “about 2 wt.%” refers to a number between and including 1.8 wt.% and 2.2 wt.%.

[0056] All references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. In the event of a conflict in a definition in the present disclosure and that of a cited reference, the present disclosure controls.

[0057] The abbreviations and symbols as used herein, unless indicated otherwise, take their ordinary meaning. The abbreviation “wt.%” means percent by weight with respect to the oral care composition. The symbol “°” refers to a degree, such as a temperature degree or a degree of an angle. The symbols “h”, “min”, “mb”, “nm”, and “pm” refer to hour, minute, milliliter, nanometer, and micrometer, respectively. The abbreviation “UV-VIS” referring to a spectrometer or spectroscopy, means Ultraviolet- Visible. The abbreviation “rpm” means revolutions per minute.

[0058] 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.

[0059] ‘ ‘Volatile”, as used herein, means having a flash point of less than about 100° C. “Nonvolatile”, as used herein, means having a flash point of greater than about 100° C.

[0060] Any member in a list of species that are used to exemplify or define a genus, may be mutually different from, or overlapping with, or a subset of, or equivalent to, or nearly the same as, or identical to, any other member of the list of species. Further, unless explicitly stated, such as when reciting a Markush group, the list of species that define or exemplify the genus is open, and it is given that other species may exist that define or exemplify the genus just as well as, or better than, any other species listed.

[0061] The phrases, “a mixture thereof,” “a combination thereof,” or a combination of two or more thereof’ do not require that the mixture include all of A, B, C, D, E, and F (although all of A, B,C, D, E, and F may be included). Rather, it indicates that a mixture of any two or more of A, B, C,D, E, and F can be included. In other words, it is equivalent to the phrase “one or more elementsselected from the group consisting of A, B, C, D, E, F, and a mixture of any two or more of A, B, C, D, E, and F.” Likewise, the term “a salt thereof’ also relates to “salts thereof.” Thus, where the disclosure refers to “an element selected from the group consisting of A, B, C, D, E, F, a salt thereof, and a mixture thereof,” it indicates that that one or more of A, B, C, D, and F may be included, one or more of a salt of A, a salt of B, a salt of C, a salt of D, a salt of E, and a salt of F may be included, or a mixture of any two of A, B, C, D, E, F, a salt of A, a salt of B, a salt of C, a salt of D, a salt of E, and a salt of F may be included.

[0062] All components and elements positively set forth in this disclosure can be negatively excluded from the claims. In other words, the oral care compositions of the instant disclosure can be free or essentially free of all components and elements positively recited throughout the instant disclosure. In some instances, the oral care compositions of the present disclosure may be substantially free of non-inci dental amounts of the ingredient(s) or compound(s) described herein. A non-incidental amount of an ingredient or compound is the amount of that ingredient or compound that is added into the oral care composition by itself. For example, an oral care composition may be substantially free of a non-incidental amount of an ingredient or compound, although such ingredient(s) or compound(s) may be present as part of a raw material that is included as a blend of two or more compounds.

[0063] Some of the various categories of components identified may overlap. In such cases where overlap may exist and the oral care composition includes both components (or the composition includes more than two components that overlap), an overlapping compound does not represent more than one component. For example, certain compounds may be characterized as both a polyol and a sweetener. If a particular oral care composition recites both a polyol and a sweetener, xylitol will serve only as either a polyol or a sweetener — not both.

[0064] For readability purposes, the chemical functional groups are in their adjective form; for each of the adjectives, the word “group” is assumed. For example, the adjective “alkyl” without a noun thereafter, should be read as “an alkyl group.”

[0065] Aspects of the invention are directed to oral care compositions having a whitening effect and, particularly, oral care compositions having one or more whitening agent(s) comprising a peroxymonosulfate. Without being limited to any particular theory, the inventors unexpectedly discovered that certain combinations of a perooxymonosulfate and particular thickening systems (preferably, comprising a fatty stearate and / or acid thereof) in particular amounts and ratios,especially in conjunction with certain solvent systems (e g., comprising polyoxypropylene- polyoxyethylene block copolymer) described herein, can facilitate enhanced whitening effects (e.g., without peroxides) and improved stability of perooxymonosulfate. Furthermore, the inventors discovered that the oral care compositions having certain combinations of a perooxymonosulfate and certain thickening systems have a greater stability of perooxymonosulfate than oral care compositions having perooxymonosulfate and a thickening system utilizing polyvinylpyrrolidone, which was completely unexpected. Additionally, it was further unexpected that certain oral care compositions having particular combinations of a perooxymonosulfate and certain thickening systems have great foam stability and provide superior polishing efficacy relative to oral care compositions having perooxymonosulfate and a thickening system utilizing polyvinylpyrrolidone.

[0066] In accordance with some aspects, provided is an oral care composition having a whitening agent comprising a peroxymonosulfate; one or more thickening agent comprising a fatty stearate and / or acid thereof; and a solvent system comprising polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer.

[0067] In accordance with additional aspects, provided is an oral care composition having a whitening agent comprising a peroxymonosulfate; one or more thickening agent comprising from about 0.1 to about 7 wt.% of a fatty acid and / or salt thereof; and less than about 5 wt.% of added water, wherein the oral care composition comprises less than about 2 wt.% of polyvinyl pyrrolidone, and wherein all weight percentages are based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0068] In accordance with further aspects, provided is an oral care composition having a whitening agent comprising a peroxymonosulfate; a fatty acid and / or salt thereof; and a solvent system comprising: from about 15 to about 50 wt.% of poly oxypropyl ene-polyoxy ethylene block copolymer and from about 15 to about 50 wt.% of a polyol, wherein all weight percentages are based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0069] The oral care compositions may be formulated to have a reduced amount, be substantially free of, or free of added water. For example, the oral care composition may have added water in an amount of 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 0.01 wt.% or less of added water, based on the total weight of the oral care composition. In some embodiments, the oral carecompositions have about 0 wt.% or 0 wt.% of added water, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0070] Additionally or alternatively, the oral care compositions may be formulated to have a reduced amount, be substantially free of, or free of water. For example, the oral care composition may have a total amount of about 5 wt.% or less, about 4 wt.% or less, about 3 wt.% or less, about 2 wt.% or less, about 1 wt.% or less, about 0.5 wt.% or less, about 0.1 wt.% or less, about 0.05 wt.% or less, or about 0.01 wt.% or less of added water, based on the total weight of the oral care composition. In some embodiments, the oral care compositions have a total amount of water of about 0 wt.% or 0 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0071] The oral care compositions may be in the form of dentifrice, toothpaste, mouthwash, gels, varnishes, leave-on products (e.g., in the form of a gel, varnish, etc.), and / or the like. Suitable components, such as those listed below, may be included or excluded from the formulations for the oral care compositions depending on the specific combination of other ingredients and the form of the oral care compositions. Additionally or alternatively, the oral care compositions may in some embodiments have a single phase, which contains that components and / or ingredients of the oral care composition. In other embodiments, the oral care composition may include two or more phases, such as two, three, four, or five phases.

[0072] The oral care compositions typically comprise a whitening agent comprising a peroxymonosulfate. The total amount of whitening agent(s) present in the oral care composition may be from about 0.1 to about 30 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition. For example, the whitening agent(s) may be present in the oral care composition in an amount from about 0. 1 to about 10 wt.%, from about 0.1 to about 8 wt.%, from about 0.1 to about 6 wt.%, from about 0.1 to about 4 wt.%, from about 0.1 to about 3 wt.%, from about 0.1 to about 2 wt.%, from about 0.1 to about 1 wt.%; from about 1 to about 26 wt.%, about 1 to about 22 wt.%, about 1 to about 19 wt.%, about 1 to about 16 wt.%, about 1 to about 13 wt.%, about 1 to about 10 wt.%, about 1 to about 8 wt.%, about 1 to about 6 wt.%, about 1 to about 5 wt.%, about 1 to about 4 wt.%, about 1 to about 3 wt.%, about 1 to about 2 wt.%; from about 2 to about 30 wt.%, about 2 to about 26 wt.%, about 2 to about 22 wt.%, about 2 to about 19 wt.%, about 2 to about 16 wt.%, about 2 to about 13 wt.%, about 2 to about 10 wt.%, about 2 to about 8 wt.%, about 2 to about 6 wt.%, about 2 to about 5 wt.%, about 2 to about 4 wt.%; from about 3 to about 30 wt.%, about 3 to about 26 wt.%, about 3 to about 22 wt.%, about 3 to about 19 wt.%, about 3 to about 16 wt.%,about 3 to about 13 wt.%, about 3 to about 10 wt.%, about 3 to about 8 wt.%, about 3 to about 6 wt.%; from about 5 to about 30 wt.%, about 5 to about 26 wt.%, about 5 to about 22 wt.%, about 5 to about 19 wt.%, about 5 to about 16 wt.%, about 5 to about 13 wt.%, about 5 to about 10 wt.%, about 5 to about 8 wt.%; from about 8 to about 30 wt.%, about 8 to about 26 wt.%, about 8 to about 22 wt.%, about 8 to about 19 wt.%, about 8 to about 16 wt.%, about 8 to about 13 wt.%; from about 11 to about 30 wt.%, about 11 to about 26 wt.%, about 11 to about 22 wt.%, about 11 to about 19 wt.%, about 11 to about 16 wt.%; from about 14 to about 30 wt.%, about 14 to about 26 wt.%, about 14 to about 22 wt.%, about 14 to about 19 wt.%; from about 18 to about 30 wt.%, about 18 to about 26 wt.%, about 18 to about 22 wt.%, or any range or subrange thereof, based on the total weight of the oral are composition.

[0073] The whitening agent may comprise from about 0.1 to about 10 wt.% of a peroxymonosulfate. The total amount of peroxymonosulfate in the oral care composition may be from about 0.1 to about 8 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 6 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 4 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 2 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 1 wt.%; from about 0.3 to about 10 wt.%, about 0.3 to about 6 wt.%, about 0.3 to about 3 wt.%, about 0.3 to about 2 wt.%, about 0.3 to about 1.5 wt.%, about 0.3 to about 1 wt.%; from about 0.5 to about 10 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 6 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 4 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 3 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 2 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 1.5 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 1 wt.%; from about 0.75 to about 10 wt.%, about 0.75 to about 6 wt.%, about 0.75 to about 5 wt.%, about 0.75 to about 4 wt.%, about 0.75 to about 3 wt.%, about 0.75 to about 2 wt.%, about 0.75 to about 1.5 wt.%, about 0.75 to about 1 wt.%; from about 1 to about 10 wt.%, about 1 to about 8 wt.%, about 1 to about 6 wt.%, about 1 to about 5 wt.%, about 1 to about 4 wt.%, about 1 to about 3 wt.%, about 1 to about 2 wt.%, about 1 to about 1.5 wt.%; from about 2 to about 10 wt.%, about 2 to about 8 wt.%, about 2 to about 7 wt.%, about 2 to about 6 wt.%, about 2 to about 5 wt.%, about 2 to about 4 wt.%; from about 3 to about 10 wt.%, about 3 to about 8 wt.%, about 3 to about 7 wt.%, about 3 to about 6 wt.%, about 3 to about 5 wt.%, about 3 to about 4 wt.%; from about 3.5 to about 10 wt.%, about 3.5 to about 8 wt.%, about 3.5 to about 7 wt.%, about 3.5 to about 6 wt.%, about 3.5 to about 5 wt.%, about 3.5 to about 4 wt.%; from about 4 to about 10 wt.%, about 4 to about 8 wt.%, about 4 to about 7 wt.%, about 4 to about 6 wt.%; from about 5 to about 10 wt.%, about 5 to about 8 wt.%, about 5 to about 7 wt.%; from about 6 to about 10 wt.%, about 6 to about 8 wt.%, or any range or subrange thereof, based on the total weight of the oral are composition.

[0074] The perooxymonosulfate may be in the form of a salt, such as an alkaline metal salts, alkaline earth metal salts, or mixtures thereof. Examples of such perooxymonosulfate salts that may be included in the oral care composition include sodium peroxymonosulfate, potassium peroxymonosulfate, ammonium peroxymonosulfate, and a combination thereof. The perooxymonosulfate may be selected from sodium peroxymonosulfate, potassium peroxymonosulfate, and a combination thereof. In some preferred embodiments, the whitening agent(s) consist of one or more perooxymonosulfate(s). In at least one preferred embodiment, the whitening agent(s) consist of one or more of sodium peroxymonosulfate, potassium peroxymonosulfate, and ammonium peroxymonosulfate. The potassium peroxymonosulfate may be combined to form or exist as a trisalt of potassium peroxymonosulfate, potassium hydrogen sulfate and potassium sulfate (2KHSO5.KHSO4.K2SO4).

[0075] Additional whitening agents that may be included, or sometimes excluded from, the oral care composition include peroxide sources, chlorine dioxide, chlorites, and / or hypochlorites. The peroxide source, which may be included or in some cases excluded, may be selected from hydrogen peroxide, peroxides of alkali and alkaline earth metals, organic peroxy compounds, peroxy acids, salts thereof, or combinations of two or more thereof. The peroxide source may include peroxides of alkali and alkaline earth metals include lithium peroxide, potassium peroxide, sodium peroxide, magnesium peroxide, calcium peroxide, barium peroxide, and a combination of two or more thereof. Examples of organic peroxy compounds include carbamide peroxide (also known as urea hydrogen peroxide), glyceryl hydrogen peroxide, alkyl hydrogen peroxides, dialkyl peroxides, alkyl peroxy acids, peroxy esters, diacyl peroxides, benzoyl peroxide, monoperoxyphthalate, or a combination of two or more thereof. Peroxy acids and their salts include organic peroxy acids, such as alkyl peroxy acids, monoperoxyphthalate, and a combination thereof, as well as inorganic peroxy acid salts, such as persulfate, dipersulfate, percarbonate, perphosphate, perborate and persilicate salts of alkali and / or alkaline earth metals, such as lithium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium and barium, and mixtures thereof. In some embodiments, the peroxide is selected from hydrogen peroxide, lithium peroxide, potassium peroxide, sodium peroxide, magnesium peroxide, calcium peroxide, barium peroxide, alkyl hydrogen peroxides, dialkyl peroxides, alkyl peroxy acids, peroxy esters, diacyl peroxides, benzoyl peroxide, monoperoxyphthalate, linear PVP complexed with hydrogen peroxide, cross-linked PVP complexed with hydrogen peroxide, silica complexed with hydrogen peroxide, tetrasodiumpyrophosphate complexed with hydrogen peroxide, and a combination of two or more thereof. In various embodiments, the peroxide compound comprises hydrogen peroxide, urea peroxide, sodium percarbonate, or a combination of two or more thereof.

[0076] The one or more peroxide(s) may be a non-complexed peroxide. The non-complexed peroxide may be chosen from one or more of the peroxides described above. In some embodiments, the whitening agent consists of non-complexed peroxides.

[0077] Peroxide complexes may comprise a peroxide component and a porous cross-linked polymer. As referred to herein, a “peroxide component” is any oxidizing compound comprising a bivalent oxygen-oxygen group. Peroxide components include peroxides and hydroperoxides disclosed above, such as hydrogen peroxide, peroxides of alkali and alkaline earth metals, organic peroxy compounds, peroxy acids, salts thereof, and mixtures thereof. In various embodiments, the peroxide component comprises hydrogen peroxide, urea peroxide, sodium percarbonate and mixtures thereof. The peroxide complex may also be selected from N-vinyl heterocyclic polymers. Preferably, the N-vinyl heterocyclic polymer is crosslinked and adsorbs, absorbs, complexes, or otherwise retains the peroxide component.

[0078] Non-peroxide whitening agent that may be included, or sometimes excluded from, the oral care composition include chlorine dioxide, chlorites and hypochlorites. Chlorites and hypochlorites include those of alkali and alkaline earth metals such as lithium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium and barium.

[0079] In some embodiments, the oral care composition is free or substantially free of non- complexed peroxides. Additionally or alternatively, the oral care composition may be free or substantially free of complexed peroxides. In further embodiments, the oral care composition is free or substantially free of peroxide sources, such as hydrogen peroxide. For instance, the total amount of hydrogen peroxide in the oral care composition may be 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, about 0.05 wt.% or less, or about 0.01 wt.% or less, relative to the total weight of the oral care composition. Additionally, as discussed above, in some preferred cases, the oral care compositions are specifically formulated to have a reduced amount, be substantially free of, or free of peroxide sources. For example, the oral care composition may preferably have a total amount of about 3 wt.% or less, preferably about 2 wt.% or less, preferably about 1 wt.% or less, preferably about 0.5 wt.% or less, preferably about 0.1 wt.% or less, preferably about 0.05 wt.% or less, or preferablyabout 0.01 wt.% or less, based on the total weight of the oral care composition, of peroxide source. In some preferred embodiments, the oral care compositions have a total amount of peroxide source of about 0 wt.% or 0 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0080] The oral care composition may be substantially free of or free of ammonium persulfate and sodium persulfate. The oral care composition may have a total amount of 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, about 0.05 wt.% or less, or about 0.01 wt.% or less of ammonium persulfate and sodium persulfate, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0081] The oral care composition typically comprises one or more thickening agent(s) comprising a fatty acid and / or a salt thereof (e.g., a fatty stearate). The total amount of thickening agent(s) in the oral care composition may range from about 0.5 to about 14 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition. For instance, the total amount of the one or more thickening agent may be from about 0.5 to about 12 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 8 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 5 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 4 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 3 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 2 wt.%; from about 1 to about 14 wt.%, about 1 to about 10 wt.%, about 1 to about 8 wt.%, about 1 to about 6 wt.%, about1 to about 5 wt.%, about 1 to about 4 wt.%, about 1 to about 3 wt.%, about 1 to about 2 wt.%; from about 1.5 to about 14 wt.%, about 1.5 to about 10 wt.%, about 1.5 to about 8 wt.%, about 1.5 to about 6 wt.%, about 1.5 to about 5 wt.%, about 1.5 to about 4 wt.%, about 1.5 to about 3 wt.%, about 1.5 to about 2 wt.%; from about 2 to about 14 wt.%, about 2 to about 12 wt.%, about 2 to about 10 wt.%, about 2 to about 8 wt.%, about 2 to about 6 wt.%, about 2 to about 5 wt.%, about2 to about 4 wt.%; from about 3 to about 14 wt.%, about 3 to about 12 wt.%, about 3 to about 10 wt.%, about 3 to about 8 wt.%, about 3 to about 6 wt.%; from about 5 to about 14 wt.%, about 5 to about 12 wt.%, about 5 to about 10 wt.%, about 5 to about 8 wt.%; from about 7 to about 14 wt.%, about 7 to about 12 wt.%, about 7 to about 10 wt.%; from about 9 to about 14 wt.%, about 9 to about 12 wt.%, or any range or subrange thereof, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0082] Thickening agents may be referred to as “thickeners” or “viscosity modifying agents.” Thickening agents are typically included to increase the viscosity of the oral care compositions. Nonetheless, in some instances, certain thickening agents provide additional, surprising benefits to the oral care compositions. The one or more thickening agent typically comprises one or more fatty acid and / or salt thereof. The one or more fatty acid and / or salt thereof may be selected fromC12-24 fatty acids, C12-22 fatty acids, C12-20 fatty acids, C12-18 fatty acids; from C14-24 fatty acids, C14- 22 fatty acids, C14-20 fatty acids, C14-18 fatty acids; from C16-24 fatty acids, C16-22 fatty acids, C16-20 fatty acids, C16-18 fatty acids, salt(s) thereof, and / or combinations of two or more thereof.

[0083] In some preferred embodiments, the one or more fatty acid and / or salt thereof comprises a fatty stearate and / or an acid thereof. The fatty stearate and / or an acid thereof may comprise potassium stearate, ammonium stearate, zinc stearate, steric acid, or a combination of two or more thereof. In some instances, the fatty stearate and / or an acid thereof is selected from a salt, such as sodium stearate, potassium stearate, ammonium stearate, and / or zinc stearate. In some embodiments, the total amount of the fatty acid and / or the salt thereof consists of sodium stearate, potassium stearate, ammonium stearate, zinc stearate, stearic acid, or a combination of two or more thereof. In further embodiments, the fatty acid and / or the salt thereof may comprise or consists of sodium stearate and / or steric acid. In at least one preferred embodiment, the one or more thickening agent comprises sodium stearate.

[0084] The fatty acid and / or the salt thereof is preferably present from 0. 1 to about 7 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition. For instance, the total amount of fatty acid(s) and / or salt(s) thereof present in the oral care composition may be from about 0. 1 to about 7 wt.%, about 0. 1 to about 6 wt.%, about 0. 1 to about 5 wt.%, about 0. 1 to about 4 wt.%, about 0. 1 to about 3 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 2.7 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 2.4 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 2.1 wt.%, about 0. 1 to about 1.7 wt.%, about 0. 1 to about 1 .4 wt.%, about 0. 1 to about 1 . 1 wt.%; from about 0.5 to about 7 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 5 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 3 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 2.7 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 2.4 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 2.1 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 1.7 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 1.4 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 1.1 wt.%; from about 1 to about 7 wt.%, about 1 to about 5 wt.%, about 1 to about 4 wt.%, about 1 to about 3 wt.%, about 1 to about 2.7 wt.%, about 1 to about 2.4 wt.%, about 1 to about 2.1 wt.%, about 1 to about 1.7 wt.%; from about 1.3 to about 7 wt.%, about 1.3 to about 5 wt.%, about 1.3 to about 4 wt.%, about 1.3 to about 3 wt.%, about 1.3 to about 2.7 wt.%, about 1.3 to about 2.4 wt.%, about 1.3 to about 2.1 wt.%, about 1.3 to about 1.7 wt.%; from about 1.6 to about 7 wt.%, about 1.6 to about 5 wt.%, about 1.6 to about 4 wt.%, about 1.6 to about 3 wt.%, about 1.6 to about 2.7 wt.%, about 1.6 to about 2.4 wt.%, about 1.6 to about 2.1 wt.%; from about 1.9 to about 7 wt.%, about 1.9 to about 5 wt.%, about 1.9 to about 4 wt.%, about 1.9 to about 3 wt.%, about 1.9 to about 2.7 wt.%, about 1.9 to about 2.4 wt.%; from about 2.1 to about 7 wt.%, about 2.1 to about 5 wt.%, about 2.1 to about 4 wt.%, about 2.1 to about 3wt.%, about 2.1 to about 2.7 wt.%, about 2.1 to about 2.4 wt.%; from about 2.4 to about 7 wt.%, about 2.4 to about 6 wt.%, about 2.4 to about 5 wt.%, about 2.4 to about 4 wt.%, about 2.4 to about 3 wt.%, about 2.4 to about 2.7 wt.%; from about 2.7 to about 7 wt.%, about 2.7 to about 6 wt.%, about 2.7 to about 5 wt.%, about 2.7 to about 4 wt.%; from about 3.3 to about 7 wt.%, about 3.3 to about 6 wt.%, about 3.3 to about 5 wt.%, about 3.3 to about 4 wt.%, from about 3.9 to about 7 wt.%, about 3.9 to about 6 wt.%, about 3.9 to about 5 wt.%; from about 4.6 to about 7 wt.%, about 4.6 to about 6 wt.%, about 4.6 to about 5 wt.%; from about 5.5 to about 7 wt.%, about 5.5 to about 6.5 wt.%, or any range or subrange thereof, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0085] The oral care composition may be formulated to have the peroxymonosulfate and fatty acid and / or the salt thereof in certain weight ratios. For instance, the oral care composition may have a weight ratio of the peroxymonosulfate to the fatty acid and / or the salt thereof of about 1.5: 1 to about 1 :4, about 1.5:1 to about 1:3, about 1.5: 1 to about 1 :2, about 1.5: 1 to about 1: 1; from about 1 : 1 to about 1 :4, about 1 : 1 to about 1 :3, about 1 : 1 to about 1 :2; from about 1 : 1.5 to about 1 :4, about 1 : 1.5 to about 1 :3, about 1 : 1.5 to about 1 :2; from about 1 :2 to about 1 :4, about 1 :2 to about 1:3, about 1 :3 to about 1 :4, or any range or subrange thereof.

[0086] The oral care composition may be formulated to have the peroxymonosulfate and the fatty stearate and / or acid thereof in certain weight ratios. For instance, the oral care composition may have a weight ratio of the peroxymonosulfate to the fatty stearate and / or acid thereof of about 1.5: 1 to about 1 :4, about 1.5: 1 to about 1 :3, about 1.5: 1 to about 1:2, about 1.5: 1 to about 1: 1; from about 1 : 1 to about 1 :4, about 1 : 1 to about 1 :3, about 1 : 1 to about 1 :2; from about 1 : 1 .5 to about 1 :4, about 1 : 1.5 to about 1 :3, about 1 :1.5 to about 1 :2; from about 1 :2 to about 1 :4, about 1 :2 to about 1:3, about 1 :3 to about 1 :4, or any range or subrange thereof.

[0087] The oral care composition may comprise a thickening system comprising one or more thickening agent(s) other than the fatty stearate and / or acid thereof, such as those selected from a polysaccharide, a silica thickener, an acrylate, a polyacrylic acid, a polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyitaconates, an acrylamides, a salt there of, and a combination of two or more thereof. Silica thickeners, which form polymeric structures or gels in aqueous media, may be present. Silica thickeners are typically physically and functionally distinct from the particulate silica abrasives as the silica thickeners are very finely divided and provide little or no abrasive action.

[0088] In certain preferred embodiments, the one or more thickening agent comprises a silica thickener. For instance, the oral care composition may have a thickening system comprising a fattystearate and / or acid thereof and a silica thickener. The silica thickener may comprise a fumed silica. In some embodiments, the one or more thickening agent consists of the fatty stearate and / or acid thereof and, optionally, a silica thickener and / or polyvinyl pyrrolidone. In certain embodiments, the one or more thickening agent consists of the fatty stearate and / or acid thereof and, optionally, a silica thickener. In at least one preferred instance, the thickening system consists of a fatty stearate and / or acid thereof, a silica thickener, or a combination of two or more thereof.

[0089] Preferably, the oral care composition has a thickening system formed of a fatty stearate and / or acid thereof and a silica thickener. For example, the thickening system may comprise a silica thickener and a fatty stearate and / or acid thereof selected from the group consisting of sodium stearate, potassium stearate, ammonium stearate, zinc stearate, stearic acid, and a combination of two or more thereof. In further preferred examples, the thickening system consists of one or more silica thickener and one or more fatty acid and / or a salt thereof — e g., a fatty stearate and / or acid thereof preferably selected from the group consisting of sodium stearate, potassium stearate, ammonium stearate, zinc stearate, stearic acid, and a combination of two or more thereof. The thickening system may be specifically adapted to have a weight ratio of the total amount of the fatty stearate and / or the acid thereof to the total amount of the silica thickener of about 3:1 to about 1 :4. For example, in certain preferred embodiments, the thickening system may have a weight ratio of the total amount of the fatty stearate and / or the acid thereof to the total amount of the silica thickener of about 3: 1 to about 1 :4, about 3 : 1 to about 1 :3, about 3 : 1 to about 1 :2, about 3 : 1 to about 1 : 1 ; from about 2: 1 to about 1 :4, about 2: 1 to about 1 :3, about 2: 1 to about 1 :2, about 2: 1 to about 1 : 1; about 1 : 1 to about 1 :4, about 1 : 1 to about 1 :3, about 1 : 1 to about 1 :2, or any range or subrange thereof.

[0090] The one or more thickening agent may include a silica thickener in an amount up to 10 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition. For instance, the silica thickener may be present in an amount of about 0. 1 to about 7 wt.%, about 0. 1 to about 5 wt.%, about 0. 1 to about 3 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 2 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 1 wt.%; from about 0.4 to about 7 wt.%, about 0.4 to about 5 wt.%, about 0.4 to about 3 wt.%, about 0.4 to about 2 wt.%, about 0.4 to about 1 wt.%; from about 0.8 to about 10 wt.%, about 0.8 to about 7 wt.%, about 0.8 to about 5 wt.%, about 0.8 to about 3 wt.%, about 0.8 to about 2 wt.%, about 0.8 to about 1.5 wt.%; from about 1.4 to about 10 wt.%, about 1.4 to about 7 wt.%, about 1.4 to about 5 wt.%, about 1.4 to about 3 wt.%; from about 2 to about 10 wt.%, about 2 to about 7 wt.%, about 2 to about 5 wt.%, about 2 to about3 wt.%; from about 3 to about 10 wt.%, about 3 to about 7 wt.%, about 3 to about 5 wt.%, about 3 to about 4 wt.%; from about 4 to about 10 wt.%, about 4 to about 7 wt.%, about 4 to about 6 wt.%, about 4 to about 5 wt.%; from about 5 to about 10 wt.%, about 5 to about 7 wt.%, about 5 to about 6 wt.%, or any range or subrange thereof, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0091] Additional examples of thickening agents, which may be included or excluded from embodiments of the oral care composition include polysaccharides, such as cellulose, carboxymethyl hydroxyethylcellulose, cellulose acetate propionate carboxylate, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxyethyl ethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, methyl hydroxyethylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium cellulose sulfate, carrageenan, or a combination of two more thereof. Natural gums such as karaya, gum arabic, and gum tragacanth can also be incorporated. Colloidal magnesium aluminum silicate can also be used as a component of the thickening composition to further improve the composition's texture. In certain instances, the oral care compositions may be free of one or more polysaccharide thickening agents

[0092] Polyvinyl pyrrolidone may be included or excluded from certain embodiments of the oral care composition. Polyvinyl pyrrolidone generally refers to a polymer containing vinylpyrrolidone (e.g., N-vinylpyrrolidone, N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidione, and N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone) as a monomeric unit. The monomeric unit may include a polar imide group, four non-polar methylene groups, and a non-polar methane group. The polyvinyl pyrrolidone may have an average molecular weight in the range 5,000 to 100,000, preferably in the range 5,000 to 50,000. Further examples of polyvinyl pyrrolidones include those having an average molecular weights of 10,000 g / mol, 30,000 g / mol and 40,000 g / mol.

[0093] In some preferred embodiments, the oral care compositions are formulated to have a reduced amount, be substantially free of, or free of polyvinyl pyrrolidone. For example, the oral care composition may preferably have a total amount of 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, about 0.05 wt.% or less, or about 0.01 wt.% or less of polyvinyl pyrrolidone, based on the total weight of the oral care composition. In some embodiments, the oral care compositions have a total amount of polyvinyl pyrrolidone of about 0 wt.% or 0 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0094] Examples of acrylates that may optionally, be included or excluded from the oral care composition, include isobutyl acrylate, tert-butyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, lauryl acrylate,lauryl / tridecyl acrylate, cetyl acrylate, stearyl acrylate, cyclohexyl acrylate, benzyl acrylate, isobornyl acrylate, 2-methoxyethyl acrylate, 2-ethoxyethyl acrylate, 2-ethoxyethoxyethyl acrylate, 2-phenoxyethyl acrylate, tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl acrylate, 4-hydroxybutyl acrylate, dimethylaminoethyl acrylate, 1,4-butanediol acrylate, or a combination of two or more thereof. The acrylate may be chosen from diacrylates. In some embodiments, the diacrylate is chosen from 1,4-butanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, tetraethylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, ethoxylated bisphenol-A, and a combination of two or more thereof. Triacrylate monomers include trimethylol propane, ethoxylated, glyceryl propoxy, and pentaerythritol.

[0095] Acrylates further 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- butyleneglycol methacrylate, 1,6-hexanediol methacrylate, trimethyl opropane methacrylate, ethoxyethyl methacrylate, trifluoroethyl methacrylate, or a combination of two or more thereof.

[0096] Examples of acrylamides include, but are not limited to, acrylamide, methacrylamide and di(Ci-C3o) alkyl -acrylamides and -methacrylamides such as those of methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl and the like. N-substituted acrylamides that may be suitable include N- ethylacrylamide, N-tert-butyl acrylamide, N-tert-octylacrylamide, N-octylacrylamide, N- decylacrylamide, N-dodecylacrylamide and the corresponding N-substituted methacrylamides. Other N-substituted acrylamides include N-hydroxymethyl acrylamide, N-isopropyl acrylamide, N-methylacrylamide, N,N' -methylenebisacrylamide, N-isobutoxymethylacrylamide, N,N- dimethylacrylamide, and 2-acrylamido-2 -methylpropanesulfonic acid.

[0097] In addition to the one or more whitening agent comprising a peroxymonosulfate and the one or more thickening agent comprising a fatty stearate and / or acid thereof, the oral care composition may comprise at least one solvent. The total amount of solvent present in the oral care composition may be from about 30 to about 75 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition. For example, the total amount of solvent(s) in the oral care compositions may fromabout 30 to about 70 wt.%, about 30 to about 66 wt.%, about 30 to about 62 wt.%, about 30 to about 58 wt.%, about 30 to about 54 wt.%, about 30 to about 50 wt.%, about 30 to about 46 wt.%, about 30 to about 42 wt.%; from about 35 to about 75 wt.%, about 35 to about 70 wt.%, about 35 to about 66 wt.%, about 35 to about 62 wt.%, about 35 to about 58 wt.%, about 35 to about 54 wt.%, about 35 to about 50 wt.%, about 35 to about 46 wt.%; from about 40 to about 75 wt.%, about 40 to about 70 wt.%, about 40 to about 66 wt.%, about 40 to about 62 wt.%, about 40 to about 58 wt.%, about 40 to about 54 wt.%, about 40 to about 50 wt.%; from about 44 to about 75 wt.%, about 44 to about 70 wt.%, about 44 to about 66 wt.%, about 44 to about 62 wt.%, about 44 to about 58 wt.%, about 44 to about 54 wt.%; from about 48 to about 75 wt.%, about 48 to about 70 wt.%, about 48 to about 66 wt.%, about 48 to about 62 wt.%, about 48 to about 58 wt.%; from about 52 to about 75 wt.%, about 52 to about 70 wt.%, about 52 to about 66 wt.%, about 52 to about 62 wt.%; from about 56 to about 75 wt.%, about 56 to about 70 wt.%, about 56 to about 66 wt.%; from about 58 to about 75 wt.%, about 58 to about 70 wt.%, about 58 to about 66 wt.%; from about 60 to about 75 wt.%, about 60 to about 70 wt.%, about 60 to about 66 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0098] The oral care composition may include 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 or more solvents, including any range or subrange thereof. In some cases, the oral care composition has a solvent system comprising a plurality of solvents. The solvents may be selected from polyols, fatty alcohols, and polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymers. In some embodiments, the oral care composition has a solvent system consisting of one or more polyol, one or more fatty alcohol, and / or one or more polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer. In at least one embodiment, the solvent system comprises at least one polyol and at least one polyoxypropylenepolyoxyethylene block copolymer. The oral care composition, in some cases, may have a solvent system consisting of at least one polyol and at least one poly oxypropylene-poly oxy ethylene block copolymer.

[0099] The oral care composition, in certain preferred embodiments, comprises a polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer. The polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer may have an average molecular weight of about 3,000 to about 20,000 g / mol, about 3,000 to about 17,000 g / mol, about 3,000 to about 15,000 g / mol, about 3,000 to about 13,000 g / mol, about 3,000 to about 11,000 g / mol, about 3,000 to about 9,000 g / mol, about 3,000 to about 7,000 g / mol; from about 6,000 to about 20,000 g / mol, about 6,000 to about 17,000 g / mol, about6,000 to about 15,000 g / mol, about 6,000 to about 13,000 g / mol, about 6,000 to about 11,000 g / mol, about 6,000 to about 9,000 g / mol; from about 9,000 to about 20,000 g / mol, about 9,000 to about 17,000 g / mol, about 9,000 to about 15,000 g / mol, about 9,000 to about 13,000 g / mol, about 9,000 to about 11,000 g / mol; from about 11,000 to about 20,000 g / mol, about 11,000 to about 17,000 g / mol, about 11,000 to about 15,000 g / mol, about 11,000 to about 13,000 g / mol; from about 13,000 to about 20,000 g / mol, about 13,000 to about 17,000 g / mol, about 13,000 to about 15,000 g / mol; from about 15,000 to about 20,000 g / mol, about 15,000 to about 17,000 g / mol, or any range or subrange thereof.

[0100] The amount of polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer in the oral care composition may be about 15 wt.% or more, based on the total weight of the oral care composition. For example, the polyoxypropylene-poly oxy ethylene block copolymer may be present in an amount from about 15 to about 50 wt.%, about 15 to about 45 wt.%, about 15 to about 40 wt .%, about 15 to about 37 wt.%, about 15 to about 34 wt.%, about 15 to about 31 wt.%, about 15 to about 28 wt.%, about 15 to about 25 wt.%; from about 20 to about 50 wt.%, about 20 to about 45 wt.%, about 20 to about 40 wt.%, about 20 to about 37 wt.%, about 20 to about 34 wt.%, about 20 to about 31 wt.%, about 20 to about 28 wt.%; from about 25 to about 50 wt.%, about 25 to about 45 wt.%, about 25 to about 40 wt.%, about 25 to about 37 wt.%, about 25 to about 34 wt.%, about 25 to about 31 wt.%; from about 28 to about 50 wt.%, about 28 to about 45 wt.%, about 28 to about 40 wt.%, about 28 to about 37 wt.%, about 28 to about 34 wt.%; from about 30 to about 50 wt.%, about 30 to about 45 wt.%, about 30 to about 40 wt.%, about 30 to about 37 wt.%, about 30 to about 34 wt.%; from about 33 to about 50 wt.%, about 33 to about 45 wt.%, about 33 to about 40 wt.%, about 33 to about 37 wt.%; from about 36 to about 50 wt.%, about 36 to about 45 wt.%; from about 39 to about 50 wt.%, about 39 to about 45 wt.%, about 42 to about 50 wt.%, or any range or subrange thereof.

[0101] Additionally or alternatively, the solvent(s) may be selected from polyols. In some embodiments, the oral care composition comprised a polyol system comprising a plurality of polyols. The polyol(s) may be chosen from glycols or compounds with numerous hydroxyl groups. The one or more polyols may be liquid at ambient temperature (25°C). Examples of polyols that may be included in, or in some embodiments excluded from, the oral care composition include glycerin, glycol, inositol, maltitol, mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol, propylene glycol, polypropylene glycol (PPG), polyethylene glycol (PEG), a PEG-PPG copolymer, a saccharide (e g., fructose,glucose, sucrose and mixtures of saccharides, such as honey), or a combination of two or more thereof. In some preferred embodiments, the one or more polyol(s) comprises ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, pentylene glycol, hexylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, pentaethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, a polyethylene glycol, a polypropylene glycol, a polyethylene glycol, a polypropylene glycol, a polyethylene glycol-polypropylene glycol copolymer, or a combination of two or more thereof.

[0102] One or more of the polyols may be a humectant such as, e.g., a glycol, sorbitol, glycerin, inositol, maltitol, mannitol, xylitol, propylene glycol, polypropylene glycol (PPG), polyethylene glycol (PEG), a saccharide (e.g., fructose, glucose, sucrose and mixtures of saccharides, such as honey), and a combination of two or more thereof.

[0103] In some cases, the oral care composition includes or excludes one or more polyol selected from the group consisting of C2-C32 polyols. The one or more polyols may have from 2 to 32 carbon atoms, from 3 to 16 carbon atoms, or from 3 to 12 carbon atoms. For example, the oral care composition may include or exclude one or more of the following polyols: ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, hexylene glycol, glycerin, diglycerin, diethylene glycol, and dipropylene glycol. Additional, non-limiting examples of polyols that may, optionally, be included in the oral care include and / or may be chosen from alkanediols such as glycerin, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, trimethylolpropane, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, pentylene glycol, hexylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, pentaethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, 2-butene-l,4-diol, 2-ethyl-l ,3-hexanediol, 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol, caprylyl glycol, 1,2-hexanediol, 1,2-pentanediol, and 4-methyl-l,2-pentanediol; glycol ethers such as ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol mono-n-propyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-iso-propyl ether, diethylene glycol mono-iso-propyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-t-butyl ether, diethylene glycol mono-t-butyl ether, 1-methyl-l-methoxybutanol, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol mono-t- butyl ether, propylene glycol mono-n-propyl ether, propylene glycol mono-iso-propyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monoethyl ether, dipropylene glycol mono-n-propyl ether, dipropylene glycol mono-iso-propyl ether, sorbitol, sorbitan, triacetin, and a mixture of two or more thereof.

[0104] Additionally or alternatively, the oral care composition may include polyol(s) having a molecular weight of from about 100 to 5000 g / mol. For instance, the polyol may comprise a polyethylene glycol, a polypropylene glycol, a block polymer of polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol, a polyethylene glycol-polypropylene glycol copolymer, or a combination of two or more thereof. In some embodiments, the polyol comprises a polypropylene glycol, a polypropylene glycol, and / or a block polymer of polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol having a molecular weight of about 100 to about 900, about 200 to about 800, about 400, about 1500 to about 2500, about 2000 to about 4500 or any range or subrange thereof. In some embodiments, the polyol is a polyethylene glycol, such as polyethylene glycol 400 or polyethylene glycol 600. In some embodiments, the oral care composition comprises one or more polyethylene glycols, e.g., polyethylene glycols in a molecular weight range from 200 to 800. For example, the compositions may comprise one or more of polyethylene glycol 200, polyethylene glycol 300, polyethylene glycol 400, polyethylene glycol, 600, polyethylene glycol 800, or polyethylene glycol / polypropylene glycol 116 / 66 copolymer.

[0105] As noted above, the oral care composition may comprise a polyol system comprising a plurality of polyols. For example, the polyol system may comprise two or more polyols selected from ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, pentylene glycol, hexylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, pentaethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, a polyethylene glycol, a polypropylene glycol, a polyethylene glycol, a polypropylene glycol, a polyethylene glycol-polypropylene glycol copolymer, and a combination of two or more thereof. In some preferred embodiments, the polyol system comprises two or more of propylene glycol, a polypropylene glycol (PPG), a polyethylene glycol (PEG), a block copolymer of PPG and PEG, and / or a polyethylene glycol-polypropylene glycol copolymer. The polyol system may comprise propylene glycol, a polyethylene glycol, a polypropylene glycol, a polyethylene glycol- polypropylene glycol copolymer, or a combination of two or more thereof. In at least one embodiment, the polyol system consists of two or more of propylene glycol, a polypropylene glycol (PPG), a polyethylene glycol (PEG), and / or a PEG-PPG copolymer.

[0106] The oral care composition may be formulated to have polyol(s) in an amount of about 15 wt.% or more, based on the total weight of the oral care composition. For example, the amount of polyol(s) in the oral care composition may be from about 15 to about 50 wt.%, about 15 to about 45 wt.%, about 15 to about 40 wt.%, about 15 to about 37 wt.%, about 15 to about 34 wt.%, about15 to about 31 wt.%, about 15 to about 28 wt.%, about 15 to about 25 wt.%; from about 20 to about 50 wt.%, about 20 to about 45 wt.%, about 20 to about 40 wt.%, about 20 to about 37 wt.%, about 20 to about 34 wt.%, about 20 to about 31 wt.%, about 20 to about 28 wt.%; from about 25 to about 50 wt.%, about 25 to about 45 wt.%, about 25 to about 40 wt.%, about 25 to about 37 wt.%, about 25 to about 34 wt.%, about 25 to about 31 wt.%; from about 28 to about 50 wt.%, about 28 to about 45 wt.%, about 28 to about 40 wt.%, about 28 to about 37 wt.%, about 28 to about 34 wt.%; from about 30 to about 50 wt.%, about 30 to about 45 wt.%, about 30 to about 40 wt.%, about 30 to about 37 wt.%, about 30 to about 34 wt.%; from about 33 to about 50 wt.%, about 33 to about 45 wt.%, about 33 to about 40 wt.%, about 33 to about 37 wt.%; from about 36 to about 50 wt.%, about 36 to about 45 wt.%; from about 39 to about 50 wt.%, about 39 to about 45 wt.%, about 42 to about 50 wt.%, or any range or subrange thereof.

[0107] The oral care composition may be formulated to have about 14 wt.% or less, based on the total weight of the oral are composition, of propylene glycol. For example, the oral care composition may have about 1 to about 14 wt.%, about 1 to about 12 wt.%, about 1 to about 10 wt.%, about 1 to about 8 wt.%, about 1 to about 7 wt.%; from about 3 to about 14 wt.%, about 3 to about 12 wt.%, about 3 to about 10 wt.%, about 3 to about 8 wt.%, about 3 to about 7 wt.%; from about 6 to about 14 wt.%, about 6 to about 12 wt.%, about 6 to about 10 wt.%, about 6 to about 8 wt.%, or any range or subrange thereof, of propylene glycol, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0108] The oral care compositions may include one or more abrasive(s), e g., in an amount from about 5 to about 35 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition. In some embodiments, the one or more abrasive(s) is present in an amount from about 5 to about 30 wt.%, about 5 to about 25 wt.%, about 5 to about 21 wt.%, about 5 to about 17 wt.%, about 5 to about 14 wt.%, about 5 to about 11 wt.%; from about 10 to about 35 wt.%, about 10 to about 30 wt.%, about 10 to about 25 wt.%, about 10 to about 21 wt.%, about 10 to about 17 wt.%, about 10 to about 14 wt.%; from about 15 to about 35 wt.%, about 15 to about 30 wt.%, about 15 to about 25 wt.%, about 15 to about 21 wt.%, about 15 to about 19 wt.%; from about 18 to about 35 wt.%, about 18 to about 30 wt.%, about 18 to about 25 wt.%, about 18 to about 21 wt.%; from about 21 to about 35 wt.%, about 21 to about 30 wt.%, about 21 to about 25 wt.%; from about 24 to about 35 wt.%, about 24 to about 30 wt.%; from about 27 to about 35 wt.%, about 27 to about 30 wt.%, or any range or subrange thereof, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0109] The one or more abrasive(s), which may be included or excluded from the oral care composition in certain embodiments, include: silica, silicate, silicon, alumina (including calcined aluminum oxide), aluminosilicates, such as bentonite, zeolite, kaolin, and mica, siliceous or diatomaceous earth, pumice, calcium compounds, calcium carbonate, cuttlebone, insoluble phosphates, composite resins, such as melamine resin, phenolic resin, and urea-formaldehyde resin, polycarbonate, silicon carbide, boron carbide, microcrystalline wax, microcrystalline cellulose, including combinations of colloidal microcrystalline cellulose and carboxymethylcellulose, and combinations and derivatives thereof. For example, the one or more abrasive may be selected from silicas including gels and precipitates, calcium carbonate, di calcium orthophosphate dihydrate, calcium pyrophosphate, tricalcium phosphate, calcium polymetaphosphate, insoluble sodium polymetaphosphate, hydrated alumina, resinous abrasive materials such as particulate condensation products of urea and formaldehyde, and combinations thereof.

[0110] In certain embodiments, the one or more abrasive comprises an insoluble phosphate salts, such as calcium pyrophosphate, dicalcium orthophosphate dihydrate, tricalcium phosphate, calcium polymetaphosphate, or a combination of two or more thereof. Preferably, the oral care composition comprises calcium pyrophosphate. The total amount of abrasives is preferably comprised primarily of calcium pyrophosphate and, in at least one embodiment, calcium pyrophosphate is the sole abrasive in the oral care composition. For example, the calcium pyrophosphate may comprise about 50 wt.% or more, about 60 wt.% or more, about 70 wt.% or more, about 80 wt.% or more, about 95 wt.% or more, about 98 wt.% or more, or about 99 wt.% or more of the total amount of the abrasive agent in the oral care composition.[0U1] As used herein, “mica” refers to any of a group of hydrous aluminum silicate minerals with plate morphology and / or perfect basal (micaceous) cleavage. Mica can be, for example, sheet mica, scrap mica or flake mica, as exemplified by muscovite, biotite or phlogopite type micas. Synthetic silicas include both silica gels and precipitated silicas that are prepared by the neutralization of aqueous silicate solutions with a strong mineral acid. Abrasives comprising silica may be useful in certain embodiments of the oral care composition. In certain embodiments, the oral compositions may comprise a particularly efficacious combination of silica abrasive particle species. For example, the abrasive(s) be selected from high cleaning silica.

[0112] The oral care compositions may include an abrasive system comprising two or moreabrasives. For example, the abrasive system may 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 abrasives. The abrasives may comprise one or more cleaning abrasive and / or one or more polishing abrasives. As appreciated by one of skill in the art, a single abrasive species typically performs at least some cleaning and polishing simultaneously. However, particles are generally categorized in the art by the predominant effect they have on a target oral surface. Typically, “polishing abrasives” are considered to be relatively small particles having high hardness, where abrasives with relatively large particle sizes and low hardness are considered to be “cleaning abrasives.” In certain embodiments, the oral care composition comprises two or more abrasives comprising silica. In some embodiments, the first abrasive is selected to be a harder and smaller abrasive, e.g., a higher cleaning and / or polishing abrasive, and the second abrasive is atypical cleaning abrasive. In some embodiments, the oral care composition includes at least one polishing abrasive and / or at least one cleaning abrasive. Further examples of abrasives are disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007 / 140986, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference for all purposes.

[0113] The oral care composition may comprise an anti-calculus agent, e.g., in an effective amount. In some embodiments, the amount of anti-calculus agent present in the oral care composition is from about 0.1 to about 7 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 6 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 5 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 4 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 3 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 2.7 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 2.4 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 2.1 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 1.7 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 1.4 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 1.1 wt.%; from about 0.5 to about 7 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 5 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 3 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 2.7 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 2.4 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 2.1 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 1.7 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 1.4 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 1.1 wt.%; from about 1 to about 7 wt.%, about 1 to about 5 wt.%, about 1 to about 4 wt.%, about 1 to about 3 wt.%, about 1 to about 2.7 wt.%, about 1 to about 2.4 wt.%, about 1 to about 2.1 wt.%, about 1 to about 1.7 wt.%; from about 1.3 to about 7 wt.%, about 1.3 to about 5 wt.%, about 1.3 to about 4 wt.%, about 1.3 to about 3 wt.%, about 1.3 to about 2.7 wt.%, about 1.3 to about 2.4 wt.%, about 1.3 to about 2.1 wt.%, about 1.3 to about 1.7 wt.%; from about 1.6 to about 7 wt.%, about 1.6 to about 5 wt.%, about 1.6 to about 4 wt.%, about 1.6 to about 3 wt.%, about 1.6 to about 2.7 wt.%, about 1.6 to about 2.4 wt.%, about 1.6 to about 2.1 wt.%; from about 1.9 to about 7 wt.%, about 1.9 to about 5 wt.%, about 1.9 to about 4 wt.%, about 1.9 to about 3 wt.%, about 1.9 to about 2.7 wt.%, about 1.9 to about 2.4 wt.%; from about 2.4 to about 7 wt.%, about 2.4 to about6 wt.%, about 2.4 to about 5 wt.%, about 2.4 to about 4 wt.%, about 2.4 to about 3 wt.%, about 2.4 to about 2.7 wt.%; from about 2.7 to about 7 wt.%, about 2.7 to about 6 wt.%, about 2.7 to about 5 wt.%, about 2.7 to about 4 wt.%; from about 3.3 to about 7 wt.%, about 3.3 to about 6 wt.%, about 3.3 to about 5 wt.%, about 3.3 to about 4 wt.%, from about 3.9 to about 7 wt.%, about 3.9 to about 6 wt.%, about 3.9 to about 5 wt.%; from about 4.6 to about 7 wt.%, about 4.6 to about 6 wt.%, about 4.6 to about 5 wt.%; from about 5.5 to about 7 wt.%, about 5.5 to about 6.5 wt.%, or any range or subrange thereof, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0114] The anti-calculus agent(s) may be chosen from phosphates and polyphosphates (e.g., pyrophosphates), poly aminopropanesulfonic acid (AMPS), hexametaphosphate salts, zinc citrate trihydrate, polypeptides, polyolefin sulfonates, polyolefin phosphates, diphosphonates, and combinations of two or more thereof. Examples of anti-calculus agents include tetrasodium pyrophosphate, ammonium tripolyphosphate, hexametaphosphate salt, polycarboxylate polymers, polyvinyl methyl ether / maleic anhydride (PVME / MA) copolymers, or combinations of two or more thereof.

[0115] The anti-calculus agent may comprise, or in some cases consist of, polyphosphates selected from pyrophosphates, orthophosphates, polymetaphosphates, and a combination of two or more thereof. The polyphosphate may comprise a pyrophosphate, such as an alkali metal pyrophosphate selected from a tetra alkali metal pyrophosphate, dialkali metal diacid pyrophosphate, trialkali metal monoacid pyrophosphate, and mixtures thereof. The alkali metals may be sodium and / or potassium. For example, the polyphosphate may be an alkali metal polyphosphate selected from a pyrophosphate, a tripolyphosphate, a tetraphosphate, a hexametaphosphate, and a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the polyphosphate is selected from sodium pyrophosphate, potassium pyrophosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate, potassium tripolyphosphate, or a combination thereof. In further embodiments, the polyphosphate comprises tetrasodium pyrophosphate, tetrapotassium pyrophosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate, tetrapolyphosphate, sodium trimetaphosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, potassium polyphosphate, sodium polyphosphate, or a combination of two or more thereof.

[0116] The oral care compositions may include a fluoride ion source. The fluoride ion source may be present in an effective amount. In some cases, the fluoride ion source is present in the oral care composition in an amount of about 0.01 to about 5 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition. For example, the fluoride ion source is present in an amount of about 0.01 to about5 wt.%, about 0.01 to about 4 wt.%, about 0.01 to about 3 wt.%, about 0.01 to about 2 wt.%, about 0.01 to about 1 wt.%; from about 0.05 to about 5 wt.%, about 0.05 to about 4 wt.%, about 0.05 to about 3 wt.%, about 0.05 to about 2 wt.%, about 0.05 to about 1 wt.%; from about 0.1 to about 5 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 4 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 3 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 2 wt.%; from about 0.3 to about 5 wt.%, about 0.3 to about 4 wt.%, about 0.3 to about 3 wt.%, about 0.3 to about 2 wt.%; from about 0.6 to about 5 wt.%, about 0.6 to about 4 wt.%, about 0.6 to about 3 wt.%, about 0.6 to about 2 wt.%; from about 0.9 to about 5 wt.%, about 0.9 to about 4 wt.%, about 0.9 to about 3 wt.%, about 0.9 to about 2 wt.%; from about 1.2 to about 5 wt.%, about 1.2 to about 4 wt.%, about 1.2 to about 3 wt.%, about 1.2 to about 2 wt.%; from about 1.5 to about 5 wt.%, about 1.5 to about 4 wt.%, about 1.5 to about 3 wt.%; from about 2 to about 5 wt.%, about 2 to about 4 wt.%, about 2 to about 3 wt.%; from about 3 to about 5 wt.%, about 4 to about 5 wt.%, or any range or subrange thereof, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0117] The fluoride ion source may be selected from soluble fluoride ion salts. For example, the fluoride ion source may comprise sodium fluoride, potassium fluoride, calcium fluoride, zinc fluoride, zinc ammonium fluoride, lithium fluoride, ammonium fluoride, stannous fluoride, stannous fluorozirconate, sodium monofluorophosphate, potassium monofluorophosphate, laurylamine hydrofluoride, diethylaminoethyloctoylamide hydrofluoride, didecyldimethylammonium fluoride, cetylpyridinium fluoride, dilaurylmorpholinium fluoride, sarcosine stannous fluoride, glycine potassium fluoride, glycine hydrofluoride, amine fluorides or a combination of two or more thereof. In some embodiments, the fluoride ion source comprises sodium fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate, or a combination thereof. Additional examples of fluoride ion source 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 disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0118] In certain embodiments, the oral care composition of the disclosure may contain a source of fluoride ions or fluorine-providing agents in amounts sufficient to deliver, in total, from 25 ppm to 25,000 ppm (mass fraction) of fluoride ions, generally at least 500 ppm, e.g., from about 500 to about 2000 ppm, from about 800 to about 1800 ppm, from about 1000 to about 1600 ppm, from about 1200 to about 1550 ppm, or about 1450 ppm.

[0119] Surfactants may be included in the oral care composition. The one or more surfactant(s) may be present in an amount ranging from about 0.5 to about 8 wt.%, based on the total weight ofthe oral care composition. For example, the oral care composition may include one or more surfactant in an amount from about 0.5 to about 7 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 6 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 5 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 4 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 3 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 2 wt.%; from about 1 to about 9 wt.%, about 1 to about 8 wt.%, about 1 to about 7 wt.%, about 1 to about 6 wt.%, about 1 to about 5 wt.%, about 1 to about 4 wt.%, about 1 to about 3 wt.%, about 1 to about 2 wt.%; from about 2 to about 9 wt.%, about 2 to about 8 wt.%, about 2 to about 7 wt.%, about 2 to about 6 wt.%, about 2 to about 5 wt.%, about 2 to about 4 wt.%, about 2 to about 3 wt.%; from about 2.5 to about 9 wt.%, about 2.5 to about 8 wt.%, about 2.5 to about 7 wt.%, about 2.5 to about 6 wt.%, about 2.5 to about 5 wt.%, about 2.5 to about 4 wt.%, about 2.5 to about 3.5 wt.%; from about 3 to about 9 wt.%, about 3 to about 8 wt.%, about 3 to about 7 wt.%, about 3 to about 6 wt.%, about 3 to about 5 wt.%, about 3 to about 4 wt.%, about 3 to about 3.5 wt.%; from about 4 to about 9 wt.%, about 4 to about 8 wt.%, about 4 to about 7 wt.%, about 4 to about 6 wt.%, about 4 to about 5 wt.%; from about 5 to about 9 wt.%, about 5 to about 8 wt.%, about 5 to about 7 wt.%, about 5 to about 6 wt.%; from about 7 to about 9 wt.%, about 7 to about 8 wt.%, or any range or subrange thereof, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0120] The one or more surfactants may be selected from anionic surfactants, such as sulfate based anionic surfactants, sulfonated monoglycerides of fatty acids, acyl isethionates, acyl sarcosinates, acyl taurate, or combinations thereof. Examples of sulfate based anionic surfactants include ammonium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl ether sulfate, sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium coco- sulfate, ammonium coco-sulfate, or a combination of two or more thereof. The one or more anionic surfactant(s) may be selected from non-sulfate based anionic surfactants, such as sulfonated monoglycerides of fatty acids, acyl isethionates, acyl sarcosinates, acyl taurate, or a combination of two or more thereof. For example, the anionic surfactants may be selected from water-soluble salts of higher fatty acid monoglyceride monosulfates, such as the sodium salt of the monosulfated monoglyceride of hydrogenated coconut oil fatty acids; sodium N- methyl N-cocoyl taurate; sodium cocomo-glyceride sulfate; higher alkyl sulfates, such as sodium lauryl sulfate; higher alkylether sulfates, such as sodium laureth-2 sulfate; higher alkyl aryl sulfonates, such as sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (sodium lauryl benzene sulfonate); higher alkyl sulfoacetates, such as sodium lauryl sulfoacetate (dodecyl sodium sulfoacetate), higher fatty acid esters of 1,2 dihydroxy propane sulfonate, sulfocolaurate (N-2- ethyl laurate potassium sulfoacetamide) and sodium lauryl sarcosinate.

[0121] The one or more surfactants may be chosen from non-ionic, amphoteric, and cationic surfactants. Nonionic surfactants useful herein may include those compounds produced by the condensation of alkylene oxide groups (hydrophilic in nature) with an organic hydrophobic compound, which may be aliphatic or alkyl-aromatic in nature. Non-limiting examples of suitable nonionic surfactants include polyoxyethylene sorbitan esters (sold under the trade name Tweens), polyoxyl 40 hydrogenated castor oil, fatty alcohol ethoxylates, ethylene oxide condensates of aliphatic alcohols, long chain tertiary amine oxides, long chain tertiary phosphaine oxides, lauryl glucoside (sold under the trade name Plantaren 1200 UP) and long chain dialkyl sulfoxides. Suitable nonionic surfactants with a HLB of 7 or more include sucrose laurate, sucrose cocoate, sucrose stearate; Steareth 20, 21, or 100, and PEG 20 Sorbitan Monostearate (commercially available as Tween 60). In at least one embodiment, the nonionic surfactants are chosen from polyethoxylated sorbitol esters, in particular polyethoxylated sorbitol monoesters; polycondensates of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide (poloxamers), for instance the products marketed under the trade name PLURONIC by BASF-Wyandotte; condensates of propylene glycol; polyethoxylated hydrogenated castor oil, for instance, cremophors; and sorbitan fatty esters.

[0122] Non-limiting examples of amphoteric surfactants include, for example, long chain imidazoline derivatives such as the product marketed under the trade name 'Miranol C2M' by Miranol; long chain alkyl betaines, such as the product marketed under the tradename Empigen BB' by Albright+Wilson, and long chain alkyl amidoalkyl betaines, such as cocamidopropylbetaine, and mixtures thereof.

[0123] The oral care composition may include amphoteric surfactants chosen from derivatives of aliphatic secondary and tertiary amines, in which the aliphatic radical can be a straight chain or branched and wherein one of the aliphatic substituents contains from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms and one contains an anionic water-solubilizing group, such as carboxylate, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphate, or phosphonate. Other exemplary amphoteric surfactants are betaines, such as cocamidopropyl betaine, lauryl dimethyl betaine (sold under the trade name Macat LB), cetyl dimethyl betaine, and cocoamphodiacetate. Additional amphoteric surfactants and nonionic surfactants can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,051,234, which is incorporated herein in its entirety for all purposes.

[0124] Examples of cationic surfactants that may be present in the oral care composition includecetyl pyridinium chloride, coamidopropyl PG dimonium chloride phosphate (Phospholipid CDM), myristylamidopropyl PG dimonium chloride phosphate (Phospholipid PTM), stearamidopropyl PG dimonium chloride phosphate (Phospholipid SV), steapyrium chloride (Catemol WPC), and other suitable cationic materials. The cationic surfactants may be D,L-2-pyrrolidone-5-carbo- xylic.

[0125] In some embodiments, the oral care compositions may include one or more sweeteners. The oral care composition may include caloric sweeteners and / or non-caloric sweeteners. Examples of non-caloric sweeteners include saccharin, for example, sodium saccharin, acesulfame, neotame, cyclamate or sucralose; natural high-intensity sweeteners, such as thaumatin, stevioside or glycyrrhizin; or sugar alcohols, such as sorbitol, xylitol, maltitol and mannitol. Examples of caloric sweeteners include sugars, such as fructose, glucose, sucrose, and high fructose syrups.

[0126] The one or more sweetener(s) may be present in the oral care composition in an amount from about 0.1 to about 50 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition. For example, the oral care composition may have a total amount of sweetener(s) from about 0.1 to about 40 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 30 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 20 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 10 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 5 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 3 wt.%; from about 1 to about 50 wt.%, about 1 to about 40 wt.%, about 1 to about 30 wt.%, about 1 to about 20 wt.%, about 1 to about 10 wt.%, about 1 to about 5 wt.%, about 1 to about 3 wt.%; from about 5 to about 50 wt.%, about 5 to about 40 wt.%, about 5 to about 30 wt.%, about 5 to about 20 wt.%, about 5 to about 10 wt.%; from about 10 to about 50 wt.%, about 10 to about 45 wt.%, about 10 to about 40 wt.%, about 10 to about 35 wt.%, about 10 to about 30 wt.%, about 10 to about 25 wt.%; from about 15 to about 50 wt.%, about 15 to about 45 wt.%, about 15 to about 40 wt.%, about 15 to about 37 wt.%, about 15 to about 34 wt.%, about 15 to about 31 wt.%, about 15 to about 28 wt.%, about 15 to about 25 wt.%; from about 20 to about 50 wt.%, about 20 to about 45 wt.%, about 20 to about 40 wt.%, about 20 to about 37 wt.%, about 20 to about 34 wt.%, about 20 to about 31 wt.%, about 20 to about 28 wt.%; from about 25 to about 50 wt.%, about 25 to about 45 wt.%, about 25 to about 40 wt.%, about 25 to about 37 wt.%, about 25 to about 34 wt.%, about 25 to about 31 wt.%; from about 28 to about 50 wt.%, about 28 to about 45 wt.%, about 28 to about 40 wt.%, about 28 to about 37 wt.%, about 28 to about 34 wt.%, about 28 to about 31 wt.%; from about 31 to about 50 wt.%, about 31 to about 45 wt.%, about 31 to about 40 wt.%, about 31 to about 37 wt.%; fromabout 34 to about 50 wt.%, about 34 to about 45 wt.%, about 34 to about 40 wt.%; from about 37 to about 50 wt.%, about 37 to about 45 wt.%, or any range or subrange thereof, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0127] In some embodiments, the oral care composition preferably is substantially free or free of caloric sweeteners. For example, the oral care compositions may have about 4 wt.% or less, about 3 wt.% or less, about 2 wt.% or less, about 1 wt.% or less, about 0.5 wt.% or less, or about 0.1 wt.% or less of caloric sweeteners, based on the weight of the oral care composition. In at least one embodiment, the oral care composition contains about 0 wt.% or 0 wt.% of caloric sweeteners, based on the weight of the oral care composition.

[0128] The oral care compositions of the present disclosure may include a flavoring agent. The flavoring agent is typically incorporated in the oral care composition at a concentration of about 0.01 to about 3 wt.% by weight of the oral care composition. For example, the amount of flavoring agent(s) present in the oral care composition may be from about 0.01 to about 2 wt.%, about 0.01 to about 1 wt.%, about 0.01 to about 0.5 wt.%, about 0.01 to about 0.1 wt.%; from about 0.1 to about 3 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 2 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 1 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 0.5 wt.%; from about 0.5 to about 3 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 2 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 1 wt.%; from about 1 to about 3 wt.%, about 1 to about 2 wt.%; from about 2 to about 3 wt.%, including any range or subrange thereof, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0129] Suitable flavoring agents include, but are not limited to, essential oils and various flavoring aldehydes, esters, alcohols, and similar materials. Examples of the essential oils include oils of spearmint, peppermint, wintergreen, sassafras, clove, sage, eucalyptus, maijoram, cinnamon, lemon, lime, grapefruit, and orange. Also useful are such chemicals as menthol, carvone, and anethole. Additional flavoring agents may include, but are not limited to menthol, artificial vanilla, cinnamon derivatives, and various fruit flavors, spearmint oil, peppermint oil, cinnamon oil, oil of wintergreen (methylsalicylate), clove oil, bay oil, anise oil, eucalyptus oil, thyme oil, cedar leaf oil, oil of nutmeg, oil of sage, oil of bitter almonds, cassia oil, and a combination of two or more thereof.

[0130] The oral care compositions may include one or more colorants. Exemplary colorants can include natural or uncertified colors from natural sources or certified colors for the effect of color. In some embodiments, the colorant can include dyes, certified aluminum lakes or colors derived from a natural source. The colorant may be water-based, oil-based or dry. Additional examples ofcolorants include titanium dioxide and hydroxyapatite, pigments or dyes. The colorants can be primary colors, blends of colors or discrete mixtures of colors, such as confetti. The concentrations of the colorant in the oral care composition may be from trace amount to about 0.6 wt.%, from about 0.1 to about 0.5 wt.%, about 0.2 to about 0.4 wt.%, or about 0.15 to about 0.35 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0131] The oral care composition may include one or more pH adjusters to increase or decrease the overall pH of the oral care composition. For example, one or more acids may be included to decrease the pH of the oral care composition. Examples of suitable acids for decreasing the pH of the oral care composition include, but are not limited to, citric acid, acetic acid, sodium acid pyrophosphate, and the like. The oral care composition may include one or more bases, such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and the like, to increase the pH of the oral care composition. Additional or alternative acids and bases that are suitable for adjusting the pH of the oral care composition are readily known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0132] The amount of the pH adjuster in the oral care composition may be based on the desired pH of the final oral care composition and / or product. For example, the total amount of the pH adjuster may range from about 0.05 to about 20 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition. In some instances, the total amount of pH adjuster is from about 0.05 to about 15 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 10 wt.%, or about 0.12 to about 5 wt.%, including ranges and sub-ranges therebetween, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0133] The oral care compositions may have a pH from about 4.5 to about 10, 4.5 to about 9, about 4.5 to about 8, about 4.5 to about 7, about 4.5 to about 6; from about 5 to about 10, about 5 to about 9, about 5 to about 8, about 5 to about 7, about 5 to about 6; from about 6 to about 10, about 6 to about 9, about 6 to about 8, or about 6 to about 7; from about 7 to about 10, about 7 to about 9, or about 7 to about 8, including any ranges and subranges therebetween, e.g., as measured as a 10 wt.% solution. The pH of the solution (e.g., any of the foregoing pH ranges) may be measured as a 10 wt.% solution, whereby the solution comprises 10 wt.% of the oral care composition with the remainder being water.

[0134] As discussed above, the oral care compositions may have reduced amount of water. In some cases, the oral care compositions have water in an amount up to about 5 wt.%, up to about 4 wt.%, up to about 3 wt.%, up to about 2 wt.%, up to about 1 wt.%, up to about 0.5 wt.%, up to about 0.1 wt.%; from about 0.1 to about 5 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 3 wt.%, about 0.1 to about 2wt.%, about 0.1 to about 1 wt.%; from about 0.5 to about 5 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 3 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 2 wt.%, about 0.5 to about 1 wt.%; from about 1 to about 5 wt.%, about 1 to about 4 wt.%, about 1 to about 3 wt.%, about 1 to about 2 wt.%; from about 2 to about 5 wt.%, about 2 to about 4 wt.%, about to about 3 wt.%; from about 3 to about 5 wt.%, about 3 to about 4 wt.%, or any range or subrange thereof, based on the total weight of the oral care composition. In some embodiments, however, the oral care composition may have a total amount of about 5 wt.% or less, about 4 wt.% or less, about 3 wt.% or less, about 2 wt.% or less, about 1 wt.% or less, about 0.5 wt.% or less, about 0.1 wt.% or less, about 0.05 wt.% or less, or about 0.01 wt.% or less of added water, based on the total weight of the oral care composition. The oral care compositions may, in some instances, have a total amount of water of about 0 wt.% or 0 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0135] The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.EXAMPLESExample 1

[0136] A non-limiting, example oral care composition (Example Composition A) was prepared in the form of a dentifrice in accordance with aspects of the invention. A comparative composition (Comparative Composition 1) was also prepared in the form of a dentifrice. The formulations for Example Composition A and Comparative Composition I are shown Table 1 (below).Table 1Example 2

[0137] Example Composition A was evaluated to assess the stability of the peroxy monosulfate by assessing the amount of active oxygen after accelerated aging. Specifically, samples of Example Composition A were disposed in a sealed tube and maintained in a controlled environment at a temperature of 30 °C or 40 °C for three months. The amount of active oxygen for the samples of Example Composition A were evaluated before accelerated aging conditions, after 1 month of accelerated aging conditions, after 2 months of accelerated aging conditions, and after 3 months of accelerated aging conditions. A summary of the results of the active oxygen levels for the samples of Example Composition A are shown in Table 2 (below).Table 2Example 3

[0138] The viscosity and the squeeze pressure of sealed tubes containing samples of Example Composition A were evaluated after accelerated aging conditions. Similar to Example 2, samples of Example Composition A were disposed in a sealed tube and maintained in a controlled environment at a temperature of 40 °C or 60 °C for two weeks. The samples of Example Composition A were evaluated before accelerated ageing, after one week of accelerated aging conditions, and after two weeks of accelerated aging conditions. A summary of the results is shown in Tables 3 and 4.Table 3Table 4Example 4

[0139] Example Composition A was evaluated to assess its whitening effect as compared to Comparative Composition 1. Specifically, the heads of soft Colgate 360° Optic White toothbrushes were cut from the handles and mounted for use on a brushing machine. Samples of Example Composition A and Comparative Composition 1 were combined with water and poured over each tray, which contained teeth. Brushing of such teeth was then immediately started. The teeth were brushed for 2 min with 250 grams of pressure. The brushing machine was set to 120 strokes / min.After 2 minutes, the brushing was stopped, the slurry was removed, and the teeth were rinsed with 100 grams of deionized water. The brushing treatment was repeated a total of 14 times to model twice daily use of each product for 7 days.

[0140] Software from MHT was used to measure the L*, a*, and b* values for each tooth before and after treatment. The L*, a*, and b* values were used to calculate the change in the whiteness index for each tooth after 14 treatments as compared to baseline. The Whiteness index is reported as AW*, whereW* = (a*2 + b*2 + (L* - 100)2)1 / 2AW* = W* treated - W* baseline

[0141] The absolute value of AW* is reported. It should be noted that the more positive the value of AW*, the closer the tooth color is to white. As seen in FIGURE, Example Composition A surprisingly achieved greater whitening than Comparative Composition 1.Example 5

[0142] Example Composition A and Comparative Composition 1 were evaluated to assess their respective polishing efficacy. Specifically, samples of Example Composition A and Comparative Composition 1 were applied to bovine teeth by way of brushing and then gloss measurements were taken using a Novo-Curve 4 (NC4) manufactured by Rhopoint Americas. Before measuring the pre-polished (etched) gloss for the bovine teeth, the instrument was calibrated per the manufacturer’s instructions. To take a measurement, the planarized portion of the bovine teeth was centered on the instrument’s aperture, after which the continuous measurement feature of the device was used to measure the peak gloss. Measurements were taken for each tooth at two points, after chemical etching to provide a pre-polish gloss value, and after 5000 strokes of brushing to provide a post-polish value.

[0143] The results of the polishing evaluation of Example Composition A and Comparative Composition 1 are shown in Table 5 and FIG. 2. As seen in FIG. 2 and Table 5, Example Composition A provides significantly better polishing effect than Comparative Composition 1, which was unexpected.Table 5Example 6

[0144] Example Composition A and Comparative Composition 1 were assessed to evaluate the foam stability of each dentifrice composition. Specifically, the foam stability of the Example Composition A and Comparative Composition 1 were measured using a Dynamic Foam Analyzer (DFA) from Kruss through image analysis. Samples of each dentifrice composition were diluted with water to form a dentifrice slurry having a weight ratio of the dentifrice composition to water of 1 : 10. A volume of 50 mL of the dentifrice slurries was introduced into the DFA. The dentifrice slurries were then stirred for a total of 120 seconds, comprising 12 stirring cycles of 10 seconds each, to generate foam. After the foam was generated, the foam was left undisturbed for 300 seconds, during which images of the foam were recorded. The number of bubbles during this period was analyzed from these images using Advance software from Kruss. These evaluation procedures were repeated three times.

[0145] A decrease in bubble count from 223.7 to 82.0 mm'2was observed for Comparative Composition 1, whereas the bubble count for Example Composition A remained largely unchanged. In foam systems, bubble count typically decreases over time due to coalescence and merging of bubbles. The minimal change in bubble count for Example Composition A indicates that its foam is significantly more stable than Comparative Composition 1, which was unexpected. A summary of the results of the foam stability analysis is shown in table 6 and FIG. 3.Table 6

Claims

CLAIMSWhat Is Claimed Is:

1. An oral care composition comprising: a whitening agent comprising a peroxymonosulfate; one or more thickening agent comprising a fatty stearate and / or acid thereof; and a solvent system comprising a polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer.

2. The oral care composition according to claim 1, wherein the whitening agent consists of peroxymonosulfate.

3. The oral care composition according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the perooxymonosulfate comprises sodium peroxy monosulfate, potassium peroxymonosulfate, or a combination thereof.

4. The oral care composition according to any foregoing claim, wherein the perooxymonosulfate is present in an amount from about 0.1 to about 10 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

5. The oral care composition according to claim 4, wherein the amount of perooxymonosulfate is from about 0.5 to about 6 wt.%, optionally from about 0.75 to about 5 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

6. The oral care composition according to any foregoing claim, wherein the fatty stearate and / or acid thereof comprises sodium stearate, potassium stearate, zinc stearate, ammonium stearate, stearic acid, or a combination of two or more thereof.

7. The oral care composition according to any foregoing claim, wherein the fatty stearate and / or acid thereof is present in an amount from about 0.5 to about 5 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

8. The oral care composition according to any foregoing claim, wherein the one or more thickening agent further comprising a silica thickener in an amount up to 7 wt.%, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

9. The oral care composition according to claim 8, wherein the silica thickener comprises fumed silica.

10. The oral care composition according to any foregoing claim, wherein one or more thickening agent consists of the fatty stearate and / or acid thereof and, optionally, a silica thickener and / or polyvinyl pyrrolidone.

11. The oral care composition according to any foregoing claim, wherein the oral care composition is substantially free of or free of polyvinyl pyrrolidone.

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

13. The oral care composition according to claim 12, wherein the solvent system comprises a propylene glycol, a polyethylene glycol, a polypropylene glycol, a polyethylene glycolpolypropylene glycol copolymer, or a combination of two or more thereof.

14. The oral care composition according to any foregoing claim, wherein the oral care composition comprises about 14 wt.% or less of propylene glycol, based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

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

16. The oral care composition according to any foregoing claim, wherein the oral care composition is substantially free of or free of added water.

17. The oral care composition according to any foregoing claim, wherein the oral care composition is substantially free of or free of ammonium persulfate and sodium persulfate.

18. The oral care composition according to any foregoing claim, wherein the oral care composition is substantially free of or free of hydrogen peroxide.

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

20. An oral care composition comprising: a whitening agent comprising a peroxymonosulfate; one or more thickening agent comprising from about 0.1 to about 7 wt.% of a fatty acid and / or salt thereof; and less than about 5 wt.% of added water, wherein the oral care composition comprises less than about 2 wt.% of polyvinyl pyrrolidone, and wherein all weight percentages are based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

21. The oral care composition according to claim 20, wherein the oral care composition is free of added water and is free of polyvinyl pyrrolidone.

22. The oral care composition according to claim 20 or claim 21, wherein the one or more thickening agent further comprises a silica thickener in an amount up to 7 wt.%.

23. An oral care composition comprising:a whitening agent comprising a peroxymonosulfate; a fatty acid and / or salt thereof; and a solvent system comprising: from about 15 to about 50 wt.% of a polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer, and from about 15 to about 50 wt.% of a polyol, wherein all weight percentages are based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

24. The oral care composition according to claim 23, wherein the polyol comprises a propylene glycol, a polyethylene glycol, a polypropylene glycol, a polyethylene glycol-polypropylene glycol copolymer, or a combination of two or more thereof.

25. The oral care composition according to claim 23 or claim 24, wherein the oral care composition comprises about 14 wt.% or less of propylene glycol.

26. The oral care composition according to one of claim 23 to claim 25, wherein the oral care composition is substantially free of or free of polyvinyl pyrrolidone.

27. The oral care composition according to any foregoing claim, wherein the oral care composition has a weight ratio of the peroxymonosulfate to the fatty acid and / or salt thereof of about 1.5: 1 to about 1 :4.

28. The oral care composition according to claim 27, wherein the weight ratio of the peroxymonosulfate to the fatty acid and / or salt thereof is about 1 : 1 to about 1 :3.

29. The oral care composition according to one of claim 23 to claim 28, wherein the fatty acid and / or salt thereof is selected from sodium stearate, potassium stearate, zinc stearate, ammonium stearate, an ester of stearic acid, stearic acid, or a combination of two or more thereof.

30. The oral care composition according to claim 29, wherein the fatty acid and / or salt thereof comprises from sodium stearate, potassium stearate, or a combination thereof.31 . The oral care composition according to one of claim 20 to claim 30, wherein the fatty acid and / or salt thereof is selected from a fatty stearate and / or acid thereof.

32. An oral care composition comprising: a whitening agent comprising a peroxymonosulfate; a thickening system comprising: a silica thickener, and a fatty stearate and / or acid thereof comprising sodium stearate, potassium stearate, zinc stearate, ammonium stearate, stearic acid, or a combination of two or more thereof; and a solvent system comprising: from about 15 to about 50 wt.% of a poly oxypropylene-polyoxy ethylene block copolymer, and from about 15 to about 50 wt.% of a polyol, and wherein the oral care composition is free of polyvinylpyrrolidone, and wherein all weight percentages are based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

33. The oral care composition according to claim 32, wherein the oral care composition has a weight ratio of the peroxymonosulfate to the fatty stearate and / or acid thereof of about 1.5: 1 to about 1 :4.

34. An oral care composition comprising: a whitening agent comprising a peroxymonosulfate; a thickening system consisting of: a silica thickener, and a fatty acid and / or a salt thereof selected from the group consisting of C14-22 fatty acids, a salt thereof, and a combination of two or more thereof, wherein the peroxymonosulfate and the fatty acid and / or the salt thereof are present in a weight ratio of the total amount of the peroxymonosulfate to the total amount of the fatty acid and / or the salt thereof of about 1.5: 1 to about 1 :4; and a solvent system comprising a polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer, and wherein the oral care composition is free of polyvinylpyrrolidone, and wherein all weight percentages are based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

35. An oral care composition comprising: a whitening agent comprising a peroxymonosulfate; a thickening system consisting of: a silica thickener, and a fatty acid, an ester thereof, and / or a salt thereof, wherein the fatty acid and / or the salt thereof is selected from the group consisting of C14-22 fatty acids, salts thereof, and combinations of two or more thereof; and a solvent system comprising: from about 15 to about 50 wt.% of a poly oxypropylene-polyoxy ethylene block copolymer, and from about 15 to about 50 wt.% of a polyol, wherein the oral care composition is free of polyvinylpyrrolidone, and wherein all weight percentages are based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

36. The oral care composition according to any one of claim 32 to claim 35, wherein the oral care composition is free of hydrogen peroxide.

37. The oral care composition according to any one of claim 34 to claim 36, wherein the oral care composition has a weight ratio of the total amount of fatty acid and / or salt thereof to the total amount of silica thickener of about 3:1 to about 1 :4.

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