Oral care composition

A toothpaste with lysine and arginine at specific ratios addresses dental caries by enhancing oral bacterial pH, effectively mitigating the development of dental caries through synergistic alkali generation.

WO2026145889A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2026-07-09UNILEVER IP HLDG BV +2

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
UNILEVER IP HLDG BV
Filing Date
2025-11-11
Publication Date
2026-07-09

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Alkali generation by oral bacteria plays a key role in plaque pH homeostasis and is a major impediment to the development of dental caries, with ammonia production affecting oral health and diseases.

Method used

A toothpaste composition comprising lysine or its salts and arginine or its salts at a weight ratio of 10:1 to 1:3 is used to mitigate dental caries by increasing the pH of oral bacterial mixtures.

Benefits of technology

The combination of lysine and arginine in the toothpaste composition effectively raises the pH of oral bacterial mixtures, mitigating dental caries through synergistic alkali production.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

A toothpaste composition comprising lysine or salt thereof to arginine or salt and thereof claim in which weight the ratio of lysine or salt thereof to arginine or salt thereof is from 10:1 to 1:3. Said composition for use in the treatment and / or mitigation of dental caries.
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Description

[0001] P0001159 CPL

[0002] ORAL CARE COMPOSITION

[0003] The present invention relates to oral care compositions, in particular to oral care compositions 5 comprising arginine / lysine and salts thereof.

[0004]

[0005] Alkali generation by oral bacteria plays a key role in plaque pH homeostasis and may be a major impediment to the development of dental caries. Ammonia production and thus pH increases by oral bacteria is believed to have an impact on oral microbial ecology and to be intimately linked with oral health and diseases.

[0006] Nascimento MM, Gordan VV, Garvan CW, Browngardt CM, Burne RA. Oral Microbiol Immunol.

[0007] 2009;24(2):89-95. doi: 10.1111 / j.1399-302X.2008.00477.x. discloses the rate of ammonia 15 production from arginine and urea by clinical samples from individuals with no evidence of caries experience was greater than that of individuals with active caries lesions.

[0008] The present invention has found that the pH of oral bacterial mixtures can be increased by the combination of arginine with lysine, thus mitigating dental caries.

[0009] 20

[0010] Description of the Invention

[0011] The present invention relates to a toothpaste composition comprising lysine or salt thereof and arginine or salt and thereof in which weight the ratio of lysine or salt thereof to arginine or salt thereof is from 10:1 to 1:3.

[0012] 25

[0013] The invention further relates to a toothpaste composition comprising lysine or salts thereof and arginine salts thereof at a weight ratio of lysine / salt to arginine / salt from10:1 to 1 :3 for use in the treatment and / or mitigation of dental caries.

[0014] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0015] Except in the examples, or where otherwise explicitly indicated, all numbers in this description indicating amounts of material or conditions of reaction, physical properties of materials and / or use may optionally be understood as modified by the word “about”.

[0016] 35 All amounts are by weight of the composition, unless otherwise specified.P0001159 CPL

[0017] - 2 -

[0018] It should be noted that in specifying any ranges of values, any upper value can be associated with any particular lower value.

[0019] Where a feature is disclosed with respect to a particular aspect of the invention (for example a 5 composition of the invention), such disclosure is also to be considered to apply to any other aspect of the invention (for example a method of the invention) mutatis mutandis.

[0020] The term “oral care composition" refers to a composition that is delivered to the oral surfaces. The composition may be a product which, during the normal course of usage, is not for the purpose of systemic administration or intentionally swallowed but is rather retained in the oral cavity for a time sufficient to contact substantially all of the dental surfaces and / or oral tissues for the purposes of oral activity.

[0021] Examples of the oral composition include a toothpaste or a dentifrice, a mouthwash or a mouth 15 rinse, powder (e.g., tooth powder), lozenge, mint, cream, strip or gum (e.g., chewing gum), a film a topical oral gel, and a denture cleanser and the like.

[0022] The composition of the invention is used to clean the surfaces of the oral cavity.

[0023] 20 Accordingly, preferred product forms for compositions of the invention are those which are suitable for brushing and / or rinsing the surfaces of the oral cavity.

[0024] The composition of the invention is in the form of a oothpaste. The term "toothpaste" denotes an oral composition which is used to clean the surfaces of the oral cavity. Such a composition is 25 not intentionally swallowed for purposes of systemic administration of therapeutic agents, but is applied to the oral cavity, used to treat the oral cavity and then expectorated. Typically such a composition is used in conjunction with a cleaning implement such as a toothbrush, usually by applying it to the bristles of the toothbrush and then brushing the accessible surfaces of the oral cavity.

[0025] Preferably the dentifrice / toothpaste is in the form of an extrudable semi-solid such as a cream, paste or gel (or mixture thereof).

[0026] Preferably the level of arginine or salt thereof is from 0.1 to 5 wt% of the total composition, more 35 preferably from 0.2wt% to 3 wt%.P0001159 CPL

[0027] - 3 -

[0028] Preferably the level of lysine or salt thereof is from 0.1 to 5 wt% of the total composition, more preferably from 0.2wt% to 3 wt%.

[0029] The weight ratio of lysine or salt thereof to or arginine salt thereof is preferably from 8:1 to 1 :2, 5 more preferably from 5:1 to 1:1.

[0030] It is preferred if the arginine is not a salt form or is a sodium salt.

[0031] It is preferred if the lysine is not in salt form or is a sodium salt.

[0032] A composition according to the invention (such as a dentifrice / toothpaste) will generally contain further ingredients to enhance performance and / or consumer acceptability, in addition to the ingredients specified above.

[0033] 15 Compositions according to the invention, particularly toothpastes, preferably comprise particulate abrasive materials such as silicas, aluminas, calcium carbonates, dicalciumphosphates, calcium pyrophosphates, hydroxyapatites, trimetaphosphates, insoluble hexametaphosphates and so on, including agglomerated particulate abrasive materials, usually in amounts between 3 and 60% by weight of the oral care composition.

[0034] 20

[0035] In one embodiment of the invention the composition comprises a silica based abrasive. The preferred abrasive silicas used in the present invention is a silica with a low refractive index. It may be used as the sole abrasive silica, or in conjunction with a low level of other abrasive silicas, e.g. those according to EP 236070. The low refractive index silicas, used as abrasives in the present invention are preferably silicas with an apparent refractive index (R.l.) in the range of 1.41 - 1.47, preferably 1.435 - 1.445, preferably having a weight mean particle size of between 5 and 15 mm, a BET (nitrogen) surface area of between 10 and 100 m2 / g and an oil absorption of about 70 - 150 cm3 / 100 g, but abrasive silicas with a lower apparent refractive index may also be used. Typical examples of suitable low refractive index abrasive silicas (e.g.

[0036] 30 having an R.l. of between 1.435 and 1.445) are Tixosil 63 and 73 ex Rhone Poulenc; Sident 10 ex Degussa; Zeodent 113 ex Zeofinn; Zeodent 124 ex Evonik, Sorbosil AC 77 ex PQ Corporation (having an R.l. of approximately 1.440). The amount of these silicas in the composition generally ranges from 5-60% by weight, usually 5-20% by weight.P0001159 CPL

[0037] - 4 -

[0038] An alternative suitable abrasive is calcium carbonate. Natural calcium carbonate abrasive is typically a finely ground limestone which may optionally be refined or partially refined to remove impurities. The material preferably has an average particle size of less than 10 microns, e.g., 3-7 microns, e.g., about 5.5 microns. For example, a small particle silica may have an average 5 particle size (D50) of 2.5 -4.5 microns. Because natural calcium carbonate may contain a high proportion of relatively large particles of not carefully controlled, which may unacceptably increase the abrasivity, preferably no more than 0.01 wt%, preferably no more than

[0039] 0.004 percent by weight of particles would not pass through a 325 mesh. The material has strong crystal structure, and is thus much harder and more abrasive than precipitated calcium carbonate. The tapped density for the natural calcium carbonate is for example between 1 and 1.5 g / cc, e.g., about 1.2 for example about 1.19 g / cc. There are different polymorphs of natural calcium carbonate, e.g., calcite, aragonite and vaterite, calcite being preferred for purposes of this invention.

[0040] 15 Precipitated calcium carbonate has a different crystal structure from natural calcium carbonate.

[0041] It is generally more friable and more porous, thus having lower abrasivity and higher water absorption. For use in the present invention, the particles are small, e.g., having an average particle size of 1-5 microns, and e.g., no more than 0.1 percent, preferably no more than 0.05 percent by weight of particles which would not pass through a 325 mesh. The particles 20 may for example have a D50 of 3-6 microns, for example 3.8-4.9, e.g., about 4.3; a D50 of 1-4 microns, e.g., 2.2-2.6 microns, e.g., about 2.4 microns, and a D10 of 1-2 microns, e.g., 1.2-1.4, e.g., about 1.3 microns. The particles have relatively high water absorption, e.g., at least 25 g / 100 g, e.g., 30-70 g / 100 g.

[0042] 25 In some embodiments, additional calcium-containing abrasives, for example calcium phosphate abrasive, e.g., tricalcium phosphate, hydroxyapatite or dicalcium phosphate dihydrate or calcium pyrophosphate, and / or silica abrasives, sodium metaphosphate, potassium metaphosphate, aluminum silicate, calcined alumina, or other siliceous materials, or combinations thereof are used.

[0043] The composition, particularly if a toothpaste preferably comprises an inorganic or a natural or synthetic thickener or gelling agent in proportions of about 0.10 to about 15% by weight depending on the material chosen. These proportions of thickeners in the dentifrice compositions of the present invention form an extrudable, shape-retaining product which can be 35 squeezed from a tube onto a toothbrush and will not fall between the bristles of the brush butP0001159 CPL

[0044] - 5 -

[0045] rather, will substantially maintain its shape thereon. Suitable thickeners or gelling agents useful in the practice of the present invention include inorganic thickening silicas such as amorphous silicas available from Huber Corporation under the trade designation Zeodent 165, Irish moss, iota-carrageenan, gum tragacanth, and polyvinylpyrrolidone.

[0046] 5

[0047] Further suitable binders and thickeners can be present and include as sodium carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose (Natrosol®), xanthan gum, gum arabic etc. as well as synthetic polymers such as polyacrylates and carboxyvinyl polymers such as Carbopol®.

[0048] Compositions according to the invention may comprise a polymeric deposition aid. Preferably the composition comprises acid anhydride polymers, particularly preferred are co-polymers of maleic anhydride with methyl vinylether, in which the anhydride moiety may be in a partially or fully hydrolysed or alcoholysed form. Preferred copolymers include Gantrez(R) polymers such as:

[0049] 15 Gantrez S-95: molecular weight 216,000; free acid;

[0050] Gantrez S-96: molecular weight 700,000; free acid;

[0051] Gantrez S-97: molecular weight 1,500,000; free acid; and

[0052] Gantrez MS-955: molecular weight 1,060,000; calcium / sodium salt.

[0053] Particularly preferred co-polymers of maleic acid and methyl vinylether have a molecular weight 20 of 1,000,000 or greater and an especially preferred material is Gantrez S-97.

[0054] Compositions according to the invention may comprise a tooth whitening agent. The whitening agent preferably comprises a green and / or a blue pigment. In the context of the present invention a pigment is generally understood to be a shade / material which is insoluble in the relevant medium, at the relevant temperature. This is in contrast to dyes which are soluble. In the context of this invention, the "relevant medium" is human saliva, the liquid medium in which the composition is used, at the temperature of the oral cavity during brushing of the teeth, i.e. up to 37 Degrees C. As a reasonable approximation, the relevant medium may be considered to be water and the relevant temperature to be 25 Degrees C.

[0055] 30

[0056] Preferably the blue pigment is Pigment Blue 15, more preferably Pigment Blue 15:1, 15:2, 15:3, 15:4, 15:5 or 15:6, most preferably 15:1. A preferred pigment is blue pigment is Phthalocyanine Blue Pigment, Cl No. 74160, blue covarine.P0001159 CPL

[0057] - 6 -

[0058] The preferred Green pigment is Phthalocyanine Green, preferably Phthalocyanine Green CI- 74260.

[0059] Preferably the total level of pigment in the composition is from 0.01 wt% to 3 wt, more

[0060] 5 preferably from 0.02 to 2 wt%.

[0061] If the composition is a toothpaste it may be a dual phase paste, with the whitening pigments present in one phase.

[0062] Compositions according to the invention may comprise water-soluble or sparingly water-soluble sources of metal salts Preferred are zinc ions such as zinc chloride, zinc acetate, zinc gluconate, zinc sulphate, zinc fluoride, zinc citrate, zinc lactate, zinc oxide, zinc monoglycerolate, zinc tartrate, zinc pyrophosphate and zinc maleate; also preferred are stannous ions such as stannous fluoride and stannous chloride.

[0063] 15

[0064] Compositions according to the invention may comprise oral care enzyme systems such as hydrogen peroxide producing enzyme systems (e.g. the oxidoreductase enzyme glucose oxidase), amyloglucosidase, dextranase and / or mutanase, (optionally in the presence of zinc ion providing compounds and / or 8- hydroxyquinoline derivatives), lactoperoxidase, lactoferrin, 20 lysozyme and mixtures thereof.

[0065] Compositions of the invention may comprise fluoride sources such as sodium fluoride, stannous fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate, zinc ammonium fluoride, tin ammonium fluoride, calcium fluoride, cobalt ammonium fluoride and mixtures thereof. Fluoride ion sources may be added to the compositions at a level of about 0.001 wt. percent to about 10 wt. percent, e.g., from about 0.003 wt. percent to about 5 wt. percent, 0.01 wt. percent to about 1 wt., or about 0.05 wt. percent. In some embodiment, the stannous fluoride is present in an amount of 0.1 wt. percent to 2 wt. percent (0.1 wt percent -0.6 wt. percent) of the total composition weight.

[0066] Fluoride ion sources may be added to the compositions at a level of about 0.001 wt. percent to 30 about 10 wt. percent, e.g., from about 0.003 wt. percent to about 5 wt. percent, 0.01 wt. percent to about 1 wt., or about 0.05 wt. percent. However, it is to be understood that the weights of fluoride salts to provide the appropriate level of fluoride ion will obviously vary based on the weight of the counter ion in the salt, and one of skill in the art may readily determine such amounts. In some embodiment, the fluoride source is a fluoride salt present in an amount ofP0001159 CPL

[0067] - 7 -

[0068] 0.1 wt. percent to 2 wt. percent (0.1 wt percent -0.6 wt. percent) of the total composition weight (e.g., sodium fluoride (e.g., about 0.32 wt. percent).

[0069] Some embodiments of the invention are free from fluoride sources, that is the composition 5 comprises less than 0.01 wt% of a fluoride source.

[0070] In one embodiment a preferred class of oral care active for inclusion in the compositions of the invention includes agents for the remineralisation of teeth. The term “remineralisation” in the context of the present invention means the in situ generation of hydroxyapatite on teeth.

[0071] A specific example of a suitable agent for the remineralisation of teeth is a mixture of a calcium source and a phosphate source which, when delivered to the teeth results in the in situ generation of hydroxyapatite on teeth.

[0072] 15 Illustrative examples of the types of calcium source that may be used in this context (hereinafter termed “remineralising calcium sources”) include, for example, calcium phosphate, calcium gluconate, calcium oxide, calcium lactate, calcium glycerophosphate, calcium carbonate, calcium hydroxide, calcium sulphate, calcium carboxymethyl cellulose, calcium alginate, calcium salts of citric acid, calcium silicate and mixtures thereof. Preferably the remineralising 20 calcium source is calcium silicate.

[0073] Calcium salts, particularly calcium carbonate can also be used for enamel remineralization. Preferred calcium carbonate has a particle size (D50)) from 0.1 to 3 microns, preferable from 0.5 to 2 microns, more preferably from 0.6 to 1.8 microns.

[0074] 25

[0075] The amount of remineralising calcium source(s) (e.g. calcium silicate) in the composition of the invention typically ranges from 1 to 30%, preferably from 5 to 20% by total weight remineralising calcium source based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0076] 30 Illustrative examples of the types of phosphate source that may be used in this context (hereinafter termed “remineralising phosphate sources”) include, for example, monosodium dihydrogen phosphate, disodium hydrogen phosphate, sodium pyrophosphate, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, potassium dihydrogenphosphate, trisodium phosphate, tripotassium phosphate and mixtures thereof.P0001159 CPL

[0077] - 8 -

[0078] Preferably the remineralising phosphate source is a mixture of trisodium phosphate and sodium dihydrogen phosphate.

[0079] The amount of remineralising phosphate source(s) (e.g. trisodium phosphate and sodium 5 dihydrogen phosphate) in the composition of this invention typically ranges from 2 to 15%, preferably from 4 to 10% by total weight remineralising phosphate source based on the total weight of the oral care composition.

[0080] In some embodiments, the oral care compositions comprise an effective amount of one or more antibacterial agents, for example comprising an antibacterial agent selected from halogenated diphenyl ether (e.g. triclosan), triclosan monophosphate, herbal extracts and essential oils (e.g., rosemary extract, tea extract, magnolia extract, thymol, menthol, eucalyptol, geraniol, carvacrol, citral, hinokitol, magnolol, ursolic acid, ursic acid, catechol, methyl salicylate, epigallocatechin gallate, epigallocatechin, gallic acid, miswak extract, sea-buckthorn extract), bisguanide

[0081] 15 antiseptics (e.g., chlorhexidine, alexidine or octenidine), quaternary ammonium compounds (e.g., cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), CPC-claybenzalkonium chloride, tetradecylpyridinium chloride (TPC), N-tetradecyl-4-ethylpyridinium chloride (TDEPC)), phenolic antiseptics, hexetidine furanones, bacteriocins, ethyllauroyl arginate, arginine bicarbonate, a Camellia extract, a flavonoid, a flavan, halogenated diphenyl ether, creatine, sanguinarine, povidone 20 iodine, delmopinol, salifluor, metal ions (e.g., zinc salts, stannous salts, copper salts, iron salts), propolis and oxygenating agents (e.g., hydrogen peroxide, buffered sodium peroxyborate or peroxycarbonate), phthalic acid and its salts, monoperthalic acid and its salts and esters, ascorbyl stearate, oleoyl sarcosine, alkyl sulfate, dioctyl sulfosuccinate, salicylanilide, domiphen bromide, delmopinol, octapinol and other piperidino derivatives, nisin preparations, chlorite 25 salts; parabens such as methylparaben or propylparaben and mixtures of any of the foregoing.

[0082] One or more additional antibacterial or preservative agents may optionally be present in the composition in a total amount of from about 0.01 wt. percent to about 0.5 wt. percent, optionally about 0.05 wt. percent to about 0.1 wt. percent or about 0.3 percent, by total weight of the composition.

[0083] In some embodiments, the oral care compositions also comprise at least one flavorant, useful for example to enhance taste of the composition. Any orally acceptable natural or synthetic flavorant can be used, including without limitation essential oils and various flavoring aldehydes, esters, alcohols, and similar materials, tea flavors, vanillin, sage, marjoram, parsley oil,

[0084] 35 spearmint oil, cinnamon oil, oil of Wintergreen, peppermint oil, clove oil, bay oil, anise oil,P0001159 CPL

[0085] - 9 -

[0086] eucalyptus oil, citrus oils, fruit oils, sassafras and essences including those derived from lemon, orange, lime, grapefruit, apricot, banana, grape, apple, strawberry, cherry, pineapple, etc., bean-and nut-derived flavors such as coffee, cocoa, cola, peanut, almond, etc., adsorbed and encapsulated flavorants and the like. Also encompassed within flavorants herein are ingredients 5 that provide fragrance and / or other sensory effect in the mouth, including cooling or warming effects. Such ingredients illustratively include menthol, carvone, menthyl acetate, menthyl lactate, camphor, eucalyptus oil, eucalyptol, anethole, eugenol, cassia, oxanone, a-irisone, , thymol, linalool, benzaldehyde, cinnamaldehyde, N-ethyl-p-menthan-3-carboxamine, N, 2, 3- trimethyl-2- isopropylbutanamide, 3- (1-menthoxy) -propane-1, 2-diol, cinnamaldehyde glycerol acetal (CGA), menthone glycerol acetal (MGA) and the like. One or more flavorants are optionally present in a total amount of from about 0.01 wt. percent to about 5 wt. percent, for example, from about 0.03 wt. percent to about 2.5 wt. percent, optionally about 0.05 wt. percent to about 1.5 wt. percent, further optionally about 0.1 wt. percent to about 0.3 wt. percent and in some embodiments in various embodiments from about 0.01 wt. percent to about 1 wt. percent, 15 from about 0.05 to about 2 percent, from about 0.1 percent to about 2.5 percent, and from about 0.1 to about 0.5 percent by total weight of the composition.

[0087] In some embodiments, the oral care compositions comprise at least one sweetener, useful for example to enhance taste of the composition. Sweetening agents among those useful herein 20 include dextrose, polydextrose, sucrose, maltose, dextrin, dried invert sugar, mannose, xylose, ribose, fructose, levulose, galactose, corn syrup, partially hydrolyzed starch, hydrogenated starch hydrolysate, ethanol, sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, maltitol, isomalt, aspartame, neotame, saccharin and salts thereof (e.g. sodium saccharin), sucralose, dipeptide-based intense sweeteners, cyclamates, dihydrochalcones.

[0088] 25

[0089] One or more sweeteners are optionally present in a total amount depending strongly on the particular sweetener (s) selected, but typically 0.005 wt. percent to 5 wt. percent, by total weight of the composition, optionally 0.005 wt. percent to 0.2 wt. percent, further optionally

[0090] 0.05 wt. percent to 0.1 wt. percent by total weight of the composition.

[0091] In some embodiments, the oral care compositions further comprise an agent that interferes with or prevents bacterial attachment, e.g., ethyl lauroyl arginiate (ELA), solbrol or chitosan, as well as plaque dispersing agents such as enzymes (papain, glucoamylase, etc.).

[0092] 35 Mixtures of any of the above described materials may also be used.P0001159 CPL

[0093] The composition according the invention will comprise further ingredients which are common in the art, such as:

[0094] antimicrobial agents, e.g. chlorhexidine, sanguinarine extract, metronidazole, quaternary ammonium compounds, such as cetylpyridinium chloride; cetylpyridium chloride clay complex 5 bis-guanides, such as chlorhexidine digluconate, hexetidine, octenidine, alexidine; and halogenated bisphenolic compounds, such as 2,2' methylenebis-(4-chloro-6-bromophenol); anti-inflammatory agents such as ibuprofen, flurbiprofen, aspirin, indomethacin etc.;

[0095] anti-caries agents such as sodium- and stannous fluoride, aminefluorides, sodium monofluorophosphate, sodium trimeta phosphate and casein;

[0096] plaque buffers such as urea, calcium lactate, calcium glycerophosphate and strontium polyacrylates;

[0097] vitamins such as Vitamins A, C, D, B (preferably B3) and E;

[0098] plant extracts;

[0099] plant-derivable antioxidants such as flavonoid, catechin, polyphenol, and tannin compounds 15 and mixtures thereof;

[0100] desensitising agents, e.g. potassium citrate, potassium chloride, potassium tartrate, potassium bicarbonate, potassium oxalate, potassium nitrate and strontium salts;

[0101] anti-calculus agents, e.g. alkali-metal pyrophosphates, hypophosphite-containing polymers, organic phosphonates and phosphocitrates etc.;

[0102] 20 biomolecules, e.g. bacteriocins, antibodies, enzymes, etc.;

[0103] flavours, e.g. peppermint and spearmint oils;

[0104] proteinaceous materials such as collagen;

[0105] preservatives;

[0106] opacifying agents;

[0107] 25 hyaluronic acid;

[0108] amino acids such as arginine;

[0109] colouring agents;

[0110] pH-adjusting agents;

[0111] sweetening agents;

[0112] mouth feel agents

[0113] pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, e.g. starch, sucrose, water or water / alcohol systems etc.; surfactants, such as anionic, nonionic, cationic and zwitterionic or amphoteric surfactants; Humectants such as glycerol, sorbitol, propyleneglycol, xylitol, lactitol etc.;

[0114] polymeric compounds which can enhance the delivery of active ingredients such as

[0115] 35 antimicrobial agents can also be included;P0001159 CPL

[0116] - 11 -

[0117] buffers and salts to buffer the pH and ionic strength of the oral care composition; and other optional ingredients that may be included are e.g. bleaching agents such as peroxy compounds e.g. potassium peroxydiphosphate, effervescing systems such as sodium bicarbonate / citric acid systems, colour change systems, and so on.

[0118] 5

[0119] Examples according to the invention are illustrated by a number, comparative Examples by a letter.

[0120] Examples

[0121] Actives preparation:

[0122] Actives described below were prepared in a toothpaste chassis (1 in 300 dilution) formulation.

[0123] Table 1 Toothpaste chassis

[0124] 15

[0125]

[0126] Table 2: Test solutions

[0127]

[0128] 25P0001159 CPL

[0129] - 12 -

[0130] Table 3: Concentration of active / actives in toothpaste

[0131]

[0132] 5 Protocol and test results:

[0133] 4 ml of solution of toothpaste containing amino acid (as described above) was added to 5.5ml Inoculum (Streptococcus sanguinis) along with 0.5 ml 160 mM glucose and incubated at 37°C anaerobically. Each sample / combination was carried out in triplicates. After 72hrs, an aliquot of 1 ml of the resulting mix was centrifuged and the supernatant transferred to a fresh vial for 10 measuring pH

[0134] pH was measured using a pH meter with Mettler electrode at 22°C.

[0135] Table 4: pH measured after 72hours of incubation with multi-species salivary bacteria 15 containing different substrates (mean and St Dev), triplicates per sample.

[0136]

[0137] The above in-vitro study demonstrates the synergistic benefit of higher pH or alkali production by multi-species salivary bacteria, with a combination of lysine and arginine at defined ratios.

Claims

P0001159 CPL- 13-CLAIMS1. A toothpaste composition comprising lysine or salt thereof to arginine or salt and thereof claim in which weight the ratio of lysine or salt thereof to arginine or salt thereof is from 10:1 to 1:3.

2. A toothpaste composition according to any preceding claim in which the level of arginine is from 0.1 to 5 wt% of the total composition, preferably from 0.2wt% to 3 wt%.

3. A toothpaste composition according to any preceding claim in which the level of lysine is from 0.1 to 5 wt% of the total composition, preferably from 0.2wt% to 3 wt%.

4. A toothpaste composition according to any preceding claim in which weight the ratio of lysine or salt thereof to arginine or salt thereof is from of 8:1 to 1:2.

5. A toothpaste composition according to any preceding claim in which the weight ratio of lysine or salt thereof to or arginine salt thereof is from 5:1 to 1:1.

6. A toothpaste composition according to any preceding claim that further comprises a silica and / or calcium carbonate abrasive.

7. Antoothpaste composition according to any preceding claim that further comprises an anionic and / or nonionic cleansing surfactant.

8. An oral care composition comprising lysine or salts thereof and arginine salts thereof at a weight ratio of lysine / salt to arginine / salt from 10:1 to 1:3 for use in the treatment and / or mitigation of dental caries.

9. An oral care composition comprising lysine or salts thereof and arginine salts thereof at a weight ratio of lysine / salt to arginine / salt from 10:1 to 1:3 for use in the preparation of a medicament for the treatment and / or mitigation of dental caries.