Oral care composition

Abstract

A non-aqueous toothpaste composition comprising: a) calcium peroxide b) a source of fluoride c) sodium bicarbonate and sodium carbonate and; d) silica abrasive; e) less than 3 wt% of the total composition of water; in which the weight ratio of sodium bicarbonate to sodium carbonate is from 1.1:1 to 5:2.

Description

[0001] P0001260 CPL

[0002] 1

[0003] ORAL CARE COMPOSITION

[0004] Field of the Invention

[0005] 5 The present invention relates to oral care compositions, in oral care compositions that comprise bleaching agents.

[0006] Background of the Invention

[0007] It is desirable to incorporate peroxide compounds into certain types of oral care whitening compositions. Peroxide compounds whiten the teeth by bleaching and cleansing them. A problem encountered with dentifrices formulated with peroxide compounds is that they tend to exhibit poor long-term stability and availability of bioavailable fluoride on storage, particularly at higher temperatures. This stability problem can lead to a product with an in-adequate shelf life and poor fluoride availability in the paste.

[0008] 15

[0009] US5565190 discloses that the stability of dentifrice compositions comprising calcium peroxide and low levels of water is substantially improved by incorporating an effective stabilizing amount of an alkali metal compound.

[0010] 20 US4897258 discloses an anhydrous dentifrice containing calcium peroxide and sodium bicarbonate wherein the anhydrous state of the dentifrice is said to prevents reaction between the ingredients.

[0011] There remains the need for a toothpaste comprising calcium peroxide that remains stable on 25 storage, particularly in respect to the available fluoride in the composition.

[0012] Summary of the Invention

[0013] The present invention relates to a nonaqueous toothpaste composition comprising

[0014] a) calcium peroxide

[0015] b) a source of fluoride

[0016] c) sodium bicarbonate and sodium carbonate and;

[0017] d) silica abrasive;

[0018] e) less than 3 wt% of the total composition of water;

[0019] in which the weight ratio of sodium bicarbonate to sodium carbonate is from 1.1:1 to 5:2

[0020] 35P0001260 CPL

[0021] 2

[0022] Further disclosed is a method of whitening the teeth comprising the step of applying a nonaqueous toothpaste as described above to the teeth.

[0023] The invention also relates to the use of a non-aqueous toothpaste composition described above 5 for whitening the teeth.

[0024] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0025] 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”.

[0026] All amounts are by weight of the composition, unless otherwise specified.

[0027] It should be noted that in specifying any ranges of values, any upper value can be associated 15 with any particular lower value.

[0028] Unless stated otherwise all measurements and parameters are taken or cited at a temperature of 20°C.

[0029] 20 Where a feature is disclosed with respect to a particular aspect of the invention (for example a 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.

[0030] Any ingredients mentioned in this application that are natural or naturally derived have been 25 sourced from Europe.

[0031] 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.

[0032] In addition to whitening the composition of the invention is preferably used to clean the surfaces of the oral cavity.

[0033] 35P0001260 CPL

[0034] 3

[0035] The composition of the invention is in the form of a toothpaste. The term "toothpaste" denotes an oral composition which is used to clean the surfaces of the oral cavity. Such a composition is 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 5 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. Preferably the dentifrice / toothpaste is in the form of an extrudable semi-solid such as a cream, paste or gel (or mixture thereof).

[0036] The composition of the invention is non-aqueous. By “non-aqueous” it is meant that water is not deliberately added to the composition in any significant quantity. However, the term “nonaqueous” does not mean that small amounts of water cannot be present, for example as a consequence of its association with hygroscopic raw materials. Accordingly, for the purposes of this invention, the term “non-aqueous” generally means that water is present in an amount no 15 greater than 3%, more preferably no greater than 1%, most preferably no greater than 0.5 % by weight based on the total weight of the composition.

[0037] Compositions according to the invention comprise calcium peroxide preferably the level of calcium peroxide is from 0.05 to 1.5 wt% of the total composition preferably 0.15 to 1 wt%. 20

[0038] Compositions according to the invention comprise sodium bicarbonate, preferably the level of sodium bicarbonate is from 0.1 to 3 wt% more preferably from 0.3 to 2 wt%.of the total composition.

[0039] 25 The total level of alkali metal carbonate is from 0.1 to 10 wt% of the total composition, preferably 0.2 to 5 wt% more preferably from 0.3 to 3 wt%. The weight ratio of sodium bicarbonate to sodium carbonate is from 1.1:1 to 5:2, preferably from 1.3:1 to 2:1.

[0040] Preferably the weight ratio of calcium to peroxide to alkali metal carbonate is preferably from 3:1 to 1:5, more preferably from 2:1 to 1:.3.

[0041] Preferably the weight ratio of calcium to peroxide to sodium bicarbonate is from 1:1 to 1:3.

[0042] Compositions of the invention comprise fluoride sources preferably as sodium fluoride,

[0043] 35 stannous fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate, zinc ammonium fluoride, tin ammonium fluoride, calcium fluoride, cobalt ammonium fluoride and mixtures thereof. SodiumP0001260 CPL

[0044] 4

[0045] monofluorophosphate is preferred. Fluoride ion sources may be added to the compositions at a level source is present preferably from 0.1 wt% to 10 wt.% of the total composition, more preferably from 0.3 wt% to 5 wt%, most preferably from 0.7 wt% to 2wt%.,

[0046] 5 In some embodiments stannous fluoride may be present in an amount of 0.1 wt. percent to 2 wt.

[0047] percent (0.1 wt percent -0.6 wt. percent) of the total composition weight.

[0048] 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. 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.

[0049] 15 Compositions according to the invention comprise particulate abrasive silica preferably in amounts from 3 and 50% by weight of the total composition, more preferably from 3 to 40 wt% of the total composition most preferably from 5 to 20 wt%.

[0050] In terms of the present application the abrasive silica preferably has an abrasivity (RDA) of 20 greater than 60, more preferably greater than 100, most preferably greater than 150.

[0051] (Abrasivity is measured in a toothpaste composition at 8wt% of the total composition.) 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 25 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. 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, AC33 ex PQ Corporation (having an R.l. of approximately 1.440) Spherilex 148.

[0052] Preferably thickening silica is present at levels of less 0.5wt% of the total composition,

[0053] 35 preferably less than 0.1wt%.ln terms of the present application the term thickening silica relatesP0001260 CPL

[0054] 5

[0055] to silica having an abrasivity (RDA) of less than 30, preferably it has a bulk density of less than 100 g / L and a linseed oil absorption of greater than 200 ml / 100g.

[0056] The composition preferably comprises an organic thickener or gelling agent, preferably

[0057] 5 carrageenan. The carrageenan may be iota, kappa carrageenan or mixtures thereof, preferably present at levels from 0.05 to 2 wt% of the total composition, more preferably from 0.1 to 1 wt%.

[0058] 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.

[0059] These proportions of thickeners in the dentifrice compositions of the present invention form an extrudable, shape-retaining product which can be squeezed from a tube onto a toothbrush and will not fall between the bristles of the brush but rather, will substantially maintain its shape 15 thereon.

[0060] Further suitable binders and thickeners can be present and include a Irish moss, gum tragacanth, and polyvinylpyrrolidone, sodium carboxymethyl-cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose (Natrosol®), xanthan gum, gum arabic etc. as well as synthetic polymers such as polyacrylates 20 and carboxyvinyl polymers such as Carbopol®.

[0061] Compositions of the invention may further comprises a liquid polyethylene glycol, preferably having a weight average molecule weight (MW) below 500. If present it is preferred if the level of liquid polyethylene glycol is froml to 10 wt% of the total composition.

[0062] 25

[0063] 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:

[0064] Gantrez S-95: molecular weight 216,000; free acid;

[0065] Gantrez S-96: molecular weight 700,000; free acid;

[0066] Gantrez S-97: molecular weight 1,500,000; free acid; and

[0067] Gantrez MS-955: molecular weight 1,060,000; calcium / sodium salt.

[0068] 35 Particularly preferred co-polymers of maleic acid and methyl vinylether have a molecular weight of 1,000,000 or greater and an especially preferred material is Gantrez S-97.P0001260 CPL

[0069] 6

[0070] 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 5 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.

[0071] 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.

[0072] The preferred Green pigment is Phthalocyanine Green, preferably Phthalocyanine Green CI- 15 74260.

[0073] Preferably the total level of pigment in the composition is from 0.01 wt% to 3 wt, more preferably from 0.02 to 2 wt%.

[0074] 20 If the composition is a toothpaste it may be a dual phase paste, with the whitening pigments present in one phase.

[0075] 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

[0076] 25 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.

[0077] 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, lysozyme and mixtures thereof.

[0078] 35 Some embodiments of the invention are free from fluoride sources, that is the composition comprises less than 0.01 wt% of a fluoride source.P0001260 CPL

[0079] 7

[0080] 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.

[0081] 5 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.

[0082] 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 calcium source is calcium silicate. In a preferred embodiment calcium silicate is also present 15 as a suitable thickener.

[0083] 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 form 0.6 to 1.8 microns.

[0084] 20

[0085] The amount of 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 the oral care composition.

[0086] 25 Illustrative examples of the types of phosphate source that may be used in this context, for the purpose of remineralistion rather than stability(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. Preferably the remineralising phosphate source is a mixture of trisodium phosphate and sodium dihydrogen phosphate.

[0087] The amount of remineralising phosphate source(s) (e.g. trisodium phosphate and sodium dihydrogen phosphate) in the composition of this invention typically ranges from 2 to 15%, 35 preferably from 4 to 10% by total weight remineralising phosphate source based on the total weight of the oral care composition. These levels are for the added benefit of remineralization.P0001260 CPL

[0088] 8

[0089] 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, 5 citral, hinokitol, magnolol, ursolic acid, ursicacid, catechol, methyl salicylate, epigallocatechin gallate, epigallocatechin, gallic acid, miswak extract, sea-buckthorn extract), bisguanide 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 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, 15 ascorbyl stearate, oleoyl sarcosine, alkyl sulfate, dioctyl sulfosuccinate, salicylanilide, domiphen bromide, delmopinol, octapinol and other piperidino derivatives, nisin preparations, chlorite salts; parabens such as methylparaben or propylparaben and mixtures of any of the foregoing. 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 20 about 0.05 wt. percent to about 0.1 wt. percent or about 0.3 percent, by total weight of the composition.

[0090] 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 25 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, spearmint oil, cinnamon oil, oil of Wintergreen, peppermint oil, clove oil, bay oil, anise oil, 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 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, , 35 thymol, linalool, benzaldehyde, cinnamaldehyde, N-ethyl-p-menthan-3-carboxamine, N, 2, 3- trimethyl-2- isopropylbutanamide, 3- (1-menthoxy) -propane-1, 2-diol, cinnamaldehyde glycerolP0001260 CPL

[0091] 9

[0092] 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 5 some embodiments in various embodiments from about 0.01 wt. percent to about 1 wt. percent, 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.

[0093] 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 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

[0094] 15 sweeteners, cyclamates, dihydrochalcones.

[0095] 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

[0096] 20 0.05 wt. percent to 0.1 wt. percent by total weight of the composition.

[0097] 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.).

[0098] 25

[0099] Mixtures of any of the above described materials may also be used.

[0100] The composition according the invention will comprise further ingredients which are common in the art, such as:

[0101] antimicrobial agents, e.g. chlorhexidine, sanguinarine extract, metronidazole, quaternary ammonium compounds, such as cetylpyridinium chloride; cetylpyridium chloride clay complex 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.;

[0102] 35 anti-caries agents such as sodium- and stannous fluoride, aminefluorides, sodium monofluorophosphate, sodium trimeta phosphate and casein;P0001260 CPL

[0103] 10

[0104] plaque buffers such as urea, calcium lactate, calcium glycerophosphate and strontium polyacrylates;

[0105] vitamins such as Vitamins A, C, D, B (preferably B3) and E;

[0106] plant extracts;

[0107] 5 plant-derivable antioxidants such as flavonoid, catechin, polyphenol, and tannin compounds and mixtures thereof;

[0108] desensitising agents, e.g. potassium citrate, potassium chloride, potassium tartrate, potassium bicarbonate, potassium oxalate, potassium nitrate and strontium salts;

[0109] anti-calculus agents, e.g. alkali-metal pyrophosphates, hypophosphite-containing polymers, organic phosphonates and phosphocitrates etc.;

[0110] biomolecules, e.g. bacteriocins, antibodies, enzymes, etc.;

[0111] flavours, e.g. peppermint and spearmint oils;

[0112] proteinaceous materials such as collagen;

[0113] preservatives;

[0114] 15 opacifying agents;

[0115] hyaluronic acid;

[0116] amino acids such as arginine;

[0117] colouring agents;

[0118] pH-adjusting agents;

[0119] 20 sweetening agents;

[0120] mouth feel agents

[0121] pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, e.g. starch, sucrose, etc.;

[0122] surfactants, such as anionic, nonionic, cationic and zwitterionic or amphoteric surfactants; Humectants such as glycerol, sorbitol, propyleneglycol, xylitol, lactitol etc.;

[0123] 25 polymeric compounds which can enhance the delivery of active ingredients such as antimicrobial agents can also be included;

[0124] 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.

[0125] The invention will now be illustrated by the following non-limiting Examples. Examples according to the invention will be illustrated by a number, comparative Examples by a letter.

[0126] 35P0001260 CPL

[0127] 11

[0128] Examples

[0129] The following Examples in Table 1 were prepared and the fluoride content measured after storage.

[0130] 5 Table 1

[0131]

[0132] abrasive silica, is 186.

[0133] 10 The Example of the invention retains more active fluoride after storage than the comparative Example.

Claims

P0001260 CPL12CLAIMS1. A non-aqueous toothpaste composition comprisinga) calcium peroxideb) a source of fluoridec) sodium bicarbonate and sodium carbonate and;d) silica abrasive;e) less than 3 wt% of the total composition of water;in which the weight ratio of sodium bicarbonate to sodium carbonate is from 1.1:1 to 5:2.

2. A non-aqueous toothpaste composition according to claiml in which the weight ratio of sodium bicarbonate to sodium carbonate is from 1.3:1 to 2:1.

3. A non-aqueous toothpaste composition according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the toothpaste further comprises carrageenan.

4. A non-aqueous toothpaste according to any preceding claim in which the level of sodium bicarbonate is from 0.1 to 3 wt% preferably from 0.3 to 2 wt%.of the total composition.

5. A non-aqueous toothpaste composition according to any preceding claim in which the level of calcium peroxide is from 0.05 to 1.5 wt% of the total composition preferably 0.15 to 1 wt%.

6. A non-aqueous toothpaste composition according to any preceding claim I which the weight ratio of calcium to peroxide to sodium bicarbonate is from 1:1 to 1:3.

7. A non-aqueous toothpaste composition according to any preceding claim in which the source of fluoride is sodium monofluorophosphate.

8. A non-aqueous toothpaste composition according to any preceding claim in which the fluoride source is from 0.1wt% to 10 wt.% of the total composition, preferably from 0.3 wt% to 5 wt%, more preferably from 0.7 wt% to 2wt%.

9. A non-aqueous toothpaste composition according to any of claims 2 to 7 in which the level of carrageenan is from 0.05 to 2 wt% of the total composition, preferably from 0.1 toP0001260 CPL1310. A non-aqueous toothpaste composition according to any preceding claim that further comprises calcium silicate.

11. A non-aqueous toothpaste composition according to any preceding claim that further comprises a liquid polyethylene glycol.

12. A non-aqueous toothpaste composition according to claim 12 in which the liquid polyethylene glycol has a molecule weight (MW) below 500.

13. A non-aqueous toothpaste composition according to any preceding claim that comprising less than 0.1 wt% of thickening silica having an abrasivity (RDA) of less than 30.

14. A non-aqueous toothpaste composition according to any preceding claim in which the level of abrasive silica is from 1 to 20 wt% of the total composition preferably from 2 to 10 wt%.

15. A method of whitening the teeth comprising the step of applying a non-aqueous toothpaste as described in any previous claim to the teeth.

16. Use of a non-aqueous toothpaste composition described in any previous claim for whitening the teeth.

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