A complex consisting of
lipoic acid or a salt thereof, a chelating agent such as a salt of
ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) or analogous compounds and an ester of
ascorbic acid with long-chain fatty acids, in particular ascorbyl palmitate inhibits the pigmentation of teeth induced by
chlorhexidine and salts thereof. In addition to the depigmenting complex, the formulations of the invention, in the form of gels, mouthwashes, toothpastes or periodontal sprays, may contain other ingredients such as
hyaluronic acid or
hyaluronates, glycerophosphocholine, sweeteners, flavourings, buffering agents, viscosifying agents, mucoadhesive and filming agents, solvents, co-solvents, surfactants.