Anti-calculus Oral Compositions with Calcium-Catching Phosphate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Calcium-containing abrasives in oral compositions can reduce the efficacy of anti-calculus agents by complexing with pyrophosphate or phosphate ions, limiting their ability to inhibit dental calculus formation effectively.

Innovation Solution

An oral composition comprising a calcium-containing abrasive, a calcium-catching phosphate source providing at least 100 mM of phosphate ions, and a pH range of 8 to 11, which deactivates the phosphate source as insoluble on the shelf but activates it to capture calcium ions upon use, enhancing anti-calculus efficacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If calcium-containing abrasives are used in oral compositions, then cleaning efficacy is improved, but anti-calculus efficacy decreases due to complexation with phosphate ions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning efficacyVSAvoidanti-calculus efficacy
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating a calcium-blocking agent that preemptively binds to calcium ions before they can complex with phosphate ions. This prevents the harmful interaction between calcium-containing abrasives and anti-calculus agents, allowing both cleaning and anti-calculus functions to work effectively simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The calcium-blocking agent serves as an intermediary substance that intervenes in the interaction between calcium ions and phosphate ions. By blocking calcium ions, this intermediary prevents the formation of calcium phosphate complexes that would otherwise reduce anti-calculus efficacy, thus resolving the contradiction between cleaning and anti-calculus functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If calcium-blocking agents are added to maintain anti-calculus efficacy, then anti-calculus performance is preserved, but formulation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-calculus performanceVSAvoidformulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by adjusting the pH of the oral composition to optimize the performance of the calcium-blocking agent. By controlling pH within a specific range, the formulation enhances the ability of the calcium-blocking agent to bind calcium ions effectively, thereby maintaining anti-calculus performance while managing formulation complexity through pH optimization rather than adding multiple complex components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The composition achieves effective anti-calculus benefits despite low soluble calcium-catching phosphate concentrations, providing improved cleaning efficacy and inhibiting calculus formation without the limitations of traditional calcium-containing abrasives.

Implementation Method 1

This approach prevents the calculus from forming and/or breaks down mature calculus through the removal of calcium. There are a number of chelating agents that are well-known as being effective for this purpose, such as for example, pyrophosphate salts and polyphosphates.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChelation:

Implementation Method 2

the calcium-containing abrasive is selected from the group consisting of calcium carbonate, dicalcium phosphate, tricalcium phosphate, calcium orthophosphate, calcium metaphosphate, calcium polyphosphate, calcium oxyapatite and combinations thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPrecipitation: Precipitation

Data Source

PatentUS10149803B2Anti-calculus oral compositions
Publication Date: 2018.12.11 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

The present invention provides an oral composition comprising: (a) from 1 wt % to 60 wt % of a calcium-containing abrasive; (b) a calcium-catching phosphate source in an amount sufficient to provide at least 100 mM of phosphate ions, PO43−; (c) no more than 20 wt % of a humectant; and (d) at least 5 wt % of water; wherein the oral composition has a pH from 8 to 11.