Arginine-Fluoride Oral Care Composition with Low-Abrasivity Calcium Carbonate

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a stable oral care product that includes basic amino acids and beneficial minerals like fluoride and calcium, with an optimized abrasive system to provide effective cleaning without damaging abrasivity, particularly for individuals with sensitive teeth.

Innovation Solution

An oral care composition comprising a basic amino acid, precipitated calcium carbonate, and fluoride, along with an anionic surfactant and optional additives, which enhances cleaning and remineralization while reducing abrasion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If natural calcium carbonate is used as an abrasive, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but abrasivity increases causing damage to sensitive teeth

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidabrasivity damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of calcium carbonate by using precipitated calcium carbonate with controlled particle size distribution (D10: 0.6-1.7 microns, D50: 3.5-7.0 microns, D90: 7.0-14.5 microns) and specific surface area (5.0-15.0 m²/g), transforming it from a naturally occurring abrasive into a controlled, low-abrasivity cleaning agent that maintains effectiveness while reducing harm to tooth enamel

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite abrasive system combining precipitated calcium carbonate with other components including basic amino acids (arginine), fluoride, and various excipients to form a dentifrice composition that achieves synergistic effects: the precipitated calcium carbonate provides gentle abrasion, while the composite formulation enhances cleaning efficiency and provides additional dental benefits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If basic amino acid and fluoride are used separately, then individual benefits are achieved, but synergistic remineralization effect is not realized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindividual compound effectivenessVSAvoidlack of synergistic effect

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges basic amino acid (arginine) and fluoride into a single dentifrice formulation, creating a synergistic relationship where arginine promotes remineralization by providing calcium and phosphate ions, while fluoride enhances enamel resistance to decay; together they produce a qualitative difference in effectiveness compared to using either compound alone

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Stability of the object's composition

If high water content is used in the composition, then stability is improved, but formulation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveformulation stabilityVSAvoidformulation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for water content (40-45% by weight) and establishes relationships between water content and other formulation parameters such as viscosity modifiers and preservatives, transforming the challenge of high water content into a controlled formulation parameter that ensures stability while maintaining manufacturability

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 effectively inhibits plaque accumulation, reduces acid-producing bacteria, remineralizes teeth, and strengthens enamel without causing damage, providing enhanced oral health benefits.

Implementation Method 1

Precipitated calcium carbonate is more friable and less abrasive than natural calcium carbonate for example, and this can result in less damaging abrasion to enamel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Implementation Method 2

the combination of fluoride and arginine in an oral care product according to particular embodiments of the present invention produces unexpected benefits beyond and qualitatively different from what can be observed using compositions comprising effective amounts of either compound separately, in promoting remineralization

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRemineralization: Deposition (physical)

Implementation Method 3

the presence of small particles in a formulation with arginine and calcium may help plug the microtubules responsible for hypersensitive teeth

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlugging: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 4

The presence of a basic amino acid is also surprisingly found to reduce bacterial adhesion to the tooth surface, particularly when the basic amino acid is provided in combination with an anionic surfactant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion reduction: Surfactant

Data Source

PatentEP3930672B1Oral care product and methods of use and manufacture thereof

Publication Date: 2025.08.20 COLGATE PALMOLIVE CO

AI summary

This invention relates to high-water oral care compositions comprising a basic amino acid or salt thereof, together with a precipitated calcium carbonate, glycerol, and to methods of using and of making these compositions.