Oral Care Composition for Arginine-Fluoride Stability and Precipitate Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Combining basic amino acids like arginine with minerals such as fluoride and calcium in oral care products has proven challenging due to issues like insoluble precipitate formation, pH-related irritation, and instability, while lowering pH to neutral or acidic conditions can reduce efficacy and cause container bursting.
Innovation Solution
An oral care composition comprising a salt of a basic amino acid, a soluble fluoride salt, and a particulate material with a pH below 7.5, using non-phosphoric or sulfuric acids like hydrochloric acid or sodium acid pyrophosphate to stabilize the formulation and maintain efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If basic amino acid is combined with fluoride and calcium minerals, then oral care benefits are improved, but insoluble precipitate formation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (acid or base) that mediates between the basic amino acid and the fluoride/calcium minerals. This intermediary acts as a buffer to prevent direct interaction that would cause precipitate formation, while still allowing the beneficial effects of all components to manifest.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pH parameter of the formulation by adding acidic or basic substances. This parameter change modifies the chemical environment to prevent insoluble precipitate formation while maintaining the efficacy of the basic amino acid and mineral components.
2Reliability
If basic amino acid is used to combat cavity formation, then cariogenic bacteria reduction is improved, but pH-related irritation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the pH parameter by incorporating acidic or basic substances to counteract the pH rise caused by basic amino acids. This maintains the anti-cavity benefits while preventing pH-related irritation to oral tissues.
Solution Approach 2:
An acidic or basic intermediary substance is introduced to mediate between the basic amino acid's cavity-fighting properties and the harmful pH rise. This intermediary buffers the pH change, allowing anti-cavity efficacy without irritation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If pH is lowered to neutral or acidic conditions, then container bursting is prevented, but formulation efficacy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes subtle parameter changes in pH while incorporating buffering agents. This allows pH control to prevent container bursting while the buffering capacity maintains the efficacy of the basic amino acid and mineral components.
Solution Approach 2:
A buffering intermediary substance is introduced that mediates between the need to lower pH for container safety and the need to maintain formulation efficacy. This intermediary provides pH control without sacrificing the beneficial effects of the active components.
4Reliability
If arginine bicarbonate is used, then basic amino acid benefits are provided, but carbon dioxide release causes bloating and container bursting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts or removes the bicarbonate component from the arginine salt formulation. By taking out the bicarbonate, the harmful carbon dioxide release is eliminated while the beneficial basic amino acid properties are maintained through alternative salt forms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the unstable arginine bicarbonate with alternative arginine salt forms that do not have the problematic carbon dioxide release issue. These alternative salts provide the same basic amino acid benefits without the harmful byproducts.
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 cariogenic bacteria, remineralizes teeth, and promotes oral and systemic health, including cardiovascular benefits, while maintaining stability and avoiding irritation.
Implementation Method 1
a salt of a basic amino acid, wherein the salt is a salt of: (a) a carboxylic acid or an inorganic acid, wherein the inorganic acid is not phosphoric acid or sulfuric acid
Implementation Method 2
an effective amount of a soluble fluoride salt, e.g., sodium fluoride, stannous fluoride or sodium monofluorophosphate
Implementation Method 3
a particulate material, e.g., natural calcium carbonate (NCC) or dicalcium phosphate, which has a pH in an unbuffered solution of less than about 7.5
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to oral care compositions, for example comprising a salt of a basic amino acid having a pH in solution of less than 7.5, an abrasive having a pH in solution of less than 7.5, and a fluoride ion source, and an acid selected from the group consisting of: a carboxylic acid (e.g., citric acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid, acetic acid, succinic acid, or fumaric acid), and an inorganic acid, wherein the inorganic acid is not phosphoric acid or sulfuric acid (e.g., wherein the inorganic acid is hydrochloric acid or sodium acid pyrophosphate), and to methods of using and of making these compositions.