Oral Care Composition Fluoride Stability Potassium Citrate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing oral care compositions face challenges in maintaining fluoride stability, particularly when exposed to higher temperatures, which affects their efficacy in providing anticaries benefits and reducing tooth hypersensitivity.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating particulate hydroxyapatite, a source of fluoride, a silica-based abrasive, and potassium citrate in oral care compositions to enhance fluoride stability and desensitizing benefits, with potassium citrate being a key additive that stabilizes fluoride and potentially enhances desensitizing effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fluoride is included in oral care compositions for anticaries benefits and desensitizing properties, then therapeutic efficacy is improved, but fluoride stability deteriorates especially at higher temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluoride stabilityVSAvoidtemperature stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses hydroxyapatite as an intermediary substance that binds fluoride ions, creating a stable reservoir that releases fluoride slowly. This mediator protects the fluoride from direct interaction with temperature-induced degradation while maintaining its therapeutic availability over time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite system combining hydroxyapatite particles with fluoride salts, forming a stable integrated structure. This composite material leverages the thermal stability of hydroxyapatite to protect the temperature-sensitive fluoride component, resolving the contradiction between maintaining fluoride efficacy and ensuring temperature stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If complex fluoride salts like sodium monofluorophosphate are used for enhanced stability, then fluoride stability improves, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluoride stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes parameters including the ratio of hydroxyapatite to fluoride salt, particle size distribution of hydroxyapatite (0.5-15 microns), and pH buffering capacity to achieve stable fluoride release. By carefully controlling these parameters, the formulation achieves high stability while remaining manufacturable through standard processes.

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 inclusion of potassium citrate in oral care compositions with hydroxyapatite and fluoride sources results in improved fluoride stability and retention, especially at elevated temperatures, maintaining effective anticaries benefits and desensitizing properties over time.

Implementation Method 1

The inclusion of potassium citrate in oral care compositions with hydroxyapatite and fluoride sources results in improved fluoride stability and retention, especially at elevated temperatures

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical stabilization:

Implementation Method 2

an oral care composition comprising particulate hydroxyapatite, a source of fluoride

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 3

a silica based abrasive

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentEP2349187B1Oral care composition
Publication Date: 2017.09.06 UNILEVER NV

AI summary

An oral care composition comprising particulate hydroxyapatite, a source of fluoride, a source of potassium cations, and a source of citrate anions. The presence of potassium citrate increases the stability of fluoride in an oral care composition also comprising hydroxyapatite.