Oral Care Composition Abrasivity Reduction via Polymer Mediator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Oral care compositions face a challenge in balancing effective cleaning of teeth surfaces while minimizing abrasivity to prevent damage, particularly when used on natural teeth and softer artificial materials like acrylic resin.
Innovation Solution
The composition incorporates a silica abrasive, a non-ionic surfactant such as polyethylene glycol ethers of fatty alcohols, and a high molecular weight poly(ethylene oxide) polymer, specifically Polyox WSR301, to reduce abrasivity while maintaining cleaning efficacy, suitable for use on bridgework and artificial teeth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the abrasivity of the composition is increased to improve cleaning efficiency, then the removal of stains, plaque and food debris is enhanced, but the risk of damage to tooth surfaces and artificial teeth increases
Solution Approach 1:
A polymer compound is introduced as an intermediary substance that modifies the interaction between the abrasive particles and the tooth surfaces. The polymer forms a protective layer or modifies the abrasive particle surface properties, enabling effective cleaning while reducing direct mechanical damage to both natural teeth and artificial teeth materials such as acrylic resin.
2Productivity
If a silica abrasive is used to maintain cleaning properties, then effective removal of extrinsic stains is achieved, but the composition becomes too abrasive for use on artificial teeth and bridgework
Solution Approach 1:
The composition employs a composite approach by combining silica abrasive particles with a polymer compound. This composite system maintains the cleaning efficacy of silica while the polymer modifier reduces the harmful abrasivity, making the composition suitable for use on both natural teeth and softer artificial dental materials.
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 solution effectively decreases abrasivity while maintaining satisfactory cleaning properties, as demonstrated by reduced RDA values in formulations with silica abrasive, and is gentle enough for use on both natural and artificial teeth surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a poly(ethylene oxide) polymer having a molecular weight (Mn) 300,000 or greater... for mitigating the abrasivity of a toothpaste
Implementation Method 2
The present invention provides an oral care composition comprising a silica abrasive, non-ionic surfactant... and a poly(ethylene oxide) polymer... to reduce abrasivity while maintaining cleaning efficacy
Implementation Method 3
non-ionic surfactant comprising a polyethylene glycol ethers of fatty alcohols
Implementation Method 4
non-ionic surfactant comprising a polyethylene glycol ethers of fatty alcohols
Implementation Method 5
Abrasives for use in oral care compositions such as dentitrices, are required to be effective in removing extrinsic stains, dental plaque and food debris... The oral care composition comprises an abrasive silica
Data Source
AI summary
An oral care composition comprising a silica abrasive, non-ionic surfactant and a poly(ethylene oxide) polymer having a molecular weight (Mn) 300,000 or greater.