Dentinal desensitizing dentifrice providing enhanced remineralization and anticaries benefits

Abstract

A dental composition which eliminates or substantially reduces the discomfort and pain associated with dentinal hypersensitivity and exhibits enhanced anticaries and remineralization benefits which composition contains a fluoride ion and a potassium ion releasable salt and has a pH in the range of about 8 to about 9.9, the pH being buffered with phosphate salt.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A dental composition which eliminates or substantially reduces the discomfort and pain associated with dentinal hypersensitivity and exhibits enhanced anticaries and remineralization benefits which composition comprises a fluoride ion and a potassium ion releasable salt, the composition having a pH in the range of about 7.5 to about 9, the pH being buffered with an alkali metal phosphate salt, whereby application to teeth requiring relief from dentine hypersensitivity results in heightened desensitization as well as heightened tooth fluoridation and remineralization.  
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the potassium ion releasable salt is potassium nitrate.  
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the fluoride releasable salt present in the composition delivers a fluoride ion concentration of about 1100 to about 8800 ppm.  
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the fluoride ion releasable salt is sodium fluoride.  
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the pH is buffered with a sodium phosphate salt.  
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the pH is buffered with a combination of sodium mono and di-basic phosphate salts.  
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the alkali metal phosphate salt is present in the composition at a concentration of about 1.0 to about 10% by weight.  
     
     
         8 . A method for eliminating or reducing the discomfort and pain associated with dentinal hypersensitivity concomitant with enhancing tooth remineralization and reducing the occurrence of caries, which method comprises preparing a dentifrice having a pH buffered with a phosphate salt in the range of about 7.5 to about 9.0 and containing a desensitizing potassium ion releasable salt and a fluoride ion releasable salt, dispensing the composition for application to teeth requiring relief from dentine hypersensitivity and thereafter applying the composition to the teeth whereby heightened tooth desensitization, enhanced tooth remineralization and increased fluoride uptake is experienced by the user.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the potassium ion releasable salt is potassium nitrate.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the fluoride salt present in the composition delivers a fluoride ion concentration of about 1100 to about 8800 ppm.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the fluoride ion releasable salt is sodium fluoride.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the alkaline dentifrice component is an aqueous dentifrice having a pH of about 9 to about 11.  
     
     
         13 . A two component dental composition which eliminates or substantially reduces the discomfort and pain associated with dentinal hypersensitivity which composition comprises a first dentifrice component having a neutral pH in the range of about 6.5 to 7.5, the pH being buffered with a phosphate salt, a second dentifrice component having an alkaline pH in the range of about 8.0 to about 9.9, and at least one of the components containing a fluoride ion or potassium ion releasable salt, the first and second components being maintained separate from each other until dispensed and combined for application to teeth requiring relief from dentine hypersensitivity, whereby heightened desensitization enhanced remineralization and increased fluoride uptake is experienced by the user.  
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 13  wherein each component contains a fluoride ion and a potassium ion releasable salt.  
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 13  wherein the potassium ion releasable salt is potassium nitrate.  
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 13  wherein the fluoride salt present in the dual component composition delivers a fluoride ion concentration of about 2500 to about 8800 ppm.  
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 13  wherein the fluoride ion releasable salt is sodium fluoride.  
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 13  wherein the alkaline dentifrice component is an aqueous dentifrice having a pH of about 8.0 to about 9.9.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the pH of the neutral pH dentifrice component is buffered with a sodium phosphate salt.  
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 13  wherein the pH of the alkaline dentifrice component is adjusted with sodium hydroxide.  
     
     
         21 . The method for eliminating or reducing the discomfort and pain associated with dentinal hypersensitivity which comprises preparing (1) a first dentifrice component having a neutral pH buffered with a phosphate salt in the range of about 6.5 to about 7.5 and (2) a second dentifrice component having an alkaline pH in the range of about 8.0 to about 9.9, at least one of the components containing a desensitizing potassium ion releasable salt and a fluoride ion releasable salt, separately housing the first and second components, dispensing the first and second components and combining the dispensed components for application to teeth requiring relief from dentine hypersensitivity and thereafter applying the combined components to the teeth whereby heightened desensitization is experienced by the user.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein each component contains a fluoride ion and a potassium ion releasable salt.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the potassium ion releasable salt is potassium nitrate.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the fluoride salt present in the composition delivers a fluoride ion concentration of about 1100 to about 8800 ppm.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the fluoride ion releasable salt is sodium fluoride.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the alkaline dentifrice component is an aqueous dentifrice having a pH of about 8.0 to about 9.9.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the pH of the alkaline dentifrice component is adjusted with sodium hydroxide.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the pH of the neutral pH dentifrice is buffered with a sodium phosphate salt.