Compositions comprising a potassium salt active ingredient, including oral compositions for reducing dental nerve and dentin sensitivity comprising a non-menthol flavoring

Abstract

The subject invention provides a detergent composition comprising an effective amount of a soluble potassium salt, a sodium (C 8 -C 24 ) alkylsulfate in an amount effective to remove or loosen debris and/or stains from a surface, and a polar surfactant, said surfactant comprising a hydrophobic portion selected from a (C 6 -C 30 ) alkyl group and a polymeric silicone group, wherein the molar ratio of the surfactant to the sodium (C 8 -C 24 ) alkylsulfate is greater than or equal to about 1:1. Detergent compositions of the invention include oral compositions for removing and loosening plaque and/or stains from a dental surface and oral compositions for reducing dental nerve and/or dentin sensitivity. The subject invention further provides an oral composition for reducing dental nerve and/or dentin sensitivity comprising an effective amount of an ingredient that possesses activity in reducing dental nerve and/or dentin sensitivity, an orally-acceptable vehicle, and a flavoring that does not contain a substantial amount of menthol in an amount effective to provide flavor to said composition. The subject invention also provides a mint flavoring that does not comprise a substantial amount of menthol, said mint flavoring being either a dementholated natural mint extract or a synthetic blend.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An oral composition comprising: 
 a) from about 0.01% by weight to about 20% by weight of an orally-acceptable, soluble potassium salt;    b) from about 0.01% by weight to about 10% by weight of a sodium (C 8 -C 24 ) alkylsulfate;    c) from about 0.01% by weight to about 20% by weight of an orally-acceptable polar surfactant, said surfactant comprising a hydrophobic portion selected from the group consisting of a (C 6 -C 30 ) alkyl group and a polymeric silicone group; and    d) an orally-acceptable aqueous vehicle:    wherein the molar ratio of the surfactant of (c) to the sodium (C 8 -C 24 ) alkylsulfate is greater than or equal to about 1:1.    
     
     
         2 . An oral composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the surfactant of (c) is selected from the group consisting of a (C 6 -C 30 ) fatty acid mono or diester of ethoxylated sorbitan, a (C 6 -C 30 ) fatty acid diester of polyethylene glycol, a sodium salt of a (C 6 -C 30 ) fatty acyl sarcosinate, a (C 6 -C 30 ) fatty acyl ester of sarcosine acid, a sodium salt of a (C 6 -C 30 ) fatty acyl taurate, a sodium salt of a (C 6 -C 30 ) fatty acyl methyltaurate, a (C 6 -C 30 ) fatty acyl ester of taurine, a (C 6 -C 30 ) fatty acyl ester of methyltaurine acid, a (C 6 -C 30 ) fatty acyl betaine, and a (C 6 -C 30 ) fatty acyl quaternary ammonium chloride.  
     
     
         3 . An oral composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the surfactant of (c) is selected from the group consisting of a dimethicone copolyol, a sodium dimethicone copolyol acetyl methyltaurate, a dimethicone copolyol myristyl ammonium chloride, and a dimethicone copolyol phosphate.  
     
     
         4 . An oral composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the soluble potassium salt of the composition comprises a potassium pyrophosphate salt in an amount effective, optionally in combination with other pyrophosphate salts, to remove or loosen plaque and/or stains when the composition is orally applied to a dental surface.  
     
     
         5 . An oral composition according to  claim 4 , in the form of an oral rinse.  
     
     
         6 . An oral composition according to  claim 4 , in the form of a dentifrice.  
     
     
         7 . An oral composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the soluble potassium salt of the composition comprises soluble potassium salt that possesses activity in reducing dental nerve and/or dentin sensitivity in an amount effective to reduce dental nerve and/or dentin sensitivity when the composition is orally applied to a dental surface.  
     
     
         8 . An oral composition according to  claim 7 , wherein the soluble potassium salt that possesses activity in reducing dental nerve and/or dentin sensitivity is potassium nitrate.  
     
     
         9 . An oral composition according to  claim 7 , in the form of a dentifrice.  
     
     
         10 . An oral composition according to  claim 9 , in the form of a gel.  
     
     
         11 . An oral composition according to  claim 7 , further comprising a flavoring that does not comprise a substantial amount of menthol.  
     
     
         12 . An oral composition according to  claim 11 , wherein the flavoring that does not comprise a substantial amount of menthol is a mint flavoring.  
     
     
         13 . An oral composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the soluble potassium salt is selected from the group consisting of a potassium pyrophosphate salt, potassium nitrate, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         14 . An oral composition for reducing dental nerve and/or dentin sensitivity comprising an effective amount of an ingredient that possesses activity in reducing dental nerve and/or dentin sensitivity, an orally-acceptable vehicle, and a flavoring that does not contain a substantial amount of menthol in an amount effective to provide flavor to the composition.  
     
     
         15 . An oral composition according to  claim 14  wherein the ingredient possessing activity in reducing dental nerve and/or dentin sensitivity is a soluble potassium salt.  
     
     
         16 . An oral composition according to  claim 15 , wherein the soluble potassium salt is potassium nitrate.  
     
     
         17 . An oral composition according to  claim 14  wherein the ingredient possessing activity in reducing dental nerve and or dentin sensitivity is selected from the group consisting of potassium nitrate; potassium citrate; potassium chloride; potassium oxalate; potassium bicarbonate; dipotassium pyrophospate; tetrapotassium pyrophospate; tripotassium pyrophosphate; monopotassium pyrophosphate; potassium phosphate; monobasic potassium phosphate; dibasic potassium phosphate; tribasic potassium phoshphate; a soluble stannus salt; a soluble strontuim salt, for example strontuim chloride; and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         18 . An oral composition according to  claim 14 , wherein the flavoring does not contain a mint flavoring.  
     
     
         19 . An oral composition according to  claim 18 , wherein the flavoring comprises a clove, cinnamon, anise, sassafras, bubble gum, or fruit flavoring.  
     
     
         20 . An oral composition according to  claim 14 , wherein the flavoring comprises a dementholated natural peppermint extract.  
     
     
         21 . An oral composition according to  claim 14 , wherein the flavoring comprises a synthetic blend.  
     
     
         22 . An oral composition according to  claim 21 , wherein the flavoring comprises a mint flavoring.  
     
     
         23 . An oral composition according to  claim 22 , wherein the flavoring comprises a peppermint flavoring.  
     
     
         24 . A mint flavoring that does not comprise a substantial amount of menthol, said mint flavoring being either a dementholated natural mint extract or a synthetic blend.  
     
     
         25 . An aqueous detergent composition comprising an effective amount of a soluble potassium salt, a sodium (C 8 -C 24 ) alkylsulfate in an amount effective to remove or loosen debris and/or stains from a surface, and a polar surfactant, said polar surfactant comprising a hydrophobic portion selected from the group consisting of a (C 6 -C 30 ) alkyl group and a polymeric silicone group, wherein the molar ratio of the surfactant to the sodium (C 8 -C 24 ) alkylsulfate is greater than or equal to about 1:1.  
     
     
         26 . A method for inhibiting the formation of a potassium alkylsulfate precipitate in an aqueous composition comprising a soluble potassium salt and a sodium (C 8 -C 24 ) alkylsulfate, method comprises including a polar surfactant in said composition in an amount of about equal to or greater than the amount of sodium (C 8 -C 24 ) alkylsulfate in the composition, said polar surfactant including a hydrophobic portion selected from the group consisting of a (C 6 -C 30 ) alkyl group and a polymeric silicone group.  
     
     
         27 . A dentifrice for reducing dental nerve and/or dentin sensitivity comprising 
 (a) from about 1% to about 10% potassium nitrate;    (b) from about 0.1% to about 5% SLS;    (c) from about 0.1% to about 20% by weight of an orally-acceptable polar surfactant, said surfactant comprising a hydrophobic portion selected from the group consisting of a (C 6 -C 30 ) alkyl group and a polymeric silicone group;    (d) from about 10% to about 60% by weight of an abrasive silica;    (e) an effective amount of a soluble fluoride salt; and    (f) an orally-acceptable aqueous vehicle;    wherein the molar ratio of the surfactant of (c) to SLS of (b) is greater than or equal to about 1:1.    
     
     
         28 . A dentifrice according to  claim 27  in the form of a gel.  
     
     
         29 . A dentifrice according to  claim 28  in the form of a liquid gel.  
     
     
         30 . A dentifrice, in the form of a gel, for removing or loosening plaque and/or stains from dental surfaces comprising 
 (a) from about 1% to about 10% of a soluble potassium salt selected from the group consisting of dipotassium pyrophosphate, tetrapotassium pyrophosphate, tripotassium pyrophosphate, monopotassium pyrophosphate, and combinations thereof;    (b) from about 0.1% to about 5% SLS;    (c) from about 0.1% to about 20% by weight of an orally-acceptable polar surfactant, said surfactant comprising a hydrophobic portion selected from the group consisting of a (C 6 -C 30 ) alkyl group and a polymeric silicone group;    (d) from about 10% to about 60% by weight of an abrasive silica;    (e) an effective amount of a soluble fluoride salt; and    (f) an orally-acceptable aqueous vehicle;    wherein the molar ratio of the surfactant of (c) to SLS of (b) is greater than or equal to about 1:1.    
     
     
         31 . An oral rinse for reducing dental nerve and/or dentin sensitivity comprising 
 a) from about 0.1% to about 5% potassium nitrate;    (b) from about 0.02% to about 2% SLS;    (c) from about 0.1% to about 20% by weight of an orally-acceptable polar surfactant, said surfactant comprising a hydrophobic portion selected from the group consisting of a (C 6 -C 30 ) alkyl group and a polymeric silicone group; and    (d) an orally-acceptable aqueous vehicle;    wherein the molar ratio of the surfactant of (c) to SLS of (b) is greater than or equal to about 1:1.    
     
     
         32 . An oral rinse for removing or loosening plaque and/or stains from dental surfaces comprising 
 a) from about 0.1% to about 5% of a potassium salt selected from the group consisting of dipotassium pyrophosphate, tetrapotassium pyrophosphate, tripotassium pyrophosphate, monopotassium pyrophosphate, and combinations thereof;    (b) from about 0.02% to about 2% SLS;    (c) from about 0.1% to about 20% by weight of an orally-acceptable polar surfactant, said surfactant comprising a hydrophobic portion selected from the group consisting of a (C 6 -C 30 ) alkyl group and a polymeric silicone group; and    (d) an orally-acceptable aqueous vehicle;    wherein the molar ratio of the surfactant of (c) to SLS of (b) is greater than or equal to about 1:1.    
     
     
         33 . A method of loosening and or removing dental plaque and/or stains while simultaneously reducing dental nerve and/or dentin sensitivity in an oral cavity of a mammal, comprising administering to the oral cavity of said mammal an effective amount of an oral composition according to  claim 7 .  
     
     
         34 . A method of loosening and/or removing dental plaque and/or stains while simultaneously reducing dental nerve and/or dentin sensitivity in an oral cavity of a mammal, comprising administering to the oral cavity of said mammal an effective amount of an oral composition according to  claim 14 .  
     
     
         35 . A method of loosening and/or removing dental plaque and/or stains while simultaneously reducing dental nerve and/or dentin sensitivity in an oral cavity of a mammal, comprising administering to the oral cavity of said mammal an effective amount of an oral composition according to  claim 27 .  
     
     
         36 . A method of loosening and/or removing dental plaque and/or stains while simultaneously reducing dental nerve and/or dentin sensitivity in an oral cavity of a mammal, comprising administering to the oral cavity of said mammal an effective amount of an oral composition according to  claim 31 .  
     
     
         37 . A method of loosening and/or removing dental plaque and/or stains in an oral cavity of a mammal, comprising administering to the oral cavity of said mammal an effective amount of an oral composition according to  claim 1 .  
     
     
         39 . A method of loosening and/or removing dental plaque and/or stains in an oral cavity of a mammal, comprising administering to the oral cavity of said mammal an effective amount of an oral composition according to  claim 4 .  
     
     
         40 . A method of loosening and/or removing dental plaque and/or stains in an oral cavity of a mammal, comprising administering to the oral cavity of said mammal an effective amount of an oral composition according to  claim 30 .  
     
     
         41 . A method of loosening and/or removing dental plaque and/or stains in an oral cavity of a mammal, comprising administering to the oral cavity of said mammal an effective amount of an oral composition according to  claim 32 .  
     
     
         42 . A detergent composition according to  claim 25  suitable for loosening and/or removing dirt, debris, and/or stains from skin and/or hair.  
     
     
         43 . A method of loosening and/or removing dirt, debris, and/or stains from skin or hair, comprising administering to said skin or hair an amount of a composition according to  claim 42  effective in removing or loosening dirt, debris, or stains.  
     
     
         44 . A detergent composition according to  claim 25  suitable for loosening and/or removing dirt, debris, and/or stains from a hard surface and/or a fabric.  
     
     
         45 . A method of loosening or removing dirt, debris, and/or stains from a hard surface or a fabric, comprising administering to said hard surface or fabric an amount of a composition according to  claim 44  effective in removing or loosening dirt, debris, or stains.