Dual Component Dental Composition Containing Enzyme

Abstract

A two component desensitizing dentifrice composition is disclosed which comprises a first dentifrice component containing an enzyme such as papain and a second dentifrice component containing an ionic surfactant such as sodium lauryl sulfate, the first and second dentifrice components being maintained separate from the other until dispensed for application to teeth whereby enzyme activity is maintained with improved dentifrice foaming characteristics.

1 . A two component enzyme dentifrice composition comprising:
 a first dentifrice component substantially free of an ionic surfactant comprising an enzyme and a source of fluoride ions in an orally acceptable vehicle; and   a second dentifrice component substantially free of the enzyme comprising an ionic surfactant in an orally acceptable vehicle.   
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the enzyme is selected from the group consisting of papain, glucoamylase, bromelain, chymotripsin, ficin, alacalase, alpha-amylase, beta-amylase, dextranase, mutanase, gastric lipase, pancreatic lipase, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the ionic surfactant is an anionic surfactant. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 4  wherein the anionic surfactant is sodium lauryl sulfate. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the enzyme is present in the first dentifrice component at a concentration of about 0.01 to about 10% by weight. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the ionic surfactant is present in the second component at a concentration of about 1 to about 5% by weight. 
     
     
         8 . A method for improving the foam characteristics of an oral care composition containing an enzyme without substantial denaturation of the enzyme which comprises:
 a. preparing a first dentifrice component substantially free of an ionic surfactant comprising the enzyme and a source of fluoride ions in an orally acceptable vehicle   b. preparing a second dentifrice component substantially free of the enzyme comprising an ionic surfactant in an orally acceptable vehicle,   c. separately housing the first and second components,   d. dispensing the first and second components simultaneously,   e. combining the dispensed components; and   f. applying the combined components to the teeth   
       whereby the enzyme activity is substantially retained during application to the teeth. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the ionic surfactant is an anionic surfactant. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the anionic surfactant is sodium lauryl sulfate. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the enzyme is selected from the group consisting of papain, glucoamylase bromelain, chymotripsin, ficin, alacalase, alpha-amylase, beta-amylase, dextranase, mutanase, gastric lipase, pancreatic lipase, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the enzyme is present in the dentifrice component at a concentration of about 0.01 to about 10% by weight. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the ionic surfactant is present in the dentifrice component at a concentration of about 1 to about 5% by weight. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the first and second components are housed in a common container and are separated from one another by a wall integrally formed with the container which prevents mixing of the components prior to being dispensed. 
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the first and second components are maintained separate from each other until dispensed and combined for application to teeth, wherein enzyme activity is substantially retained during application of the combined components to teeth during brushing. 
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the source of fluoride ions is present in an amount sufficient to supply about 25 ppm to 5,000 ppm fluoride ions. 
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the source of fluoride ions is an inorganic fluoride salt, soluble alkali metal salt, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the source of fluoride ions is selected from the group consisting of sodium fluoride, potassium fluoride, sodium fluorosilicate, sodium monfluorophosphate, ammonium fluorosilicate, stannous fluoride, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the first dentifrice component comprises an antibacterial agent. 
     
     
         21 . The composition of  claim 20  wherein the antibacterial agent is a halogenated diphenyl ether. 
     
     
         22 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the first dentifrice component comprises an antitartar agent. 
     
     
         23 . The composition of  claim 22  wherein the antitartar agent is a pyrophosphate salt. 
     
     
         24 . The composition of  claim 22  wherein the antitartar agent is an dialkali metal pyrophosphate salt, a tetraalkali metal pyrophosphate salt, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         25 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the second dentifrice component comprises a source of fluoride ions. 
     
     
         26 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the second dentifrice component comprises an antibacterial agent. 
     
     
         27 . The composition of  claim 26  wherein the antibacterial agent is a halogenated diphenyl ether. 
     
     
         28 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the second dentifrice component comprises an antitartar agent. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the source of fluoride ions is present in an amount sufficient to supply about 25 ppm to 5,000 ppm fluoride ions. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the source of fluoride ions is an inorganic fluoride salt, soluble alkali metal salt, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the first dentifrice component comprises an antibacterial agent. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31  wherein the antibacterial agent is a halogenated diphenyl ether. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the second dentifrice component comprises a source of fluoride ions. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the second dentifrice component comprises an antibacterial agent. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34  wherein the antibacterial agent is a halogenated diphenyl ether.