Antibacterial dentifrice exhibiting enhanced antiplaque and breath freshening properties

Abstract

An abrasive dentifrice composition which effects enhanced antiplaque and breath freshening properties which comprises an orally acceptable vehicle containing a combination of a safe and effective amount of an antibacterial agent and at least two enzyme ingredients.

1 . A dentifrice composition which effects enhanced antiplaque and breath freshening which comprises an orally acceptable vehicle containing a combination of an abrasive having a cationic antibacterial agent and at least one proteolytic enzyme; and at least one additional enzyme. 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the abrasive is a silica having an oil absorption value less than 100 cc/100 g silica. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 2  wherein the silica abrasive is present in the composition at a concentration of about 5 to about 40% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the abrasive is dicalcium phosphate. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 4  wherein the dicalcium phosphate is present in the composition at a concentration of about 5 to about 60% by weight. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the proteolytic enzyme is papain. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the papain is present in the composition at a concentration of about 0.1 to about 5.0% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the additional enzyme is a glucoamylase. 
     
     
         9 . A method of effecting enhanced antiplaque and breath freshening which comprises preparing a dentifrice comprised of an orally acceptable vehicle containing a combination of an abrasive; at least one proteolytic enzyme; and at least one additional enzyme; and then applying the dentifrice to the teeth in the oral cavity. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the abrasive is a silica which has an oil absorption value less than 100 cc/100 g silica. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein silica abrasive is present in the dentifrice at a concentration of about 5 to about 40% by weight of the dentifrice. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the proteolytic enzyme is papain. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 8  wherein the proteolytic enzyme is papain. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the proteolytic enzyme is present in the dentifrice in combination with a carboxyhydrase. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the dicalcium phosphate is present in the composition at a concentration of about 5 to about 60% by weight. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the proteolytic enzyme is papain. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the papain is present in the composition at a concentration of about 0.1 to about 5.0% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the additional enzyme is a glucoamylase.