Therapeutic dentifrices in unlined container and methods

Claim 1

A therapeutic dentifrice toothpaste composition contained in and compatible with the interior surface of an unlined aluminum tube containing said composition and which will not stain or otherwise corrode said unlined aluminum tube, said dentifrice composition comprising about 0.1 to 0.2 weight percent of a fluoride therapeutic agent, a solid phase, a substantially pure demineralized deionized water liquid phase, a binder to prevent separation of the liquid and solid phases, a silica abrasive, and a fluoride corrosion and staining preventing amount of an alkaline earth metal ion, said amount being from 50 ppm to less than 2000 ppm, which amount is insufficient to stoichiometrically interfere with fluoride availability in said dentifrice toothpaste, said alkaline earth metal ion being essentially provided to said dentifrice toothpaste composition as an essential component of the silica abrasive composition, said silica abrasive having an RDA value of between 200 and 400, being selected from the group consisting of amorphous precipitated silica, sodium aluminosilicates, silica xerogels, and mixtures thereof, said silica abrasive having been pretreated with a water soluble alkaline earth metal compound which will provide said alkaline earth metal ions which are selected from the group consisting of calcium ion, magnesium ion, strontium ion, and mixtures thereof, said silica abrasive being used at loadings of at least about 15-30 weight percent in the dentifrice composition and said abrasive composition being prepared by contacting said alkaline earth metal compound with said silica abrasive prior to incorporation into said dentifrice toothpaste composition.