Poly(alpha-hydroxy acrylic acid) and derivatives as antitartar actives in oral compositions

Claim 2

An oral dentifrice, toothpaste or rinse composition whose essential antiplaque and antitartar agent consists of: (i) an effective amount to prevent tartar formation a polymer whose structure is: ##STR3## wherein: R 1 and R 2 may independently be selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C 1 -C 3 alkyl; R 3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, phosphate, sulphate and C 1 -C 22 alkyl; M is selected from the group consisting of zinc and copper; x is an integer from 3 to 10,000; and (ii) an effective amount of a carrier to convey the polymer into an oral cavity.

Claim 3

A composition according to claim 1 wherein said carrier is selected from the group consisting of water, polyols and mixtures thereof.

Claim 4

A composition according to claim 2 wherein said polyol is selected from the group consisting of glycerol, sorbitol, propylene glycol, lactitol, xylitol, polypropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, hydrogenated corn syrup and mixtures thereof.

Claim 5

A composition according to claim 1 further comprising a source of fluoride ion present in an amount from about 25 to 3500 ppm.

Claim 6

A composition according to claim 1 wherein the polymer is poly(α-hydroxy acrylic acid) in zinc salt form.

Claim 7

A composition according to claim 1 wherein said polymer has a molecular weight ranging from about 5000 to about 60,000.

Claim 8

A composition according to claim 1 wherein said polymer is present in an amount from about 0.1 to about 10% by weight.

Claim 9

A composition according to claim 1 where said polymer is formed from at least two different acrylic type monomers.

Claim 10

In a method to inhibit formation of tartar on teeth comprising applying into an oral cavity a composition comprising: (i) an effective amount to prevent tartar formation of a polymer whose structure is: ##STR4## wherein: R 1 and R 2 may independently be selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C 1 -C 3 alkyl; R 3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, phosphate, sulphate and C 1 -C 22 alkyl; M is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium, alkanolammonium, transition metal cations and mixtures thereof; x is an integer from 3 to 10,00; the improvement wherein a synergistic inhibition of tartar formation is obtained by the step of including an effective amount of a zinc or copper salt in an effective amount of a carrier to convey the polymer into an oral cavity.

Claim 11

In a method to inhibit formation of tartar on teeth comprising applying into an oral cavity a composition comprising: (i) an effective amount to prevent tartar formation of a polymer whose structure is: ##STR4## wherein: R 1 and R 2 may independently be selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C 1 -C 3 alkyl; R 3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, phosphate, sulphate and C 1 -C 22 alkyl; M is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium, alkanolammonium, transition metal cations and mixtures thereof; x is an integer from 3 to 10,00; the improvement wherein a synergistic inhibition of tartar formation is obtained by the step of including an effective amount of a zinc or copper salt in an effective amount of a carrier to convey the polymer into an oral cavity.