JP7630247B2 - Dentifrice Composition - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a dentifrice composition.

It has been reported that acyl sarcosine salts such as sodium lauroyl sarcosine (LSS) and cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) have a bactericidal effect. For example, Patent Document 1 describes that a dentifrice composition containing a prescribed amount of an acylamino acid salt, an alkylamino acid salt, a water-soluble polyphosphate salt, and polyethylene glycol has excellent stain adhesion suppression effects, stain removal effects, and usability. Patent Document 2 describes that an oral composition containing a prescribed ratio of N-acylamino acid or a salt thereof, and pyrophosphoric acid or a salt thereof can remove protein stains, prevent adhesion of protein stains to the tooth surface, and provide a cleaning effect.

JP 2013-112654 A JP 2014-12655 A

However, all of the conventional technologies have problems in that they are prone to irritation and do not necessarily provide a satisfactory cleaning sensation. In addition, when alkaline substances such as sodium pyrophosphate are added, irritation can occur, and the formulation can gel over time, reducing its water retention, causing liquid separation and rough skin, resulting in reduced storage stability.

The objective of the present invention is to provide a dentifrice composition that is pleasant to use, reduces irritation, and has good storage stability.

As a result of intensive research aimed at solving the above problems, the present inventors have found that a combination of an acylsarcosine and an alkali metal pyrophosphate has an effect of preventing stickiness in the oral cavity, provides a high cleaning feeling, and can be maintained for a long period of time, improving the feeling of use. Furthermore, by combining this with a nonionic surfactant and polyethylene glycol, the present invention aims to provide a dentifrice composition that suppresses irritation and has good storage stability.
The present invention provides the following [1] to [7].
[1] A dentifrice composition comprising: (A) an acylsarcosine or a salt thereof; (B) an alkali metal pyrophosphate; (C) a nonionic surfactant; and (D) polyethylene glycol.
[2] The dentifrice composition according to [1], wherein the ratio of the content of the (A) component to the content of the (B) component ((A)/(B)) is 0.003 to 10.
[3] The dentifrice composition according to [1] or [2], wherein the ratio of the content of the (A) component to the content of the (C) component ((A)/(C)) is 0.002 to 10.
[4] The dentifrice composition according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the ratio of the content of the (B) component to the content of the (C) component ((B)/(C)) is 0.02 to 30.
[5] An agent for suppressing stickiness in the oral cavity, comprising (A) acylsarcosine or a salt thereof, and (B) an alkali metal pyrophosphate.
[6] The agent according to [5], further comprising (C) a nonionic surfactant.
[7] The agent described in [5] or [6], further containing (D) polyethylene glycol.

The present invention provides a dentifrice composition that has the effect of preventing stickiness in the oral cavity and can exert the effect for a long period of time, further suppresses irritation, and has good storage stability.

The present invention is described in detail below.

1. Dentifrice Composition
The dentifrice composition contains components (A) and (B), and preferably further contains at least one of components (C) and (D), and more preferably contains components (A) to (D).

[(A) Acyl sarcosine or its salt]
The component (A) is acyl sarcosine or a salt thereof. By including the component (A), an effect of removing stickiness in the oral cavity can be exhibited.

--Examples of acylsarcosine and its salts--
The number of carbon atoms of the acyl group of the acylsarcosine is usually 10 to 18, preferably 10 to 16. The acyl group may be either linear (straight-chain or branched-chain) or cyclic, and may be either saturated or unsaturated. The acyl group is preferably linear. Examples of the acyl group include lauroyl, myristoyl, palmitoyl, and stearoyl groups, and lauroyl is preferred. When the acylsarcosine is in the form of a salt, it may be any pharmacologically acceptable salt. Examples of the pharmacologically acceptable salt include base addition salts and amino acid salts. Specific examples of such salts include inorganic base salts such as sodium salts, potassium salts, calcium salts, magnesium salts, and ammonium salts; organic base salts such as triethylammonium salts, triethanolammonium salts, pyridinium salts, and diisopropylammonium salts; and basic amino acid salts such as arginine salts. Among these, inorganic base salts are preferred, alkali metal salts or ammonium salts are more preferred, and sodium salts are even more preferred.

Component (A) may be one selected from acyl sarcosine and its salts, or a combination of two or more, but it preferably contains at least lauroyl sarcosine or a salt thereof, and more preferably contains sodium lauroyl sarcosine.

--Content of component (A)--
The content of component (A) is usually 0.01% by mass or more, preferably 0.05% by mass or more, based on the total amount of the composition. This allows the effect of blending component (A) to be fully exhibited. The upper limit is usually 3% by mass or less, preferably 1% by mass or less, more preferably 0.5% by mass or less. This allows the sensation of irritation to be satisfactorily suppressed. Therefore, the content of component (A) is usually 0.01 to 3% by mass, preferably 0.01 to 1% by mass, more preferably 0.05 to 0.5% by mass.

In this specification, the content of each component is based on the amount of each component charged when producing the composition.

[(B) Alkali metal pyrophosphate]
The component (B) is an alkali metal pyrophosphate. By including the component (B), the effect of removing stickiness in the mouth can be enhanced. Examples of the alkali metal ion that forms the salt of pyrophosphate include sodium ion and potassium ion, and sodium ion is preferred.

--Content of component (B)--
The content of the (B) component is usually 0.01% by mass or more, preferably 0.1% by mass or more, and more preferably 0.3% by mass or more, based on the total amount of the composition. This allows the effect of blending the (B) component to be fully exhibited. The upper limit is usually 5% by mass or less, preferably 3% by mass or less, and more preferably 1.5% by mass or less. This allows the sensation of irritation to be satisfactorily suppressed. Therefore, the content of the (B) component is usually 0.01 to 5% by mass, preferably 0.1 to 3% by mass, and more preferably 0.3 to 1.5% by mass.

[(C) Nonionic Surfactant]
The component (C) is a nonionic surfactant. By including the component (C), it is possible to obtain an effect of reducing irritation.

--Examples of nonionic surfactants--
Examples of nonionic surfactants include polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters (e.g., polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate), alkylolamides, polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene alkenyl ethers, glycerin fatty acid esters, sucrose fatty acid esters (e.g., maltose fatty acid esters), sugar alcohol fatty acid esters (e.g., maltitol fatty acid esters, lactitol fatty acid esters), fatty acid diethanolamides (e.g., lauric acid mono- or diethanolamide), polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene copolymers, and polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene fatty acid esters. The number of carbon atoms in the alkyl chain of the polyoxyethylene alkyl ether is usually 14 to 18, and the average number of moles of ethylene oxide added is usually 15 to 30 moles. The average number of moles of ethylene oxide added in polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil is usually 20 to 100 moles, preferably 20 to 60 moles. The number of carbon atoms in the fatty acid of the sorbitan fatty acid ester is usually 12 to 18. The number of carbon atoms in the fatty acid of the polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester is usually 16 to 18, and the average number of moles of ethylene oxide added is usually 10 to 40. The number of carbon atoms in the alkyl chain of the alkylolamide is usually 12 to 14. As the nonionic surfactant, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester, and polyoxyethylene alkyl ether are preferred.

--Content of component (C)--
The content of the (C) component is usually 0.01% by mass or more, preferably 0.1% by mass or more, more preferably 0.2% by mass or more, based on the total amount of the composition. This allows the effect of the (C) component to be fully exhibited. The upper limit is usually 10% by mass or less, preferably 5% by mass or less, more preferably 3% by mass or less. This allows the generation of an unpleasant taste specific to nonionic surfactants to be suppressed, and the possibility of an oily taste and a decrease in the feeling of use can be suppressed. Therefore, the content of the (C) component is usually 0.01 to 10% by mass, preferably 0.1 to 5% by mass, more preferably 0.2 to 3% by mass.

[(D) Polyethylene glycol]
The component (D) is polyethylene glycol. By including the component (D), the stability of the formulation can be improved.

The average molecular weight of polyethylene glycol is 650 or less, preferably 600 or less, more preferably 150 to 650, and even more preferably 250 to 600. Examples of polyethylene glycol include polyethylene glycol 200 (average molecular weight 190 to 210), polyethylene glycol 300 (average molecular weight 280 to 320), polyethylene glycol 400 (average molecular weight 380 to 420), and polyethylene glycol 600 (average molecular weight 570 to 630), and commercially available products may also be used. In this specification, the average molecular weight of polyethylene glycol is the average molecular weight described in the Quasi-Drug Raw Materials Standards 2006.

--Content of component (D)--
The content of component (D) is usually 0.1% by mass or more, preferably 0.5% by mass or more, more preferably 1% by mass or more, based on the total amount of the composition. If it is less than this amount, the kneaded surface may be insufficient. The upper limit is usually 10% by mass or less, preferably 5% by mass or less, more preferably 3% by mass or less. If it exceeds this amount, liquid separation may occur. Therefore, the content of component (D) is usually 0.1 to 10% by mass, preferably 0.5 to 5% by mass, more preferably 1 to 3% by mass.

[Content ratio]
-(A)/(B)-
The ratio of the content of the (A) component to the content of the (B) component ((A)/(B)) is usually 0.001 to 20, preferably 0.003 to 10, and more preferably 0.05 to 1. This allows the effect of suppressing stickiness in the oral cavity to be exerted and maintained for a long period of time, suppresses irritation in the oral cavity, and further provides storage stability effects such as suppression of liquid separation and maintaining a good appearance, such as a good paste surface, even after storage.

-(A)/(C)-
The ratio of the content of the component (A) to the content of the component (C) ((A)/(C)) is usually 0.001 to 15, preferably 0.002 to 10, and more preferably 0.05 to 1. This allows the effect of suppressing stickiness in the oral cavity to be exerted and maintained for a long period of time, and effects such as suppression of irritation in the oral cavity can be obtained.

-(B)/(C)-
The ratio of the content of the (B) component to the content of the (C) component ((B)/(C)) is usually 0.01 to 50, preferably 0.02 to 30, and more preferably 0.3 to 4. This allows the effect of suppressing stickiness in the oral cavity to be exerted and maintained for a long period of time.

[Optional ingredients]
The dentifrice composition may contain other components in addition to the components (A) to (D) to the extent that the effect of the present invention is not impaired. Examples of other components include, but are not limited to, components that can be blended into dentifrice compositions, such as abrasives, binders, surfactants, humectants, sweeteners, flavorings, pH adjusters, preservatives, medicinal ingredients, colorants (pigments), and solvents.

- Abrasives -
Examples of the abrasives include calcium phosphate-based compounds such as dibasic calcium phosphate dihydrate or anhydrate, monobasic calcium phosphate, tribasic calcium phosphate, calcium pyrophosphate, insoluble calcium metaphosphate, tribasic calcium phosphate, tetrabasic calcium phosphate, and octabasic calcium phosphate; silica-based abrasives such as precipitated silica, aluminosilicate, zirconosilicate, titanium-bonded silica, and silica gel; calcium carbonate-based abrasives such as calcium carbonate (light and heavy); aluminum-based abrasives such as aluminum hydroxide and alumina; magnesium carbonate, tribasic magnesium phosphate, and the like. Examples of the abrasive include magnesium-based abrasives such as silicic anhydride, zeolite, and zirconium silicate; apatite-based abrasives such as hydroxyapatite, fluoroapatite, and calcium-deficient apatite; calcium hydroxide; calcium sulfate, bentonite; titanium dioxide; crystalline zirconium silicate; polymethyl methacrylate; and synthetic resin-based abrasives. Among these, preferred are silica-based abrasives, more preferred are silica-based abrasives mainly composed of silicate such as precipitated silica, aluminosilicate, zirconosilicate, and titanium-bonded silica, and even more preferred are precipitated silica. The precipitated silica preferably has an average particle size of 1 to 40 μm and a BET specific surface area of 80 to 250 m ² per gram. The abrasive may be one of these, or a combination of two or more. The average particle size can be measured by a particle size distribution measuring device (Microtrack particle size distribution meter, manufactured by Nikkiso Co., Ltd., dispersion medium: water), and the same applies to the average particle size shown in the examples.

The abrasive may be a granule (for example, a particle obtained by granulating a water-insoluble powder, which is an abrasive component, into a granular form). The granule may be prepared by granulating the abrasive component, and a binder may be used during granulation. Examples of the water-insoluble powder include inorganic powders such as dibasic calcium phosphate, tribasic calcium phosphate, water-insoluble calcium metaphosphate, silica, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium phosphate, red iron oxide, calcium carbonate, calcium pyrophosphate, zeolite, aluminosilicate, magnesium carbonate, zirconosilicate, and calcium sulfate, and combinations of two or more selected from these, and preferably silica and zeolite. The volume average particle size (median diameter d50) of the granule is preferably 50 to 500 μm. In this specification, the volume average particle size is a measurement value measured by a particle size distribution measuring device (Microtrack particle size distribution meter, manufactured by Nikkiso Co., Ltd., dispersion medium: water). The average disintegration strength of the granule is preferably 10 to 200 g/piece. In this specification, the average collapse strength is the average value of the automatic breaking strength measurements (the load at which one granule collapses when compressed at a speed of 10 mm/min) of 30 granules using a rheometer (Sun Rheometer CR-200D, manufactured by Sun Scientific Co., Ltd.).

As the silica granules, for example, wet-process gel silica and precipitated silica are preferably used, and the primary particle size is about 3 to 15 nm, preferably 4 to 10 nm. As a method for producing a silica vulcanizing agent, for example, a method in which a mass of silica gel in which the primary particle size has been grown to about 4 to 10 nm by the gel method is washed and dried, then crushed and classified into silica granules (average particle size, for example, 50 to 500 μm), a method in which silica hydrosol is sprayed into the air and gelled to prepare granules, and a method in which the primary particles are aggregated while suppressing their growth by the precipitation method, and then the primary particle size is grown (for example, until the primary particle size is about 4 to 10 nm), are known, and the silica granules can be prepared by these methods. The granules may be colored. The content of the abrasive is preferably 8 to 70% by mass of the entire composition. When the abrasive is a granule, the content is preferably 0.1 to 20% by mass of the entire composition.

- Binding agent -
Examples of the binder include organic binders such as cellulose-based binders (e.g., sodium carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, methylcellulose, cationic cellulose, etc.), carrageenan, xanthan gum, guar gum, tragacanth gum, karaya gum, gum arabic, locust bean gum, sodium alginate, montmorillonite, sodium polyacrylate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, carboxyvinyl polymer (trade name: Carbopol), propylene glycol alginate, etc.; and inorganic binders such as thickening silica, aluminum silicate, etc. The content of the binder is preferably 0.1 to 10% by mass, more preferably 1.4 to 8% by mass, of the total composition.

-Surfactants-
Examples of the surfactant include anionic surfactants and amphoteric surfactants.
Examples of anionic surfactants include alkyl sulfates, acylamino acid salts other than component (A), acyltaurine salts, α-olefin sulfonates, hydrogenated coconut fatty acid monoglyceride monosulfates, and lauryl sulfoacetates. The alkyl group and acyl group may be either linear or branched, and may be either saturated or unsaturated, and the number of carbon atoms is usually 10 to 20, preferably 12 to 18, and particularly preferably 12 to 14. The salt may be selected from pharmacologically acceptable salts. Examples of pharmacologically acceptable salts include base addition salts and amino acid salts. Specific examples of such salts include inorganic base salts such as sodium salts, potassium salts, calcium salts, magnesium salts, and ammonium salts; organic base salts such as triethylammonium salts, triethanolammonium salts, pyridinium salts, and diisopropylammonium salts; and basic amino acid salts such as arginine salts. Among these, inorganic base salts are preferred, alkali metal salts (e.g., sodium salts, potassium salts) or ammonium salts are more preferred, and sodium salts are even more preferred.

Examples of alkyl sulfates include lauryl sulfate and myristoyl sulfate. Examples of acylamino acid salts include lauroyl glutamate; acyl glutamate salts such as myristoyl glutamate and palmitoyl glutamate; acyl glycine salts such as N-lauroyl-N-methyl glycine salt and cocoyl glycine salt; acyl alanine salts such as N-lauroyl-β-alanine salt, N-myristyl-β-alanine salt, N-cocoyl-β-alanine salt, N-lauroyl-N-methyl-β-alanine salt, N-myristoyl-N-methyl-β-alanine salt and N-methyl-N-acylalanine salt; and acyl aspartate salts such as lauroyl aspartate. Examples of acyltaurine salts include lauroyl methyl taurine salt, N-methyl-N-acyltaurine salt and N-cocoyl methyl taurine salt. Examples of α-olefin sulfonates include α-olefin sulfonates having 12 to 14 carbon atoms, such as tetradecene sulfonate. Other examples of anionic surfactants include sodium hydrogenated coconut fatty acid monoglyceride monosulfate and sodium lauryl sulfoacetate.

From the viewpoint of foaming and foam quality, the anionic surfactant preferably contains a sulfonic acid group, and alkyl sulfates and α-olefin sulfonates are more preferable. The content of the anionic surfactant is preferably 0.1 to 2.5% by mass, more preferably 0.6 to 2.5% by mass, and even more preferably 1 to 2.5% by mass of the entire composition.

Examples of amphoteric surfactants include betaine-type amphoteric surfactants such as alkyl dimethyl amino acetate betaine (e.g., lauryl dimethyl amino acetate betaine) and fatty acid amidopropyl dimethyl amino acetate betaine (e.g., cocamidopropyl betaine); imidazoline-type amphoteric surfactants such as N-fatty acid acyl-N-carboxymethyl-N-hydroxyethyl ethylenediamine salts (e.g., N-coconut fatty acid acyl-N-carboxymethyl-N-hydroxyethyl imidazolinium betaine), coconut fatty acid imidazolinium betaine, and 2-alkyl-N-carboxymethyl-N-hydroxyethyl imidazolinium betaine; and alkyl betaines such as lauryl dimethyl amino acetate betaine. Examples of cationic surfactants include alkyl ammonium salts and alkyl benzyl ammonium salts. When an amphoteric surfactant or a cationic surfactant is contained, the content of each is preferably 0.1 to 3 mass% based on the total amount of the composition.

-sweetener-
The composition contains a sweetener, which can improve the feeling of use. Examples of sweeteners include xylitol, erythritol, maltitol, saccharin, saccharin sodium, aspartame, stevioside, stevia extract, paramethoxycinnamic aldehyde, neohesperidin dihydrochalcone, perillartine, glycyrrhizin, thaumatin, aspartyl phenylalanine methyl ester, etc. The sweetener may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

- Wetting agent -
The composition contains a humectant, which can improve the feel when used. The humectant is preferably a polyhydric alcohol other than component (C), and examples thereof include sugar alcohols such as sorbitol, erythritol, maltitol, lactitol, and xylitol; glycerin; glycols such as propylene glycol and ethylene glycol; and reduced starch saccharification products. The content of the humectant is usually 5 to 50% by mass, and preferably 20 to 45% by mass.

-Fragrance-
The composition contains a fragrance, which can improve the feeling of use. Examples of the fragrance include natural essential oils such as peppermint oil, spearmint oil, eucalyptus oil, wintergreen oil, clove oil, thyme oil, sage oil, cardamom oil, rosemary oil, marjoram oil, lemon oil, orange oil, nutmeg oil, lavender oil, parakress oil, cinnamon oil, pimento oil, cassia leaf oil, perilla oil, and wintergreen oil; menthol, carvone, cinnamic aldehyde, anethole, 1,8-cineole, methyl salicylate, eugenol, thymol, linalool, limonene, menthone, menthyl acetate, citral, camphor, borneol, pinene, spilanthol, n-decyl alcohol, citronellol, α fragrance components contained in the above-mentioned natural essential oils, such as terpineol, citronellyl acetate, cineole, ethyl linalool, vanillin, etc.; fragrance components, such as ethyl acetate, ethyl butyrate, isoamyl acetate, hexanal, hexenal, methyl anthranilate, ethyl methylphenyl glycidate, benzaldehyde, vanillin, ethyl vanillin, furaneol, N-ethyl-p-menthane-3-carboxamide, menthyl lactate, ethylene glycol-1-menthyl carbonate, etc.; and various blended flavors, such as mint-based, fruit-based, herb-based, etc., which are obtained by combining several fragrance components and natural essential oils. The fragrances may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.

- pH adjuster -
The pH stability of the formulation can be ensured by including a pH adjuster in the composition. Examples of pH adjusters include organic acids or salts thereof such as phthalic acid, citric acid, succinic acid, acetic acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, and lactic acid, inorganic acids or salts thereof (e.g., potassium salts, sodium salts, and ammonium salts) such as phosphoric acid (orthophosphoric acid), and hydroxides such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide. Examples of inorganic acid salts include disodium hydrogen phosphate and sodium dihydrogen phosphate. The content of the pH adjuster is usually an amount that makes the pH of the composition after addition 5 to 9, preferably 6 to 8.5. In this specification, the pH value is usually the value at 25°C and 3 minutes after the start of measurement, and can be measured using a pH meter (model number Hm-30S) manufactured by Toa Denpa Kogyo Co., Ltd.

- Preservatives -
The preservative contained in the composition ensures the preservative power of the formulation. Examples of the preservative include paraoxybenzoic acid esters (e.g., methyl paraoxybenzoate, ethyl paraoxybenzoate, butyl paraoxybenzoate), sodium benzoate, etc. The preservative may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

-Medicinal ingredients-
Examples of medicinal ingredients include bactericidal or antibacterial agents such as cetylpyridinium chloride, benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, isopropylmethylphenol, zinc gluconate, zinc citrate, triclosan, thymol, hinokitiol, and lysozyme chloride; enzymes such as dextranase, mutanase, amylase, protease, and Liteque enzyme; fluorides such as sodium fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate, and tin fluoride; and anti-inflammatory agents such as ε-aminocaproic acid, allantoin, tranexamic acid, glycyrrhizinate (e.g., dipotassium glycyrrhizinate), glycyrrhetinic acid, stearyl glycyrrhetinate, aluminum chlorohydroxy allantoinate, azulene, and dihydrocholesterol. Metal salts such as zinc, copper salts, and tin salts; condensed phosphates, ethanehydroxydiphosphonates, and other dental calculus preventive agents; blood flow promoters such as vitamin E (e.g., tocopherol acetate); potassium nitrate, aluminum lactate, strontium chloride, and other dental hypersensitivity suppressants; coating agents such as hydroxyethylcellulose dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride; astringents such as vitamin C (e.g., ascorbic acid or its salts), lysozyme chloride, and sodium chloride; water-soluble copper compounds such as copper chlorophyll and copper gluconate; zeolite and other dental calculus preventive agents; amino acids such as alanine, glycine, and proline; plant extracts such as thyme, scutellaria, clove, and hamamelis; callopeptide, and polyvinylpyrrolidone. The medicinal components may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The content of the other active ingredients can be appropriately set to an effective amount.

-solvent-
Examples of the solvent include water, a lower monohydric alcohol (e.g., ethanol), and a mixed solvent thereof. The amount of the solvent is usually 1 to 90% by mass, preferably 15 to 80% by mass, and more preferably 20 to 60% by mass, based on the total amount of the composition. In the case of a mixed solvent, the amount of the lower monohydric alcohol added is usually 1 to 30% by mass, and preferably 1 to 20% by mass, based on the total amount of the composition.

-Other optional ingredients-
Examples of optional components other than those mentioned above include inorganic compounds such as titanium mica, titanium oxide, and bentonite; waxes such as carnauba wax, rosin, rice wax, microcrystalline wax, beeswax, and paraffin wax; higher alcohols such as cetanol and stearyl alcohol; polyisobutylene, polybutadiene, urethane, silicone, and natural rubber. The content of these components can be appropriately set within a range that does not impede the effects of the present invention.

The composition of the present invention can be used as a dentifrice such as a toothpaste, gel dentifrice, liquid dentifrice, lubricant dentifrice, or powder dentifrice, and is preferably a toothpaste or gel dentifrice.

The dosage form of the dentifrice composition can be appropriately selected depending on the mode of use, and is not particularly limited. Examples of dosage forms include gel and paste.

[Method of producing the composition]
The method for producing the dentifrice composition is not particularly limited, and it can be prepared by a conventional method according to the dosage form. For example, when it is used as a dentifrice, a method can be used in which the water-soluble components are prepared, and then the other components are mixed, and degassing (e.g., reduced pressure, etc.) is performed as necessary. The obtained toothpaste can be placed in a container to make a product. The shape and material of the container are not particularly limited, and containers used for conventional toothpaste compositions can be used, such as plastic containers made of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, nylon, etc.

[2. Agents for preventing stickiness in the oral cavity]
The stickiness inhibitor contains components (A) and (B), preferably further contains at least one of components (C) and (D), and more preferably contains components (A) to (D). The examples, contents, and content ratios of each component are the same as those described above.
The stickiness inhibitor can suppress stickiness in the oral cavity and maintain the suppressing effect for a long period of time. The stickiness inhibitor can efficiently exert the above-mentioned effect by being added to an oral composition, preferably a dentifrice composition.

The present invention will be specifically explained below with reference to examples and comparative examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples. Note that % in the table indicates mass % unless otherwise specified.

[Main raw materials used in the examples and comparative examples]
The main raw materials used in the examples and comparative examples are summarized below.
(A) Sodium lauroyl sarcosine:
NIKKOL Sarcosinate LN, manufactured by Nikko Chemicals Co., Ltd.
(B) Sodium pyrophosphate:
(C) Polyoxyethylene (20) hydrogenated castor oil (manufactured by Taihei Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.):
Nippon Emulsion Co., Ltd., HC-20
Polyoxyethylene (5) stearyl ether:
Nippon Emulsion Co., Ltd., 605
(D) Polyethylene glycol:
Sanyo Chemical Industries, Ltd., Polyethylene glycol 400
Other ingredients used were those that conformed to the Standards for Quasi-Drug Ingredients 2006.

Examples 1 to 27 and Comparative Examples 1 to 2 (Dentifrice)
Using the above-mentioned components, dentifrice compositions having the formulations (parts by weight) shown in Tables 1 to 4 were prepared according to the preparation method described below.

[Method of preparing a dentifrice composition]
After dissolving the water-soluble components (excluding the binder, propylene glycol, and sorbitol) in purified water, the sorbitol liquid and thickening silica were added and mixed to obtain Liquid I. Separately, the binder was dispersed in propylene glycol to obtain Liquid II. Liquid II was then added to the obtained Liquid I and stirred to obtain Liquid III. Components other than the water-soluble components, such as flavors, abrasives, and surfactants, were added to the obtained Liquid III, and the mixture was mixed at room temperature using a 1.5 L kneader (manufactured by Ishiyama Kosakusho Co., Ltd.), and degassed under reduced pressure (pressure 4 kPa) to obtain a dentifrice composition.

The resulting dentifrice compositions were evaluated according to the following procedures. The evaluation results are shown in Tables 1 to 4.

<Evaluation of stickiness and irritation in the oral cavity>
A panel of four people (n=4) evaluated the sensation of use. 1 g of the sample was placed on a toothbrush (Clinica Advantage toothbrush, 4-row compact normal, manufactured by Lion Corporation), and the toothbrush was brushed for 3 minutes, followed by rinsing the mouth once with 10 mL of water. The presence or absence of a sticky feeling in the mouth (stickiness in the mouth immediately after use and 2 hours later) and the presence or absence of an irritating feeling in the mouth (irritating feeling in the mouth immediately after use) were judged according to the following evaluation criteria, and the average score of the four people was calculated and evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria.

- Evaluation of stickiness in the mouth (immediately and 2 hours later) -
Rating criteria: 1 point: strongly felt 2 points: felt 3 points: not felt much 4 points: barely felt 5 points: not felt at all Evaluation criteria: ◎: average score of 4 people is 4 points or more ○: average score of 4 people is 3 points or more but less than 4 points ×: average score of 4 people is less than 3 points

- Oral irritation -
Rating criteria: 1 point: Very noticeable 2 points: noticeable 3 points: Not noticeable 4 points: Almost no noticeable 5 points: Not noticeable at all Evaluation criteria: ◎: Average score of 4 people is 4 points or more. ○: Average score of 4 people is 3 points or more but less than 4 points. ×: Average score of 4 people is less than 3 points.

<Evaluation of storage stability of formulation>
- Liquid separation stability -
The dentifrice compositions were placed in tube containers, and three tubes each were stored at 40° C. for one month, after which they were judged and evaluated according to the following rating scale.
Evaluation criteria: ◎: No liquid separation is observed. ○: Very slight signs of liquid separation are observed (a gloss is observed on the surface, which is a sign of separation), but at a level that does not pose a quality problem. ×: Liquid separation is observed.

-Kneaded skin-
The dentifrice composition was placed in a tube container, and three tubes each were stored at -5°C for one month, after which the composition was evaluated according to the following criteria.
Evaluation criteria: ◎: Equivalent to the control product, no wrinkles on the surface of the dentifrice composition, and no change in gloss. ○: Compared to the control product, slight wrinkles on the surface of the dentifrice composition and slight deterioration in the surface gloss are observed, but at a level that does not pose a quality problem. ×: Compared to the control product, wrinkles are observed on the surface of the dentifrice composition, the surface has lost its gloss, and it is at a level that poses a quality problem.

[Notes to Tables 1 to 4]
Abrasive silica: average particle size approx. 20 μm

Comparative Example 1, which did not contain sodium lauroyl sarcosine, and Comparative Example 2, which did not contain sodium pyrophosphate, were evaluated as having a sticky feeling in the oral cavity (immediately after and after 2 hours), whereas Examples 1 to 27, which contained sodium lauroyl sarcosine and sodium pyrophosphate, were evaluated as having a good feeling and had an excellent function of suppressing stickiness in the oral cavity. In addition, as for the dentifrice compositions, the dentifrice compositions of Examples 1 to 24, which contained an anionic surfactant and polyethylene glycol, sufficiently suppressed the feeling of irritation and provided good skin smoothness, compared with the dentifrice compositions of Examples 25 to 27, which contained neither or neither of these.
These results show that the present invention effectively functions as an agent for preventing stickiness in the oral cavity, and that the dentifrice composition of the present invention has the effect of preventing stickiness in the oral cavity and can exert this effect for a long period of time, resulting in a good cleaning sensation, and in a more preferred embodiment, the sensation of irritation is suppressed and the appearance is stable.

Claims (5)

A dentifrice composition comprising: (A) an acyl sarcosine or a salt thereof; (B) an alkali metal pyrophosphate; (C) a nonionic surfactant; and (D) polyethylene glycol, further comprising a solvent selected from water, a lower monohydric alcohol, and a mixture thereof;
The content of the solvent is 20 to 60% by mass based on the total amount of the dentifrice composition;
(C) the nonionic surfactant is polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil having an average number of moles of ethylene oxide added of 20 to 60 moles and/or polyoxyethylene stearyl ether having an average number of moles of ethylene oxide added of 5 moles,
The content of the component (C) is 0.1 to 5% by mass based on the total amount of the dentifrice composition;
A dentifrice composition which is a toothpaste or a dentifrice gel. The dentifrice composition according to claim 1, in which the ratio of the content of component (A) to the content of component (B) ((A)/(B)) is 0.003 to 10. The dentifrice composition according to claim 1 or 2, in which the ratio of the content of component (A) to the content of component (C) ((A)/(C)) is 0.002 to 10. The dentifrice composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ratio of the content of component (B) to the content of component (C) ((B)/(C)) is 0.02 to 30. An oral stickiness suppressant comprising: (A) acyl sarcosine or a salt thereof; (B) an alkali metal pyrophosphate; (C) a nonionic surfactant; and (D) polyethylene glycol, further comprising a solvent selected from water, a lower monohydric alcohol, and a mixture thereof;
The content of the solvent is 20 to 60% by mass based on the total amount of the stickiness suppressant in the oral cavity,
(C) the nonionic surfactant is polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil having an average number of moles of ethylene oxide added of 20 to 60 moles and/or polyoxyethylene stearyl ether having an average number of moles of ethylene oxide added of 5 moles,
The content of the component (C) in the oral cavity anti-stickiness agent is 0.1 to 5 mass% based on the total amount of the oral cavity anti-stickiness agent.