Methods of Preparing Non-Alcohol Bioactive Esential Oil Mouth Rinses

Abstract

The invention relates generally to liquids such as mouth rinses for the prevention and elimination of bad breath as well as for the reduction of oral microorganisms responsible for the development of dental plaque and tooth decay. In particular, the present invention relates to a method of preparing non-alcohol or reduced alcohol mouth rinses effective at preventing the above-mentioned problems.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention relates generally to liquids such as mouth rinses for the prevention and elimination of bad breath as well as for the reduction of oral microorganisms responsible for the development of dental plaque and tooth decay. In particular, the present invention relates to methods of preparing non-alcohol or reduced alcohol mouth rinses effective at preventing the above-mentioned problems.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Mouth rinse or mouthwash compositions have been used by people for many years for the prevention of bad breath and for the elimination of bacteria and other oral microorganisms that are responsible not only for bad breath but also tooth decay, plaque and gum diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis. To this end, antiseptic mouthwashes in the past have been designed to clean the oral cavity, provide fresh breath and kill these pathogenic microbes.[0003]Leading antiseptic mouth rinses have traditionally contained alcohol (i.e., et...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0029]In further embodiments, a method for preparing a reduced alcohol or non-alcohol, antimicrobial mouth rinse composition is disclosed that exhibits a high level of antimicrobial activity as measured by an M-factor greater than 0.5 (or about 0.5), optionally 1.0 (or about 1.0) optionally, 2.0 (or about 2.0), or optionally 3.0 (or ...

Problems solved by technology

However, the use of high levels of alcohol may sometimes be found unacceptable by some mouthwash users.

Senior citizens have also complained about problems related to gargling with such mouth rinses, and chronic exposure has been found to result in a feeling of gum “burn” resulting from the high concentrations of alcohol.

It has also been reported that alcoholic mouth rinses can result in an unpleasant “dry mouth” sensation.

On the other hand, reducing the levels of alcohol in these mouth rinse compositions can have significant disadvantages.

Such disadvantages include a reduction in the solubility of the mouth rinse actives and / or the other mouth rinse ingredients.

For example, it has been found that lowering alcohol concentration (i.e., replacing the alcohol with water) in commercially available mouth rinse compositions can result in cloudy or turbid compositions.

Cloudy or turbid compositions present a clear disadvantage from an aesthetic point of view since clear mouth rinse solutions are certainly more preferred by consumers than cloudy, turbid or otherwise heterogeneous ones.

Additionally, it has been found that lower alcohol concentrations result in a noticeable decrease in the ability of the composition to kill the oral microorganisms responsible for bad breath, plaque and gum disease.

This loss in antimicrobial activity is not only due to the reduction of alcohol as a vehicle, but also to the reduced bioavailability of the solubilized actives.