Polymer screening methods

A method of measuring polymer deposition on a saliva-coated dental substrate comprising:

• (a) measuring the near IR absorption of a saliva-coated dental substrate in the absence of test polymer;
• (b) measuring the near IR absorption of a test polymer;
• (c) obtaining a test sample by contacting a saliva-coated dental substrate with the test polymer or a formulation comprising the test polymer, wherein the test polymer is selected from carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP);
• (d) washing or rinsing the test sample;
• (e) measuring the near IR absorption of the test sample;
• (f) comparing the near IR absorption of (i) the saliva-coated dental substrate in the absence of test polymer, (ii) the test polymer, and (iii) the test sample, to determine the degree of deposition and retention of the test polymer on the test sample, wherein the near IR absorption is measured in the range of 2000 to 2500 nm;
• and
• (g) identifying a test polymer for use in an oral care formulation based on the detection of CMC or PVP when the near IR absorption is measured in the range of 2000 to 2500 nm.