Method for the manufacture of clear dentifrices

Abstract

A method for manufacturing a visually clear dentifrice from a substantially water-insoluble polishing agent having a refractive index of about 1.44 to 1.48, such as a colloidal silica, an amorphous silicic anhydride or an amorphous complex aluminosilicate, a synthetic inorganic complex silicate clay gelling agent of the formula [Si.sub.8 Mg.sub.5.1 Li.sub.0.6 H.sub.7.6 O.sub.24 ].sup.0.6.spsp.- Na .sup.+.sub.0.6 , and a vehicle which includes water, sorbitol and glycerine, which method requires initial mixing of the gelling agent with a sorbitol solution in water to produce a clear gel, followed by admixing glycerine with said clear gel. The described manufacturing method results in quicker production of clear gels of the present formulations than do corresponding methods in which the gelling agent is initially mixed with glycerine or glycerine-containing mixtures. Also, it has been found that the gels made by the present method are of improved quality, compared to those in which gelation is initially attempted in glycerine instead of in aqueous sorbitol solution.

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