Sulfonated alkylnaphthalenes as dental plaque barriers

An oral hygiene composition selected from the group consisting of mouthwashes, mouthrinses, irrigating solutions, abrasive gel dentifrices, non-abrasive gel dentifrices, denture cleansers, coated dental floss, coated interdental stimulators, chewing gums, lozenges, breath fresheners, foams and sprays consisting essentially of a therapeutically effective amount for preventing deposition of dental plaque on teeth of a salt of an alkylnaphthalene sulfonate selected from the group consisting of the monoalkylnaphthalene monosulfonate salts of structure (A), ##STR9## dialkylnaphthalene monosulfonate salts of structure (B), ##STR10## monoalkylnaphthalene disulfonate salts of structure (C), ##STR11## and dialkylnaphthalene disulfonate salts of structure (D), ##STR12## wherein R.sub.1 is a linear or branched alkyl having 4 to 20 carbon atoms, R.sub.2 is a linear or branched alkyl having 4 to 12 carbon atoms, R.sub.3 is a linear or branched alkyl having 16 to 20 carbon atoms, R.sub.4 is a linear or branched alkyl having 8 to 20 carbon atoms, and M is selected from the group consisting of lithium, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, aluminum, ammonium and the substituted ammonium ions derived from pharmaceutically acceptable organic amines in a pharmaceutically acceptable oral hygiene vehicle compatible with said alkylnaphthalene sulfonate salt.