Salts of maleic acid copolymers as dental plaque barrier agents
AssigneeJohnson & Johnson Products, Inc.
InventorCarl J. Buck
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Abstract
Compositions and methods for preventing the attachment of dental plaque to the surface of the teeth of mammals comprise certain salts of certain maleic acid copolymers in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle and the periodic application thereof to teeth.
Claims6
An oral hygiene composition comprising an effective amount for preventing deposition of dental plaque on teeth of a maleic acid copolymer having repeating units selected from the group consisting of structure (A), ##STR10## and structure (B), ##STR11## wherein R.sub.1 is a linear alkyl group of 4 to 12 carbon atoms, R.sub.2 is a linear alkyl group of 4 to 16 carbon atoms or a phenyl group, and M is sodium, potassium, or an ammonium ion derived from ammonia, the maleic acid comonomer concentration in each of said structures (A) and (B) being about 50 mole percent, the molecular weight of said copolymer being from about 10,000 to about 50,000, in a pharmaceutically acceptable oral hygiene vehicle compatible with said polymer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.