Anhydrous dentifrice composition

An anhydrous dentifrice composition comprising, based on the total weight of the composition:

• at least 50% of glycerin;
• 0.01 to 2% of at least one hydroxy ethyl cellulose modified by the introduction of hydrophobic groups selected from the group consisting of C.sub.10 -C.sub.24 alkyl groups and alkyl (C.sub.6 -C.sub.20) phenyl groups, the substitution rate by the hydrophobic groups varying from about 0.2% by weight with respect to the weight of cellulose ether and a value that causes a water solubility of cellulose that it less than 1% by weight;
• 2 to 10% of at least one pyrogenic silica having an average primary particle size of less than 40 nm;
• and
• 2 to 50% of a polishing agent.