WO1999032075A1

WO1999032075A1 - Compositions for inhibiting gingivitis

Info

Publication number: WO1999032075A1
Application number: PCT/US1998/025496
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rita M. Parikh; David Scott Harper; Anil Kumar Talwar; Bruce Kohut
Original assignee: Warner-Lambert Company
Priority date: 1997-12-22
Filing date: 1998-12-02
Publication date: 1999-07-01
Also published as: ZA9811727B; JP2001526202A; EP1041959A1; AU1707699A; BR9813729A; CA2300205A1

Abstract

A stable dentifrice composition containing thymol, eucalyptol, methyl salicylate and menthol is effective in reducing gingivitis.

Description

COMPOSITIONS FOR INHIBITING GINGIVITIS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to compositions and a method for

inhibiting gingivitis. Specifically, the invention is directed to a dentifrice

composition with particular amounts of specific essential oils and a method for

treating gingivitis by brushing with the dentifrice composition.

2. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Volatile or essential oils are widely used in oral care products.

Essential oils are aromatic compounds that are derived from plant sources or

synthesized. Some essential oils show long-lasting germicidal effectiveness

against the most common pathogens in the mouth. These pathogens are frequently

associated with oral malodor, plaque and gingivitis. Thymol is a well-known

essential oil widely used as an antimicrobial in oral care products. Other essential

oils include menthol, methyl salicylate, eucalyptol, anethol and eugenol. Essential oils have been included in formulations of toothpaste. U.S.

Patent No. 1,526,940 to Staegemann teaches a toothpaste with the germicide

ammonium ichthyol sulphonate with high amounts of thymol, menthol,

eucalyptol, methyl salicylate, and peppermint oil as flavorants and taste-masldng

ingredients.

U.S. Patent No. 3,164,524 to Fand et al. teaches an oral antiseptic

comprising 2, 2'-thiobis-(4,6-dichlorophenol), boric acid, methyl salicylate,

thymol, menthol and eucalyptol.

U.S. Patent No. 5,094,843 to Mazzanobile et al. teaches an anti-plaque,

anti-gingivitis toothpaste with a fluoride source and an antimicrobial agent

consisting essentially of about 0.15% to about 0.80% thymol, about 0J5% to

about 1.00% methyl salicylate, about 0.25% to about 0.80% eucalyptol and from

about 0.15% to about 0.60% menthol. Mazzanobile et al. teach that the toothpaste

will usually have a pH of from about 4 to about 8. The only example in

Mazzanobile et al. has a pH of about 6.3. Mazzanobile et al. also disclose that

Euthymol toothpaste has been sold in the United Kingdom. According to

Mazzanobile et al. Euthymol toothpaste contains 0.12% thymol, 1.26% methyl

salicylate, 0.07% menthol and 0.012% eucalyptol. Euthymol toothpaste has a pH

of approximately 7.3-7.5. European Patent Application 0497476 to Colgate-Palmolive Co.

teaches an antiplaque oral composition, including a toothpaste, with triclosan. The

antiplaque activity of the triclosan is increased by essential oils such as eucalyptol,

thymol, methyl salicylate, and menthol.

PCT Application WO 96/03109 to Warner-Lambert Company teaches

an antiseptic, anticaries dentifrice having a pH of about 3.0 to about 5.5. The

dentifrice contains thymol from about 0.01% w/w to about 1.0 % w/w, menthol

from about 0.01 w/w to about 1.0% w/w, eucalyptol from about 0.01% w/w to

about 1.0% w/w and methyl salicylate from about 0.01% w/w to about 1.0% w/w.

Sloane, "Henley's Twentieth Century Book of Formulas, Processes

and Trade Secrets" (Gardener D. Hiscox ed., 1965), pp. 252-253 teaches an

antiseptic tooth powder containing the antiseptic ingredients of Listerine. The

formula contains 20 grains each of thymol, menthol, eucalyptol and oil of

wintergreen (methyl salicylate).

U.S. Patents Nos. 4,545,979 and 4,550,018 to Ambike et al. teach a

dental hygiene composition in an acidic pH range of from 3.0 to 5.0, pH buffers,

fluoride, thymol, eucalyptol, methyl salicylate, peppermint and spearmint oil

flavors, and 0J to 2.0 percent by weight of one or more highly pure alkali metal

salts of dodecyl sulphate having less than 5% non-dodecyl alkyl sulphate salts. Canadian Patent No. 834131 to Tisserand teaches a dentifrice preparation

that has an acidic pH of about 3.8 to 5.8, optimally a pH of 4.0 to 5.5, and most

preferably a pH of 4.0 to 4.8; fluoride; and contains flavor oils such as menthol,

methyl salicylate or thyme oil and other flavors such that the composition is

substantially free of hydrocarbon terpenes. According to Tisserand, when

essential oils that are not free of terpenes are employed in a fluoride dentifrice that

has a pH in the range of about 3.8 to 5.8, the flavor develops a pronounced rancid

and sour taste in a period of less than 3 months.

Warner-Lambert has marketed Euthymol® Toothpaste that was formulated

with thymol, eucalyptol, methyl salicylate and menthol at a pH above 7.0. This

toothpaste was not formulated with fluoride. Warner-Lambert has also marketed

Listerine® toothpaste in the United States and Canada that did not contain thymol

or eucalyptol and was formulated at a pH above 6.0. This toothpaste did not

contain fluoride.

While the prior art discloses toothpaste and other dentifrice

compositions with antiseptic essential oils, there is a need for dentifrice

compositions providing antigingivitis efficacy. Additionally, there is a need for a

dentifrice composition containing antigingivitis ingredients that remain stable for

extended periods. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a method of inhibiting gingivitis

comprising brushing the oral cavity with a dentifrice composition including about

0.5 % w/w to about 0.7% w/w thymol, about 0.5% w/w to about 0.7% w/w

methyl salicylate, about 0.7 % w/w to about 1.0% w/w eucalyptol and about 0.3%

to about 0.6% w/w menthol.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A dentifrice composition used in conjunction with a toothbrush cleans

the accessible tooth surfaces. Dentifrice compositions of this invention contain

essential oils having antiseptic properties. When the dentifrice also contains one

or more fluoride-releasing compound, the composition also has anticaries activity.

Dentifrice compositions of this invention also contain, but are not limited to, one

or more of the following dentifrice additives: acidifiers, abrasives, surfactants,

binders and thickeners, humectants, sweeteners, desensitizing agents, flavors,

5 colors, and preservatives. The dentifrice composition of the invention is acidified

to a pH of about 4.0 to about 5.0 by acidifiers including, but not limited to,

phosphoric acid, acidic phosphate salts, benzoic acid, and food grade acids (e.g.

citric acid, gluconic acid, etc). The preceding active ingredients and additives are

combined in a hydrous or anhydrous vehicle to form a solid (i.e. toothpowder), a

o semi-solid (i.e. paste or gel), or a liquid. Essential oils are volatile aromatic oils that are synthetic or are derived

from plants by distillation, expression or extraction. Essential oils usually carry

the odor or flavor of the plant from which they are obtained. In the dentifrice

compositions of this invention, antigingivitis activity is provided by essential oils.

Some of these essential oils also act as flavoring agents. The essential oils of this

invention include, but are not limited to, thymol, menthol, methyl salicylate

(wintergreen oil) and eucalyptol. Thymol, also known by the chemical formula

5-methyl 2-(l-methylethyl) phenol, is obtained from the essential oil of Thymus

vulgaris Labiatae and Monarda punctata Labiatae. Thymol is a white crystalline

powder with an aromatic odor and taste. Thymol is soluble in organic solvents but

only slightly soluble in deionized water.

Menthol is isolated principally from the oil of Mentha arvensis. In its

commercial form, menthol is available as L-menthol crystals obtained from a

process involving cooling of the oil. Fractional distillation of peppermint oil that

usually contains from about 40% to about 65% menthol represents another

important source of menthol. Synthetic sources of L-menthol are also available.

Eucalyptol is derived from the eucalyptus tree. Having a cam-

phoraceous odor and cooling taste, this essential oil is often combined with other

essential oils such as menthol in confection formulations to impart medicinal

effect. Combinations of menthol and eucalyptol are widely used. Particularly preferred uses of the menthol-eucalyptol combination include, according to the

present invention, dentifrices such as toothpastes or dental gels.

Methyl salicylate is the main ingredient in many essential oils,

constituting about 99% of oil of wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) and sweet

birch (Betula lenta). Methyl salicylate, which has a distinctive refreshing aroma,

is used widely in mouthwashes, chewing gums and other oral and pharmaceutical

preparations.

The four essential oils used in the present invention are also used in the

well .known mouthwash Listerine®. The amount of the oils in Listerine®

mouthwash is 0.064% thymol, 0.092% eucalyptol, 0.060% methyl salicylate and

0.042% menthol. Listerine® mouthwash is known to help reduce the incidence of

gingivitis. The inventors were faced with the challenge of formulating a

toothpaste that delivers the same amount of essential oils so as to provide anti¬

gingivitis activity.

The recommended amount of mouthwash used at one time is

approximately 20 milliliters. In contrast, the average amount of toothpaste is only

approximately 2.0 grams. Based upon the difference in amounts of product used,

the inventors believed that a toothpaste with ten times the concentration of

essential oils in the mouthwash would be needed to deliver anti-gingivitis activity. Suprisingly, a dentifrice with only eight times the concentration of

essential oils present in Listerine® mouthwash is sufficient to provide anti¬

gingivitis activity. Specifically, a dentifrice with about 0.46% to about 0.5623%

thymol, about 0.4644% to about 0.5676% methyl salicylate, about 0.306% to

about 0.374% menthol and about 0.6971% to about 0.8519% eucalyptol is

clinically effective in inhibiting gingivitis. More preferably a dentifrice according

to the present invention contains about 0.5112% thymol, about 0.5160% methyl

salicylate, about 0.34% menthol and about 0.7745% eucalyptol and is clinically

effective in inhibiting gingivitis.

Fluoride-releasing compounds may be used in the dentifrice

compositions of the present invention. These compounds may be fully or slightly

water soluble, release fluoride ions or fluoride-containing ions in water and do not

react with other components in the composition. It is well .known that dentifrice

compositions containing fluoride-releasing compounds help prevent dental caries.

Typical fluoride-releasing compounds are inorganic fluoride salts such as

water-soluble alkaline earth metal, alkali metal, and heavy metal salts. Sodium

monofluorophosphate, sodium fluoride, stannous fluoride and mixtures of these

compositions are preferred.

The amount of fluoride-releasing compound present in the dentifrice

compositions of this invention must be nontoxic. The specific amount depends

upon the type of fluoride-releasing compound employed, the solubility of the fluoride-releasing compound and the formulation of the dentifrice composition. In

general, the fluoride-releasing compound will be present in an amount by weight

of up to about 1.2% w/w, preferably from about 0.1% w/w to about 1.0% w/w,

and most preferably from about 0.175% w/w to about 0.8% w/w of the dentifrice

composition so as to provide 800 - 1500 ppm F^".

The pH for the preferred embodiment according to the present

invention is from about 4.0 to about 5.0. A pH greater than about 5.0 has been

found to decrease the antiseptic activity of the dentifrice composition.

In addition to providing improved antiseptic activity, maintaining the

pH of the dentifrice compositions from about 4.0 to about 5.0 also provides for a

stable product. The amount of methyl salicylate in the composition drops

dramatically over time at a pH greater than 5.0.

The pH of the claimed dentifrice is adjusted to below 5.0 using suitable

food or pharmaceutical grade acidifiers. These include, but are not limited to, one

5 or a combination of the following: phosphoric acid, benzoic acid, citric acid, or

other tricarboxylic acids, and the like. Acidifiers in the present invention include

a mixture of phosphoric acid from about 0.01% w/w to about 3.0% w/w,

preferably in the range of from about 0.1% w/w to about 1.5% w/w, and most

preferably in the range of from about 0.2% w/w to about 0.75% w/w; monobasic

o sodium phosphate from about 0.01% w/w to about 1% w/w, preferably from about

0.1% w/w to about 0.5% w/w and most preferably from about 0.2% w/w to about 0.4% w/w; dibasic sodium phosphate from about 0.001% w/w to about 1.0% w/w,

preferably from about 0.01% w/w to about 0.5% w/w and most preferably from

about 0.01% w/w to about 0.05% w/w; and benzoic acid in the range of from

about 0.01%o w/w to about 1.0% w/w, preferably from about 0.05% w/w to about

0.5% w/w, and most preferably from about 0.08% w/w to about 0.35% w/w. The

exact amount of acidifier added will depend on the final pH and buffer capacity

desired.

The pH of the products may be buffered with salts of the acids in

question. Common buffer systems include phosphoric acid and sodium phosphate

salts, or citric acid and sodium citrate. Suitable buffers for use in this invention

include citric acid-sodium citrate, phosphoric acid-sodium phosphate, sodium

monobasic phosphate-sodium dibasic phosphate, acetic acid-sodium acetate,

gluconic acid-sodium gluconate and benzoic acid and sodium benzoate in amounts

up to about 1% w/w, preferably from about 0.05% w/w to about 0.75% w/w of the

composition and most preferably from about 0.1% w/w to about 0.5% w/w of the

composition.

The compositions of the present invention may also contain

conventional dentifrice additives including, but not limited to, humectants,

binders, thickeners, surfactants, preservatives, sweeteners, flavors, colors,

glycerin, and a buffer. These additives are present in amounts that do not interfere with the antiseptic, antigingivitis and anticaries properties of the composition of

the present invention.

Surfactants or surface active agents are organic compounds that reduce

surface tension between liquids and aid in the dispersion of a composition

throughout the oral cavity. The surfactant in the present invention may be anionic,

nonionic, or amphoteric. The oral hygiene or dentifrice compositions of the

present invention may contain surfactants in amounts up to about 5.0% w/w; pre¬

ferably from about 0.1% w/w to about 3.0% w/w of the dentifrice composition;

and most preferably from about 0.2% w/w to about 2.0% w/w of the dentifrice

composition.

The most preferred surfactants are anionic. These anionic

surfactants include, but are not limited to, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium lauroyl

sarcosinate, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, and disodium lauryl sulfosuccinate. A

preferred surfactant is sodium lauryl sulfate. The compositions according to the

present invention are substantially free from one or more highly pure alkali metal

salts of dodecyl sulphate having less than 5% non-dodecyl alkyl sulphate salts.

.Amphoteric surfactants have the capacity to behave as either an acid or

a base and include quaternized imidazole derivatives. Preferred amphoteric

surfactants include long chain (alkyl) amino-alkylene aklylated amine derivatives,

also .known as MIRANOL®, manufactured by Rhone-Poulanc, Cranberry, New

Jersey. Natural and artificial sweeteners may be used in the dentifrice

compositions. The sweetener may be selected from a wide range of well .known

materials including naturally occurring water-soluble sweeteners, artificial

water-soluble sweeteners and modified water-soluble sweeteners derived from

naturally occurring water-soluble sweeteners. Artificial water-soluble sweeteners

include, but are not limited to, soluble saccharin salts, e.g., sodium or calcium

saccharin salts, cyclamate salts, the sodium, ammonium or calcium salt of

3,4-dihydro-6-methyl-l,2,3-oxathiazine-4-one-2,2-dioxide, the potassium salt of

3,4-dihydro-6-methyl- 1 ,2,3-oxathiazine-4-one-2,2-dioxide (Acesulfame-K), the

free acid form of saccharin and dipeptide based sweeteners, such as L-aspartic

acid derived sweeteners. Dipeptide sweeteners include

L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester (Aspartame) and materials described in

U.S. Pat. No. 3,492,131, L-alpha-aspartyl-N-(2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-

3-thietanyl)-D-alaninamide hydrate (Alitame), methyl esters of L-aspartyl-L-

phenylglycerine and L-aspartyl-L-2,5-dihydrophenylglycine,

L-aspartyl-2,5-dihydro-L-phenylalanine and L-aspartyl-L-

(l-cyclohexene)-alanine. Naturally occurring water-soluble sweeteners include,

but are not limited to, sugar alcohols, including sorbitol as 70% sorbitol solution,

mannitol, xylitol, maltitol, hydrogenated starch hydrolysates and mixtures thereof.

Water-soluble sweeteners derived from naturally occurring

water-soluble sweeteners include, but are not limited to, chlorinated derivatives of sucrose, .known, for example, under the product designation of Sucralose; and

protein-based sweeteners such as thaumaoccous danielli (Thaumatin I and II).

Sorbitol solution supplies sweetness and body to the composition and

gives a desirable mouth feel. Sorbitol solution also enhances flavor, prevents

harsh taste and provides a fresh and lively sensation in the mouth. It also prevents

caking of the dentifrice.

In general, an effective amount of sweetener is utilized to provide the

level of sweetness desired in any particular embodiment of the dentifrice composi¬

tions according to the present invention. This amount will vary with the sweetener

selected and the final form of the composition. The amount of sweetener normally

present is from about 0.0025% w/w to about 60% w/w of the dentifrice

composition. The exact range of amounts for each type of sweetener in a

dentifrice is readily determined by those skill in the art.

The flavors that may be used in the invention include natural and

artificial flavors .known in the dentifrice art. Suitable flavors include, but are not

limited to, mints, such as peppermint, citrus flavors such as orange and lemon,

artificial vanilla, cinnamon, various fruit flavors, and the like. Anethole (or anise

camphor, p-propenyl anisole) is a flavor constituent of anise and fennel oils that

are used widely as flavoring agent and antiseptic and was found useful in masking

the harsh taste of thymol. The amount of flavor is normally a matter of preference subject to

the type of final dentifrice composition, the individual flavor employed and the

strength of flavor desired. The flavors are preferably utilized in amounts that may

range from about 0.01% w/w to about 6% w/w of the dentifrice composition. The

flavors used in the compositions according to the present invention comprise

flavoring oils that are not substantially free of terpenes.

Coloring agents are used in amounts effective to produce a dentifrice

of the desired color. These coloring agents may be incorporated in amounts up to

about 3% by weight of the dentifrice composition. The coloring agents may also

include natural food colors .and dyes suitable for food, drug and cosmetic

applications. These coloring agents are known as FD & C dyes and lakes. The

coloring materials are preferably water-soluble. Illustrative nonlimiting examples

include the indigoid dye known as FD & C Blue NoJ, and D & C Yellow No. 10.

A full recitation of all FD & C colorants and their corresponding chemical

structures may be found in the Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical

Technology, 3rd Edition, in volume 5 at pages 857-884. A preferred opacifier,

titanium dioxide, may be incorporated in amounts up to about 2.0% w/w,

preferably less than about 1.0% w/w of the composition and most preferably less

than about 0.4% w/w.

Suitable humectants in this invention include sorbitol, as 70% sorbitol

solution, glycerin, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, mixtures thereof, and the like. Humectants may be present in amounts from about 1.0% to about 75.0% by

weight of the dentifrice composition.

Suitable abrasive substances for use in this invention must be

compatible with the low pH of the composition and include hydrated silica,

alumina or alkali metal meta-phosphates. Silica abrasives in the dentifrice

composition according to this invention may include among others, ZEODENT®

(113), manufactured by J. M. Huber Corp. and SYLOID® or SYLODENT®,

manufactured by W.R. Grace Co. These polishing agents may be used in amounts

up to about 75.0% w/w of the composition, preferably in amounts from about

5.0%) w/w to about 40% w/w of the composition and most preferably from about

5.0% w/w to about 30.0% w/w of the composition.

The dentifrice composition includes an oral vehicle that can be a paste,

gel, powder or liquid. Depending upon the specific form of the dentifrice, the

composition may also include binders or gelling agents to provide a desired

consistency. Gelling agents such as hydroxyethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl

cellulose, methyl cellulose, xanthan gum, gelling silicas and the like may be used

singly or in combination. The preferred gelling system is a mixture of carboxy

methyl cellulose, xanthan gum and gelling silica. Gelling agents may be used in

amounts from about 0.5% w/w to about 30% w/w, preferably from about 5.0%

w/w to about 15.0% w/w of the dentifrice composition, and most preferably from

about 1.0% w/w to about 20% w/w of the composition. The dentifrice composition of this invention may also contain a

desensitizing agent such as strontium chloride, potassium nitrate or sodium citrate-

citric acid, which may be used in an amount from about 0.5% w/w to about 10%

w/w.

Suitable preservatives include benzoic acid, butylated hydroxyanisole

(BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), ascorbic acid, methyl paraben, propyl

paraben, tocopherols and mixtures thereof. Preservatives when used are generally

present in amounts up to about 1.0% w/w, and preferably from about 0.1% w/w to

about 1.0% w/w of the dental gel composition.

The present invention is further illustrated by the following non-

limiting examples. All parts and percentages in the examples and throughout the

specification and claims are by weight of the final composition unless otherwise

specified.

Example 1 and Comparative Example 1

Dentifrice compositions were formulated with the ingredients listed in

Table 1.

Example 2

A three week, randomized, double blind study was performed studying the

antiplaque and antigingivitis efficacy of brushing with Example 1 versus

Comparative Example 1. Forty four subjects were screened for evidence of

gingivitis and plaque. Subjects were instructed to brush twice daily by filling the

head of their toothbrush with the assigned toothpaste and brushing for one minute.

The subjects were instructed to not use any other toothpaste or mouthwash during

the study.

The subjects were then screened for Modified Gingival Index, Plaque Index

and Bleeding Index. The Modified Gingival Index is described in Lobene, R.R., et

al., A Modified Gingival Index For The Use In Clinical Trials, Clin. Prev. Dent.

8:3, 1986. The severity of gingivitis is scored using a 4 point scale O - normal, 1

mild inflammation in any portion of the unit, 2 - mild inflammation in the entire

unit, 3- moderate inflammation, 4 - severe inflammation.

The plaque index used was the Turesky modification of the Quigley-Hein

Plaque Index as described in Turesky, S., et al., Reduced Plaque Formation By

The Chloromethyl .Analogue of Vitamin C, J. Periodontol. 41 :41, 1970. This

index scores the amount of the toothsurface covered with plaque using a 0-5 point

scale. The bleeding index used was the Gingival Bleeding Index as described in

Saxton, et al., The Effect Of A Dentifrice Containing Zinc Citrate And Triclosan

On Developing Gingivitis, J. Perio. Res. 24:75, 1989. The level of bleeding is

recorded following probing the gingiva with a periodontal probe in a sweeping

fashion and using a 3 point scale 0 no bleeding, 1 - bleeding after 30 seconds, and

3 - bleeding immediately.

The subjects using Example 1 had a 39.6% reduction in Plaque Index, a

10.8%) reduction in Gingival Index and a 65.4% reduction in Bleeding Index

compared to the subjects using Comparative Example 1.

Example 3

A six month study testing Example 1 versus Comparative Example 1 was

performed. The procedures and indices used in Example 2 were also used in

Example 3. In addition to the indices measured in the three week study, the

subjects were also measured for interproximal Modified Gingival Index and

interproximal Plaque Index. The subjects were measured at three and six months.

The results are summarized in Table 2.

Table 2

Example 4

An additional example of a dentifrice according to the claimed invention was formulated with the following ingredients.

Percent W/W

1. Purified Water 24.8485

2. Sorbitol Solution 40.0000

3. Sodium Monofluorophosphate .7600

4. Sodium Saccharin 1.2000

5. Sodium Phosphate Monobasic Anhydrous .2500

6. Sodium Phosphate Dibasic .Anhydrous .0300

7. Polyethylene Glycol 3.0000

8. Acid Benzoic J500

9. FD and C Blue No. 1 .0020

10. D and C Yellow No. 10 .0002

11. Phosphoric Acid .4425

12. Silicon Dioxide 7.0000

13. .Amorphous Silica (Sylodent 750) 11.0000

14. Xanthan Gum .2500

15. Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium 1.2000

16. Glycerin 6.0000

17. Thymol .5112

18. Methyl Salicylate .5160

19. Menthol .3400

20. Eucalyptol .7745

21. Spearmint Oil Blend J000

22. Mint Flavor J250

23. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate 1.5000 While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to

specific examples thereof, it will be apparent to one sldlled in the art that various

changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit

and scope thereof.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A dentifrice composition comprising:

about 0.46% to about 0.5623% thymol,

about 0.4644% to about 0.5676% methyl salicylate,

about 0.306% to about 0.374% menthol,

about 0.6971% to about 0.8519% eucalyptol; and

a dental vehicle.

2. The dentiafrice composition according to claim 1, comprising:

about 0.5112% thymol,

about 0.5160% methyl salicylate,

about 0.3400% menthol, and

about 0.7745% eucalyptol.

3. A method of inhibiting gingivitis in an oral cavity comprising

brushing the teeth within the oral cavity with a dentifrice composition comprising: