O10 The technology behind Colgate® TotalTM toothpaste

Abstract

In the early 1990s, a break‐through toothpaste, known as Colgate® Total™, was launched with documented long‐lasting activity against plaque, gingivitis, calculus, tooth decay and bad breath. The technology behind this toothpaste is the combination of triclosan, a polyvinyl methyl ether maleic acid (PVM/MA) copolymer and sodium fluoride (TCF). The function of the copolymer is to ensure optimal oral retention and prolonged release of the antibacterial triclosan. Effective levels of triclosan have been measured in the oral cavity 12 h after brushing the teeth. This allows prolonged control of oral bacteria that can lead to the formation of dental plaque and gingivitis and bad breath. Similarly, the retention of triclosan to oral surfaces during 2 years regular use of the product has led to a significant reduction in incremental coronal caries compared to an ADA‐approved anti‐cavity fluoride toothpaste. Furthermore, significantly less calcium phosphate has been shown to be present in dental plaque after brushing the teeth with the triclosan/copolymer toothpaste, and this has resulted in the reduced formation of tartar. A new variant of the triclosan/copolymer/fluoride toothpaste, having the numerous therapeutic and aesthetic benefits of the original formula, has been made available to consumers. The new dentifrice, which contains an impactful breath freshening flavor, has been documented to be significantly better (P < 0.05) than a control toothpaste in providing sustained control of bad breath over 12 h. After 12 h, breath odor was reduced from 51% compared to the control. The long term retention and subsequent release of triclosan by the copolymer in the TCF formula provide consumers protection against plaque, gingivitis, tartar, caries and bad breath.