| abstract |
A dentifrice for inhibiting calculus formation, comprising sodium bicarbonate, one or more alkali metal pyrophosphate salts, a soluble fluoride ion source and other adjuvants, in admixture with a buffering agent selected from among an alkali metal orthophosphate, o-phosphoric acid, an alkali metal glycerophosphate, tri(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane, tartaric acid or citric acid. The buffering agent is incorporated in the dentifrice in an amount of from about 0.1 to 2.5 % by weight, sufficient to buffer the pH of the dentifrice to a value within the range of from about pH 8.2 to 8.9. The thus buffered dentifrice is subject to decreased risk of irritation of the oral mucosa or desquamation, as compared with dentifrices excluding such a buffering agent. |