| abstract |
PURPOSE: To obtain a nontoxic composition for detecting dental plaque, having a good taste, capable of making dental plaque readily observable with a visible light wavelength and being simply rinsed because dental plaque can be strongly and selectively colored, comprising FD & C red No.40 dye having a specific concentration. CONSTITUTION: A composition for oral cavity (when the composition is a solution, it is a liquid vehicle, preferably an aqueous vehicle containing <=55% mono-, di- or polyhydroxyl compound) in the form of mouth rinse, dentifrice, aerosol spray, chewing gum, chewing tablet, wafer or lozenge is formulated with 0.05-10%, preferably 0.05-5%, especially 0.05-1.0% of FD & C Red No.40 dye of the formula as a dental plaque detecting agent. For example, in the case of mouse rinse, the aqueous vehicle is formulated with about 0.25% of the dye to give the objective dental plaque detecting composition having the effects useful for improving hygienic habit of oral cavity. |