| abstract |
An antibacterial oral composition effective to promote oral hygiene containing an antibacterial antiplaque agent and an additive which reduces straining of dental surfaces without substantially diminishing the antibacterial and antiplaque activity of the agent. Bis-biguanido hexanes, such as chlorhexidine and alexidine, and quaternary ammonium salts, such as benzethonium chloride and cetyl pyridinium chloride, are typical examples of antibacterial agents. The antistain additive is a phosphono polycarboxylic acid compound, such as 1-phosphonoethane-1,2-dicarboxylic acid and salts thereof. |