Abstract: The present invention provides low concentration chlorous-acid generating compositions useful for oral hygiene. The compositions are effective oral disinfectants which do not have the strong unpleasant taste of chlorine and are useful in reducing plaque. The invention also concerns processes for making the inventive compositions and methods for using the same.

Abstract: There is disclosed, in one aspect, a composition for forming a protective barrier while disinfecting substrates such as human or animal skin. The composition comprises two gels adapted to be simultaneously applied and mixed in situ and to adhere onto the substrate. The first gel comprises an aqueous solution containing suitable amounts of a protic acid, preferably lactic acid. The second gel comprises an amount of a metal chlorite such as sodium chlorite, such that the chlorite ion concentration in the form of chlorous acid in the combined gels is no more than about 15% by weight of the total amount of chlorite ion concentration. The second gel also contains a polysulfonic acid salt. The anion of that salt has the formula: ##STR1## wherein X has a value such that the molecular weight of the anionic portion of the polymer is from about 1,000,000 to about 5,000,000. In another aspect, there is disclosed a method for treating skin diseases.