The invention provides an antiplaque oral composition that includes an orally acceptable carrier； and an antibacterially effective amount of a compound of structure (I) In the structure, R1 and R2 are independently selected from a lower C1-4 alkyl group and R3 and R4 are independently an alkenyl or alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms. Also included in the invention are toothpastes or tooth gels that include at least one humectant； at least one abrasive compound； and an antibacterially effective amount of the compound represented by the structure of formula (I). Also provided are methods of inhibiting bacterial growth in the oral cavity of an animal by application of the compound of formula (I).
