An oral composition dentifrice comprising an orally acceptable vehicle, about 5-30% by weight of a siliceous polishing agent, a substantially water-insoluble noncationic antibacterial antiplaque agent, such as 2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether (triclosan), and an antibacterial-enhancing agent which enhances the delivery of said antibacterial agent to, and retention thereof on, oral surfaces, wherein said antiplaque agent is substantially completely dissolved in saliva present during tooth and gum cleaning in a solubilizing agent therefor. The solubilizing agent may be a humectant polyol such as propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol and hexylene glycol; a cellosolve such as methyl cellosolve and ethyl cellosolve; a vegetable oil or wax containing at least about 12 carbon atoms in a straight chain such as olive oil, castor oil and petrolatum; or an ester such as ethyl acetate, amyl acetate, glyceryl tristearate and benzyl benzoate.