Chewing gum compositions and the use thereof for remineralization of lesions in teeth
First Claim
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1. A chewing gum product for remineralizing at least one subsurface lesion and/or mineralizing at least one exposed dentinal tubule in at least one tooth, comprising:
- (i) a water-soluble cationic portion comprising from about 0.01% to 15.0% of at least one water-soluble calcium salt;
(ii) a water-soluble anionic portion comprising from about 0.01% to 15.0% of at least one water-soluble phosphate salt;
(iii) from about 10.0% to 95.0% of a gum base; and
(iv) at least one encapsulating coating disposed on one or both of said cationic and anionic portions, wherein said encapsulating coating is present in an amount and is comprised of a material such that (a) said encapsulating coating substantially inhibits reaction of said cationic and anionic portions during storage of said product, and (b) when said product is chewed and contacted with saliva, said encapsulating coating releases said encapsulated cationic and/or anionic portion at a rate such that said cationic and anionic portions of said product are simultaneously released into said saliva, thereby forming a mixed aqueous solution which comprises cations released by said cationic portion and anions released by said anionic portion and further which simultaneously delivers said cations and anions to a surface of said tooth, said cationic and anionic portions each having a pH in water such that said mixed aqueous solution has a pH of from about 4.0 to 7.0.
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Abstract
This invention relates to chewing gum compositions and methods utilizing same which are useful to remineralize subsurface dental enamel. More specifically, this invention relates to stable, single-part chewing gum compositions containing calcium and phosphate salts which when applied to lesions in dental enamel result in remineralization of subsurface dental enamel and/or mineralization of tubules in dentin thereby counteracting caries and/or hypersensitivity.
109 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A chewing gum product for remineralizing at least one subsurface lesion and/or mineralizing at least one exposed dentinal tubule in at least one tooth, comprising:
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(i) a water-soluble cationic portion comprising from about 0.01% to 15.0% of at least one water-soluble calcium salt; (ii) a water-soluble anionic portion comprising from about 0.01% to 15.0% of at least one water-soluble phosphate salt; (iii) from about 10.0% to 95.0% of a gum base; and (iv) at least one encapsulating coating disposed on one or both of said cationic and anionic portions, wherein said encapsulating coating is present in an amount and is comprised of a material such that (a) said encapsulating coating substantially inhibits reaction of said cationic and anionic portions during storage of said product, and (b) when said product is chewed and contacted with saliva, said encapsulating coating releases said encapsulated cationic and/or anionic portion at a rate such that said cationic and anionic portions of said product are simultaneously released into said saliva, thereby forming a mixed aqueous solution which comprises cations released by said cationic portion and anions released by said anionic portion and further which simultaneously delivers said cations and anions to a surface of said tooth, said cationic and anionic portions each having a pH in water such that said mixed aqueous solution has a pH of from about 4.0 to 7.0. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification