Impact of calcium phosphate complex on dental caries

Abstract

The present invention relates to chewing gum and confectionery compositions and methods for reducing dental caries in mammals. In particular, the compositions may include a gum base or carrier, sweetening agents and casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP). The compositions may be employed to slow the progression and enhance the regression of carious lesions in mammals, particularly in humans.

1 . A method for reducing dental caries in a mammal, comprising the steps of:
 (a) applying a chewing gum product into the oral cavity of the mammal, wherein the chewing gum product comprises:
 (i) a gum base present in amounts of about 5% to about 95% by weight of said product; 
 (ii) at least one sweetening agent present in amounts of about 0.001% to about 95% by weight of said product; and 
 (iii) casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate present in amounts of about 0.5% to about 5% by weight of said product; and 
   (b) chewing the chewing gum product for a time sufficient to reduce caries formation.   
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate is present in amounts of at least about 3% by weight of said product. 
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said chewing gum product comprises a sugarless chewing gum product. 
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein chewing said chewing gum product reduces caries formation to a greater extent than chewing a sugarless chewing gum product which is free of casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate for the same period of time. 
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein chewing said chewing gum product reduces caries formation by about 16.9% over chewing said sugarless chewing gum product which is free of casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate. 
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said time sufficient to reduce caries formation is at least about 1 minute. 
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said chewing gum product is in a form selected from the group consisting of slab, pellet, stick, center-fill gum, deposited gum and compressed gum. 
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said chewing gum product comprises a chewing gum region and a coating region and said casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate is located in a region selected from the group consisting of said chewing gum region, said coating region and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said chewing gum product comprises a center-fill gum, said center-fill gum comprising a center-fill region and a gum region at least partially surrounding said center-fill region, and said casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate is located in a region selected from the group consisting of said gum region, said center-fill region and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said chewing gum product is free of sodium bicarbonate. 
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said chewing gum product displays a brand or logo that communicates the presence of said casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate in an amount sufficient to reduce caries. 
   
   
       12 . A method for slowing the progression and enhancing the regression of carious lesions in a mammal, comprising the steps of:
 (a) applying a chewing gum product into the oral cavity of the mammal, wherein the chewing gum product comprises:
 (i) a gum base present in amounts of about 5% to about 95% by weight of said product; 
 (ii) at least one sweetening agent present in amounts of about 0.001% to about 95% by weight of said product; and 
 (iii) casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate present in amounts of about 0.5% to about 5% by weight of said product; and 
   (b) chewing the chewing gum product for a time sufficient to slow the progression and enhance the regression of carious lesions by about 16.9% more than chewing a sugarless chewing gum product which is free of casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate.   
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein said casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate is present in amounts of at least about 3% by weight of said product. 
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein said chewing gum product is free of sodium bicarbonate. 
   
   
       15 . A method for reducing dental caries in a mammal, comprising the steps of:
 (a) applying a confectionery product into the oral cavity of the mammal, wherein the confectionery product comprises:
 (i) a confectionery carrier present in amounts of about 5% to about 99% by weight of said product; 
 (ii) at least one sweetening agent present in amounts of about 0.001% to about 95% by weight of said product; and 
 (iii) casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate present in amounts of about 0.5% to about 5% by weight of said product; and 
   (b) retaining the confectionery product in the oral cavity for a time sufficient to reduce caries formation.   
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein said casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate is present in amounts of at least about 3% by weight of said product. 
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein said confectionery product is selected from the group consisting of hard candy, soft candy, center-fill candy, cotton candy, pressed tablets, lozenges, edible films, nougats, caramels, frappes and taffies. 
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein said confectionery product comprises a confectionery region and a coating region and said casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate is located in a region selected from the group consisting of said confectionery region, said coating region and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein said confectionery product comprises a center-fill candy, said center-fill candy comprising a center-fill region and a confectionery region at least partially surrounding said center-fill region, and said casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate is located in a region selected from the group consisting of said confectionery region, said center-fill region and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein said confectionery product is free of sodium bicarbonate. 
   
   
       21 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein said confectionery product displays a brand or logo that communicates the presence of said casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate in an amount sufficient to reduce caries. 
   
   
       22 . A method for slowing the progression and enhancing the regression of carious lesions in a mammal, comprising the steps of:
 (a) applying a confectionery product into the oral cavity of the mammal, wherein the confectionery product comprises:
 (i) a confectionery carrier present in amounts of about 5% to about 99% by weight of said product; 
 (ii) at least one sweetening agent present in amounts of about 0.001% to about 95% by weight of said product; and 
 (iii) casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate present in amounts of about 0.5% to about 5% by weight of said product; and 
   (b) retaining the confectionery product in the oral cavity for a time sufficient to slow the progression and enhance the regression of carious lesions by about 16.9% more than chewing a sugarless confectionery product which is free of casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate.   
   
   
       23 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein said casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate is present in amounts of at least about 3% by weight of said product. 
   
   
       24 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein said confectionery product is selected from the group consisting of hard candy, soft candy, center-fill candy, cotton candy, pressed tablets, lozenges, edible films, nougats, caramels, frappes and taffies. 
   
   
       25 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein said confectionery product is free of sodium bicarbonate. 
   
   
       26 . A method for preventing dental caries in a mammal, comprising the steps of:
 (a) applying a chewing gum product into the oral cavity of the mammal, wherein the chewing gum product comprises:
 (i) a gum base present in amounts of about 5% to about 95% by weight of said product; 
 (ii) at least one sweetening agent present in amounts of about 0.001% to about 95% by weight of said product; and 
 (iii) casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate present in amounts of about 0.5% to about 5% by weight of said product; and 
   (b) chewing the chewing gum product for a time sufficient to reduce caries formation.   
   
   
       27 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein said casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate is present in amounts of at least about 3% by weight of said product. 
   
   
       28 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein said chewing gum product is in a form selected from the group consisting of slab, pellet, stick, center-fill gum, deposited gum and compressed gum. 
   
   
       29 . A method for preventing dental caries in a mammal, comprising the steps of:
 (a) applying a confectionery product into the oral cavity of the mammal, wherein the confectionery product comprises:
 (i) a confectionery carrier present in amounts of about 5% to about 99% by weight of said product; 
 (ii) at least one sweetening agent present in amounts of about 0.001% to about 95% by weight of said product; and 
 (iii) casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate present in amounts of about 0.5% to about 5% by weight of said product; and 
   (b) retaining the confectionery product in the oral cavity for a time sufficient to reduce caries formation.   
   
   
       30 . The method according to  claim 29 , wherein said casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate is present in amounts of at least about 3% by weight of said product. 
   
   
       31 . The method according to  claim 29 , wherein said confectionery product is selected from the group consisting of hard candy, soft candy, center-fill candy, cotton candy, pressed tablets, lozenges, edible films, nougats, caramels, frappes and taffies. 
   
   
       32 . A kit for reducing dental caries in a mammal comprising:
 (a) a chewing gum product comprising a gum base, casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate and at least one sweetening agent;   (b) a set of instructions for using said chewing gum product; and   (c) a package for housing said chewing gum product and said set of instructions.   
   
   
       33 . A kit for reducing dental caries in a mammal comprising:
 (a) a confectionery product comprising a confectionery carrier, casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate and at least one sweetening agent;   (b) a set of instructions for using said confectionery product; and   (c) a package for housing said confectionery product and said set of instructions.   
   
   
       34 . A kit for preventing dental caries in a mammal comprising:
 (a) a chewing gum product comprising a gum base, casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate and at least one sweetening agent;   (b) a set of instructions for using said chewing gum product; and   (c) a package for housing said chewing gum product and said set of instructions.   
   
   
       35 . A kit for preventing dental caries in a mammal comprising:
 (a) a confectionery product comprising a confectionery carrier, casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate and at least one sweetening agent;   (b) a set of instructions for using said confectionery product; and   (c) a package for housing said confectionery product and said set of instructions.   
   
   
       36 . A kit for slowing the progression and enhancing the regression of carious lesions in a mammal comprising:
 (a) a chewing gum product comprising a gum base, casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate and at least one sweetening agent;   (b) a set of instructions for using said chewing gum product; and   (c) a package for housing said chewing gum product and said set of instructions.   
   
   
       37 . A kit for slowing the progression and enhancing the regression of carious lesions in a mammal comprising:
 (a) a confectionery product comprising a confectionery carrier, casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate and at least one sweetening agent;   (b) a set of instructions for using said confectionery product; and   (c) a package for housing said confectionery product and said set of instructions.