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 confectionery composition comprising:
 (a) a confectionery carrier;   (b) at least one sweetening agent; and   (c) casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate present in amounts of at least about 3% by weight of said composition,   wherein said composition is free of sodium bicarbonate.   
   
   
       2 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein said composition comprises a confectionery product 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. 
   
   
       3 . The composition according to  claim 2 , wherein said confectionery product comprises a confectionery region and a coating region. 
   
   
       4 . The composition according to  claim 3 , wherein 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. 
   
   
       5 . The composition according to  claim 2 , 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. 
   
   
       6 . The composition according to  claim 5 , wherein 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. 
   
   
       7 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein said casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate is encapsulated. 
   
   
       8 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein said casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate comprises a mixture of said casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate in an encapsulated form and said casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate in an unencapsulated form. 
   
   
       9 . The composition according to  claim 5 , wherein said casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate is encapsulated, said encapsulated casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate being located in at least one of said regions. 
   
   
       10 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein said composition comprises a confectionery product comprising about 54 mg of said casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate. 
   
   
       11 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one sweetening agent comprises at least one sugarless sweetening agent. 
   
   
       12 . The composition according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one flavor. 
   
   
       13 . A confectionery composition comprising:
 (a) a confectionery carrier;   (b) at least one sweetening agent; and   (c) casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate present in amounts of at least about 3% by weight of said composition,   wherein said composition is free of mineral filler.   
   
   
       14 . The composition according to  claim 13 , wherein said composition comprises a confectionery product 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. 
   
   
       15 . The composition according to  claim 14 , 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. 
   
   
       16 . The composition according to  claim 14 , 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. 
   
   
       17 . The composition according to  claim 16 , wherein 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. 
   
   
       18 . The composition according to  claim 13 , wherein said casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate is encapsulated. 
   
   
       19 . The composition according to  claim 13 , wherein said composition comprises a confectionery product comprising about 54 mg of said casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate. 
   
   
       20 . A confectionery composition comprising:
 (a) a confectionery carrier;   (b) at least one sweetening agent; and   (c) an anticaries agent consisting essentially of casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate present in amounts of at least about 3% by weight of said composition.   
   
   
       21 . The composition according to  claim 20 , wherein said composition comprises a confectionery product 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. 
   
   
       22 . The composition according to  claim 21 , 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. 
   
   
       23 . The composition according to  claim 21 , 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. 
   
   
       24 . The composition according to  claim 23 , wherein 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. 
   
   
       25 . The composition according to  claim 20 , wherein said casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate is encapsulated. 
   
   
       26 . The composition according to  claim 20 , wherein said composition comprises a confectionery product comprising about  54  mg of said casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate. 
   
   
       27 . A confectionery composition consisting essentially of:
 (a) a confectionery carrier;   (b) at least one sweetening agent;   (c) casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate present in amounts of at least about 3% by weight of said composition;   (d) at least one flavor; and   (e) at least one coloring agent.   
   
   
       28 . The composition according to  claim 27 , wherein said composition comprises a confectionery product 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. 
   
   
       29 . The composition according to  claim 28 , 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. 
   
   
       30 . The composition according to  claim 28 , 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. 
   
   
       31 . The composition according to  claim 30 , wherein 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. 
   
   
       32 . The composition according to  claim 27 , wherein said casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate is encapsulated.