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 chewing gum composition comprising:
 (a) a gum base;   (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 chewing gum product selected from the group consisting of slab, pellet, stick, center-fill gum, deposited gum and compressed gum. 
   
   
       3 . The composition according to  claim 2 , wherein said chewing gum product comprises a chewing gum 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 chewing gum region, said coating region and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       5 . The composition according to  claim 2 , 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. 
   
   
       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 gum 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 chewing gum 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 chewing gum composition comprising:
 (a) a gum base;   (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 chewing gum product selected from the group consisting of slab, pellet, stick, center-fill gum, deposited gum and compressed gum. 
   
   
       15 . The composition according to  claim 14 , 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. 
   
   
       16 . The composition according to  claim 14 , 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. 
   
   
       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 gum 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 chewing gum product comprising about 54 mg of said casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate. 
   
   
       20 . A chewing gum composition comprising:
 (a) a gum base;   (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 chewing gum product selected from the group consisting of slab, pellet, stick, center-fill gum, deposited gum and compressed gum. 
   
   
       22 . The composition according to  claim 21 , 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. 
   
   
       23 . The composition according to  claim 21 , 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. 
   
   
       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 gum 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 chewing gum product comprising about 54 mg of said casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate. 
   
   
       27 . A chewing gum composition consisting essentially of:
 (a) a gum base;   (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;   (e) at least one coloring agent; and   (f) at least one surfactant.   
   
   
       28 . The composition according to  claim 27 , wherein said composition comprises a chewing gum product selected from the group consisting of slab, pellet, stick, center-fill gum, deposited gum and compressed gum. 
   
   
       29 . The composition according to  claim 28 , wherein said chewing gum product comprises a chewing gum region and a coating region and 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. 
   
   
       30 . The composition according to  claim 28 , 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. 
   
   
       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 gum region, said center-fill region and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       32 . The composition according to  claim 27 , wherein said casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate is encapsulated.