Methods and materials for providing teeth with a white appearance

Abstract

This document provides methods and materials for providing teeth with a white appearance. For example, methods and materials for contacting teeth with one or more fluorescence emitting polypeptides (e.g., a blue fluorescent protein (BFP)) to provide the teeth with a whiter appearance are provided.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A composition for making teeth appear whiter, wherein said composition comprises a conjugate comprising multiple blue fluorescent protein (BFP) polypeptides linked to a polypeptide having the ability to interact with or bind to a tooth or a tooth component, wherein fluorescence emitted from said BFP polypeptides makes said teeth appear whiter when said composition is applied to said teeth. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein said teeth are human teeth. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein said polypeptide is a polypeptide having the ability to bind to a tooth. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein said polypeptide is a polypeptide having the ability to bind to a tooth component. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein said polypeptide is a casein polypeptide. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein said polypeptide is a statherin polypeptide. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein a BFP polypeptide of said BFP polypeptides is linked to said polypeptide via a thiol group.