AN ORAL REMINERALIZATION ACCELERATING COMPOSITION

Abstract

An oral remineralization accelerating composition includes: a first pH increasing component, sodium bicarbonate, having a concentration in the range from 1 to 10 weight/volume percent, preferably in the subrange from 2 to 5 weight/volume percent; sodium alginate, having a concentration in the range from 0.5 to 5 weight/volume percent; a bacteria saturating component, xylitol, having a concentration in the range from 10 to 80 weight/volume percent, preferably in the subrange from 20 to 40 weight/volume percent; and a critical pH decreasing component, either casein phosphopeptide or sodium fluoride, having a concentration in the range from 0.02 to 5 weight/volume percent, such that the critical pH of tooth structure is reduced to a value below 5.5.

Claims

1.-16. (canceled)

17. An oral remineralization accelerating composition comprising: a first pH increasing component wherein the first pH increasing component is selected to be sodium bicarbonate, having a concentration in the range from 1 to 10 weight/volume percent; sodium alginate, having a concentration in the range from 0.5 to 5.0 weight/volume percent; a bacteria saturating component wherein the bacteria saturating component is selected to be xylitol, having a concentration in the range from 10 to 80 weight/volume percent; and a critical pH decreasing component, wherein the critical pH decreasing component is selected from the group of casein phosphopeptide and sodium fluoride, having a concentration in the range from 0.02 to 5 weight/volume percent, such that the critical pH of enamel is reduced to a value below 5.5.

18. The oral remineralization accelerating composition according to claim 17, wherein the first pH increasing component is selected to be sodium bicarbonate, having a concentration of 2.5 weight/volume percent.

19. The oral remineralization accelerating composition according to claim 17, wherein the first pH increasing component is selected to be sodium bicarbonate, having a concentration of 4 weight/volume percent.

20. The oral remineralization accelerating composition according to claim 17, wherein sodium alginate has a concentration of 1 weight/volume percent.

21. The oral remineralization accelerating composition according to claim 17, wherein xylitol has a concentration of 30 weight/volume percent.

22. The oral remineralization accelerating composition according to claim 17, wherein said critical pH decreasing component is selected to be sodium fluoride, having a concentration of 0.05 weight/volume percent.

23. The oral remineralization accelerating composition according to claim 17, wherein said critical pH decreasing component is selected to be sodium fluoride, having a concentration of 0.0225 weight/volume percent.

24. The oral remineralization accelerating composition according to claim 17, wherein said critical pH decreasing component is selected to be casein phosphopeptide, having a concentration of 2 weight/volume percent.

25. The oral remineralization accelerating composition according to claim 17, further comprising: a second pH increasing component wherein the second pH increasing component is selected to be calcium carbonate, having a concentration in the range from 2 to 5 weight/volume percent.

26. The oral remineralization accelerating composition according to claim 25, wherein the second pH increasing component is selected to be calcium carbonate, having a concentration of 3 weight/volume percent.

27. The oral remineralization accelerating composition according to claim 17, further comprising: menthol having a concentration in the range from 0.2 to 1 weight/volume percent.

28. The oral remineralization accelerating composition according to claim 27, wherein menthol has a concentration of 0.5 weight/volume percent.

29. The oral remineralization accelerating composition according to claim 27, wherein menthol has a concentration of 0.3 weight/volume percent.

30. The oral remineralization accelerating composition according claim 17, further comprising: a tooth adhesive.

31. The oral remineralization accelerating composition according to claim 17, wherein said oral remineralization accelerating composition has the form of a mouth gel.

32. The oral remineralization accelerating composition according to claim 17, wherein said oral remineralization accelerating composition has the form of a mouth rinsing solution.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B respectively illustrate the process of dental erosion as a result of direct acid attacks and the process of dental decay as a result of indirect acid attacks;

[0051] FIG. 2 shows Stephan's curve in case of an indirect acid attack;

[0052] FIG. 3 shows the demineralization phase and remineralization phase in Stephan's curve, as well as the critical pH for tooth enamel;

[0053] FIG. 4 shows the effect of sodium bicarbonate, a first component of the oral remineralization accelerating composition according to the invention, on Stephan's curve; the effect may be enhanced in embodiments comprising calcium carbonate;

[0054] FIG. 5 shows the effect of sodium alginate, a second component of the oral remineralization accelerating composition according to the invention, on Stephan's curve;

[0055] FIG. 6 shows the effect of xylitol, a third component of the oral remineralization accelerating composition according to the invention, on Stephan's curve;

[0056] FIG. 7 shows the effect of casein phosphopeptide or sodium fluoride, a fourth component of the oral remineralization accelerating composition according to the invention, on Stephan's curve; and

[0057] FIG. 8 shows the combined effect of the oral remineralization accelerating composition according to the invention, on Stephan's curve.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S)

[0058] A first embodiment of the oral remineralization accelerating composition according to the invention consists of a mouth gel with following constitution:

[0059] purified water with a concentration of 19.50 weight/volume percent;

[0060] magnesium aluminium silicate with a concentration of 1.0 weight/volume percent;

[0061] sodium bicarbonate with a concentration of 2.5 weight/volume percent;

[0062] calcium carbonate with a concentration of 3.0 weight/volume percent;

[0063] sorbitol with a concentration of 24.57 weight/volume percent;

[0064] glycerin with a concentration of 12.442 weight/volume percent;

[0065] sodium alginate with a concentration of 1.0 weight/volume percent;

[0066] xylitol with a concentration of 30.0 weight/volume percent;

[0067] PEG-40 hydrogenated castar oil/propylene glycol with a concentration of 3.5 weight/volume percent;

[0068] menthol with a concentration of 0.5 weight/volume percent;

[0069] carprylyl glycol with a concentration of 0.5 weight/volume percent;

[0070] sodium fluoride with a concentration of 0.05 weight/volume percent;

[0071] citric acid 50% solution in water with a concentration of 0.058 weight/volume percent; and

[0072] sodium phosphate with a concentration of 1.38 weight/volume percent.

[0073] A second embodiment of the oral remineralization accelerating composition according to the invention consists of a mouth gel with following constitution:

[0074] purified water with a concentration of 19.50 weight/volume percent;

[0075] magnesium aluminium silicate with a concentration of 1.0 weight/volume percent;

[0076] sodium bicarbonate with a concentration of 2.5 weight/volume percent;

[0077] calcium carbonate with a concentration of 3.0 weight/volume percent;

[0078] sorbitol with a concentration of 22.62 weight/volume percent;

[0079] glycerin with a concentration of 12.442 weight/volume percent;

[0080] sodium alginate with a concentration of 1.0 weight/volume percent;

[0081] xylitol with a concentration of 30.0 weight/volume percent;

[0082] PEG-40 hydrogenated castar oil/propylene glycol with a concentration of 3.5 weight/volume percent;

[0083] menthol with a concentration of 0.5 weight/volume percent;

[0084] carprylyl glycol with a concentration of 0.5 weight/volume percent;

[0085] casein phosphopeptide or CPP with a concentration of 2.0 weight/volume percent;

[0086] citric acid 50% solution in water with a concentration of 0.058 weight/volume percent; and

[0087] sodium phosphate with a concentration of 1.38 weight/volume percent.

[0088] A third embodiment of the oral remineralization accelerating composition according to the invention consists of a mouth gel with following constitution:

[0089] purified water with a concentration of 57.012 weight/volume percent;

[0090] sodium alginate with a concentration of 1.0 weight/volume percent;

[0091] sodium bicarbonate with a concentration of 2.5 weight/volume percent;

[0092] calcium carbonate with a concentration of 3.0 weight/volume percent;

[0093] xylitol with a concentration of 30.0 weight/volume percent;

[0094] PEG-40 hydrogenated castar oil/propylene glycol with a concentration of 4.0 weight/volume percent;

[0095] menthol with a concentration of 0.5 weight/volume percent;

[0096] carprylyl glycol with a concentration of 0.5 weight/volume percent;

[0097] sodium fluoride with a concentration of 0.05 weight/volume percent;

[0098] citric acid 50% solution in water with a concentration of 0.058 weight/volume percent; and

[0099] sodium phosphate with a concentration of 1.38 weight/volume percent.

[0100] A fourth embodiment of the oral remineralization accelerating composition according to the invention consists of a mouth rinsing fluid with following constitution:

[0101] purified water with a concentration of 52.638 weight/volume percent;

[0102] ethyl alcohol with a concentration of 10.0 weight/volume percent;

[0103] menthol with a concentration of 0.3 weight/volume percent;

[0104] PEG-40 hydrogenated castar oil/propylene glycol with a concentration of 1.5 weight/volume percent;

[0105] sodium alginate with a concentration of 1.0 weight/volume percent;

[0106] sodium anisate with a concentration of 0.5 weight/volume percent;

[0107] sodium saccharin with a concentration of 0.03 weight/volume percent;

[0108] sodium fluoride with a concentration of 0.0225 weight/volume percent;

[0109] sodium bicarbonate with a concentration of 4.0 weight/volume percent;

[0110] xylitol with a concentration of 30.0 weight/volume percent; and

[0111] CI 42090 aquatic solution with a concentration of 0.01 weight/volume percent.

[0112] It is noticed that in the above described embodiments, the weight/volume percentage of sodium alginate may be increased to levels above 1 weight/volume percent, in replacement of an equivalent weight/volume percentage of purified water. The weight/volume percentage of sodium alginate may also be decreased to levels below 1 weight/volume percent and be replaced by an equivalent weight/volume percentage of xanthan gum.

[0113] FIG. 1A illustrates dental decay as a result of a direct acid attack 120 on a tooth whose tooth plaque has been removed through recent brushing. The tooth shown in FIG. 1A undergoes chemical decay as a result of demineralization 102 of the tooth enamel 101 as a consequence of the direct acid attack 120. Such direct acid attack 120 results from the consumption of sour food like for instance the drinking of cola. Sugars 110 are less detrimental for brushed teeth as they are washed away without affecting the tooth enamel 101, as is indicated by arrow 111 in FIG. 1A.

[0114] FIG. 1B shows an unbrushed tooth with enamel layer 101 and tooth plaque 103. Tooth plaque 103 protects the enamel layer 101 against direct acid attacks like the one illustrated by FIG. 1A but it stimulates indirect acid attacks that result from sweet food consumption. Bacteria present in tooth plaque 103 use sugars 110 to produce acid 112 that has a demineralizing effect on tooth enamel 101, leading to caries. Whereas frequent tooth brushing to remove tooth plaque 103 reduces the risk for indirect acid attacks, erosion of tooth enamel through direct acid attacks increases as a result of frequent teeth brushing because tooth plaque 103 serves as a protective layer against direct acid attacks.

[0115] The evolution over time of the pH of tooth plaque 103 after an acid attack is reflected in Stephan's curve 201, shown in FIG. 2. After such acid attack, the pH drops to levels below 5.0 within 5 to 10 minutes. Thereafter, the pH slowly increases again. As Stephan's curve 201 shows, it typically takes 30 minutes to 45 minutes to bring the tooth plaque pH above the critical pH level of tooth structure, which is 5.5 for tooth enamel and 6.5 for dentin.

[0116] The human's saliva neutralizes the pH of tooth plaque 103 through diffusion. This natural defence mechanism against acid attacks is known as remineralization. As is illustrated by FIG. 3, Stephan's curve consequently shows a demineralization phase 301, being a short period 311 of 5 to 10 minutes wherein an acid attack results in a fast drop of the pH of tooth plaque, followed by a remineralization phase 302, being a relatively long period 312 of 30 to 45 minutes wherein the human's saliva again neutralizes the pH of tooth plaque. The length in time of the demineralization phase 302 depends on the quality and quantity of the human's saliva. Generally, it takes about 30 minutes to raise the pH of tooth plaque above the critical pH level 320 which is 5.5 for tooth enamel.

[0117] FIG. 3 shows the demineralization phase and remineralization phase in Stephan's curve, as well as the critical pH;

[0118] FIG. 4 shows the effect of sodium bicarbonate, a first active component of the oral remineralization accelerating composition according to the invention, on Stephan's curve. The effect may be enhanced in embodiments comprising calcium carbonate as additional active component. Sodium bicarbonate and calcium carbonate have the effect of increasing the pH of tooth plaque after an acid attack. The effect is immediate or short-term. As is indicated by arrows 411, sodium bicarbonate and possibly calcium carbonate turn Stephan's curve 201 into a new curve 401 with accelerated remineralization phase.

[0119] FIG. 5 shows the effect of sodium alginate, a second active component of the oral remineralization accelerating composition according to the invention, on Stephan's curve. Sodium alginate has the effect of forming raft structures that neutralize the pH of acidic saliva. Just like sodium bicarbonate or calcium carbonate, sodium alginate consequently has the effect of increasing the pH of tooth plaque after an acid attack. As is indicated by arrows 511, sodium alginate turns Stephan's curve 201 into a new curve 501 with accelerated remineralization phase. Sodium alginate further has the effect of softening tooth plaque, enabling to remove tooth plaque easier through brushing.

[0120] FIG. 6 shows the effect of xylitol, a third active component of the oral remineralization accelerating composition according to the invention, on Stephan's curve. Xylitol is a bacteria saturating component having the effect of reducing the drop in pH or so-called demineralization in case of an acid attack. This is indicated by arrow 611 in FIG. 6. As a result of the presence of xylitol, Stephan's curve 201 is turned into a curve 601 with higher pH minimum resulting from an indirect acid attack. The effect of xylitol is a long-term effect. Xylitol must be used in appropriate doses during a few weeks for an optimal bacteria saturating effect.

[0121] FIG. 7 shows the effect of casein phosphopeptide or sodium fluoride, a fourth active component of the oral remineralization accelerating composition according to the invention, on Stephan's curve. Casein phosphopeptide or sodium fluoride improves the resistance of teeth against an acid attack. In other words, CPP or sodium fluoride decreases the critical pH of tooth enamel, for instance from 5.5 to 5.0 as is indicated by arrow 711 in FIG. 7, where the new critical pH is denoted by 701. As a consequence of the lowered critical pH 701, the time required to bring the pH of tooth plaque above the critical pH after an acid attack is reduced.

[0122] FIG. 8 shows the combined effect of the oral remineralization accelerating composition according to the invention, on Stephan's curve 201. The pH increasing effect 411 of sodium bicarbonate and possibly calcium carbonate, the pH neutralizing effect 511 of sodium alginate, the bacteria saturating effect 611 of xylitol, and the critical pH reducing effect 711 of CPP or sodium fluoride have the combined effect of turning Stephan's curve 201 into a new curve 801 that does not drop below the critical pH of tooth plaque after an acid attack, or that stays only for a very limited time of a few seconds up to a few minutes below the critical pH of tooth plaque after an acid attack.

[0123] It is noticed that a possible synergistic effect of the combined presence of both CPP and sodium fluoride in embodiments of the oral remineralization accelerating composition according to the invention requires further clinical research.

[0124] Although the present invention has been illustrated by reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the details of the foregoing illustrative embodiments, and that the present invention may be embodied with various changes and modifications without departing from the scope thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein. In other words, it is contemplated to cover any and all modifications, variations or equivalents that fall within the scope of the basic underlying principles and whose essential attributes are claimed in this patent application. It will furthermore be understood by the reader of this patent application that the words “comprising” or “comprise” do not exclude other elements or steps, that the words “a” or “an” do not exclude a plurality, and that a single element, such as a computer system, a processor, or another integrated unit may fulfill the functions of several means recited in the claims. Any reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the respective claims concerned. The terms “first”, “second”, third“, “a”, “b”, “c”, and the like, when used in the description or in the claims are introduced to distinguish between similar elements or steps and are not necessarily describing a sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and embodiments of the invention are capable of operating according to the present invention in other sequences, or in orientations different from the one(s) described or illustrated above.