PESONAL DENTAL CARE PRODUCT FOR PREVENTING DEMINERALISATION

Abstract

The present invention provides new dental care products comprising self-assembling peptides that are capable of undergoing self-assembly at a certain pH that are useful in dental care, in particular, useful for reducing or preventing demineralisation of teeth of a subject, in particular, for reducing or preventing further demineralisation of teeth of a subject. The dental care products comprises self-assembling peptides, in particular, comprise self-assembling peptides comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21, that are capable of undergoing self-assembly at a pH below 7.5, wherein the self-assembling peptides are essentially present in the dental care product in assembled form, and a pharmaceutically acceptable basis. The dental care product is an essentially solid product selected from the group consisting of chewing gum, soft chew, toffee, gelatin gum, chewy candy, chew toy, lozenge. Preferably, it is a chewy product. The dental care product is not abrasive. The dental care product is useful for reducing or preventing (further) demineralisation of a tooth surface of a subject with demineralised teeth, e.g., or a subject with xerostomia, hyopsalivation, bruxism, gastroesophageal reflux disease, dentine hypersensitivity and/or tooth erosion. Preferably, it is also useful for cleaning the tooth surface. Products of the invention are useful for animals and humans. The invention also provides a process for preparing the dental care products of the invention. The invention enables non-targeted treatment of a plurality of teeth, and it is independent of the diagnosis of caries.

Claims

1. A dental care product comprising (i) self-assembling peptides comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21, wherein the self-assembling peptides are essentially present in the dental care product in assembled form, and (ii) a pharmaceutically acceptable basis, wherein the dental care product is an essentially solid product selected from the group consisting of chewing gum, soft chew, toffee, gelatin gum, chewy candy, chew toy, lozenge, or tablet, and wherein the dental care product is not abrasive.

2. The dental care product of claim 1, wherein self-assembling peptides in assembled form are embedded in the pharmaceutically acceptable basis.

3. The dental care product of claim 2, wherein the gum base comprises a) synthetic ingredients selected from the group consisting of butadiene-styrene rubber, isobutylene-isoprene copolymer, paraffin, petroleum way, petroleum wax synthetic, polyisobutylene polyvinyl acetate, polyisobutadiene and isobutylene-isoprene copolymers, low molecular weight elastomers such as polybutene, polybuta-diene and polyisobutylene, vinyl polymeric elastomers such as polyvinyl acetate, polyethylene, vinyl copolymeric elastomers such as vinyl acetate/vinyl laurate, vinyl acetate/vinyl Stearate, ethylene/vinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol or mixtures thereof, and/or b) natural ingredients selected from the group consisting of chicle, chiquibul, crown gum, gutta hang kang, massaranduba balata, massaranduba chocolate, nispero, rosdinha, Venezuelan chicle, jelutong, leche saspi, pendare, perillo, leche de vaca, niger gutta, tuno, chilte and natural rubber.

4. The dental care product of claim 1, comprising gelatin, pectin, albumen, lecithin, maltitol/sorbitol or starch.

5. The dental care product of claim 1, wherein the concentration of self-assembling peptides is 0.1-5000 mg/kg.

6. The dental care product of claim 1, wherein said peptide comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 22.

7. The dental care product of claim 1, wherein said self-assembling peptides comprise a sequence having at least 80% sequence identity to one of the sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 3 or 20.

8. The dental care product of any of the preceding claims claim 1 which does not comprise 0.4 wt % or more of mineral particles having a size of at least 0.1 μm, wherein the dental care product optionally comprises at least one further ingredient selected from the group comprising a) a polyol selected from the group comprising xylitol, erythritol and sorbitol, b) a salt selected from the group comprising calcium carbonate and phosphate, and having a MOSH hardness of less than 3, c) a pyrophosphate, and d) a pH controlling agent.

9. A process for preparing a dental care product of any of the preceding claims claim 1, comprising steps of a) providing a matrix of assembled self-assembling peptide, b) providing a pharmaceutically acceptable basis, wherein steps a) and b) can be carried out in any order, and c) homogenizing the matrix of assembled self-assembling peptide and the pharmaceutically acceptable basis, optionally, together with other ingredients, and d) forming the dental care product.

10. A dental care product produced by the process of claim 9.

11. A method or demineralisation of a tooth surface of a subject with demineralised teeth, comprising orally administering the dental care product of claim 1 to the mouth of the subject, wherein the dental care product is to be maintained in the mouth for at least 3 min.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the subject has a disease or condition associated with reduced remineralisation of teeth selected from the group comprising xerostomia, hyposalivation, bruxism, dentine hypersensitivity and/or tooth erosion, optionally, xerostomia associated with hyposalivation.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the dental care product is to be masticated by the subject, wherein, five minutes mastication increase the salivary flow by a factor of at least 10.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein, upon mastication, the gum base cleans the tooth surface, and the matrix of assembled self-assembling peptide provides a film on the tooth surface that reduces or prevents further demineralisation of the tooth surface.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the dental care product reduces the incidence of caries.

16. The dental care product of claim 2, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable basis is a gum base comprising ingredients selected from the group comprising polymers, plasticizers and/or resins.

17. The dental care product of claim 1, wherein the concentration of self-assembling peptides is 5-15 mg/kg.

18. The dental care product of claim 7, wherein said peptide comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1.

19. The process of claim 9, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable basis is a gum base comprising ingredients selected from the group comprising polymers, plasticizers and/or resins.

20. The process of claim 9, further comprising the step: e) packaging the dental care product

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0135] FIG. 1: Generic Manufacturing Flow for the preparation of coated chewing gums

[0136] FIG. 2: Generic manufacturing flow for the production of toffees. The addition of temperature sensitive material may be after the online mixer.

[0137] FIG. 3: Examples of a chewing gums of the invention.

[0138] FIG. 3A: Chewing gum product comprising assembled self-assembling peptide and the gum base, e.g., chicle.

[0139] FIG. 3B: Chewing gum A) Shell comprising taste B) matrix comprising assembled self-assembling peptide and the gum base, e.g., chicle.

[0140] FIG. 3C: Coated chewing gum: A) shell/coating comprising the taste and/or self-assembling peptide. B) core comprising the assembled self-assembling peptide and gum base matrix.

[0141] FIG. 3D: Coated chewing gum: A) shell comprising the assembled self-assembling peptide. B) core comprising the gum base, e.g., chicle. Gum base may be made from compressed gum.

[0142] FIG. 4: Example of a final manufactured chewing gum comprising assembled P11-4 per compressed gum description prepared according to Example 1B.

[0143] FIG. 5: Cross Section of a Toffee comprising assembled P11-4 prepared according to Example 1A with titration.

[0144] FIG. 6: SEM Picture per example 2 with protective layer. a) intact human enamel (covered with varnish during experiment and removed for inspection) b) exposed human enamel with protective layer after acid erosion experiment showing reduced demineralization compared to FIG. 7 proving the protective effect of the treatment. Magnification: 1000×, Signal: SE2, EHT: 10

[0145] FIG. 7: kVSEM Picture per example 2 without protective layer. a) intact human enamel (covered with varnish during experiment and removed for inspection) b) exposed human enamel without protective layer after acid erosion experiment showing severe demineralization. Magnification: 1000×, Signal: SE2, EHT: 10 kV

[0146] FIG. 8: TEM of Reference assembled P11-4, TEM, 50′000×, 50 kV, AMT

[0147] FIG. 9: TEM of artificially chewed toffee-saliva showing distinct fibre bundle of P11-4, cf. example 3. TEM, 50′000×, 50 kV, AMT

[0148] FIG. 10: Solution prepared according to Example 1 with pre-mix and titration. Content is 35 mg*ml-l

[0149] FIG. 11: Solution prepared according to Example 1 without titration resulting in a slightly yellowish, opaque solution. Content is 35 mg*ml/L.

[0150] FIG. 12: Apparatus for artificially masticating a dental care product. A similar apparatus is the dental chewing machine of the University of Minnesota, shown, e.g., in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEJymW-g0b0.

[0151] FIG. 13: Comparison of the protective effect of monomeric and polymeric self-assembling peptide. A Sample Distribution on egg-grid. Top left original, untreated surface protected by varnish, top right: sample 1 with polymerized self-assembling peptide. Bottom left- sample 2 with monomeric self-assembling peptide, bottom right unprotected surface. B empty chicken egg with drawn grid, coated with Maybelline express finish 40 s. The top square, indicated with a “V” was coated completely with nail varnish to present an undisturbed, native surface. The three remaining squares are kept blank for the following investigation. C Colored chicken egg with the grid for sample allocation. the slightly whitish appearance on top left is due to the protection by varnish and therefore not resulting in good adhesion of the color. D Incubation of eggshell in Coca Cola® in a crystallizing dish. The site coated with the samples was balanced with 2 g of lead to assure proper balancing and full contact to the acid of the liquid. E Egg 3 after 5 min incubation in Coca Cola® after rinsing with water. Top left: area protected with Varnish “V”, top right: Polymeric P11-4 “P”, bottom left: monomeric P11-4 “M”, bottom right: control “C”. F Example of a black-white converted surface including area to be analyzed (thin line). G Results of “Analyze Particle” of ImageJ output. A high percentage of protected surface is seen in the erosion model with the samples with polymeric self-assembling peptide, and intermediate protection with monomeric self-assembling peptide, and most erosion is seen without protection, i.e., with the control. Of note, the colour did not adhere to the varnish, which explains that there is 0% black area shown for the varnish samples.

EXAMPLES

Example 1: Preparation of a Dental Care Product of the Invention

[0152] A) Preparation of a Toffee of the Invention

[0153] After material provision, a computer-based weighing system ensures that all ingredients are precisely weighed for the subsequent cooking process generating the first matrix. The cooking is performed at 100-150° C. under agitation.

[0154] In parallel, the pre-mix is prepared. The self-assembling peptide, e.g., P11-4, is weighed into a suitable vessel. Then the powder is transferred under stirring into another vessel containing a basic solvent i.e. water with pH 8 adjusted with 0.1 N NaOH solution. After addition of the self-assembling peptide, the solution is kept for 5 min at basic pH to assure monomeric peptide. Then, with acid preferably phosphoric acid or citric acid 0.1 N, the solution is slowly titrated to pH 6 initiating the self-assembling of the peptide. This results in a slightly opaque solution. The concentration of the peptide may be, e.g., between 20 to 100 g/L.

[0155] In order to meet the product requirements, the pre-mix is continually added either during on-line mixing or straight after on-line mixing in the cooling tunnel. Preferably in the cooling phase with a maximum temperature of 85° C. The resulting raw toffee is stretched and formed with a cone roller into rods followed forming by a levelling roller into a bar shape. After this transformation of the shape, the now cooled toffee is cut and on-line wrapped into a wrapper. The wrapped toffees may be packaged or stored as bulk awaiting further packaging.

[0156] Alternatively, the bulk can be prepared as followed without titration:

[0157] After material provision, a computer-based weighing system ensures that all ingredients are precisely weighed for the subsequent cooking process generating the first matrix. The cooking is performed at 100-150° C. under agitation.

[0158] In parallel, the pre-mix is prepared. The self-assembling peptide, e.g., P11-4, is weighed into a suitable vessel. Then the powder is transferred under stirring into another vessel containing an acid solution of preferably phosphoric acid or citric acid at pH 6. If required, the pH is corrected with the corresponding acid. This results in an opaque, yellowish viscous solution. The concentration of the peptide may be, e.g., between 20 to 60 g/L.

[0159] In order to meet the product requirements, the pre-mix is continually added either during on-line mixing or straight after on-line mixing in the cooling tunnel. Preferably in the cooling phase with a maximum temperature of 85° C. The resulting raw toffee is stretched and formed with a cone roller into rods followed by a levelling roller into a bar shape. After this transformation of the shape, the now cooled toffee is cut and on-line wrapped into a wrapper. The wrapped toffees may be stored as bulk awaiting further packaging, or packaged.

[0160] B) Preparation of a Chewing Gum of the Invention

[0161] Prior the material provision, the SAP-matrix is prepared. The self-assembling peptide is weighed into a suitable vessel. Then the powder is transferred under stirring into another vessel containing a basic solvent, i.e., water with pH 8 adjusted with 0.1 N NaOH solution. After addition of the self-assembling peptide, the solution is kept at a basic pH for 5 min to assure monomeric peptide. Then, with acid, preferably phosphoric acid or citric acid 0.1 N, the solution is slowly titrated to pH 6, initiating the self-assembling of the peptide. This results in a slightly opaque solution. The concentration of the peptide may be, e.g., between 20 to 100 g/L. This solution is then dried, e.g., freeze dried or spray dried, conserving the fibrillar structure of the matrix.

[0162] After material provision, a computer-based weighing system ensures that all ingredients are precisely weighed for the subsequent mixing procedure. The granulating agent, most preferably sorbitol, the lubricant, e.g., magnesium stearate or talc, etc. is added, and then mixed in a blender. Later, the powder of assembled peptide is added, and the free-flowing powder directly dosed into the pressing equipment.

[0163] To increase the usability in terms of taste, a coating may be applied after preparation of the coating bulk, i.e. in a separate vessel. For this a peptide solution may be prepared as discussed above. This solution is then added to the flavours, coloring agents etc. by homogenization and is later used for spray coating of the compressed gums.

[0164] After coating, the gums may be directly blistered and sealed, and optionally, further packaged.

Example 2: Acid Erosion Testing

Preparation of the Samples

[0165]

TABLE-US-00002 Material Description Supplier Human Enamel Disks Tissue Bank 15 ml Falcon tube Fisher Sci pH Paper Merck Stop watch — Shaker IKA Plasma Sputter Polaron SC7620 Thermo VG Scientific (Au Plasma) Carbon tape Thermo SEM SUPRA 40 VP Gemini Carl Zeiss Phosphate Buffered Saline Sigma Aldrich Citric acid credentis .fwdarw. citric acid solution 6% in water remineralization buffer: credentis 2 mM Ca(NO3)2 1.2 mM KHPO4; 60 mM Tris/HCl. (pH adjusted to 7.4 with 1M KOH) Artificial Saliva Sigma Aldrich Blotting paper VWR Coca Cola Coca Cola

Enamel Disk Preparation

[0166] Remove tooth, preferably human, from the refrigerator [0167] Tooth should have intact surface [0168] Blot it dry [0169] Cut out parts of the enamel [0170] Store in PBS solution

Incubation

[0171] Remove slices from PBS solution [0172] Rinse under tap water [0173] Incubate for 48 h in remineralization buffer [0174] Remove from solution [0175] Apply enamel slice to artificial teeth of artificial mastication equipment with 2K glue [0176] Artificial masticate toffee with or without assembled P11-4 (33 mg/ml) with 3 mL artificial saliva for 5 min [0177] Remove “saliva” [0178] Incubate 1 piece of enamel in “saliva” for 5 min [0179] Remove enamel slice form tooth [0180] Incubate enamel section for 30 min in coca cola [0181] Place the on-blotting paper [0182] Air dry for 24 h

SEM Preparation

[0183] Place samples on SEM-sample holder on carbon tape [0184] Sputter sample for 30 s in an Au-Plasma under Argon [0185] 8*10-2 Pa 30 s @ 20 mA coating with Gold

[0186] Analyse the sample in SEM “Carl Zeiss”.

[0187] Enamel slices were artificially masticated with a toffee comprising assembled P11-4 or blank (saliva only), as described above, then, acid erosion was induced by incubation in coca cola for 30 min. SEM pictures of a representative enamel slices with or without the protective layer formed by mastication of the toffee with assembled P11-4 are shown in FIG. 6 (no protective layer formed) and 7 (with P11-4, with protective layer). Samples having an acid protection/ sacrificial layer show lower erosion than those having no protection.

Example 3: Determination of Fibres Eluting from Matrix

[0188]

TABLE-US-00003 Material P11-4 assembled as control uL-Pipette Soccorex Cu-TEM Templates 200 Mesh EMS 215-412-810 Uranylacetate 3% EMS 22400-2 Lot: 1B155953/131007 EM900 TEM Zeiss

Sample:

[0189] Place 1 toffee with or without assembled P11-4 (35 mg/ml) in artificial saliva 3 mL (cf. Example 2) [0190] Artificial chew for 5 min in artificial mastication equipment. [0191] Remove supernatant (saliva)

Method TEM

[0192] Dilute sample (10 mg/mL) with H.sub.2O at a ratio of 1:63 [0193] Place 1 μL of control solution on TEM-grid Sample [0194] Place 20 μL of water on a parafilm [0195] Place gently the TEM Grid with dark site facing upwards on the parafilm, close to the drop [0196] Application of 10 μL sample on TEM carbon coated grids (hexagonal) [0197] 10 min incubation [0198] Remove unbound sample with a paper tissue [0199] Put the grid into 3% Uranylacetate solution 20 ul [0200] 40 sec incubation [0201] Remove unbound Uranylacetate with a paper tissue [0202] Wash the grid 2 times with distilled water [0203] pipet 5 μL droplet on top of the grid and remove it [0204] Dry it for 20 min at RT [0205] Introduce sample into sample holder for TEM [0206] Analyse @ 50 kV, Vacuum at least 9*10-6 hPa

[0207] Artificial saliva comprised assembled fibers of self-assembling peptide P11-4 after mastication of a toffee of the invention, i.e., the assembled self-assembling peptide maintains its assembled form after integration in the base of the toffee and after extraction from the same by mastication. This allows for formation of the protective sacrificial layer on the tooth that protects it from erosion.

Example 4: Comparison of the Protective Effects of Monomeric and Assembled Self-Assembling Peptide Against Acid Erosion

[0208] The aim of this study was to determine the protective effect of polymeric self-assembling peptide compared to monomeric self-assembling peptide, based on an exemplary experiment with toffees.

[0209] Since the availability of human teeth is limited, an alternative model has been established by using chicken eggs as the replacement for the human enamel for erosion testing. Even though chicken eggs are made of calcium carbonate rather than calcium phosphate as human teeth, the model is suitable to show a protective effect against acidic attack. The calcium carbonate structure of the chicken egg with is palisade structure resembles the crystal structure of calcium phosphate in the human teeth. Further, human teeth also contains a share of calcium carbonate (˜4%) (Klimuszko et al. 2018 Odontology 106:369-376).

[0210] An acidic attack in tooth erosion may be caused by acetic acid, phosphoric acid or other organic or inorganic acids. For translational purposes, Coca Cola® was used, one of the widely consumed beverages substantially decreasing the oral pH— 1.7 billion servings of Coca Cola are used daily worldwide.

[0211] The hypothesis tested in this semi-quantitative acid-erosion model is if the eggshell is better protected by the polymeric or aggregated self-assembling peptide P11-4 compared to the monomeric self-assembling peptide P11-4.

[0212] To prove this hypothesis, two sets of toffees were created and compared. The basic formulation was identical, however, the peptide was added as a monomer to the monomeric form and as a hydrogel in the polymeric form. The material was added during the toffee production process after the heating step, but before use of the mixing rods.

TABLE-US-00004 Material and Methods Curodont ™Toffees Credentis ag 194322-02 (Monomeric) Monom. Curodont ™Toffees Credentis ag 194-PM-X (Polymeric) (not Polym. yet commercially available) Balance Mettler Toledo PM300 Rotating Wheel Snijders Rotator 34528 Pipette Socroex 10-100 μL Digital Microscope Centrifugation Tube 15 ml VWR Crystallizing Dish 300 ml Duran Isotonic NaCl 0.9% Labor Bichsel L170192 Chicken Eggs, fresh Volg Food Colorant Dr. Oetker Maybelline Express Maybelline Finish 40 s Acetone Sigma ImageJ 1.53e

[0213] Toffees were cut and 4.2 g weighed in 15 mL centrifugation tube. 3 mL of isotonic NaCl solution, mimicking the natural saliva and volume present in oral cavity, were added and the samples placed over night in a rotating wheel.

[0214] Raw chicken eggs were carefully opened on one side and the egg white and yolk discarded. The empty chicken eggs were then washed and dried. Following drying, on two places of the egg, a grid was first drawn with a fine pencil and then coated with nail varnish, see FIG. 13B.

[0215] After the nail varnish had dried, the eggs were colored with blue food dye “brilliant blue FCF” for better visibility by applying the colour directly on the chicken egg with a sponge. With a clean sponge, excess colour was then removed, resulting in an even distribution of the colour, see FIG. 13C. The partially colored eggs were then dried at 40° C. for 2 hours.

[0216] After drying, the samples were allocated as defined in FIG. 13A

[0217] 25 μL of the extracted sample or control was placed with a pipette on the dried egg surface and let soak into it. The step was repeated twice to assure full covering of the square.

[0218] Following drying at 40° C. for 1 h, the egg shell was placed in 21° C. Coca Cola (pure) and incubated for 5, 10 and 20 min as per FIG. 13D.

[0219] After incubation, the egg shell was removed (FIG. 13E), and washed with water, followed by removal of the varnish with Acetone. The egg shell was then air dried.

[0220] The areas where the samples had been applied were then investigated with a digital USB microscope for the distribution of the dye. In areas where the acid liquid eroded the egg shell, less colour was found on the surface, as the colour erodes with the surface of the shell.

[0221] The pictures were opened with ImageJ each picture selected and converted to a binary picture, i.e., darker areas of the shell with intense blue colour, where the shell had been protected, were converted to black, and lighter regions, where the shell had eroded were converted to white. An exemplary picture is shown in FIG. 13F. Within the grid, squares as big as possible were analyzed with the “Analyze-Particle” function.

[0222] It should be noted that the nail varnish prevents access of the dye to the surface of the egg shell, so that the colour is lost after washing even though the shell is optimally protected under the varnish.

Results

[0223]

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 2 Computed data obtained by ImageJ Particle Analysis. As per the grid definition, the “V” stands for varnish (native structure), “P” for polymeric Self-assembling Peptide, “M” for monomeric Self-assembling Peptide and “C” for unprotected surface. ID count Total Area Average Size % Area 12455_Egg3_5 min (3)_V.jpg 18 102 5.667 0.007 12455_Egg3_5 min (4)_P_bw 741 1011800 1365.452 88.384 12455_Egg3_5 min (5)_M.jpg 310 130124 419.755 68.398 12455_Egg3_5 min (6)_C_bw.tif 386 213628 553.44 67.561 12455_Egg2_10 min (4)_V_bw 5 8 1.6 6.59E−04 12455_Egg2_10 min (5)_P_BW 1450 580723 400.499 62.515 12455_Egg2_10 min (7)_M_bw 3425 755952 220.716 57.699 12455_Egg2_10 min (1)_C_bw 1587 461484 290.79 50.656 12455_Egg4_20 min - Varnish missing 12455_Egg4_20 min (2)_P_bw 614 660990 1076.531 53.782 12455_Egg4_20 min (3)_M_bw 1450 546241 376.718 46.758 12455_Egg4_20 min (4)_C.jpg 6501 956391 147.114 39.988

Conclusions

[0224] The obtained data confirms the hypothesis that polymeric self-assembling peptide P11-4 “P” leads to better erosion protection compared to monomeric self-assembling peptide P11-4 “M”. The effect is highest with a short time of incubation of 5 min, where the polymeric material protects roughly 20% more of the area compared to the monomeric form and the control “C”, FIG. 13G. With longer incubation times, the effect as well as the difference between the values becomes smaller, but the polymeric self-assembling peptide still has a better protective effect than monomeric self-assembling peptide, which is still more protective than the control.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0225] The invention provides

[0226] 1. A dental care product comprising

(i) self-assembling peptides comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21, wherein the self-assembling peptides are essentially present in the dental care product in assembled form (in particular, at least 80%, preferably at least 90% or at least 95%), and
(ii) a pharmaceutically acceptable basis, wherein the dental care product is an essentially solid product selected from the group consisting of chewing gum, soft chew, gelatin gum, chewy candy, chew toy, toffee, lozenge and tablet, and wherein the dental care product is not abrasive.

[0227] 2. The dental care product of embodiment 1, wherein self-assembling peptides in assembled form are embedded in the pharmaceutically acceptable basis, preferably, in a gum base.

[0228] 3. The dental care product of embodiment 2, wherein the gum base comprises polymers, plasticizers and/or resins.

[0229] 4. The dental care product of embodiment 2, wherein the gum base comprises

a) synthetic ingredients selected from the group consisting of butadiene-styrene rubber, isobutylene-isoprene copolymer (butyl rubber), paraffin (produced via the Fischer-Tropsch process), petroleum way, petroleum wax synthetic, polyisobutylene polyvinyl acetate, polyisobutadiene and isobutylene-isoprene copolymers, low molecular weight elastomers such as polybutene, polybutadiene and polyisobutylene, vinyl polymeric elastomers such as polyvinyl acetate, polyethylene, vinyl copolymeric elastomers such as vinyl acetate/vinyl laurate, vinyl acetate/vinyl Stearate, ethylene/vinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol or mixtures thereof, and/or
b) natural ingredients selected from the group consisting of chicle, chiquibul, crown gum, gutta hang kang, massaranduba balata, massaranduba chocolate, nispero, rosdinha, Venezuelan chicle, jelutong, leche saspi, pendare, perillo, leche de vaca, niger gutta, tuno, chilte and natural rubber.

[0230] 5. The dental care product of any of the preceding embodiments, comprising gelatin, albumen, lecithin, pectin or starch.

[0231] 6. The dental care product of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the concentration of self-assembling peptides is 0.1-500 mg/kg, preferably, about 5-15 mg/kg.

[0232] The dental care product of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein said peptide comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 22.

[0233] 8. The dental care product of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein said peptide comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 23.

[0234] 9. The dental care product of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein said peptide comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 24.

[0235] 10. The dental care product of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein said peptide comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 25.

[0236] 11. The dental care product of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein said peptide comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 26.

[0237] 12. The dental care product of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein said peptide comprises the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-20.

[0238] 13. The dental care product of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein said self-assembling peptides comprise a sequence having at least 80% sequence identity to one of the sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 2 or 20, wherein said peptide preferably comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1.

[0239] 14. The dental care product of embodiment 13, wherein said self-assembling peptides comprise a sequence having at least 80% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein said peptide preferably comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1.

[0240] 15. The dental care product of embodiment 13, wherein said self-assembling peptides comprise a sequence having at least 80% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 3, wherein said peptide preferably comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3.

[0241] 16. The dental care product of embodiment 13, wherein said self-assembling peptides comprise a sequence having at least 80% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 20, wherein said peptide preferably comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 20.

[0242] 17. The dental care product of any of embodiments 1-15, wherein said peptide is capable of undergoing self-assembly at a pH below 7.5.

[0243] 18. The dental care product of any of embodiments 1-6, 12 or 16, wherein said peptide is capable of undergoing self-assembly at a pH above 7.5.

[0244] 19. The dental care product of any of the preceding embodiments does not comprise 0.4 wt % or more of mineral particles having a size of at least 0.1 μm.

[0245] 20. The dental care product of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the dental care product further comprises a) a polyol such as xylitol, erythritol or sorbitol, preferably, xylitol.

[0246] 21. The dental care product of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the dental care product further comprises b) a phosphate such as sodium phosphate calcium phosphate, e.g. hydroxyapatite,

[0247] 22. The dental care product of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the dental care product further comprises c) a pyrophosphate.

[0248] 23. The dental care product of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the dental care product further comprises d) a pH controlling agent such as sodium bicarbonate or urea.

[0249] 24. A process for preparing a dental care product of any of embodiments 1-23, comprising steps of

a) providing a matrix of assembled self-assembling peptide,
b) providing a pharmaceutically acceptable basis, preferably, a gum base, wherein steps a) and b) can be carried out in any order, and
c) homogenizing the matrix of assembled self-assembling peptide and the pharmaceutically acceptable basis, preferably, the gum base, optionally, together with other ingredients,
d) forming the dental care product and,
e) optionally, packaging the dental care product.

[0250] 25. The process of embodiment 24, wherein the matrix of step a is prepared drying a solution having a pH at which the self-assembling peptide is assembled (e.g., a pH below 7.5 for a peptide of SEQ ID NO: 22), e.g., by spray drying, lyophilisation or evaporation.

[0251] 26. The dental care product of any of embodiments 1-23, obtainable by a process of any of embodiments 22 or 23.

[0252] 27. A dental care product of any of embodiments 1-23 or 26 for use in reducing demineralisation of a tooth surface of a subject with demineralised teeth, preferably, for reducing further demineralisation of a tooth surface of a subject with demineralised teeth.

[0253] 28. The dental care product for use of embodiment 27, wherein the subject has a disease or condition associated with reduced remineralisation of teeth.

[0254] 29. The dental care product for use of any of embodiments 27 or 28, wherein the subject has xerostomia, hyopsalivation, bruxism, dentine hypersensitivity and/or tooth erosion.

[0255] 30. The dental care product for use of any of embodiments 27-29, wherein the subject has xerostomia.

[0256] 31. The dental care product for use of embodiment 30, wherein the xerostomia is associated with hyposalivation.

[0257] 32. The dental care product for use of any of embodiments 27-31, wherein the subject has hyopsalivation.

[0258] 33. The dental care product for use of any of embodiments 27-32, wherein the subject has bruxism.

[0259] 34. The dental care product for use of any of embodiments 27-33, wherein the subject has tooth erosion.

[0260] 35. The dental care product for use of embodiment 34, wherein the subject has gastroesophageal reflux disease.

[0261] 36. The dental care product for use of any of embodiments 27-35, wherein the subject has dentine hypersensitivity.

[0262] 37. The dental care product for use of any of embodiments 27-36, wherein the subject has a clinical oral dryness scale of at least 1, preferably, at least 4 or at least 7 on the Challacombe Scale.

[0263] 38. The dental care product for use of any of embodiments 27-37, wherein the dental care product is administered to the mouth of the subject, wherein the dental care product preferably is to be maintained in the mouth for at least 3 min.

[0264] 39. The dental care product for use of any of embodiments 26-37, wherein the dental care product is to be masticated by the subject, wherein, preferably, five minutes mastication increase the salivary flow by a factor of at least 10.

[0265] 40. The dental care product for use of any of embodiments 27-39, wherein, upon mastication, the gum base cleans the tooth surface, and the matrix of assembled self-assembling peptide provides a film on the tooth surface that reduces or prevents further demineralisation of the tooth surface.

[0266] 41. The dental care product for use of any of embodiments 27-40, wherein the dental care product is administered at least once a day, preferably, at least twice a day.

[0267] 42. The dental care product for use of any of embodiments 27-41, wherein the dental care product is administered after a meal or snack, optionally, instead of brushing the teeth.

[0268] 43. The dental care product for use of any of embodiments 27-42, wherein the dental care product is administered after waking to reduce xerostomia.

[0269] 44. The dental care product for use of any of embodiments 27-43, wherein the dental care product reduces the incidence, and preferably, prevents caries.

[0270] 45. The dental care product for use of any of embodiments 27-44, wherein the dental care product re-duces pain associated with dentine hypersensitivity.