Products and methods for the remineralization and prevention of demineralization of teeth

Improved solid products for remineralizing subsurface lesions and/or mineralizing exposed tubules in dentin contain an anionic component, a cationic component and a separating component for separating the anionic and cationic components in the product. The anionic component contains at least one water-soluble phosphate salt and the cationic component contains at least one partially water-soluble calcium salt. To remineralize subsurface lesions and/or mineralize exposed dentin tubules in a tooth, the anionic and cationic components are mixed with water and/or saliva to form a mixed aqueous composition having a pH of from greater than about 4.0 to about 10.0, which is then applied to the tooth. Because of the partial water-solubility of the calcium salt, the calcium cations and the phosphate anions in the mixed aqueous composition remain soluble for a period of time sufficient to allow the cations and anions to diffuse through the surface of the tooth to the subsurface and/or dentin, where the diffused cations and anions react to form an insoluble precipitate on the lesion for remineralization thereof and/or on the exposed tubule for mineralization thereof. The products may be in the form of chewing gums, lozenges, candies, edible food products, and the like.