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

This invention relates to improved products and methods for remineralizing subsurface lesions in teeth and for mineralizing exposed tubules in dentin so as to prevent demineralization thereof. More particularly, this invention relates to solid dentifrice products containing cationic and anionic salts having different solubilities in water and to methods of using such products to remineralize subsurface lesions in teeth and/or to mineralize exposed tubules in dentin. 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.