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 liquid dentifrice products containing cationic and anionic salts having different solubilities in water and to methods of using such products to remineralize subsurface lesions and/or to mineralize exposed dentin tubules. Improved one-part and two-part liquid products such as, e.g., mouthwashes, mouthrinses, toothpastes, gels and the like, for remineralizing subsurface lesions and/or mineralizing exposed dentin tubules in teeth contain a cationic component, an anionic component and a separating means for separating the cationic and anionic components. The anionic component contains water-soluble phosphate and fluoride salts, while the cationic component contains at least one partially water-soluble calcium salt and preferably at least one water-soluble salt of a divalent metal other than calcium. The tooth is treated with a mixed aqueous composition formed by mixing the cationic and anionic components with water and/or saliva. The mixed aqueous composition has a pH of from about 4.0 to about 10.0 and, in addition to dissolved calcium cations and dissolved phosphate and fluoride anions, contains a quantity of undissolved calcium salt. The use of the partially water-soluble calcium salt delays precipitation of the cations and anions in the aqueous composition until after the ions have diffused through the tooth surface to the subsurface and/or dentin so as to effect remineralization and/or mineralization, respectively.