Abstract: An oral product, preferably a toothpaste, effective for remineralizing subsurface dental lesions, mineralizing exposed dentinal tubules and whitening teeth stained with discoloring residues containing heavy metal ions such as Fe+3, Mn+2 and Cu+2, is composed of a first discrete part composed of a water-soluble or partially water-soluble calcium salt and optionally a non-toxic, non-calcium water-soluble divalent metal salt, and a second discrete part composed of a water-soluble orthophosphate salt and preferably a water-soluble fluoride salt. Further enhanced stain-removing properties without excessive abrasivity are imparted to the oral product when part (A) further contains an effective amount of an anhydrous dicalcium phosphate abrasive and part (B) further contains an effective amount of a silica abrasive.

Abstract: A plural-chambered dispensing tube is made by a method involving molding a molten resin material into a tube head while a pre-finished tube body having a partition disposed therein is disposed within the molten resin material. Thus, the pre-finished tube body and partition become connected to the tube head as the latter is being molded. In this way, the tube body and the partition are molded into the tube head to form a uniform seal between the partition and the tube head and to improve the separation of the stored components.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A dentifrice product substantially free of water-soluble inorganic orthophosphates and capable of remineralizing subsurface lesions and/or mineralizing exposed dentinal tubules in teeth, contains (A) a discrete cationic part containing at least one water-soluble and/or partially water-soluble calcium compound and a fluoride-protecting amount of at least one water-soluble and/or partially water-soluble magnesium compound, and (B) a discrete anionic part containing at least one water-soluble fluoride compound. The cationic and anionic parts are disposed separate from one another in the product and are simultaneously releasable from the product. The cationic and anionic parts each have a pH in water such that a mixed aqueous composition formed by mixing the cationic and anionic parts with (i) saliva or (ii) water and saliva has a pH of from about 4.0 to about 10.0. The mixed aqueous composition simultaneously applies the cationic and anionic parts to the tooth surfaces being treated.

Abstract: A method for remineralizing one or more subsurface lesions in a tooth and/or mineralizing one or more exposed dentinal tubules in the tooth involves dispensing effective amounts of at least one water-soluble calcium salt, at least one water-soluble non-toxic divalent metal compound wherein the divalent metal is other than calcium, at least one water-soluble phosphate salt and, optionally, a water-soluble fluoride salt; mixing the salts and compound to form a non-carbonated mixture having a pH in water such that a non-carbonated aqueous solution containing the mixture has a pH of from 4.5 to about 7.

Abstract: This invention relates to a stable, single-part chewing gum product and methods of using same to effect remineralization of subsurface lesions in teeth and/or mineralization of exposed dentinal tubules. The chewing gum product contains a water-soluble cationic portion, a water-soluble anionic portion and a stabilizing component which substantially inhibits reaction between the cationic and anionic portions during storage of the chewing gum product but which allows the cationic and anionic portions to be simultaneously released at a substantially equal rate from the product when the product is chewed in the presence of saliva and/or water. The cationic portion is composed of at least one water-soluble calcium salt, and the anionic portion contains at least one water-soluble phosphate and, optionally, at least one water-soluble fluoride salt.

Abstract: This invention relates to non-aqueous compositions and methods utilizing same which are useful to remineralize subsurface dental enamel. More specifically, this invention relates to stable, single-part compositions containing calcium and phosphate salts which may be in a hydrophilic, non-aqueous vehicle and which when applied to lesions in dental enamel result in remineralization of subsurface dental enamel and/or mineralization of tubules in dentin thereby counteracting caries and/or hypersensitivity.

Abstract: A planar, partition-forming insert member, when disposed in a tube, e.g., a toothpaste tube, divides the tube into two compartments for storage of two components which are to be prevented from reacting until the product is ready for use. A dual-compartment assembly contains the two separate compartments in which the two components are stored until the compartments are opened for use. The assembly contains a dispensing tube and the planar partition-forming insert member disposed in the tube, the insert member causing the tube to be divided into the two compartments. The assembly is capable of separately storing the components in the two compartments and simultaneously dispensing the components from the two compartments.

Abstract: A two-part oral product capable of remineralizing subsurface lesions and/or mineralizing exposed dentinal tubules in teeth is composed of cationic and anionic discrete parts. The cationic discrete part contains at least one water-soluble calcium salt and, preferably, at least one non-toxic, water-soluble salt of a divalent metal other than calcium, and a first pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The anionic discrete part contains at least one water-soluble phosphate salt and, preferably, at least one water-soluble fluoride salt, and a second pharmaceutically carrier. Preferably, one of the carriers is an aqueous carrier and the other of the carriers is a non-aqueous carrier. The cationic and anionic parts are simultaneously released from the product upon mixing of the product with water and/or saliva to form the mixed aqueous solution. In this way, calcium ions released by the calcium salt and phosphate ions released by the phosphate salt are simultaneously delivered to the tooth surfaces by the solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to remineralization, without demineralization, by applying to the teeth a composition which is present in either one or in two phases and which does not react to any large extent until introduced into the oral cavity and upon such introduction does not rapidly precipitate. One phase systems contain at least one water-soluble calcium compound, at least one other water-soluble, non-toxic compound containing a divalent metal different from calcium, and at least one water-soluble inorganic phosphate compound. If desired at least one water-soluble fluorine compound may be added to the system. In two phase systems one phase contains the calcium and the divalent metal compounds and the other the phosphate and optionally, the fluoride compound. In this way the ions which effect remineralization can be absorbed by the dental enamel and their subsequent, but controlled, reaction causes rehardening of demineralized areas in the dental enamel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to remineralization, without demineralization, by applying to the teeth a composition which is present in either one or in two phases and which does not react to any large extent until introduced into the oral cavity and upon such introduction does not rapidly precipitate. One phase systems contain at least one water-soluble calcium compound, at least one other water-soluble, non-toxic compound containing a divalent metal different from calcium, and at least one water-soluble inorganic phosphate compound. If desired at least one water-soluble fluorine compound may be added to the system. In two phase systems one phase contains the calcium and the divalent metal compounds and the other the phosphate and optionally, the fluoride compound. In this way the ions which effect remineralization can be absorbed by the dental enamel and their subsequent, but controlled, reaction causes rehardening of demineralized areas in the dental enamel.

Abstract: This invention relates to chewing gum compositions and methods utilizing same which are useful to remineralize subsurface dental enamel. More specifically, this invention relates to stable, single-part chewing gum compositions containing calcium and phosphate salts which when applied to lesions in dental enamel result in remineralization of subsurface dental enamel and/or mineralization of tubules in dentin thereby counteracting caries and/or hypersensitivity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to plural compartment assemblies in which materials are stored in at least two separate compartments until the compartments are opened for use. More particularly, the invention relates to a dispensing tube whereby the utilization of a novel insert, a conventional dispensing tube can be divided into separate and discrete compartments at a low cost. The resulting dispensing assembly provides for dispensing more than one material from the same tube and even more particularly co-dispense predetermined proportions of incompatible materials simultaneously and effectively.

Abstract: This invention relates to non-aqueous compositions and methods utilizing same which are useful to remineralize subsurface dental enamel. More specifically, this invention relates to stable, single-part compositions containing calcium and phosphate salts which may be in a hydrophilic, non-aqueous vehicle and which when applied to lesions in dental enamel result in remineralization of subsurface dental enamel and/or mineralization of tubules in dentin thereby counteracting caries and/or hypersensitivity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the problems of remineralization, without demineralization of dental enamel by applying to the teeth a composition which is present in two phases which do not react with one another until introduced into the oral cavity. One phase contains at least one water-soluble calcium compound and the other contains at least one water-soluble inorganic phosphate and at least one water-soluble fluorine compound. In this way the ions which effect remineralization can be absorbed by the dental enamel and their subsequent reaction causes rehardening of demineralized areas in the dental enamel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to remineralization, without demineralization, by applying to the teeth a composition which is present in either one or in two phases and which does not react to any large extent until introduced into the oral cavity and upon such introduction does not rapidly precipitate. One phase systems contain at least one water-soluble calcium compound, at least one other water-soluble, non-toxic compound containing a divalent metal different from calcium, and at least one water-soluble inorganic phosphate compound. If desired at least one water-soluble fluorine compound may be added to the system. In two phase systems one phase contains the calcium and the divalent metal compounds and the other the phosphate and optionally, the fluoride compound. In this way the ions which effect remineralization can be absorbed by the dental enamel and their subsequent, but controlled, reaction causes rehardening of demineralized areas in the dental enamel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to plural compartment assemblies in which materials are stored in at least two separate compartments until the compartments are opened for use. More particularly, the invention relates to a dispensing tube whereby the utilization of a novel insert, a conventional dispensing tube can be divided into separate and discrete compartments at a low cost. The resulting dispensing assembly provides for dispensing more than one material from the same tube and even more particularly co-dispense predetermined proportions of incompatible materials simultaneously and effectively.