Abstract: The present invention relates to controlled release composition for preventing and/or treating microbial infections in the oral cavity of a subject, said composition comprising a controlled delivery matrix which matrix has releasably associated therewith an amount of between 0.000009 and 5 wt % of a sphingolipid, wherein the composition provides a sphingolipid-release-profile in the oral cavity of a subject, wherein said release-profile is maintained for between 15 seconds and 24 hours and wherein said release-profile provides for a concentration of said sphingolipid in the saliva of said subject of between 20 ?mole/L and 250 ?mole/L.