Solid composition for reducing tooth erosion

Abstract

Solid or semi-solid acidic oral composition comprising having reduced tooth erosion characteristics are prepared by adding a calcium compound to an acid composition so that the mol ratio of calcium to acid ranges from 0.3 to 0.8, and the effective pH of the composition, if necessary after adjustment with an alkali, is from 3.5 to 4.5.

1 . A solid or semi-solid composition for oral use containing a calcium compound and an acidulant characterised in that calcium is present in the range of 0.3 to 0.65 mol per mol of acid and that the proportion of calcium and acidulant in the composition is selected so that the effective pH of the composition is from 3.5 to 4.5.  
     
     
         2 . A composition as claimed in  claim 1  in which the calcium is present in the range 0.3-0.60 mol per mol of acid.  
     
     
         3 . A composition as claimed in  claim 1  in which the calcium is present in the range 0.3-0.55 mol per mol of acid.  
     
     
         4 . A composition as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  3  in which the calcium is present in an amount of at least 0.4 mol per mol of acid.  
     
     
         5 . A composition as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  4  in which the effective pH of the composition is not more than 4.  
     
     
         6 . A composition as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  6  in which the effective pH is from 3.7 to 3.9.  
     
     
         7 . A composition as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  6  in which the acid is citric acid, malic acid or lactic acid or mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         8 . A composition as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  7  in which the calcium compound is calcium carbonate, calcium hydroxide, calcium citrate, calcium malate, calcium lactate, calcium chloride, calcium glycerophosphate or calcium formate.  
     
     
         9 . A composition as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  8  which is a sweet.  
     
     
         10 . A composition as claimed in  claim 9  in which the sweet is a pastille.  
     
     
         11 . A composition as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  8  which is a dry powder blend.  
     
     
         12 . A composition as claimed in  claim 11  which is a powdered drink product.  
     
     
         13 . A composition as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  12  which is an oral healthcare composition.  
     
     
         14 . Use of calcium for the manufacture of a tooth erosion inhibiting acidic solid or semi-solid composition for oral administration comprising a calcium compound and an acidulant, characterised in that calcium is present in the range of 0.3 to 0.8 mol per mol of acid and that the amount of calcium and acidulant in the composition is selected so that the effective pH of the composition is from 3.5 to 4.5.  
     
     
         15 . Use as claimed in  claim 14  in which the calcium is present in the range 0.3-0.75 mol per mol of acid.  
     
     
         16 . Use as claimed in claim  114  in which the calcium is present in the range 0.3-0.65 mol per mol of acid.  
     
     
         17 . Use as claimed in  claim 14  in which the calcium is present in the range 0.3-0.60 mol per mol of acid.  
     
     
         18 . Use as claimed in  claim 14  in which the calcium is present in the range 0.3-0.55 mol per mol of acid.  
     
     
         19 . Use as claimed in any one of  claims 14  to  18  in which the calcium is present in an amount of at least 0.4 mol per mol of acid.  
     
     
         20 . Use as claimed in any one of  claims 14  to  19  in which the effective pH of the composition is not more than 4.  
     
     
         21 . Use as claimed in any one of  claims 14  to  20  in which the effective pH is from 3.7 to 3.9.  
     
     
         22 . A process for preparing a solid or semi-solid composition containing a calcium compound and an acidulant characterised in that calcium is present in the range 0.3 to 0.8 mol per mol of acid and the effective pH of the composition is from 3.5 to 4.5, comprising mixing the calcium compound with the acidulant so that calcium is present in the range of 0.3 to 0.80 mol per mol of acid, and adjusting the pH, if necessary or desired, by addition of alkali so that the effective pH of the composition is in the range 3.5 to 4.5.  
     
     
         23 . A method of reducing the tooth erosion properties of a solid or semi-solid acidic oral composition comprising adding calcium to the acidic oral composition so that calcium is present in the range of 0.3 to 0.8 mol per mol of acid and the effective pH is from 3.5 to 4.5, obtaining an effective pH within the range 3.5 to 4.5 by addition of an alkali, if necessary or desired.  
     
     
         24 . A method of reducing tooth erosion caused by acid in orally administered compositions comprising orally administering a solid or semi-solid composition comprising a calcium compound and an acidulant, characterised in that calcium is present in the range of 0.3 to 0.8 mol per mol of acid and that the amount of calcium and acidulant in the composition is selected so that the effective pH of the composition is from 3.5 to 4.5.  
     
     
         25 . The use of a solid or semi-solid composition comprising a calcium compound and an acidulant in the manufacture of an orally administered composition for the reduction of tooth erosion caused by acid, characterised in that calcium is present in the range of 0.3 to 0.8 mol per mol of acid and that the amount of calcium and acidulant in the composition is selected so that the effective pH of the composition is from 3.5 to 4.5.