Compositions for treating periodontitis and dental calculus accumulation

Abstract

Compositions comprising serine and an organic mono- or multi-phosphate salt and methods of using such compositions to treat and/or prevent periodontal disease and/or dental calculus are provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of treating or preventing periodontitis and dental calculus accumulation, the method comprising administering to the oral environment of a subject, an effective amount of an oral composition comprising serine and at least one organic mono-phosphate or multi-phosphate salt. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition further includes a buffer providing the composition with a pH of between about 6.1 and 7.0. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the composition is provided as an orally acceptable dosage form, wherein the introduction of the composition to a subject suffering from periodontitis or dental calculus accumulation, reduces the alkalinity and thereby increases calcium concentration in the saliva by dissolving the calculus. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the pH of the composition is between about 6.1 and about 6.3. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the pH of the composition is between about 6.7 and about 7.0. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the organic mono-phosphate or multi-phosphate salt is a biological salt. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the biological salt is an inositol. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the inositol is a phytate. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the phytate is sodium phytate. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the orally acceptable dosage form is selected from the group consisting of capsules, tablets, emulsions, aqueous suspensions, dispersions, pastes, powders, gums, and solutions. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the orally acceptable dosage form comprises one or more carriers, one or more lubricating agents, or one or more diluents. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the carrier is lactose or corn starch, the lubricating agent is magnesium stearate, and the diluent is lactose or dried corn starch. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the orally acceptable dosage form comprises one or more sweetening, flavoring, or coloring agents. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the subject is at risk of developing plaque or periodontal disease. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the subject is a human. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the periodontal disease is gingivitis. 
     
     
         17 . The method of any of  claim 1 , wherein the oral composition is applied to one or more teeth of the subject. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the oral composition is applied to the enamel, exposed dentine, or cementum of one or more teeth of the subject.