Means and methods for preventing and/or treating caries

A liquid or solid composition comprising cells of at least one microorganism belonging to Lactobacillus paracasei which is thermally inactivated by heating at more than 95° C. for at least 20 minutes, the cells consisting of dead or inactivated cells, wherein said cells bind to Streptococcus mutans in the presence of saliva or at a pH range between 4.5 and 8.5,

• wherein the binding between said cells and Streptococcus mutans is calcium-dependent, resistant to heat treatment at more than 95° C. for at least 20 minutes, and resistant to protease treatment,
• and
• wherein the composition comprises the cells in an amount of at least 0.001% by weight based on the weight of the composition;
• wherein said composition optionally comprises less than 1% (w/w) lactose or more than 6% (w/w) lactose based on the composition;
• wherein the composition is a food or drink which further comprises at least one orally acceptable carrier or excipient;
• and
• wherein the microorganism is selected from the group consisting of L. paracasei DSM 16667b1946, L. paracasei DSM 16668b1946, L. paracasei DSM 16669b1946, L. paracasei DSM 16670b1946, and L. paracasei DSM 16671b1946.

A liquid or solid composition comprising cells of at least one microorganism belonging to Lactobacillus paracasei which is thermally inactivated by heating at more than 95° C. for at least 20 minutes, wherein all cells of at least one microorganism belonging to Lactobacillus paracasei in the liquid or solid composition are dead or inactivated cells, wherein said cells bind to Streptococcus mutans in the presence of saliva or at a pH range between 4.5 and 8.5,

• wherein the binding between said cells and Streptococcus mutans is calcium-dependent, resistant to heat treatment at more than 95° C. for at least 20 minutes, and resistant to protease treatment,
• and
• wherein the composition comprises the cells in an amount of at least 0.001% by weight based on the weight of the composition;
• wherein said composition optionally comprises less than 1% (w/w) lactose or more than 6% (w/w) lactose based on the composition;
• wherein the composition is an animal feed which further comprises at least one orally acceptable carrier or excipient;
• and
• wherein the microorganism is selected from the group consisting of L. paracasei DSM 16667b1946, L. paracasei DSM 16668b1946, L. paracasei DSM 16669b1946, L. paracasei DSM 16670b1946, and L. paracasei DSM 16671b1946;
• and
• wherein the at least one orally acceptable carrier or excipient is selected from the group consisting of fluoride ion sources, anticalculus agents, buffers, abrasive materials, peroxide sources, alkali metal bicarbonate salts, thickening materials, humectants, surfactants, titanium dioxide, flavor agents, sweetening agents, xylitol, coloring agents, starch, glucose, sucrose, gelatin, malt, rice, flour, chalk, silica gel, sodium stearate, glycerol monostearate, talc, sodium ions, dried skim milk, glycerol, propylene glycol, water, ethanol, and mixtures thereof.