Chewing gum
AssigneeIndiana University Foundation
InventorsJoseph C. Muhler, Carl J. Kleber, Ronald L. Ream, David M. Moore
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved chewing gum capable of cleaning and imparting a high degree of polish to the teeth comprises a chewing gum base, at least one non-toxic source of acid, and calcined kaolin particles, the median diameter of which is about 2 micrometers or less, substantially all of the particles being less than about 20 micrometers in diameter. Such a chewing gum cleans and imparts a high degree of polish to the teeth without unduly abrading or scratching them. When regularly chewed, such a gum, in addition to cleaning and polishing the dental enamel, also inhibits the reformation of dental plaque.
Claims12
A chewing gum capable of cleaning and imparting a high degree of polish to the teeth consisting essentially of:
- a chewing gum base;
- a non-toxic source of acid present in an amount sufficient to produce an aqueous pH of from about 2.6 to about 3.3 when measured in a solution with a concentration of 0.1 gram by total gum weight of said chewing gum to 1 milliliter of demineralized water;
- and
- about 1-50% by total gum weight of calcined kaolin particles, the median diameter of the particles being about 2 micrometers or less, substantially all of the particles being less than about 20 micrometers in diameter.
A method of imparting a high degree of polish to the dental enamel comprising regularly chewing of a chewing gum consisting essentially of:
- a chewing gum base;
- a non-toxic source of acid present in an amount sufficient to produce an aqueous pH of from about 2.6 to about 3.3 when measured in a solution with a concentration of 0.1 gram by total gum weight of said chewing gum to 1 milliliter of demineralized water;
- and
- about 1-50% by total gum weight of calcined kaolin particles, the median diameter of the particles being about 2 micrometers or less, substantially all of the particles being less than about 20 micrometers in diameter.
A method of removing dental plaque from on the teeth and inhibiting its reformation comprising regularly chewing of a chewing gum consisting essentially of:
- a chewing gum base;
- a non-toxic source of acid present in an amount sufficient to produce an aqueous pH of fromm about 2.6 to about 3.3 when measured in a solution with a concentration of 0.1 gram by total gum weight of said chewing gum to 1 milliliter of demineralized water;
- and
- about 1-50% by total gum weight of calcined kaolin particles, the median diameter of the particles being about 2 micrometers or less, substantially all of the particles being less than about 20 micrometers in diameter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.