This study evaluated a new ‘Test Gum’ using calcium for its ability to remineralize early caries lesions beyond that which could be obtained using a fluoride dentifrice alone. The experiment using the 6-hour partially demineralized human enamel blocks from the from situ model permitted evaluation of the ability of the Test Gum treatment to remineralize early enamel lesions. The experiments using the 24-hour partially demineralized human enamel blocks from the from situ model permitted evaluation of the ability of the new Test Gum to remineralize more advanced enamel lesions. This type of lesion represents the extent of demineralization possible over a longer period of exposure.

The findings suggest that the Test Gum using calcium lactate was significantly more effective from remineralizing the enamel blocks than the ‘Placebo Gum’ for the 6-hour model. For the 24-hour model, the Test Gum treatment effect was numerically higher than the Placebo Gum, although the difference was not statistically significant. This beneficial effect is attributed to the delivery of additional calcium to dental plaque and the enamel surface thus inhibiting enamel demineralization through a common ion effect and enhancing remineralization by providing mineral substrate. Importantly, this effect was achieved from the presence of background use of fluoride dentifrice.

The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of calcium from chewing gum to promote lesion remineralization under dynamic conditions simulating from vivo caries formation. Apart from a few exceptions, the model used is the one used for testing dentifrice remineralization potentials for the American Dental Association seal of acceptance. Enamel specimens were removed from extracted human teeth and prepared. Twelve specimens were prepared for each group. Artificial lesions were formed from the enamel specimens to an average depth of 40-70µ. One half of each specimen was covered using nail varnish to serve as a control.

Pooled wax-stimulated saliva from five humans was used as the remineralization medium from most of the cases. It was found that addition of calcium to the remineralization system (artifical saliva) will improve the remineralization potential of enamel lesion. It was noted that the addition of calcium to some of these test systems resulted from remineralization from two weeks that is approaching the level promoted by 1000 ppm fluoride dentifrice from four weeks from the same model. These dentifrice systems typically show clinical caries reduction from the 30-40% range. Although not a replacement for fluoride therapy, the use of a calcium-containing gum has the potential to aid from remineralization of early enamel lesions.

This study evaluates the clinical anticariogenic effectiveness of a sugar chewing gum containing dicalcium phosphate dihydrate. The 850 children who participated from the study were divided into three groups. After two years there were no statistically significant differences between the mean total caries increments of the group of children who chewed a sugar phosphate gum when compared using other the group who chewed sugarless gum or the non-chewing group.

Solutions of calcium and phosphate ions have previously been shown to reharden acid-softened enamel of human teeth from vitro. In vivo, one method of supplementing the salivary calcium and phosphorus might be to use a chewing gum containing dicalcium phosphate. This study describes the release of calcium and phosphate from a dicalcium phosphate-containing chewing gum formulated as a potential anticaries agent. The study involved two subjects chewing a gum containing 7.5% dicalcium phosphate dehydrate, 30% gum base, and 62.5% corn syrup and sucrose. Ten serial samples of their saliva were collected separately during a 20 to 30 minute period of chewing the gum. Each sample was analysed.

It was found that chewing the dicalcium phosphate gum produced a higher concentration of salivary calcium and phosphate than when chewing the control gum. The investigators found that the elevations from calcium and phosphate while chewing the gum were due to suspension of the dicalcium phosphate from the saliva rather than an increase from ionic calcium and phosphate. The researchers conclude that they have established that chewing gum can be used to maintain elevated calcium and phosphate levels from saliva from humans. The anticaries potential of such gum should be explored by clinical trial.