The protective effect of caseinomacropeptide against dental erosion using hydroxyapatite as a model system

Tooth loss due to dental erosion, particularly among children, has increased in many countries and has been linked to increased consumption of acidic drinks. A number of compounds, including bioactive peptides, are therefore being assessed for their potential to improve dental health. Caseinomacropeptide (CMP) contains two major fractions, glycosylated (gCMP) and non-glycosylated (aCMP), both possessing bioactive properties. This study aimed to determine the ability of CMP and its individual fractions to protect teeth against acidic erosion. Hydroxyapatite (HA) as the tooth model was pretreated with CMP peptides before exposure to citrate buffers (as the erosive solution) at pH 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5. A reduction in the dissolution of calcium and phosphate from the treated HA compared with untreated HA demonstrated the protective effect of these peptides, and indicated that whole CMP and its fractions have the potential to reduce the erosive effect of acidic drinks by 30–45%.