Casein phosphopeptide (
CPP) has the potential to be added to
mouth rinses,
gels,
toothpastes,
chewing gums and confectioneries. Until now
CPP has been studied in vitro, in situ and in animals, but clinical trials are lacking. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of
CPP-containing
toothpaste in preventing
dental caries in schoolchildren. The study was conducted among 150 schoolchildren randomly divided into three groups, each using one of three types of
toothpastes: (a) containing 2% w/w
CPP; (b) containing 1,190 mg/kg
fluoride as 0.76%
sodium monofluorophosphate (SMFP); (c) placebo
toothpaste without
CPP or
fluoride. Students brushed with the given
toothpastes for 24 months.
Oral hygiene and caries experience were assessed at baseline, 12 and 24 months. The increments in caries lesions were calculated and analyzed to assess the caries-preventive effect. A significant reduction in caries increment was observed among students using
CPP toothpaste or SMFP
toothpaste, compared with the group using the placebo
toothpaste. The reduction in caries increment was not significantly different between the
CPP and SMFP groups. Oral Hygiene Index score increased from the 12-month to the 24-month examination. It is concluded that
CPP can be effectively incorporated into
calcium carbonate-based
toothpaste and that
toothpaste containing
CPP is effective in preventing caries.
Toothpaste containing 2%
CPP seemed to have an efficacy similar to
paste containing 1,190 mg/kg SMFP in the prevention of caries.