New Chocolate-Flavored Soft Chews Good for Your Teeth

STONY BROOK, N.Y., and ROSLYN HEIGHTS, N.Y., July 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- A dream come "chew" for your teeth?  Researchers at Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine and Ortek Therapeutics, Inc., have developed a chocolate-flavored soft chew that is actually beneficial for your teeth. BasicBites™ is a sugar-free chewy that helps maintain healthy teeth by supporting the normal acid-base (pH) levels that exist on tooth surfaces while coating the teeth with a mineral source.

BasicBites are designed to mimic saliva's profound and natural benefits. It is a new oral care product that contains AlkaGen Technology™. Based on more than 40 years of research in the field of oral biology and saliva chemistry, the AlkaGen Technology was developed by Israel Kleinberg, DDS, PhD, DSc, Distinguished Professor in the Department of Oral Biology and Pathology, and Director of the Division of Translational Oral Biology at Stony Brook. Internationally recognized in the field of salivary and microbial research, Dr. Kleinberg has spent decades investigating the biochemistry and physiology of human mixed bacterial communities, especially those in the mouth that interact with saliva in supporting oral health. His findings and subsequent research led to the development of AlkaGen Technology.

The saliva-mimicking technology in BasicBites consists of two main ingredients – arginine bicarbonate and calcium carbonate. Arginine is a common amino acid found in saliva and is naturally present in many foods. Arginine supports the sustained base or alkali production on the surfaces of the teeth. This helps keep tooth surfaces in the existing normal pH range, allowing the calcium to coat and support healthy tooth structure.

"The ingredients in BasicBites mirror the vital nutrients that are found in healthy saliva," says Dr. Kleinberg. "We spent decades analyzing and literally taking apart saliva, and we eventually solved the puzzle of the protective and natural benefits of saliva. This has led to a new paradigm in the science of oral care. Keeping the pH of teeth in balance is extremely important. This is especially critical for individuals with dry mouth and those who consume excessive acid rich foods and beverages."

"The technology in BasicBites is recognized as a major breakthrough in oral care," said Mitchell Goldberg, President of Ortek. "We all want to support the health of our teeth, and BasicBites are a delicious and portable oral care product based on incredible research and scientific results."

According to Peter Donnelly, Director of Stony Brook's Office of Technology Licensing and Industry Relations, the introduction of BasicBites is another example of the long-standing and commercially successful research and licensing collaboration between Stony Brook and Ortek. This technology breakthrough was a team effort that included support from Stony Brook University's Center for Biotechnology, and the collaborative work of the Office of Technology Licensing and Industry Relations with the School of Dental Medicine at Stony Brook University.

BasicBites, 20 calories per piece, is available exclusively from Ortek via its website, www.basicbites.com.

SOURCE Ortek Therapeutics, Inc.