Provided are compositions comprising an orally-acceptable carrier and a cationic copolymer derived from the polymerization of n-vinyl pyrrolidone (VP) with cationic monomers containing amines or by copolymerization of n-vinyl pyrrolidone (VP) monomers with cationic monomers comprising amides followed by deprotection to amines. Also provided are uses of such compounds in the oral cavity to inhibit demineralization of a tooth.