Effect of low fluoride acidic dentifrices on dental remineralization

Braz Dent J. 2013;24(1):35-9. doi: 10.1590/0103-6440201301995.

Abstract

This study evaluated the capacity of fluoride acidic dentifrices (pH 4.5) to promote enamel remineralization using a pH cycling model, comparing them with a standard dentifrice (1,100 µgF/g). Enamel blocks had their surface polished and surface hardness determined (SH). Next, they were submitted to subsurface enamel demineralization and to post-demineralization surface hardness analysis. The blocks were divided into 6 experimental groups (n=10): placebo (without F, pH 4.5, negative control), 275, 412, 550, 1,100 µgF/g and a standard dentifrice (positive control). The blocks were submitted to pH cycling for 6 days and treatment with dentifrice slurries twice a day. After pH cycling, surface and cross-sectional hardness were assessed to obtain the percentage of surface hardness recovery (%SHR) and the integrated loss of subsurface hardness (ΔKHN). The results showed that %SHR was similar among acidic dentifrices with 412, 550, 1,100 µgF/g and to the positive control (Tukey's test; p>0.05). For ΔKHN, the acidic dentifrice with 550 µg F/g showed a better performance when compared with the positive control. It can be concluded that acidic dentifrice 550 µgF/g had similar remineralization capacity to that of positive control.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Dental Enamel / chemistry
  • Dental Enamel / drug effects*
  • Dental Stress Analysis
  • Dentifrices / chemistry
  • Dentifrices / pharmacology*
  • Fluorides / analysis
  • Hardness / drug effects
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Phosphorus / analysis
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • Surface Properties
  • Tooth Remineralization*

Substances

  • Dentifrices
  • Phosphorus
  • Fluorides