IADR Abstract Archives
Soda, Fluoride, Xylitol, and Green Tea on Enamel Erosion
Objectives: There is currently great interest on the impact of diet on enamel erosion. In this study, we evaluated how fluoride, xylitol, and green tea modified the erosive effect of soda in dental enamel. Our hypothesis is that immediate exposure of enamel to fluoride, xylitol, or green tea minimizes mineral loss due to drinking soda.
Methods: 24 human dental enamel samples were obtained from six extracted permanent molars. Samples were kept in artificial saliva after preparations for mechanical testing. Knoop microhardness was assessed in all samples at baseline. Four samples were used as negative controls. The remaining 20 samples were exposed to soda (Coke) for 10 minutes twice daily for 3 days. Knoop microhardness was assessed again after soda exposure. Four samples were taken to serve as positive controls. The remaining 16 samples were divided in 4 groups of 4 samples and were exposed to one 10-minute treatment of one of the following: an over-the-counter fluoridated toothpaste solution, a sodium fluoride (NaF) powder solution, a xylitol solution, and a green tea solution. Knoop microhardness was assessed again after the final treatment. ANOVA was used to determine if there were any statistically significant differences (alpha = 0.05) between controls and testing samples.
Results: Only the fluoridated toothpaste solution had a remineralizing effect on the enamel (p<0.05). Surprisingly, the NaF solution, as well as the xylitol, and the green tea solutions intensified the effect of the soda, and samples exposed to these solutions after soda exposure had greater mineral loss (p<0.05).
Conclusions: Fluoridated toothpaste appears to be an efficient method to minimize mineral loss due to exposure to acidic beverages. On the other hand, the exposure to xylitol or green tea after drinking soda may predispose to further mineral losses.
Methods: 24 human dental enamel samples were obtained from six extracted permanent molars. Samples were kept in artificial saliva after preparations for mechanical testing. Knoop microhardness was assessed in all samples at baseline. Four samples were used as negative controls. The remaining 20 samples were exposed to soda (Coke) for 10 minutes twice daily for 3 days. Knoop microhardness was assessed again after soda exposure. Four samples were taken to serve as positive controls. The remaining 16 samples were divided in 4 groups of 4 samples and were exposed to one 10-minute treatment of one of the following: an over-the-counter fluoridated toothpaste solution, a sodium fluoride (NaF) powder solution, a xylitol solution, and a green tea solution. Knoop microhardness was assessed again after the final treatment. ANOVA was used to determine if there were any statistically significant differences (alpha = 0.05) between controls and testing samples.
Results: Only the fluoridated toothpaste solution had a remineralizing effect on the enamel (p<0.05). Surprisingly, the NaF solution, as well as the xylitol, and the green tea solutions intensified the effect of the soda, and samples exposed to these solutions after soda exposure had greater mineral loss (p<0.05).
Conclusions: Fluoridated toothpaste appears to be an efficient method to minimize mineral loss due to exposure to acidic beverages. On the other hand, the exposure to xylitol or green tea after drinking soda may predispose to further mineral losses.