Surface Mineralization by a Two-Phase Baking Soda-Toothpaste Containing Calcium

An experimental two-phase toothpaste, which simultaneously supplies calcium, fluoride and phosphate ions together with baking soda, was designed to fill treated surface defects in enamel and thereby increase surface smoothness and enhance gloss. Objective: To compare the experimental bicarbonate-based fluoride-toothpaste (E-1) with a similar formulation without baking soda (E-2), as well as a leading conventional sodium fluoride-silica-containing toothpaste (C-1) and water (C-2) for their ability to mineralize the surface of etched tooth enamel. Method: The surface of twenty polished enamel maxillary central incisors was etched by soaking in 20 ml of an acidic cola beverage for15 mins. Five randomly assigned specimens were soaked 5, 10 and 15 times for 5 mins each time in either, a freshly prepared 1:2 slurry of the two-phase toothpastes, the conventional fluoride toothpaste or distilled water respectively. Between treatments they were rinsed in distilled water. Before treatment, after etching and after each set of five cycles, the surface hardness was determined (KHN). Results: Cola treatment reduced the surface hardness by an average of 23.5%. After completion of the treatments with E-1, E-2, C-1 and C-2 the surface hardness had increased by 24.4±11.9%, 19.3±3.1%, 9.0±9.8% and 1.9±5.8% respectively. The increase in surface hardness was significant for E-1 and E-2 (p ~ 0.001). Conclusions: The experimental two part baking soda toothpaste mineralizes etched enamel surfaces to a similar degree to the non-baking soda formulation and to a greater degree than the conventional fluoride toothpaste or water. (Supported by Church & Dwight Co., Inc.)