Enamel Erosion Inhibition by a New Anti-Erosion Mouthrinse

Objective: To determine the effect, in vitro, of pre-treatment of enamel with commercially available mouthrinses on subsequent erosion by a dietary acid. Surface topography changes and bulk tissue loss attributed to erosion were monitored using white light interferometry. Methods: Human enamel specimens were polished and divided into one of five treatment groups: i) deionised water , ii) Listerine Total Care, iii) Colgate Plax, iv) Scope Original Mint, and v) Sensodyne Pronamel™ mouthrinse. The specimens were incubated for 1 minute in the treatment solutions and subsequently washed with deionised water. Prior to acid exposure, part of the specimen surface was masked by taping. During the erosion phase, specimens were immersed in 1.0% citric acid, pH 3.8 for 5 minutes. Surface topography was investigated using an ADE PhaseShift MicroXAM White Light Interferometer. Results: The resulting surface roughness changes (SA) of enamel treated with deionised water versus the specific treatment groups show that some commercially available mouthrinses confer little or no protection against acid erosion. In this study the SA values of enamel treated with the Sensodyne Pronamel™ mouthrinse were the lowest of all the treatment groups and illustrate the protective nature of this rinse against a dietary acid challenge. On removal of the tape mask from the specimens and subsequent measurement of step heights, enamel tissue loss data mirrored the surface roughness findings. Conclusion: This study has shown that treatment of human enamel with Sensodyne Pronamel™ mouthrinse containing three novel polymers in combination with fluoride provides protection against surface damage due to citric acid exposure.