The role of Tooth Mousse in preventing enamel wear

In addition to its role as a remineralizing agent in preventing dental caries, recent evidence has shown that Tooth Mousse (TM), manufactured by GC Corporation, Japan, may reduce enamel wear under conditions simulating attrition and acid regurgitation. Objective: Our aims were to determine whether TM could reduce enamel wear under different in vitro conditions and to clarify its likely mode of action. Methods: Buccal and lingual enamel halves of human third molar teeth were worn against each other in a purpose-built electromechanical tooth wear machine under a load of 10.0 kg. In experimental sample 1, enamel specimens (n = 12) were worn for around 10,000 cycles in the presence of hydrochloric acid (pH = 1.2). The machine was stopped every two minutes (160 cycles of wear) and specimens were washed and dried before TM was applied for four minutes. Specimens were washed again and dried before the cycle was continued. This protocol was also followed for experimental sample 2 (n = 12) using Tooth Mousse containing the same formulation but without the remineralizing agent, CPP-ACP (TM-). In the control sample (n = 12), the specimens were worn at pH = 1.2, but no TM or TM- was applied. Wear rates were compared between the samples using a one-way ANOVA. Results: There were no significant differences in rates of enamel wear between samples 1 and 2 (0.44 ± 0.05 vs 0.63 ± 0.06 mm3 per 1,000 cycles), but both these rates were significantly less than that in the control sample (0.92 ± 0.11 mm3 per 1,000 cycles) (p<0.05). Conclusions: Tooth Mousse with and without the remineralizing agent reduced enamel wear under conditions simulating attrition and acid regurgitation. We suggest that this is related to the lubricating agents in the TM formulation (for example, glycerol).