R1 Effect of brushing on dental erosion

Objectives:  To compare the effect of brushing versus dipping using three different concentrations of fluoridated toothpastes on enamel erosion in vitro using surface profilometry. Methods:  In a randomised, blinded experiment six groups of seven enamel slabs each were cut and mounted into resin blocks, ground and checked for surface flatness using a scanning profilometer (Scantron Proscan 2000). Each slabs’ surface was covered with nail varnish except for a small window (1 x 2 mm). Each group was immersed under static conditions for 2 minutes, five times daily in fresh 200 ml aliquots of citric acid 0.3% (pH = 3.6). In addition, three groups were immersed in three different fluoridated toothpastes (0 ppm F, 1100 ppm F, or 1450 ppm F) twice daily morning and evening for 2 minutes each time. The other three groups were brushed using the same toothpastes twice daily for 2 minutes each time. The total cycling period lasted 16 days during which the slabs were incubated overnight and between erosive challenges in artificial saliva at 37oC. A 60-minute gap was left between daytime immersions. Before and after dipping in the erosive solutions the slabs were rinsed with de-ionised water. After the cycling period, the slabs were analysed with the scanning profilometer to measure the amount of surface loss at day 4, 8, 12, and 16. Results:  Surface loss ± SD of enamel at day 16 caused by citric acid combined with dipping using non-fluoridated toothpaste was 61.19 ± 8.50 μm, 1100 ppm F was 43.44 ± 10.94 μm or 1450 ppm F was 34.98 ± 4.29 μm. Surface Loss ± SD of enamel at day 16 caused by citric acid combined with brushing using 0 ppm F, 1100 ppm F, or 1450 ppm F toothpastes was 75.62 ±10.64, 63.51 ± 5.27 and 48.94 ± 13.67 μm, respectively. Conclusion:  Enamel erosion was increased significantly (CI 95%) using brushing with toothpastes compared to dipping. In addition, enamel erosion showed a dose-response to fluoridated toothpastes. Acknowledgment:  This project was supported by GlaxoSmithKline.