In vitro effect of low-fluoride toothpastes containing sodium trimetaphosphate on enamel erosion

A selection of abstracts of clinically relevant papers from other journals. The abstracts on this page have been chosen and edited by John R. Radford.

Abstract

Enamel wear was 2-fold lower when it was exposed to a low fluoride toothpaste supplemented with sodium trimetaphosphate.

Main

Cruz NV, Pessan JP et al. Arch Oral Biol 2015; 60: 1231–1236

Fluoride, particularly at high concentrations, and interestingly xylitol and fluoride acting synergistically 'decrease(s) the progression' of erosion. The investigators in this in vitro study found that a low fluoride toothpaste (250 ppm F) containing 0.25, 0.5 or 1.0% sodium trimetaphosphate 'is able to significantly increase the anti-erosive potential'. These formulations of a low fluoride toothpaste with sodium trimetaphosphate had similar effects to the positive control which was a commercial toothpaste that claims to prevent erosion (Sensodyne^® Pronamel^® 1,425 ppm F as NaF, 5% KNO³). In this study, the surface hardness and surface wear of bovine enamel blocks (n = 144) were measured at either 2 or 5 days following erosive challenge. This comprised immersion of the enamel blocks in a soft drink (Sprite Zero^™, pH 2.8) for 5 minutes, four times a day. Between these erosive challenges, the blocks were submerged in artificial saliva for 1 hour. Toothpaste formulations were applied in the form of a slurry.