Role of dentifrices on abrasion of enamel exposed to an acidic drink

PURPOSE: To evaluate in vitro the abrasive potential of different dentifrices on enamel previously exposed to an acidic soft drink. METHODS: 150 bovine enamel slabs measuring 6 x 3 x 2 mm were grounded flat and polished. Surface roughness was measured to obtain Ra (microm) baseline values using a profilometer. The slabs' outer surface was covered with a tape except for a 3 x 4 mm window. According to a randomized complete block design, specimens were exposed to an acidic drink or distilled water (control) for 5 minutes, and then to artificial saliva for 1 minute. Next, the experimental units were submitted to 5,000 brushing strokes using one of four dentifrices - regular (RE), baking soda (BS), tartar control (TC) or whitening (WT) - or distilled water as control (CO) (n=15). At the end of five repetitions of this erosive/abrasive cycle, the tape was removed and final readings of surface roughness were carried out. Roughness gain consisted of the subtraction of the baseline values from the post-treatment measurements. Also, the enamel wear due to erosive/abrasive challenges was profilometrically determined. RESULTS: ANOVA did not show significant interaction between enamel condition (eroded and sound) and dentifrice (P> 0.05) for both roughness gain and wear. No significant effect was found for enamel condition and dentifrice in the wear analysis. The exposure of enamel to the acidic drink provided higher roughness gain than did distilled water. Tukey's test evidenced that TC yielded significantly greater increase in surface roughness than did both CO and WT, whereas BS and RE induced an intermediate roughness gain.