Objective: In addition to its role as a remineralizing agent in preventing dental caries, calcium product (CPP-ACP) delivered as a mousse (Tooth Mousse, TM) can reduce erosion of enamel and dentine. The aim of this study was to determine whether CPP-ACP could also reduce erosive tooth wear involving toothbrush abrasion.
Methods: Flat, polished enamel and dentine specimens (n=72) were subjected to 10 wear regimes, with each regime involving erosion in 0.3% citric acid (pH 3.2) for 10 min followed by toothbrush abrasion in a slurry of fluoride-free toothpaste and artificial saliva (1:3 ratio by weight) under a load of 2N for 200 cycles. The specimens were immersed in artificial saliva for 2h between wear regimes. In the experimental group 1, TM (containing CPP-ACP) was applied at the beginning of each wear episode for 5 min whereas TM- (without CPP-ACP) was applied in the experimental group 2. No mousse was applied in the control group.
Results: TM significantly reduced enamel wear (mean+/-S.E., 1.26+/-0.33 microm in the experimental group 1 vs 3.48+/-0.43 microm in the control group) and dentine wear (2.16+/-0.89 microm in the experimental group 1 vs 10.29+/-1.64 microm in the control group), and dentine wear was significantly less in the experimental group 1 than in the experimental group 2 (5.75+/-0.98 microm).
Conclusion: The finding that TM reduced erosive tooth wear involving toothbrush abrasion, probably by remineralizing and lubricating eroded tooth surfaces, may have implications in the management of tooth wear.