Can babies oral wipes with fluoride and/or calcium glycerophosphate prevent cariogenic demineralization? An in-vitro study.

Abstract

The difficulties in reaching a good level of oral hygiene in young babies can be partly overcome with the use of baby oral wipes, which have been shown to effectively remove plaque from deciduous teeth. The presence of fluoride and calcium in these wipes could also prevent further demineralization of the teeth, as well as promote remineralization. The aim of this study is, therefore, was to analyze the preventive effect of OW containing F and CaGP on cariogenic demineralization in vitro. For this, seventy enamel samples were treated with OW soaked in solutions containing different F concentrations (250 ppm; 500 ppm and 1500 ppm) with or not with 0.13% CaGP and distilled water for the control group. The samples were submitted to an 8-day cariogenic pH cycling. The experimental solutions were applied twice per cycle, by immersing a dry inert oral tissue into 4 mL of the solution and rubbing it over the enamel surface. Enamel microhardness was measured initially and after the experimental cycles. Environmental scanning electron microscope was taken to visualize and quantify elements on the enamel surface. No significant difference was observed (P=0.694), but when the groups containing CaGP were compared to the negative control solution, a significant difference was found. The presence of 0.13% CaGP and fluoride in concentrations greater than 500 ppm were able to provide protection of dental enamel against demineralization.