The ability of a nano hydroxyapatite toothpaste and oral rinse containing fluoride to protect enamel during an acid challenge using 19F solid state NMR spectroscopy

Abstract

Hydroxyapatite is used as a remineralising additive for toothpastes and is promoted as an alternative to fluoride. Recently nano hydroxyapatite (nHA) toothpastes and an oral rinse have been produced with fluoride. This paper investigates the ability of a nHA toothpaste and oral rinse containing fluoride to convert the hydroxyapatite of enamel to fluoridated apatite under demineralisation conditions using weight loss measurements and 19F Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (MAS-NMR) spectroscopy to determine the formation of fluoridated apatite. The presence of nHA and fluoride was shown to reduce weight loss of enamel slices during a demineralisation treatment and resulted in the formation of fluoridated apatite.