Can Toothpaste Prevent Enamel Loss?

A team of Swiss researchers have revealed that regular brushing with a soluble Fluoride toothpaste does not prevent dental erosion alone. The study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, found that neither Colgate nor Sensodyne stopped enamel loss. Toothpaste brands Blend-a-Med Pro Expert and Regenerate were the least effective and Sensodyne Pronamel and Elmex Erosion Protection were found to be no better than saliva. The researchers believe toothpaste should be used as part of an oral-care regime, alongside dentists advice and a healthy lifestyle. Speaking of the importance of a complete oral-care regime, study author Dr Samira Helena João-Souza, from the University of São Paulo, added: 'Dental erosion is multifactorial. It has to do with brushing, and above all, with diet. 'Food and drink are increasingly acidic as a result of industrial processing.

Our mouths are in a constant flux of erosion and remineralisation. Dental erosion occurs when hard tissue is lost due to acidic break down combined with abrasive brushing or tongue movements. Remineralisation is the process where saliva naturally neutralises the mouth and provides lost minerals for absorption and remineralisation. In the modern world of constant snacking and processes food, our teeth are exposed to prolonged acidic conditions and have very little time for recovery. Continuous acidic and mechanical erosion can lead to exposed underlying dentine and sensitivity and pain.

The researchers created 150 enamel samples out of premolar teeth which were divided into 10 groups, all of which were exposed to equal amounts of an erosive substance and processes that mimicked brushing for five consecutive days. One group was exposed to artificial saliva, which acted as the experiment's control, four of the groups were treated with desensitising toothpastes and the remainder with anti-erosive toothpastes. All toothpastes in the study contain soluble fluoride concentrations between 1,040 and 1,450 ppm. After exposure to erosion and the toothpastes, the samples' enamel surface loss was calculated.

Professor Ana Cecília Corrêa Aranha, from the University of São Paulo, who was involved in the study, said: 'None of these toothpastes were capable of preventing dental erosion or dentin hypersensitivity, which is a cause of concern'. 

BioMin® toothpaste, which is the only toothpaste which can slowly deliver Fluoride for up to 12 hours after brushing, was not part of the study - but we believe it should of been. All toothpastes analysed in the study contained soluble Fluoride which is rapidly washed away within a couple of hours of brushing. BioMin® F toothpaste represents the latest advances in toothpaste technology. The extremely fine particles bond to the teeth and slowly dissolve, releasing optimum levels of Fluoride, Calcium and Phosphate for up to 12 hours after brushing. This readily available source of minerals rapidly neutralise any acids in the mouth at any time of day and are then re-absorbed by your teeth. The unique blend of minerals precipitate on the teeth as Fluorapatite which is 10 TIMES more resistant to acid than natural tooth enamel.

Most patients report a rapid reduction in sensitivity and improved quality of life!

Armour your teeth today, brush with BioMin® F and your teeth with have protection for far longer than any other toothpaste!