The impact of mouth rinses on the efficacy of fluoride dentifrices in preventing enamel and dentin erosion/abrasion

Abstract

Purpose: Toothbrushing followed by is a method to maintain good oral hygiene. It is unknown to what extent mouth rinses can modulate the effect of fluoride in its ability to prevent erosion/abrasion. The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate the impact of chlorhexidine (CHX), essential oils (EO), and cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) mouth rinses on erosive tooth wear protection afforded by conventional fluoride toothpaste. Methodology: The following experimental factors were considered: Five rinses: CHX, EO, CPC, a fluoride rinse, and water, two fluoride toothpaste: stannous fluoride (SnF2), sodium fluoride (NaF), and two models: erosion only and erosion + abrasion. Bovine enamel and dentin slabs were embedded in resin blocks (n=8). Specimens were subjected to a five-day cycling regimen consisting of twicedaily treatments, with or without abrasion, with fluoride toothpaste, followed by mouth rinse exposure. Erosion (0.3% citric acid) was performed 5×/d. Specimens were exposed to artificial saliva during remineralization periods. Surface loss (SL) was determined using non-contact profilometry. Data were analyzed using ANOVA (=0.05). Results: There was no interaction among the three factors (type of toothpaste, mouth rinse, and abrasion or not). There were no significant two-way interactions, as SL was only affected by toothpaste and mouth rinse. NaF caused less SL than SnF2 (p<0.0001) in dentin, whereas the opposite was found in enamel (p<0.0001). Erosion + abrasion caused more SL than erosion only (p<0.0001). None of the tested mouth rinses affected SL. Conclusion: Commonly used mouth rinses do not impair the erosion/abrasion protection fluoride toothpaste provides.