Dentifrices for preventing erosive tooth wear: An in vitro comparative study

Erosive tooth wear is a progressive condition that compromises enamel structure and requires preventive strategies. This in vitro study aimed to compare the protective effects of fluoride-based dentifrices containing various bioactive agents on sound enamel subjected to simulated erosive-abrasive challenges. Sixty bovine enamel blocks were randomly assigned to five dentifrices containing: bioactive silica + 1100 ppm F^- from sodium fluoride (BAS/NaF), 0.454% stannous fluoride (SnF), sodium-calcium phosphosilicate + 1426 ppm F^- from sodium fluoride (SCP/NaF), 1100 ppm F^- from sodium fluoride (NaF), and a fluoride-free (FF) control. Specimens underwent 7 days of pH cycling, including three daily acid challenges and 2-min immersion in dentifrice slurries including 15 s brushing. Measurements included surface microhardness, surface roughness, fluorescence loss, and surface loss. Between-group differences were assessed using one-way anova with Tukey post hoc tests. The BAS/NaF and SnF dentifrices outperformed the other formulations, maintaining higher surface hardness and lower surface loss and fluorescence loss (p < 0.05). The NaF and the SCP/NaF dentifrices showed intermediate results. The fluoride-free dentifrice exhibited the highest mineral loss. Dentifrices combining fluoride with bioactive ingredients enhanced enamel resistance to erosive-abrasive challenges, with bioactive silica and stannous fluoride showing the strongest effects.