Effect of dentifrice containing fluoride and/or baiting soda on enamel demineralization remineralization: An in situ study

The additive effect of baking soda on the anticariogenic effect of fluoride dentifrice is not well established. To evaluate it, a crossover in situ st udy was done in three phases of 28 days. Volunteers, using acrylic palatal appliances containing four human enamel blocks, two sound (to evaluate demi neralization) and two with artificial caries lesions (to evaluate remineral ization), took part in this study. During each phase, 10% sucrose solution was dripped (3 times a day) only onto the sound blocks. After 10 min, a slu rry of placebo, fluoride (F) or fluoride and baking soda (F+NaHCO3) dentifr ice was dripped onto all enamel blocks. The results showed a higher F conce ntration in dental plaque formed during treatment with F+NaHCO3 than placeb o (p<0.05), but the difference related to F dentifrice was not significant. The enamel demineralization was lower, and remineralization was greater, a fter treatment with F+NaHCO3 than placebo (p<0.05), but the difference rela ted to F dentifrice was not significant. The data suggest that baking soda neither improves nor impairs the effect of F dentifrice on reduction of dem ineralization and enhancement of remineralization of enamel. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG. Basel.