RESUMO
PURPOSE: To evaluate the inhibitory effects of different toothpastes on demineralisation of incipient enamel lesions using a toothbrush simulator. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty enamel specimens were prepared from extracted human molars. The specimens were randomly assigned to the following groups (n = 10/group): 1. no treatment (control); 2. toothpaste containing arginine (ProRelief, Colgate;); 3. fluoride toothpaste (Pronamel, Sensodyne GlaxoSmithKlein); 4. tooth mousse containing casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) (Recaldent, GC); 5. toothpaste (Restore, Dr. Collins) containing bioactive glass (NovaMin, GlaxoSmithKlein). All specimens were exposed to pH cycling. The remineralising agents were applied to the samples with a toothbrush simulator for 2 min twice a day for five days. The weight percentage of mineral changes for the elements calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), sodium (Na) and silica (Si) were measured by SEM energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). SEM revealed properties of treated enamel surfaces. The data were analysed using one-way ANOVA. RESULTS: Statistically significantly higher levels of Ca and P were found in all groups compared to the control (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The toothpastes' efficacy of inhibiting demineralisation depended on the active ingredients in the respective toothpaste. The demineralisation inhibition efficacy of the tested toothpastes depended on the active ingredients in the toothpaste.