In situ de- and remineralisation of enamel in response to sucrose chewing gum with fluoride or non-fluoride dentifrices.
OBJECTIVE
Enhancement of the remineralisation of artificial enamel lesions has been observed in an intraoral model whether subjects chewed gum sweetened with a non-cariogenic sweetener such as sorbitol [1-3] or sucrose [4] after meals or snacks, and with use of a conventional (1500 ppm F) fluoride dentifrice. Since most of the clinical surveys which have shown the potential cariogenicity of sucrose chewing gum [5] were conducted before use of fluoridated dentifrices became widespread, the effect of fluoride dentifrice on de- and remineralisation of artificial lesions in enamel in response to chewing sucrose-sweetened gum has been examined with the aim of attempting to resolve this apparent discrepancy.


METHODS
Subjects wore an intraoral device bearing an enamel lesion and chewed one piece of sucrose gum for 20 min after each of three meals and two snacks daily for two 3-week periods, during which they used a dentifrice containing either 0 or 1500 ppm F in a double-blind, cross-over design. Measurement of the mineral content of the lesions was determined by microradiography or polarised light microscopy.


RESULTS
It was found that remineralisation tended to occur with 1500 ppm F dentifrice, but demineralisation with non-F dentifrice; the difference in enamel mineral content between the two periods was significant (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that the potential cariogenicity of sucrose-containing chewing gum may indeed be negated by the use of a conventional fluoride dentifrice.
Manning
R H
RH
Department of Clinical Dental Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Liverpool, UK. r.manning@eastman.ucl.ac.uk
Edgar
W M
WM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002638:Chewing Gum / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003802:Dentifrices / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008852:Microradiography; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D013395:Sucrose / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017001:Tooth Demineralization / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D014089:Tooth Remineralization / Q000379:methods*
D002638:Chewing Gum; D003802:Dentifrices; D013395:Sucrose; D005459:Fluorides