Dental erosion. The role of acidic beverages, saliva and toothpastes in the development and reduction of dental erosion

PhD ceremony: Mr. D.H.J. Jager, 14.30 uur, Academiegebouw, Broerstraat 5, Groningen

Dissertation: Dental erosion. The role of acidic beverages, saliva and toothpastes in the development and reduction of dental erosion

Promotor(s): prof. M.C.D.N.J.M. Huysmans, prof. A. Vissink, prof. M.S. Cune

Faculty: Medical Sciences

Dental erosion, characterized by progressive loss of tooth substance by chemical processes not involving bacterial action, appears to play a major role in the development of dental wear. The development of dental erosion is still not fully understood. Therefore, the aim of this research was to obtain insight in the role of beverage parameters, saliva, salivary film/pellicle and toothpaste in the development of dental erosion. First the role of acidic beverages in the development of dental erosion was investigated. The pH and the degree of saturation were found as important parameters for the erosive potential of acidic beverages. Secondly, the role of saliva in the development of erosion was investigated. A difference in susceptibility to dental erosion among individuals exists, which can partly be explained by differences in saliva composition. Furthermore, we studied whether the addition of proteins and stannous fluoride to a toothpaste had an effect on the susceptibility of enamel to erosion. Both protein-containing toothpaste and stannous fluoride toothpaste were found to reduce the susceptibility to dental erosion to some extent. Overall, our studies suggest that factors on the “attack side” (acidic beverages) and on the “defense side” (saliva and toothpaste components) are important factors for erosive wear.