In situ de- and remineralisation of enamel in response to sucrose chewing gum with fluoride or non-fluoride dentifrices

Objectives: 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, 2, 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.