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\nIntroduction: Among the wide variety of commercially oral hygiene products, activated charcoal-based toothpastes have irrupted the market, claiming multiple benefits. Although most are fluoride free, others incorporate fluoride into their formulations, yet the chemical availability and stability of fluoride in these products remain unclear. Our study aimed to assess the chemical availability and stability of fluoride in commercially fluoridated toothpastes formulated with activated charcoal. Methods: We purchased duplicate samples with different lot numbers of different brands containing fluoride (F) and activated charcoal (n = 20) in the USA and Chile. Three toothpastes, one non-fluoridated, one containing sodium fluoride (NaF), and another with sodium monofluorophosphate (Na2FPO3), were used as controls. All toothpastes were evaluated at the time of purchase (fresh) and after their expiration date (aged). We determined total F and available total soluble F (TSF), using a F-specific ion electrode. Values were expressed in mg F/kg (ppm F, w/w). Results: Most evaluated toothpaste contained NaF (70%) or Na2FPO3 (30%) as the F salt, and all declared to contain silica. The TSF concentration ranged from 952.6 to 1,438.1 and from 925.7 to 1,493.7 ppm F for fresh and aged toothpaste, respectively. TSF remained close to total F and in agreement with the F concentration reported by the manufacturer. After expiring, the commercial toothpastes did not form insoluble F, except the Na2FPO3-/CaCO3-based control. Conclusion: The silica-based toothpastes formulated with activated charcoal present fluoride potentially bioavailable and chemically stable to control caries. However, concerns regarding abrasiveness, as raised by other researchers, cast doubt on the suitability of these toothpastes for widespread use. Activated charcoal toothpastes have become popular, with claims of multiple benefits. Although most are fluoride free, others incorporate fluoride (F) into their formulations, yet the chemical availability and stability of F in these products remain unclear. Our study aimed to assess the chemical availability and stability of F in commercially fluoridated toothpastes formulated with activated charcoal. We purchased duplicate samples with different lot numbers of different brands containing F and activated charcoal (n = 20) in the USA and Chile. Three toothpastes, one non-fluoridated, one containing sodium fluoride (NaF), and another with sodium monofluorophosphate (Na2FPO3), were used as controls. Toothpastes were tested both when fresh and after their expiration date. We measured the total amount of F and available total soluble F using a F-specific ion electrode. Most toothpastes contained either NaF (70%) or Na2FPO3 (30%), and all included silica. The amount of available F in fresh toothpastes ranged between 952.6 and 1,438.1 ppm and between 925.7 and 1,493.7 ppm in expired samples. The available F stayed close to the amount listed on the labels, and most toothpastes did not form insoluble F after expiration, except the Na2FPO3-/CaCO3-based control. In conclusion, the tested toothpastes with activated charcoal present F potentially bioavailable and chemically stable to control caries. However, concerns regarding abrasiveness, as raised by other researchers, cast doubt on the suitability of these toothpastes for widespread use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Evidence has shown that silver diamine fluoride (SDF) at 30-38% has the potential to control and revert caries lesions. However, SDF can be found at lower concentrations on the market. In this study, we evaluated the effect of different commercially available SDF products on the progression of non-cavitated caries lesion in primary teeth assessed by a pH-cycling model. Materials and Methods: Subsuperficial caries lesions were formed in primary teeth using a demineralising solution for 96 h. Demineralised samples were randomly allocated to the following groups (n = 12/group): (G1) Negative Control, deionised water; (G2) Cariostatic, Inodon; 10%* SDF; (G3) Cariestop, Biodynamics, 12%* SDF; (G4) Cariostal, Iodontec, 16%* SDF; (G5) Cariestop, Biodynamics, 30%* SDF (*concentrations declared in the label). Products were applied according to the manufacturer's recommendation and reapplied after 7 days. Samples were exposed to a pH-cycling model for 14 days. After the cycle was completed, samples were sectioned, analysed by polarised light microscopy, and lesion depth was estimated as indicator of caries lesion progression. Groups were compared by multiple comparisons test (p < 0.05). Results: The negative control group exhibited the greatest lesion depth. All SDF products reduced the caries lesions depth and differed from the negative control. It was a trend observed (G1>G2>G3>G4), but no statistical differences among G3, and G5, and between G4 and G5 were observed for lesion depth. Conclusion: The tested SDF products reduced the depth of non-cavitated carious lesions in primary enamel. Although SDF products with declared concentrations between 12% and 30% (G3, G4, and G5) demonstrated a similar lesion depth in primary enamel, the effect of the concentration remains unclear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Casein is one of the most studied proteins with activity against dental caries. In particular, casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) has shown promising remineralizing properties. In vivo evidence on the anticaries potential of CPP-ACP added to foodstuffs is elusive, nonetheless. Hence, this systematic review aimed at determining whether the use of CPP-ACP added to foodstuffs has a remineralizing or inhibitory action on dental demineralization either in vivo or in situ. The review protocol followed the PRISMA-P criteria and was registered in PROSPERO. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched using predefined criteria, based on the PICO question: Is there an effect on dental caries upon adding CPP-ACP to milk, chewing gums, or candies? No year or language limits were applied. Article selection and data extraction were carried out independently by 2 investigators. Two hundred ten titles were examined, 23 were selected for full-text review, and 16 studies were included (2 in vivo and 14 in situ). CPP-ACP was added to candy in 2 studies, to milk in 2 studies, and to chewing gum in 12 studies. The main outcomes included enamel remineralization and activity against dental biofilm. The overall quality of the evidence was classified as moderate. The available evidence suggests that CPP-ACP added to milk, chewing gum, or candy has a potential remineralizing activity on tooth enamel, with some additional antibacterial activity on the dental biofilm. Further clinical studies are needed to verify if this effect is clinically significant in reducing the caries lesion incidence or to revert the demineralizing process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Widely used in caries prevention, fluoridated varnish (FV) is also capable of remineralising carious lesions. However, the retention time of FV needed on enamel to ensure the maximum benefit is unclear. This study aimed to determine whether an increase in the retention time of 5% sodium fluoride (NaF) varnishes on enamel carious lesions enhances remineralisation.Materials and Methods: Carious lesions were generated on bovine enamel slabs and treated with one of three 5% NaF commercial varnishes: Duraphat, Durashield or FlorOpal. After application, the varnishes were maintained on the slabs for 8, 12, 18, 24, 36 or 48 h while immersed in artificial saliva. Remineralisation efficacy was calculated and expressed as the percentage of surface microhardness recovery (%SHR). Untreated carious lesions served as negative controls. Data from each timepoint for each product were compared by ANOVA, followed by a post-hoc test (p < 0.05).Results: There was a trend for increased remineralisation over time, reaching maximum %SHR values of about 30% after 18 to 24 h. No significant differences were detected after 18 h (p > 0.05). This remineralisation dynamic was similar among the three tested products.Conclusion: Remineralisation of enamel lesions using 5% NaF varnish appears to be initially dependent on the retention time of the product. Higher remineralisation was observed upon 18 h of varnish retention on the lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Certain dietary fibers exhibit prebiotic effects on gut microbiota, but their influence on oral health remains unclear. This study conducted a systematic review across four databases to examine the potential effects of dietary fibers on dental caries. Data selection and extraction were conducted independently and in duplicate. From 962 found titles, twenty studies were included, of which 13 were in vitro. The substances identified as prebiotics included fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), inulin, pectin, raffinose, polydextrose, sialyllactose, and short-chain fatty acids. Outcomes were assessed at biofilm (n = 14), saliva (n = 5), and tooth (n = 1) levels, with only six studies evaluating pH changes. Fifteen studies (75%) reported potential benefits, primarily attributed to the capacity of prebiotic fibers to limit the growth or adhesion of bacteria. Only two studies (10%) reported an increase in pH. Overall, the quality of the evidence was judged as moderate. In conclusion, certain dietary fibers may help limit caries development by modulating biofilm and pH levels. However, further clinical studies are needed to confirm the protective role of dietary fibers in dental caries. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Background: Bottled water consumption has currently increased and their fluoride (F) concentration may not be ideal in terms of caries benefit or risk of fluorosis. While low concentrations would have little anticaries effect, high F concentration would increase the risk of dental fluorosis., Aim: To measure F concentration in bottled waters sold in Chile., Material and Methods: Thirty bottles of water were purchased (15 sold as mineral water, six sold as purified water and nine as favored water). Samples were analyzed in duplicate with a previously calibrated ion-specific electrode. Mean F concentration of each product was calculated and expressed as ppm F (mg F/L)., Results: A mean (± SD) concentration of 0.39 ± 0.42, 0.02 ± 0.006 and 0.11 ± 0.18 ppm F for mineral, purified and favored waters respectively, was found. Three samples were within the optimal F concentration recommended for drinking water in Chile, which ranges from 0.6 to 1.0 ppm F. Two were above such concentration and the others below. Only two waters displayed F concentration information in the label, which was corroborated by the analysis., Conclusions: Only 10% of the bottled waters commercialized in Chile have potential to prevent caries. The F concentration in most of them does not represent an increased risk of fluorosis.