ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: We compared the effects of a 1,500 ppm fluoride-containing toothpaste and a 1,000 ppm fluoride-containing toothpaste, which were revised up to the recent revision, and evaluated their effects on the tooth surface after adding bamboo salt to the preparations. METHODS: Experimental early artificial caries specimens were subjected to one of four treatments (n=12 per treatment group): 1,500 ppm NaF, 2% bamboo salt+1,000 ppm NaF, 1,000 ppm NaF, and control treatment. The specimens were exposed to the experimental toothpaste, artificial saliva, and demineralized solution. The treated specimens were analyzed using Vickers surface hardness testing, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. RESULTS: The toothpaste with a high fluoride concentration (1,500 ppm NaF) showed more remineralization than did the toothpaste with a low fluoride concentration (1,000 ppm NaF). The 2% bamboo salt+1,000 ppm NaF group showed remineralization similar to the 1,500 ppm NaF group and higher surface microhardness than the 1,000 ppm NaF group. CONCLUSIONS: Toothpastes containing 1,500 ppm NaF have a higher preventive effect against dental caries than do toothpastes containing 1,000 ppm NaF. The addition of bamboo salt to fluoride-containing dentifrices improves their effectiveness in preventing dental caries.