RESUMO
Changing concepts of dentistry have the aim to manage initial caries lesions with the help of remineralizing agents in an attempt to arrest or revert the disease progression by the process of depositing calcium and phosphate ions in enamel and hence, gaining net mineral loss. Concentrating mainly on prevention and early intervention of caries, minimally invasive dentistry’s first basic principle is the remineralization of early carious lesions. The purpose of this article is to review current knowledge and technologies for tooth remineralization and their applications in clinical practices.
RESUMO
Consumption of liquid oral medicine by frequently ill children, significantly increases the risk of tooth demineralization. In this study a survey was conducted wherein the pediatricians, pharmacist and medical representatives of Bhopal city were enquired about the most commonly prescribed liquid oral medicines for children. The four categories of medicines reported were: antipyretics/analgesics, antibiotics, antihistaminics/antitussives and multivitamins. Three samples from each category were taken. Sugar concentration was evaluated by Lane-Eynon general volumetric method and pH was measured by using digital pH meter (EU-TECH). High concentration of sugar was found in 50% of samples and 90% samples showed low pH. Sugar concentration was in a range of 20.6 to 68.2% and pH in a range of 3.8 to 8.5. As sugar in medication is a potential threat to teeth, therefore, alternatives including sugar substitute should be considered.
RESUMO
In this study, the effect of beverages (Coke TM, Sprite™, Ribena™, Chrysanthemum tea and mineral water) on the demineralisation of the enamel surface was investigated. Demineralisation was determined by the rate of calcium released from the enamel surface on exposure to the beverages. Calcium was determined using the EDTA titration method. The pH of these beverages was measured using a pH meter and found to be in the acidic range (2.43 to 5.79) while mineral water which served as a control has a pH of 7.00. Ii was found that the rate of calcium released from Coke™(0.76 J..lg/min) showed a significant mean difference from Sprite™ (0.38 J..lg/min), Chrysanthemum tea (0.10 J..lg/min) and mineral water (0.00 J..lg/min)at p< .05, but was however not significantly different from Ribena™. Likewise, Chrysanthemum tea and mineral water also showed statistically no significant mean difference in the released of calcium during the study period. The results obtained in this study indicated that beverages with low pH may pose detrimental effect on the enamel surface which could have clinical implication, especially in people with salivary gland dysfunction or low salivary flow.