Adverse effects of respiratory disease medicaments and tooth brushing on teeth: A scanning electron microscopy, X-ray fluorescence and infrared spectroscopy study.

The present study aims to evaluate the effect of brushing with fluoride dentifrice on teeth severely affected by erosion due to respiratory medicaments. Enamel (n = 50) and dentin (n = 50) bovine specimens were prepared and treated with artificial saliva (S-control), acebrofilin hydrochloride (AC), ambroxol hydrochloride (AM), bromhexine hydrochloride (BR), and salbutamol sulfate (SS) and subjected to cycles of demineralization (immersing in 3 mL, 1 min, three times a day at intervals of 1 hr, for 5 days) followed by remineralization (saliva, 37°C, 1 hr). Simulated brushing with fluoridated toothpaste was performed using 810 strokes in a reciprocal-action brushing simulator. Scanning electron microscopy, micro energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (µ-EDXRF) spectroscopy and attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR FTIR) spectroscopy were then performed. µ-EDXRF images showed extensive erosion after treatment with all medicaments. SEM images showed enamel erosion in order SS > BR > AC = AM > S after brushing and fluoridation. FTIR results were in agreement. In case of dentin, µ-EDXRF measurements showed significant difference in mineral content (percent weight of calcium and phosphate) in SS + brushing + fluoridation treated enamel compared to control, while µ-EDXRF images showed erosive effects in the order SS > AM>BR > AC = S post brushing + fluoridation. SEM images showed erosion in the order SS > AM = BR > AC > S post brushing + fluoridation. Again, FTIR multivariate results were in agreement. Overall, our study shows that proper oral care is critical when taking certain medication. The study also demonstrates the possible use of FTIR for rapid clinical monitoring of tooth erosion in clinics.