Active-ingredient toothpastes in root caries
Investigators have assessed the effects of toothpastes containing active ingredients in the management of root caries.
In a systematic review and network meta-analysis published in the Journal of Dentistry, the investigators used the data from nine databases to identify 28 clinical, in vitro and in situ studies examining toothpastes with active ingredients.
The investigators found that compared with placebo, the high-fluoride, arginine-added and bioactive toothpastes were more effective in reducing root carious lesion depth and mineral loss. Clinical studies and pooled estimates demonstrated that toothpastes containing 5,000 parts per million of sodium fluoride, toothpastes with 1.5% arginine plus sodium monofluorophosphate, and bioactive toothpastes with 1,100 parts per million of sodium fluoride plus 1% calcium sulfate and 1.1% ammonium dihydrogen phosphate were capable of hardening root carious lesions when compared with “regular” toothpastes containing 1,450 parts per million of sodium fluoride. Toothpaste with high fluoride concentrations (5,000 ppm) was the most effective in reducing lesion depth, improving lesion hardness and preventing new caries.
The findings highlighted the potential use of toothpastes with higher concentrations of active ingredients to effectively treat and prevent root caries as first-line noninvasive therapy. Alternatives such as toothpastes containing bioactive components could serve as additional treatment options in high-risk patients for whom higher fluoride concentrations may not be suitable.
Read more: Journal of Dentistry
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