Cleaning power and abrasivity of a new toothpaste based on ion-exchange resins

Purpose: To compare the stain removal efficacy and enamel abrasivity of a new experimental dentifrice based on an ion-exchange resin mixture that releases calcium, fluoride, phosphate and zinc ions (named NMTD), to four commercially available dentifrices: Crest Extra-whitening toothpaste, Crest Tartar Protection toothpaste, Crest Cavity Protection toothpaste and Colgate Fluoride Cavity Protection toothpaste. Calcium pyrophosphate was used as a control for the efficacy of the staining removal experiment. Methods: Cleaning power evaluation was made following the method developed by Stookey et al. The abrasion of the toothpastes was determined by means of a brushing machine using 2000, 4000 and 8000 strokes and a 250g toothbrush load. Bovine specimens were prepared and abrasion was measured by a surface profilometer system. Results: The new experimental dentifrice did not remove stains whereas Crest Extra-whitening and Crest Cavity Protection dentifrices produced statistically significant stain removal when compared with the calcium pyrophosphate control. Abrasion studies demonstrated that abrasion was linearly correlated to the number of strokes and the abrasion rates proved to be non significant for Colgate and the new experimental dentifrices, but significant for Crest Extra-whitening, Crest Tartar Protection and Crest Cavity Protection.