AQUAFRESH ENAMELOCK FORMULA
Dental caries
Dental caries is a major public health problem in most industrialised countries; affecting 60–90% of school children and most adults. [Yeung et al, 2005] In less developed countries there is also an increasing prevalence and severity of dental caries. [FDI World Dental Federation, 2009]
A major cause of dental caries is plaque, a bacterial film that develops on the surface of teeth. Some plaque bacteria, in particular Streptococcus mutans, efficiently metabolise carbohydrates from sugars in the diet to produce acids, [Duckworth, 1993] which can cause the dissolution of calcium hydroxyapatite and the demineralization of the tooth surface. Destruction of the enamel, cementum and eventually dentine results from prolonged periods of demineralization, leading to dental caries. [Collins and Walsh, 1992; ten Cate and Featherstone, 1991]
Incipient carious lesions can be reversed through a natural repair process of mineral uptake. This process is known as remineralization and is enhanced by the presence of fluoride in a bioavailable form. [Silverstone, 1985; Nunn, 2006] Indeed, the widespread use of fluoride in water supplies and dentifrices is attributed to a decline in dental caries. [Beiswanger et al, 1989; Zero, 1995]
Application of fluoride to the enamel surface can help prevent dental caries as fluoride:
- makes the tooth enamel more resistant to demineralization through the formation of fluorohydroxyapatite, which is less susceptible to acid attack than hydroxyapatite [Aoba, 1997]
- promotes remineralization of tooth enamel in areas that have been demineralized, by favouring the precipitation of fluorohydroxyapatite from saliva. [ten Cate, 1999; Arends et al, 1984]
Many studies have explored the relative cariostatic efficacy* of different toothpaste formulations on the progression of caries and have shown that not all fluoride toothpastes are the same. [Beiswanger et al, 1989] For example, monofluorophosphate (MFP) formulations require hydrolysis† by salivary phosphatase to exert an anti-caries effect, whereas sodium fluoride (NaF) readily dissociates in water and has been shown to be significantly superior to MFP formulations in caries prevention trials. [Beiswanger et al, 1989; Bowen, 1995; White and Faller, 1986] Other factors such as the types of abrasives, cationic content‡ and the pH of a dentifrice can also influence fluoride bioavailability, meaning that even formulations with the same fluoride salt can vary in their efficacy. [Bowen, 1995; White and Faller, 1986; Friberger, 1975; ten Cate, 1997; Ekstrand, 1987]
Aquafresh Enamelock Formula has been developed to help maximise fluoride availability at the enamel surface by using a modified gum system with carbopol to help improve fluoride delivery [Butler et al, 2009] and by minimising the ingredients that inhibit fluoride release and uptake:
- high quality, high purity silicas have been used to minimise fluoride precipitation
- avoidance of phosphates helps maximise fluoride bioavailability
- highly dispersible structuring agents release fluoride quickly.
Enamelock Formula helps maximise enamel strength, ensuring daily oral health protection for the whole family. [Newby et al, 2008; Lippert et al, 2009]
* Inhibitory effect on the progression of caries.
† Breakdown that involves the splitting of water into hydrogen and hydroxide ions.
‡ The number of ingredients with a positive ionic charge.