Comparison of enamel surface roughness after brushing with herbal and non-herbal toothpastes

Abstract

© The Author(s). 2020. ​ Aims: The present study was undertaken to compare the effect of herbal and non-herbal toothpastes on the enamel surface of human permanent maxillary premolars by measuring surface roughness and SEM observation and analyzing the element content in both types of toothpaste. Materials and methods: Forty specimens (10/group) were brushed using distilled water, non-herbal toothpaste, or two different herbal toothpastes on the buccal surfaces with their respective group’s toothpaste or distilled water. The specimens were brushed twice a day; 2 minutes per time in the morning and evening routinely for 15 days. The roughness average (Ra value) was measured using a Profilometer. SEM observation and element content in both types of toothpaste were also determined. The data was analyzed using the paired samples T-test, the Kruskal–Wallis test, and the Mann–Whitney U test at a significance level of 5%. Results: The enamel surface roughness after brushing with non-herbal toothpastes was 0.049 μm while the other two herbal toothpastes were 0.095 and 0.071 μm respectively. Ra value of enamel in both herbal toothpastes groups were higher than the non-herbal toothpaste (p = 0.000). While Ra values of non-herbal toothpaste after brushing for 15 days were not significant difference from distilled water, control group. SEM revealed both herbal toothpaste resulted in rougher enamel surface than non-herbal toothpaste and distilled water. The volume of elements in each toothpaste was relatively similar. Conclusion: Although toothpastes containing herbal substances increase enamel surface roughness, it is below the upper limit of enamel roughness (0.2 μm) to cause bacterial accumulation in the clinic. Clinical significance: Herbal toothpaste brushing has no significant pathological effect on enamel.