The effect of dentifrices and toothbrushing on the wear of enamel, exposed dentin, and cementum has been the topic of extensive experimental research.1-3 Little attempt has been made, however, to study the mechanisms that control the surface failure of enamel under an applied stress that results primarily from sliding. To identify the wear phenomenon of enamel at the level of slip or cleavage i...

background: surface microhardness is a physical property which access the effect of chemical and physical agents on hard tissues of teeth, and a useful way to examine the resistance of fluoride treated enamel against caries. the purpose of this study was to evaluate microhardness of enamel following ph-cycling through demineralization and remineralization using suspensions of dentifrices with d...

Similar to that which occurred in most developed countries, dental caries have shown a significant decline in Brazil over the last two decades. Water fluoridation, expansion of preventive programs at schools, and especially, the widespread use of fluoride dentifrice are discussed as factors related to this reduction in caries. Data from epidemiological surveys and historical facts are presented...

While our knowledge of the dental caries process and its prevention has greatly advanced over the past fifty years, it is fair to state that the management of this disease at the level of the individual patient remains largely empirical. Recommendations for fluoride use by patients at different levels of caries risk are mainly based on the adage that more is better. There is a general understan...

Dental plaque is a complex biofilm consisting of a polysaccharide matrix containing bacteria, voids and nonvital material of bacterial origin. Both cariogenic and periodontopathic bacteria reside in dental biofilm (plaque). While other factors must also be present for caries or periodontal disease to exist in a patient, without these bacteria neither bacterial disease will occur. The primary go...