[Velocity of erosion and factors that modify human tooth demineralization in vitro]

Velocity of erosion on human teeth exposed to a carbonated beverage as a function of time and temperature has been studied in vitro, as well as the effect of the experimental formation of a acquired pellicle and the influence of the inclusion of either F or saliva on the dissolving capacity of beverage. During the first stage of exposition, erosion as a function of time showed a biphasic curve, being the rate low during the first 10 minutes time; thereafter, velocity increased and remained stable until the 60 minute incubation period finished. At the second stage, demineralization followed a monophasic curve, displaying a stable rate until the end of it. At the initial stage, molar ratio Ca/P was much less than that corresponding to hydroxyapatite (approximately 1.67); however, as exposition to erosive beverage was prolonged, the former ratio reached values compatible with this mineral species. F or saliva incorporation together with the experimental formation of the acquired pellicle significatively reduced beverage demineralizing capacity (p < 0.0001). This finding introduces the possibility of attenuating such erosive capacity of carbonated beverages by including not excessively toxic fluoride quantities.