BACKGROUND: The recommendation that Tooth Mousse (TM), an anticariogenic remineralizing agent, is effective for controlling dental erosion in professional wine tasters is not evidence-based. The aim of this in vitro study was to determine the effectiveness of TM in reducing erosion of coronal enamel and radicular dentine/cementum simulating a typical wine judging session. METHODS: Enamel and dentine/cementum from buccal halves (experimental sample) and palatal halves (control sample) of human maxillary premolar teeth were subjected to 1500 one-minute exposures (cycles) to white wine (pH = 3.5). TM was applied every 20 cycles to the experimental sample, but not to the control sample. Paired t-tests were used to determine whether there were significant differences in erosion depths between the experimental and control samples. RESULTS: Mean erosion depths were significantly shallower in the experimental sample than the control sample for both enamel (34.4 microm versus 49.2 microm, respectively) (p < 0.05) and dentine/cementum (143.2 microm versus 203.7 microm, respectively) (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: TM may have significant role in the management of wine erosion, which is under-recognized as an occupational hazard by the Australian wine industry. Future studies are needed to compare the relative benefits of TM and other remineralizing agents, when used individually or in combination, in preventing dental erosion.
BACKGROUND: The recommendation that Tooth Mousse (TM), an anticariogenic remineralizing agent, is effective for controlling dental erosion in professional wine tasters is not evidence-based. The aim of this in vitro study was to determine the effectiveness of TM in reducing erosion of coronal enamel and radicular dentine/cementum simulating a typical wine judging session. METHODS: Enamel and dentine/cementum from buccal halves (experimental sample) and palatal halves (control sample) of human maxillary premolar teeth were subjected to 1500 one-minute exposures (cycles) to white wine (pH = 3.5). TM was applied every 20 cycles to the experimental sample, but not to the control sample. Paired t-tests were used to determine whether there were significant differences in erosion depths between the experimental and control samples. RESULTS: Mean erosion depths were significantly shallower in the experimental sample than the control sample for both enamel (34.4 microm versus 49.2 microm, respectively) (p < 0.05) and dentine/cementum (143.2 microm versus 203.7 microm, respectively) (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: TM may have significant role in the management of wine erosion, which is under-recognized as an occupational hazard by the Australian wine industry. Future studies are needed to compare the relative benefits of TM and other remineralizing agents, when used individually or in combination, in preventing dental erosion.