Abrasivity of herbal and non herbal tooth paste: a profilometric study

Background and Objectives: Removal of plaque, stains and preservation of periodontal health as well as dental caries are some of the benefits of tooth brushing with cleansing action depends on the abrasive agent which might cause abrasion and sensitivity. Herbal products have been in market as they are easily available and biocompatible. They are used for regular maintenances as well as desensitizing agent. This study was done to evaluate and compare the abrasiveness of herbal abrasive based and herbal enzyme based and non herbal regular tooth paste. Methods: Enamel samples were prepared and embedded in acrylic blocks. Initial surface profile of samples was measured by a optical profilometer. Samples were then subjected to a brushing twice daily till 28 days using powered toothbrush with toothpaste. Their secondary surface profile was measured by a profilometer at the end of 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th day. The difference between the obtained values before and after the abrasion was indicative of the abrasiveness of toothpastes in micron. Obtained data were entered SPSS software and analysed using one-way ANOVA and Repeated Measures ANOVA. Results: The present study evaluated the mean surface roughness of the tooth enamel when two herbal paste and one non herbal regular tooth paste are used for 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. At the end of seventh day, there was an increase in surface roughness in samples in group A and group C but inter group comparison no significant difference among group A and group C. At the end of 14th day, there is a sudden increase in the surface roughness in all the three groups group B being the least. Statistically significant difference between group A and group B and group B and group C but no significant difference among group A and group C. At the end of 21th and 28th day, according to Bonferroni’s post hoc test there is no significant increase in the surface roughness within all the groups. In all the groups, there was a significant increase in surface roughness from day 7 to day 28. Maximum surface roughness was seen with herbal regular toothpaste followed by non herbal regular tooth paste and then herbal enzymes based tooth paste, the least. Conclusion: Based on the present study findings, statistically significant difference exists between the abrasiveness of herbal regular and herbal enzyme based tooth paste and non herbal regular paste.