Since the effect of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) based dentifrice on enamel demineralization is not clearly established, it was evaluated using the IEDT model described by Zero’s group in 1992. This study had a crossover design and 10 volunteers were submitted to 3 treatment groups: a negative control, brushing without dentifrice; an active control, brushing with silica-based dentifrice (SiO₂/MFP group), and the experimental group, brushing with CaCO₃-based dentifrice (CaCO₃/MFP). Both dentifrices contained 1,500 µg F/g (w/w) as sodium monofluorophosphate (MFP). Enamel surface microhardness was determined in the dental blocks and the percentage change in relation to baseline was calculated. Fluoride uptake in enamel and its concentration in ‘test plaque’ were determined. The results showed that the dentifrice containing CaCO₃/MFP was more effective than SiO₂/MFP in reducing enamel demineralization (p < 0.05). A higher concentration of fluoride ion was found in ‘test plaque’ treated with CaCO₃/MFP than in the negative control (p < 0.05). The results suggest that CaCO₃ abrasive may enhance the effect of fluoride present in dentifrice on dental caries control.

This crossover study evaluated the effect of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃)-based monofluorophosphate dentifrice on enamel remineralization. Ten volunteers wore palatal appliances containing four enamel blocks with caries-like lesions, two of them covered by a test plaque of mutans streptococci. The following treatments were evaluated: a negative control, a silica-based or a CaCO₃-based dentifrice, and the percentage of enamel surface microhardness recovery was determined. The CaCO₃-based dentifrice was more effective than the negative control on the enhancement of enamel remineralization, either in the presence or absence of test plaque. This efficacy was also shown by the silica-based dentifrice but only in the presence of test plaque.

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