The effect of brushing with active charcoal toothpaste on the color, surface roughness and microhardness of dental enamel

Abstract

Background: Abrasives in toothpaste are an effective factor in creating enamel surface roughness. Changes in the surface of the enamel can increase bacterial proliferation and biofilm formation, as well as bacterial resistance and caries. Charcoal toothpaste can be abrasive due to the composition and shape of the charcoal particles and increase the surface roughness of the enamel. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of toothpaste containing activated charcoal on the color, surface roughness and microhardness of tooth enamel. Methods: In this experimental study, 40 human premolars are randomly divided into 4 groups based on the type of toothpaste. Samples with distilled water (control group), conventional toothpaste (group 2), whitening toothpaste (group 3) and Charcoal Formula toothpaste (group 4) for 14 minutes (equivalent to three months) with electric toothbrush and 200g force are brushed. The color, surface roughness and microhardness of tooth enamel before and after the brushing process are measured using a spectrophotometer, white light interferometer and Vickers hardness test, respectively. The results will be reported as descriptive statistics indicators. In order to compare the rate of discoloration, surface roughness and enamel microhardness between the study groups, one-way analysis of variance or equivalent non-parametric test from Kruskal-Wallis will be used. Less than 0.05 will be considered as a significant level. Results: Color change of charcoal toothpaste (4.59±2.06) and Nasim (3.97 ±1.32) was was significantly more than distilled water (0.2 ± 74.5) and whitening toothpaste (0.72 ± 2.17). There was no significant difference between the studied toothpastes in the changes of surface roughness and fine hardness of tooth enamel. Conclusion: The change in surface roughness and microhardness of tooth enamel by charcoal toothpaste was acceptable. Its whitening properties are greater than those of whitening toothpaste.