Assessing the Impact of Vegan Toothpastes on Enamel Color Change and Surface Properties.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate color (ΔE) and whiteness index (ΔWI) changes, surface hardness loss (SHL), roughness (Ra), mineral content, and morphology of enamel brushed with vegan toothpastes.

METHODS

Enamel blocks (n = 10/group) were stained with black tea (T0) underwent 15.000 (T1) and 30.000 (T2) toothbrushing cycles with: (n = 10): (AS) Artificial Saliva (control); (CT) Colgate Total 12 Clean Mint; (CC) Turmeric, Clove, Tea Tree Extracts; (CA) Chamomile, Melissa and Grape Extracts; (CH) Pepper Mint and Turmeric Extracts; (ZM) Zero Mint; (ZH) Zero Pepper Mint; (ME) Mint Everest; (CM) Charcoal and Mint; (HA) Herbal Anis Mint and Tea Tree. Color parameters (ΔE, ΔWI), SHL, and Ra were recorded at T0, T1, and T2. At T2, mineral content (EDS) and surface morphology (SEM) were examined. Data were statistically analyzed (α = 0.05).

RESULTS

At T1, no differences in ΔE and %SHL were observed among groups (p > 0.05). At T2, ZM, ZH, ME, and CM displayed higher ΔE than AS, CC exhibited the highest %SHL, and Ra increased for all groups (p < 0.05). At T1 and T2, all toothpastes caused negative ΔWI values. None of the toothpastes triggered changes in enamel mineral content or surface morphology.

CONCLUSIONS

Vegan toothpastes did not cause hardness loss or deleterious effects on enamel mineral content or morphology. However, they exhibited no whitening effect and increased enamel roughness.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Toothpastes indicated for vegan individuals are available, but there is little evidence to support their use, in contrast to their widespread marketing. Although vegan toothpastes did not change enamel microhardness nor promote adverse effects on enamel morphology, none of the toothpastes tested were able to exhibit a potential whitening effect.