Enamel dissolution and fluoride uptake from sugar solutions.

Solubility studies and fluoride uptake by enamel powder in xylitol-buffered solutions versus sucrose- and glucose-buffered solutions were carried out. The studies were done at a pH range of 4-8. The enamel solubility in the xylitol media was similar to the enamel solubility in the other sugar solutions--increasing with a decreasing pH. The solubility of enamel in the buffered sugar solutions was significantly lower as compared to the solubility in the sugar-free buffered solutions--up to the pH of 6. At the pH values of 7 and 8 the amounts of solubility were similar for the experimental and control solutions. No significant differences were found in the fluoride uptake by the enamel powder from the fluoride-containing sugar solutions at the pH values of 6 and 7.5 respectively. The results point to the conclusion that the xylitol does not differ from sucrose and glucose in its effect on enamel powder solubility and the uptake of fluoride ions by enamel.