Anticaries efficacy of an improved stannous fluoride toothpaste.

A series of laboratory and animal studies were conducted to confirm the anticaries potential of a new, stabilized stannous fluoride (SnF2) dentifrice relative to clinically proven SnF2 controls. Included in this series of assessments were fluoride uptake into demineralized human enamel, remineralization/inhibition of demineralization for both human enamel and roots, and animal caries studies. Each of these studies demonstrate the new, stabilized SnF2 dentifrice (Crest Gum Care toothpaste) is effective at inhibiting and reversing the caries process. These data confirm that this new dentifrice, formulated with a combination of SnF2, and hydrated silica, is predicted to be highly effective against caries. These tests predict that this new stabilized SnF2 dentifrice (Crest Gum Care toothpaste) provides a level of anticaries activity that is equivalent to Crest Regular toothpaste, a sodium fluoride (NaF)/silica product. The data suggest that this new formulation provides enhanced anticaries efficacy relative to previous, unstabilized SnF2 formulations as a result of improved fluoride bioavailability.