Essential oil-containing solutions (mouthwashes) preserve dental enamel with releasing low Ca and P concentrations without morphology alterations: an in vitro study

Sheila Cristina Almeida Neves Mutran; Paulo Roberto de Carvalho-Filho; Mara Eliane Soares Ribeiro; Kelson do Carmo Freitas Faial; Rafael Rodrigues Lima; Roberta Souza D'Almeida Couto

doi:10.3389/fchem.2024.1341769

Essential oil-containing solutions (mouthwashes) preserve dental enamel with releasing low Ca and P concentrations without morphology alterations: an in vitro study

Front Chem. 2024 Feb 28:12:1341769. doi: 10.3389/fchem.2024.1341769. eCollection 2024.

Authors

Sheila Cristina Almeida Neves Mutran¹, Paulo Roberto de Carvalho-Filho², Mara Eliane Soares Ribeiro¹, Kelson do Carmo Freitas Faial³, Rafael Rodrigues Lima⁴, Roberta Souza D'Almeida Couto¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil.
² Department of Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
³ Environment Section, Evandro Chagas Institute, Ananindeua, Brazil.
⁴ Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil.

Abstract

Introduction: The use of natural products such as essential oils has been suggested due to their promising pharmacological effects and economic viability. This study aimed to determine hydrogenic potential (pH), titratable acidity (TA), and ion concentrations of five solutions containing essential oils (EO), when used as a EO-containing solutions, and evaluate ion concentrations, enamel surface loss, and morphology alterations in enamel. Materials and methods: The pH, TA, calcium (Ca), potassium (K), and sodium (Na) concentrations of five EO-containing solutions were measured. Bovine enamel specimens were submitted to two daily 30-s immersions in artificial saliva, citric acid, distilled water, BaCloTea (Basil, Clove e Tea Tree), GeLaTeaPep (Geranium, Lavender, Tea Tree and Peppermint), EucaLem (Eucalyptus and Lemon), Cinnamon, or Spearmint solutions for 14 days. Ca, K, Na, and phosphorus (P) were quantified through ions chromatography, enamel surface loss was determined by profilometry, and surface morphology was qualitatively analyzed through scanning electron microscopy. Data were submitted to one-way ANOVA and Tukey (p < 0.05). Results: The five EO-containing solutions presented significantly lower pH values than distilled water (p < 0.05). The GeLaTeaPep group presented a significantly higher TA value than BaCloTea (p < 0.05), which in turn showed a significantly higher TA value than the other solutions (p < 0.05). The distilled water presented significantly higher Ca, K, and Na concentrations than all EO-containing solutions (p < 0.05). The enamel exposed to EO-containing solutions showed lower Ca and P concentrations than artificial saliva (control) as well as significantly higher surface loss; however, the surface morphology was similar to the artificial saliva. Conclusion: EO-containing solutions have low pH, TA, and low concentrations of Ca, Na, and K. Moreover, enamel exposed to these solutions showed low Ca and P concentrations and slight surface loss without morphology alteration.

Keywords: calcium; chromatography; dental enamel; oils; scanning electron microscopy; volatile.

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This study was developed with support from Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) in awarding a scholarship. The APC was paid by Federal University of Pará, by the Pró-reitoria de Pesquisa e Pós-graduação.