A groundbreaking study by a Korean research team has revealed a novel, non-invasive method to protect teeth from damage caused by carbonated beverages like cola. The research, led by Professor Seungbum Hong from KAIST’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering, in collaboration with Seoul National University’s School of Dentistry, demonstrates the effectiveness of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) in preventing tooth erosion induced by acidic drinks.
KAIST, under the leadership of President Kwang Hyung Lee, announced the findings on December 5, explaining that the team utilized advanced nanotechnology to understand how SDF forms a protective fluoride-rich layer on tooth enamel, significantly reducing the damage caused by carbonated drinks.
SDF is a dental agent primarily used for the treatment and prevention of tooth decay. It works by strengthening carious lesions, inhibiting bacterial growth, and halting the progression of cavities. In this study, SDF was shown to create a fluoroapatite layer on the surface of the enamel, which shields the tooth from the acidic effects of cola.
The team employed atomic force microscopy (AFM) to analyze the surface texture and mechanical properties of tooth enamel on a nanoscale. They also used X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to investigate the chemical properties of the nano-film formed by SDF treatment. These techniques confirmed that SDF-treated teeth showed minimal surface roughness and maintained high elasticity, while untreated teeth subjected to cola exposure became significantly rougher and less resilient.
The research revealed that the surface roughness of SDF-treated teeth increased only slightly (from 64 nm to 70 nm), and their elasticity remained largely unchanged (from 215 GPa to 205 GPa). In contrast, untreated teeth exposed to cola exhibited a dramatic increase in surface roughness (from 83 nm to 287 nm) and a severe decrease in elasticity (from 125 GPa to 13 GPa). These results suggest that the SDF treatment effectively protected the enamel from the erosive effects of cola.
The formation of fluoroapatite, a calcium phosphate mineral, was identified as a key factor in protecting tooth enamel. Fluoroapatite plays a crucial role in strengthening teeth and bones, and its presence on the enamel surface helps to prevent the degradation typically caused by acidic beverages.Professor Young J. Kim, from Seoul National University’s Department of Pediatric Dentistry, highlighted the broad potential applications of this technology for both children and adults. “It is a cost-effective and accessible dental treatment that can help prevent dental erosion and strengthen teeth,” he explained.
Professor Seungbum Hong also emphasized the significance of this non-invasive solution. “Dental health impacts overall quality of life,” he said. “This research offers a way to prevent early dental erosion without the need for traditional surgical treatments. By simply applying SDF, we can prevent damage and strengthen enamel, which could reduce the need for costly and painful dental procedures.”
The research, published in Biomaterials Research on November 7, 2023, is a promising development for the future of dental care. First author Aditi Saha, a PhD student at KAIST, spearheaded the study, which was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea. The findings open new avenues for non-invasive dental treatments, offering an effective means of combating the harmful effects of carbonated drinks and helping to maintain healthier teeth in the long term.
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