Impact of soy- and milk-based yogurts on enamel preservation: erosion and abrasion under simulated conditions.

OBJECTIVES

This study evaluated the effect of soy-based and milk-based yogurts against enamel erosive-abrasive surface loss.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Ninety-eight bovine enamel specimens were randomly allocated to seven experimental groups (n = 14). Over seven days, specimens underwent six daily erosive cycles (0.05 M citric acid, pH 2.3, 2 min), interspersed with remineralizing solution (pH 6.5). Post-acid preventive measures consisted of immersion in milk-based yogurt (pH 4.4), soy-based yogurt (pH 4.7), or tap water for 3 min twice daily. Under erosion-abrasion conditions, specimens underwent simulated toothbrushing using stannous ions-containing fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride-free toothpaste served as abrasion control. Enamel surface loss was measured after 7 days using three-dimensional laser scanning microscopy. Calcium and phosphorus contents were quantified by optical emission spectrometry.

RESULTS

Abrasion with a stannous ions-containing fluoride toothpaste combined with soy-based yogurt resulted in significantly lower enamel surface loss (7.9±3.3 μm) compared with the fluoride toothpaste only (12.2 ± 2.7 μm; p<0.05). Under erosion-only conditions, no significant differences were detected among preventive measures. Milk-based yogurt presented significantly higher calcium and phosphorus contents (Ca: 1434.1±190.3 µg/g; P: 1033.8±128.1 µg/g) than soy-based yogurt (Ca: 168.4±15.5 µg/g; P: 623.2±47.7 µg/g).

CONCLUSIONS

The tested soy yogurt may offer adjunctive protection in patients exposed to erosive and abrasive challenges.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The tested soy yogurt significantly enhances anti-erosive efficacy of fluoride-stannous formulations, providing clinicians with an evidence-based dietary intervention to optimize preventive strategies against erosive enamel loss.