Fast monitoring of tooth erosion caused by medicaments used in the treatment of respiratory diseases by ATR-FTIR and μ-EDXRF analysis

The present study aimed to evaluate the erosive potential of four most commonly prescribed syrup medicaments for respiratory diseases. Attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy combined with multivariate statistical analysis and micro-energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (μ-EDXRF) mapping was performed. Fifty-five root dentin fragments obtained from the buccal surface of 30 bovine teeth were prepared and divided into five experimental groups (n = 10): control—artificial saliva (S), acebrofilin hydrochloride (AC), ambroxol hydrochloride (AM), bromhexine hydrochloride (BR), and salbutamol sulfate (SS). The S group was stored only in artificial saliva and the other groups were treated with the medicaments (immersed for 1 min in 3 mL of the medication, three times daily, with 1-h intervals between the immersion cycles, during 5 days, 15 immersion cycles). There were a significant decrease in the Ca and P weight percentages (wt%) for dentin after medication treatments, except for AC (p > 0.05). Mineral content of dentin showed a clear gradation with increasing Ca and P wt% reduction in the order S < AC < AM < BR < SS. SS resulted in a significant increase in Ca/P ratio when compared to the control (p < 0.001). ATR-FTIR combined with multivariate, statistical analysis can quickly and reliably indicate extent of dentin erosion. Considering syrups with high-erosive potential should always follow with proper oral hygiene practices or search for an alternative medications void of such detrimental effects. Regular and prolonged use of these medicaments might bear the risk of causing erosion.