Can this toothpaste reverse early cavities? new study investigates
NCT ID NCT06949072
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tested a new toothpaste containing potassium nitrate and fluoride to see if it can help reverse very early tooth decay. 47 adults wore a dental appliance with artificial tooth samples for two weeks while using the test toothpaste, a reference toothpaste, or a control. The main goal was to measure how much the toothpaste helped re-harden the enamel, a sign of early cavity repair.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Toothpaste with 5% potassium nitrate and 1150 ppm fluoride (as sodium fluoride)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this toothpaste could help reverse very early cavities and strengthen enamel, reducing the need for fillings.
- What could go wrong
- This was a small, short-term lab study using artificial tooth samples worn in the mouth, not a real-world test on natural teeth. Results may not translate to everyday use.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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47 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Apr 2025
- Finished
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Sep 2025
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 to 85 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Participant provision of a signed and dated informed consent document indicating that the participant has been informed of all pertinent aspects of the study before any assessment is performed. * Participant is of either sex and any gender who, at the time of screening, is between the ages of 18-85 years, inclusive. * Participant is willing and able to comply with scheduled visits, and other study procedures and restrictions. * Participant is in good general and mental health with, in the opinion of the investigator or medically qualified designee, no clinically significant or relevant abnormalities in medical history or upon oral examination, or condition, that would impact the participant's safety, wellbeing or the outcome of the study, if they were to participate in the study, or affect the individual's ability to understand and follow study procedures and requirements. * Participant who demonstrates a salivary flow-rate in the range of normal values (unstimulated whole saliva flow-rate more than or equal to (\>=) 0.2 grams per minute (g/min); gum base stimulated whole saliva flow-Rate \>= 0.8 g/min). * Participant with a removable partial denture (RPD) fulfilling: 1. Wears a removable mandibular partial denture that has good stability and support, with sufficient room on one side in the posterior teeth/buccal flange area to accommodate two enamel specimens (required dimensions approximately 5mm in diameter and 2.5mm deep for each specimen site). 2. Willing to have their denture modified to accommodate the enamel test specimens. 3. Willing and capable of wearing their removable partial dentures 24 hours per day during each 14-day treatment period. 4. Willing and capable of brushing their natural teeth with the lower partial denture in place. 5. Willing to cease using all denture cleaners and fixatives on their mandibular RPD during the study (with the exception of the supplied non-zinc fixative which may be used on any maxillary denture if present and required). Exclusion Criteria: * Participant who is an employee of the investigational site, either directly involved in the conduct of the study or a member of their immediate family; or an employee of the investigational site otherwise supervised by the investigator; or, a Haleon employee directly involved in the conduct of the study or a member of their immediate family. * Participant who has participated in other studies (including non-medicinal studies) involving investigational product(s) within 30 days prior to study entry and/or during study participation. * Participant with, in the opinion of the investigator or medically qualified designee, an acute or chronic medical or psychiatric condition or laboratory abnormality that may increase the risk associated with study participation or investigational product administration or may interfere with the interpretation of study results and, in the judgment of the investigator or medically qualified designee, would make the participant inappropriate for entry into this study. * Participant who is pregnant (self-reported) or intending to become pregnant over the duration of the study or who is breastfeeding. * Participant with known or suspected intolerance or hypersensitivity to the study materials (or closely related compounds) or any of their stated ingredients. * Participant who, in the opinion of the investigator or medically qualified designee, has a condition or medical history that would impact on their safety or wellbeing or affect their ability to understand and follow study procedures and requirements or who should not participate in the study for other reasons. * Participant with a recent history (within the last year) of alcohol or other substance abuse. * Participant requiring the need for antibiotic premedication prior to a dental prophylaxis or taking some blood thinning medications that prohibit the safe conduct of a dental cleaning. Note: Medical consultation may need to be obtained from participant's physician at the examiner's discretion. * Participant who is: 1. Taking antibiotics or has taken antibiotics in the two weeks prior to the screening visit. 2. Taking or has ever taken a bisphosphonate drug (that is, Fosamax, Actonel Boniva, Reclast, or Zometa). 3. Using or intending to use professionally recommended fluoride supplements or fluoride mouth rinse, or has received a professional fluoride application in the 2 weeks prior to screening. * Participant who has: 1. Dental restorations in a poor state of repair that could impact participant safety or efficacy evaluations. 2. Active caries or moderate or severe periodontal disease that may compromise the study or health of the participant. Participants presenting at screening with minor caries may continue in the study if their carious lesions are repaired prior to the start of the first treatment period. * Participant who has previously been enrolled in this study.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Oral Health Research Institute
Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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