Broccoli Extract may be Natural Alternative to Fluoride for Enamel Remineralization: Study

A new study published in the journal of Health Science Reports found that aqueous broccoli extract to show similar efficacy to fluoride gel in improving the microhardness of demineralized primary tooth enamel, despite differing patterns of demineralization and recovery. These findings suggest broccoli extract may be a natural and effective option for pediatric caries prevention, meriting further clinical research.

This in vitro study involved 30 extracted primary second molars, which were sectioned, polished, and tested for their baseline enamel microhardness using a Vickers hardness tester. To simulate the acidic environment that leads to dental caries, the samples were exposed to a cola drink (pH 4.5) for eight minutes, causing demineralization.

This study treated the samples with either an aqueous broccoli extract (Group B) or 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) gel (Group F) for ten minutes. The broccoli extract was prepared by air-drying fresh broccoli florets, stems, and leaves, followed by aqueous extraction and filtration. The post-treatment enamel microhardness was then measured, and percentage changes were analyzed statistically.

The study found that both treatments significantly improved enamel microhardness after demineralization. However, the broccoli extract group expressed a greater recovery in microhardness (+44.95%) when compared to the fluoride gel group (+20.78%), with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.008). This suggests that the broccoli extract was more effective in rapidly restoring enamel strength after acid exposure.

Despite this, no statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups (p = 0.077) when comparing the overall reduction in enamel hardness from the initial baseline to the final measurement. This indicates that both treatments were comparable in maintaining enamel hardness over time.

These findings suggest that broccoli extract could serve as a natural alternative to fluoride in preventing dental caries in children. While fluoride remains the gold standard for enamel remineralization, concerns over excessive fluoride exposure and fluorosis have led researchers to explore plant-based alternatives.

Broccoli is rich in calcium and other minerals that contribute to enamel repair, making it a promising candidate for natural dental care solutions. Overall, this study emphasized that further clinical investigations are needed to validate these results and explore the long-term benefits and practical applications of broccoli extract in pediatric dentistry.

Source:

Mozaffar, S., Karimi, M., Ismail, A., & Banakar, M. (2025). Evaluation of broccoli extract for enhancing primary tooth enamel microhardness: An in vitro study. Health Science Reports, 8(2). https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.70505