MECHANISM OF SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE

PECORA ET AL,1999

NaOCl + H2O « NaOH + HOCl « Na+ + OH- + H+ + OCl-

SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE EXHIBITS DYNAMIC BALANCE

Saponification reaction

Sodium hypochlorite acts on fatty acids, transforming them into fatty acid salts (soap) and glycerol (alcohol), that reduces the surface tension of the remaining solution.

Neutralization reaction

NaOCl neutralizes amino acids and forms water and salt. With the exit of hydroxyl ions, there is a reduction of ph.

Chloramination reaction

Hypochlorous acid, present in NaOCl solution, when in contact with organic tissue acts as a solvent, releases chlorine that, combined with the protein amino group, forms chloramines, that interfere in cell metabolism.

Hypochlorous acid (hocl-) and hypochlorite ions (ocl-) lead to amino acid degradation and hydrolysis.

Chlorine (strong oxidant) presents antimicrobial action inhibiting bacterial enzymes leading to an irreversible oxidation of SH groups (sulphydryl group) of essential bacterial enzymes.

Braz Dent J (2002) 13(2): 113-117

Mechanism of xylitol in remineralization

Xylitol prevents the decalcification by inhibiting the translocation of dissolved calcium(Ca2+) and phosphate(PO43–) ions from lesions.

Xylitol may act as Ca2+ ion carrier supplying the middle and deep layers with Ca2+ ions from the oral environment, thus enhancing remineralization by providing the Ca2+ ions for crystal repair.

It may also accelerate remineralization by lowering the diffusion coefficients of calcium and phosphate ions within the demineralized layers.

The greater extent of mineralization in seen in deeper layer.

Journal of Electron Microscopy 52(5): 471–476 (2003)