THE EFFECTS OF SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE AND ITS OXIDATIVE BREAKDOWN PRODUCTS ON CALCIUM-PHOSPHATE PRECIPITATION AND TRANSFORMATION

Most commercial dentifrices contain sodium lauryl sulphate, which oxidizes upon storage. The effects of aged sodium lauryl sulphate and its oxidative breakdown products on the conversion of amorphous calcium phosphate to hydroxyapatite were studied in vitro by a pH drop method. Hydroxyapatite was identified from its X-ray diffraction pattern. With storage time, the concentration of dodecanol [CH3(CH2)11OH], a breakdown product of sodium lauryl sulphate, increased. The storage dodecanol-containing sodium lauryl sulphate accelerated the conversion of amorphous calcium phosphate to hydroxyapatite. Dodecanol mixed with sodium lauryl sulphate accelerated the conversion when added both before and after initial formation of amorphous calcium phosphate. A stored commercial dentifrice also accelerated the conversion of amorphous calcium phosphate to hydroxyapatite. It was found that the concentration of dodecanol increased 2-fold over a 2-month period.