Sulcal plaque pH and remineralization of sulcal caries in rats exposed to dietary and water fluoride.
After being inoculated with Streptococcus (mutans) sobrinus 6715 and fed a mildly caries-promoting diet for 14 days, sulcal plaque pH response to topical application of a 10% sucrose solution was measured in two groups of rats. The first group (experimental) was then fed diet and drinking water to which 1 mmol (20 ppm) fluoride had been added (0.5 mmol for 7 days and 1 mmol for 14 days) and pH measurements were repeated. The second group was held as a control and a third group was sacrificed to provide baseline caries scores. There was no difference in the fall in pH after topical application of 10% sucrose solution between the control and experimental group, nor between the pre- and postfluoride measurements for the experimental group. Sulcal caries incidence in the experimental group was significantly lower than in the control group. The results of this experiment emphasize the importance of a cariostatic mechanism of action for fluoride based on remineralization of enamel lesions and do not support the in vivo adaptation to fluoride by oral microorganisms.
Firestone
A R
AR
Institute of Dental Research, School of Dentistry, University of Alabama, Birmingham.
Navia
J M
JM
D000818:Animals; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000187:drug effects*; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005856:Germ-Free Life; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000502:physiology; D013395:Sucrose / Q000494:pharmacology; D014089:Tooth Remineralization; D014867:Water
D014867:Water; D013395:Sucrose; D005459:Fluorides