title: Influence of fluoride in saliva during the early cariogenic changes in the enamel of boys and girls.
abstract: In boys and girls cariogenic changes in the dental enamel in relation to fluoride (F-) concentrations in stimulated and unstimulated saliva were studied in a six-month period. Also the use of various types of applications of F- was assessed. No difference in the use of F- between boys and girls before and after the interval was observed. Also no clear differences were found between boys and girls in the levels of F- in both types of saliva, determined at the end of the six-month period. The most important finding was that for all children, a significantly positive relationship was found between the disappearance of white spots turning into sound enamel (regression) and the F-concentration in unstimulated saliva. In addition, girls who developed new white spots had higher levels of F-, but those who developed new cavities had lower F- levels in both types of saliva. Apparently F- can prevent dental caries by acting very early on remineralization and demineralization processes in enamel surfaces.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Cell Biology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam, (ACTA), Vrije Universiteit, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Wöltgens
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Etty
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Gruythuysen
authors.forename: W G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Geraets
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D015588:Observer Variation; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry*; D012737:Sex Factors; D017001:Tooth Demineralization / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D005459:Fluorides