Plaque fluoride concentrations in a community without water fluoridation: effects of calcium and use of a fluoride or placebo dentifrice.
The results of a recent study by Whitford et al. [Caries Res 2002;36:256-265] with subjects whose drinking water was fluoridated led to two major conclusions: (1) Compared to the use of a placebo dentifrice, plaque fluoride concentrations ([F]) throughout much of the day are not significantly increased by the use of an F dentifrice but (2) they are positively related to plaque [Ca] (p = 0.0001). The present double-blind, double-crossover study with 16 subjects used the same protocol and was done to: (1) determine the effects of the use of an F dentifrice on salivary and plaque [F] in a community without water fluoridation and (2) further examine the relationship between plaque [Ca] and [F]. Following the use of an F dentifrice or placebo for one week, whole saliva and plaque were collected 1.0 and 12 h after the last use of the products. The study was repeated to include rinsing with a 20 mmol/l CaCl(2) solution immediately before the use of the dentifrices. The CaCl(2) rinse had only minor effects on salivary [Ca] and [F] and none on the plaque concentrations. Unlike the results found in the fluoridated community, all salivary and plaque [F] associated with the use of the F dentifrice were significantly higher than those associated with the use of the placebo. The results suggest that the cariostatic effectiveness of an F dentifrice should be greater in areas without water fluoridation. As noted previously, plaque [F] were positively related to plaque [Ca] (p = 0.0001).
Whitford
G M
GM
Department of Oral Biology and Maxillofacial Pathology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta 30912-1129, USA. gwhitfor@mail.mcg.edu <gwhitfor@mail.mcg.edu>
Buzalaf
M A R
MA
Bijella
M F B
MF
Waller
J L
JL
D000293:Adolescent; D001938:Brazil; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002122:Calcium Chloride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000032:analysis* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000737:chemistry*; D003802:Dentifrices / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005457:Fluoridation; D005459:Fluorides / Q000032:analysis* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010919:Placebos; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D012636:Secretory Rate / Q000502:physiology; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic; D013997:Time Factors
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D003802:Dentifrices; D009067:Mouthwashes; D010919:Placebos; D002122:Calcium Chloride; D005459:Fluorides; D002118:Calcium