title: The effect of pH and fluoride concentration of liquid dentifrices on caries progression.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This randomized clinical trial evaluated the effect of pH and fluoride concentration of liquid dentifrices (LD) on caries progression and fluoride uptake in the toenails of 2-4-year-old children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Schoolchildren living in a fluoridated area, with (A) or without (I) active caries lesions, were randomly allocated into three groups according to the LD they would use over 12 months: group 1 (n = 48-A/56-I): 550 μg fluoride (F)/g, pH 4.5; group 2 (n = 56-A/48-I) 1,100 μg F/g, pH 7.0; and group 3 (n = 52-A/55-I): 550 μg F/g, pH 7.0. The number of lesions becoming active/cavities or inactive was clinically evaluated by determining progression or regression. Additionally, white spot lesions were evaluated by the quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) method in 75 children. Toenail fluoride concentration was also evaluated. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and followed by Dunn's test or ANCOVA followed by Tukey's test (p < 0.05).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Caries net increment followed a decreasing pattern according to the dentifrice used (G1 < G2 < G3), regardless caries activity, but significant differences were detected only for caries progression and net increment (G1 < G3) for the caries-active group when evaluated through visual inspection. For the regression, the values found for the three groups were more similar, without significant differences. QLF analysis detected no significant difference between groups 1 and 2, but they performed significantly better than group 3. A significantly lower toenail fluoride concentration was observed when children used the low-fluoride dentifrices.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The low-fluoride acidic LD has good potential to prevent caries and reduce fluoride intake.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The low-F acidic dentifrice combines the desirable characteristics of caries prevention and reduced fluoride intake-for a product to be used by children, regardless their caries status.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Bauru Dental School, University of São Paulo, Al. Octávio Pinheiro Brisolla, 9-75, Bauru, São Paulo, 17012-901, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cristiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: de Almeida Baldini Cardoso
authors.forename: Dayane Franco Barros
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Mangueira
authors.forename: Kelly Polido Kaneshiro
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Olympio
authors.forename: Ana Carolina
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Magalhães
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rios
authors.forename: Heitor Marques
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Honório
authors.forename: Fabiano Vieira
authors.initials: FV
authors.lastname: Vilhena
authors.forename: Fábio Correia
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Sampaio
authors.forename: Marília Afonso Rabelo
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Buzalaf
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000473:pathology*; D003802:Dentifrices; D018450:Disease Progression; D005459:Fluorides / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
chemical_list: D003802:Dentifrices; D005459:Fluorides