title: [The effects of topical fluoridation of enamel on the growth of cariogenic bacteria contained in the dental plaque].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dental caries is a bacterial disease. The most important element used in caries prevention is fluoride, which is derived from the air, diet or fluoride-containing preparations and materials, e.g. glass-ionomer restorations. Fluoride can inhibit metabolism and bacterial growth in the dental plaque. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of topical fluoridation of the enamel on the growth of Lactobacillus spp. in the dental plaque.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was carried out in 15 patients with good oral hygiene, in whom three-day dental plaque from the enamel was examined. Next, fluoride was rubbed on the same surface and the examination of three-day dental plaque was repeated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No statistically significant differences (p = 0.475) in the amounts of Lactobacillus spp. in the plaque collected prior to and after the topical fluoridation were revealed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fluoride rubbed in the enamel, did not affect the amount of Lactobacillus spp. in the dental plaque growing on this material.
authors.affiliation: Zakład Stomatologii Zachowawczej UM w Łodzi.
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Płuciennik-Stronias
authors.forename: Beata
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zarzycka
authors.forename: Elzbieta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bołtacz-Rzepkowska
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000382:microbiology*; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005457:Fluoridation; D005460:Fluorides, Topical / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005899:Glass Ionomer Cements; D006801:Humans; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D005460:Fluorides, Topical; D005899:Glass Ionomer Cements