Abstract
The aim of the present study was to measure the effects of a 5,000-ppm F toothpaste on caries-related factors in dental plaque and saliva.
A 6-week clinical trial was designed with a total of 34 participants, of which 26 completed the study. The participants were assessed on four visits, 2 weeks apart. Sampling of approximal fluid for fluoride analysis and approximal plaque for organic acid analysis was performed. Chair-side tests were performed to register the lactic acid production rate on the tongue using Clinpro (TM) Cario L-Pop (TM), approximal plaque pH using the pH "strip method" and salivary buffer capacity and counts of cariogenic microorganisms using CRT BufferA (R) and CRT BacteriaA (R).
Six weeks' use of 5,000-ppm fluoridated (F) toothpaste significantly increased the approximal fluid F concentration (p < 0.05). There was a significant decrease in lactic acid production rate on the tongue assessed by Clinpro (TM) (p < 0.05). This was accompanied by changes in interproximal plaque acidogenicity, including significant reductions in AUC(5.7), AUC(6.2) and maximum pH fall and an increase in minimum pH (p < 0.05). A significant increase in the salivary buffer capacity and a reduction in the salivary mutans streptococci were observed (p < 0.05).
The present study demonstrates the ability of 5,000-ppm F toothpaste to modify caries-related factors in dental plaque and saliva.
The 5,000-ppm F toothpaste could be regarded as a possible effective regimen against caries in the near future.