Advances in Dental Research, Vol 8, 185-189, Copyright © 1994 by International & American Associations for Dental Research
Fluoride toothpastes, rinses, and tablets
K. W. Stephen
Department of Adult Dental Care, University of Glasgow, Dental School, Scotland.
Only from the mid-1950's has therapeutic benefit been obtained via
dentifrices, initially with stannous fluoride-then
monofluorophosphate-containing products which remained stable and
efficacious. Altered abrasive systems followed, and both sodium fluoride
and monofluorophosphate/sodium fluoride mixtures were introduced as active
anti-caries agents, with recent meta-analysis indicating that sodium
fluoride > monofluorophosphate/sodium fluoride > monofluorophosphate.
With respect to fluoride levels, clear dose-response relationships have
been demonstrated. However, at < 1000 ppm F, the situation is less
certain. Since the mid-1980's, anticalculus fluoride dentifrices have been
marketed, and have been shown to have similar caries-reducing potential as
their non-calculus-inhibiting control formulae. Finally, one study has been
described where a sodium fluoride dentifrice successfully reduced root
caries. Of the many fluoride formulations used for caries-inhibiting
mouthrinsing [e.g., acid phosphate fluoride (100-3000 ppm F), sodium
fluoride (45-3000 ppm F), stannous fluoride (100-250 ppm F), ammonium
fluoride (1000 ppm F), and amine fluoride (250 ppm F)], sodium fluoride
would seem to be the preferred agent. Furthermore, rinse frequency is
deemed more important than fluoride ion concentration, but caution is urged
re the volumes and concentrations to be used by children, no rinsing being
recommended below 4 years. Combination of a 440-pp-F sodium fluoride and
0.05% chlorhexidine school-administered rinse appears to have increased the
caries-inhibiting benefit as compared with sodium fluoride alone. Fluoride
supplements have reduced deciduous caries from 14 to 93%, and in the
permanent dentition, from 20 to 81%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
