Application of fluoride disturbs plaque microecology and promotes remineralization of enamel initial caries

Abstract

Background The caries-preventive effect of topical fluoride application has been corroborated by a number of clinical studies. However, the effect of fluoride on oral microecology remains unclear. Objective To monitor the effect of fluoride on dental plaque microecology and demineralization/remineralization balance of enamel initial caries. Methods Three-year-old children were enrolled and treated with fluoride at baseline and 6 months. International Caries Detection and Assessment System II indices of 52 subjects were measured at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. Supragingival plaque samples of 12 subjects were collected at baseline, 3 and 14 days for 16S rRNA sequencing. Results Changes in microbial community structure were observed at 3 days after fluoridation. Significant changes in the relative abundance of microorganisms were observed after fluoride application, especially Capnocytophaga , unidentified Prevotellaceae and Rothia . Functional prediction revealed that cell movement, carbohydrate and energy metabolism were affected significantly after fluoride application. Fluoride significantly inhibited enamel demineralization and promoted remineralization of early demineralized caries enamel at 3 months. Conclusion Fluoride application significantly inhibited the progression of enamel initial caries and reversed the demineralization process, possibly by disturbing dental plaque microecology and modulating the physicochemical action of demineralization/remineralization. This deepened our understanding of caries-preventive effects and mechanisms of fluoride.

The Efficancy Evaluation of Zirconia Crown on Primary Molars with Carious Defects

“…GI, BI, and PLI are all important indicators for evaluating periodontal health [29,30] . Previous clinical studies have mainly focused on the effectiveness of PMC in the restoration of dental caries in children.…”

Quantitative imaging of fluorine in human teeth by cryogenic laser ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

“…Appropriate F intake or topical application is one of the most effective methods to prevent dental caries because uorapatite formed by F-doping in hydroxyapatite strengthens the crystal stability and thus improves caries resistance. 5,6 At present, the most commonly used drugs for professional uoride treatments are NaF, SnF 2 , and APF. 47 Therefore, 6 healthy premolars were selected to evaluate the capability of these three anti-caries drugs by analyzing the absorption of F in the teeth.…”

“…4 A considerable amount of literature has suggested that appropriate uoride intake or topical uoride application prevents and treats dental caries by disturbing plaque microecology, reducing enamel solubility, and promoting enamel remineralization, which is benecial to dental health. 5,6 Elucidating the role of F in preventing dental caries has been a crucial research topic in the dental eld over the past few decades. 7,8 Although considerable progress has been achieved, the scarcity of technology to visualize F in teeth still hampers dentists from obtaining a comprehensive understanding of the role of anti-caries uorides.…”

Role of socioeconomic factors and interkingdom crosstalk in the dental plaque microbiome in early childhood caries

“…Constant exposure to acidic conditions leads to the demineralization of tooth enamel (Marsh & Nyvad, 2008; Takahashi & Nyvad, 2011). This effect can be partially reversed by using fluoride, which alters the dental plaque microenvironment and promotes remineralization of the enamel (Zhang et al, 2022). Host variables, encompassing various demographic, socioeconomic, and behavioral factors, also influence the development of caries (Arora et al, 2011; Imes et al, 2021; Pierce et al, 2019).…”