Associations between the total fluoride content of dental plaque and individual caries experience in Australian children

Abstract

Individual caries experience (DMFT) and the total fluoride content of dental plaque were determined for 72 schoolchildren, aged 9.7-13.0 years, lifelong residents in one of three New South Wales towns, where the fluoride levels of the reticulated water supplies were: Katoomba, less than 0.1 parts/10(6); Sydney, 1.0 parts/10(6) for 4 years; and Yass, 1.0 parts/10(6) for 16 years, prior to sampling. The mean fluoride content of plaque in Sydney (22.6, s.d. = +/- 16.8 parts/10(6)) and Yass (25.6, s.d. = +/- 16.4 parts/10(6)) differed significantly (t = 2.27, P less than 0.05 and t = 3.30, P less than 0.02, respectively) from that in Katoomba (13.5, s.d. = +/- 8.3 parts/10(6)). Significant inverse associations were demonstrated between total plaque fluoride and individual caries experience (DMFT) in Sydney (r = -0.45, P less than 0.025) and overall (r = -0.28, P less than 0.010). Inverse trends were established between plaque quantity (dry weight of plaque collected) and fluoride levels. No associations could be demonstrated between fluoride treatment (dentifrice, tablets or topical application) and plaque fluoride, DMFT or plaque quantity.

Effect of Brushing with Fluoride Toothpastes on the Fluoride, Calcium, and Inorganic Phosphorus Concentrations in Approximal Plaque of Young Adults

“…The pres ence of fluoride, calcium, and phosphorus in plaque and saliva may well provide an important reservoir of these ions for the repair of carious lesions. Several studies have shown significant inverse correlations between the concentration of fluoride in plaque and caries experience [Agus et al, 1976;Schamschula et al, 1982;Ashley and Wilson, 1981;van Dijk et al, 1985]. Ashley and Wilson [1977a] also showed signifi cant inverse correlations between the concentrations of calcium and inorganic phosphorus in plaque and caries experience.…”

Effect of a Fluoridated Toothpaste on Lesion Development in Plaque-Filled Dentine Grooves: An Intra-Oral Study

“…Regular usage of fluoride increases the concentration o f fluoride in plaque on smooth surfaces and in fissures [Sidi, 1989;Duckworth et al, 1989;Vogel et al, 1992]. Increased concentrations of fluoride in plaque have been negatively correlated with the incidence of caries [Agus et al, 1976;Gaugler and Bruton, 1982]. Some epidemiological studies, however, indicate that fluoride is not as effective in fissures as on smooth surfaces [Kwant et ah.…”

Intra-Oral Variations in Total Plaque Fluoride Related to Plaque pH

“…A slow pH-dependent release of caries-protective fluoride ions has been suggested from fluoridated apatites in plaque [Pearce, 1991] and from local calcium fluoride reservoirs [Rolla et al, 1993]. Moreover, deposition of fluo ride in plaque has been used as a parameter for the cariespreventive effect of topical programmes [Duckworth et al, 1987],Reported mean values of total plaque fluoride range from 1.5 to about 100 ng F/mg wet weight in different stud ies [Tatevossian, 1990], Levels have been directly related to0008-6568/97/0316-0451 S 12.00/0 E-Mail kargen« kargcr.ch Fax +41 61 306 12 34 http: www.kargcr.ch fluoride exposure [Birkeland et al, 1971;Grobler et al, 1982;Nobre dos Santos and Cury, 1988] and inversely relat ed to DMFT [Agus et al, 1976; Gaugler and Bruton, 1982].More sensitive methods for fluoride analysis are now available [Vogel et al, 1990], and have given important in formation about levels o f free fluoride in plaque [Vogel et al, 1992], However, the above information on total plaque fluoride is based on conventional analysis of pooled sam ples and does not take intra-oral variations into account. The progressive carious environment, on the other hand, is more often localized to a few sites in a dentition.…”