Some Physico-chemical Properties of Deciduous Enamel of Children with and Without Pre-natal Fluoride Supplementation (PNF)

Abstract

Physico-chemical investigations of enamel from deciduous teeth of a small number of children with and without pre-natal fluoride supplementation (PNF) exhibited the following differences between the PNF and non-PNF enamel, with the former showing: (a) more homogeneous and less extensive patterns of acid-etching; (b) denser crystal populations in intra-prismatic regions; (c) larger prism dimensions; (d) greater total mineral density (wt%ash); (e) higher degree of crystallinity; (f) smaller a-axis dimensions; and (g) more fluoride and less carbonate contents. On the basis of these preliminary findings, further studies with larger numbers of samples would seem appropriate.

Effects of fluoridated milk on artificial enamel carious lesions: A pH cycling study

“…Intake of high concentration of fluoridated milk together with other food and beverages with high fluoride content could cause dental fluorosis especially in children whose enamel is still developing. 35 Toth et al 36 have suggested that under similar experimental conditions, physiological exposure and bioavailability of fluoride in fluoridated salt, milk and tablets are comparable.…”

The cariostatic mechanisms of fluoride

“…A hypothesis evolved which suggested that fluoride helped to make the enamel crystal "more perfect", and therefore less acid soluble. Le Geros et al (6) performed a physicochemical investigation of enamel from deciduous teeth. They found that enamel from children who had been subjected to prenatal fluoridation exhibited more homogeneous and less extensive patterns of acidetching, denser crystal populations in intraprismatic regions, larger prism dimensions, greater total mineral density, a higher degree of crystallinity, smaller a-axis dimensions, more fluoride and less carbonate contents.…”

Systemic versus Topical Fluoride

“…However, these early indications of the posteruptive effect of fluoride were neglected and the dogma of the pre-eruptive mode of action of fluoride remained the basis for fluoride research. In this context, LeGeros et al [1985] performed physicochemical investigations of enamel from deciduous teeth of a small number of children with and without prenatal fluoride supplementation. They found that enamel from children who were subjected to prenatal fluoridation exhibited more homogeneous and less extensive patterns of acid etching, denser crystal populations in intraprismatic regions, larger prism dimensions, greater total mineral density, a higher degree of crystallinity, smaller a-axis dimensions, more fluoride and less carbonate contents.…”