The in vitro effect of fluoridated milk in a bacterial biofilm - Enamel model

Abstract

Objectives:The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of milk and fluoridated milk on bacterially induced caries-like lesions. Sample and methods: Extracted impacted human molars were cut in half and covered with a varnish leaving a 4×4 mm window. The samples were coated with biofilm of S. sobrinus and were further divided into three experimental groups of S. sobrinus, S. sobrinus and milk and S. sobrinus and fluoridated milk. As negative controls served teeth incubated in saline. Of twenty tooth halves serial ground sections were cut through the lesions and investigated with polarization light microscopy (PLM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and EDX element analysis. The PLM photographs were used for 3D reconstruction, volumetric assessment and determination of the extension of the lesion zones. Of eight tooth halves the biofilm on the enamel surface was studied with SEM and EDX element analysis. Results: Volumetric assessment showed a statistically significant difference in the volume of the body of the lesion and the translucent zone between the milk group and fluoridated milk group. Quantitative element analysis demonstrated significant differences between sound enamel and the superficial layer in the fluoridated milk group. The biofilm on the enamel surface showed an increased Ca content in the milk group and fluoridated milk group. Conclusions: Milk as a common nutrient seems to play a complex role in in-vitro biofilm -enamel interactions stimulating bacterial demineralization on one hand, and, as effective fluoride carrier, inhibits caries-like demineralization.

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

“…The role of milk is very complex, on one hand it can act as a fluoride carrier thus preventing lesion progression; conversely milk itself contributes to maturation of the bio-film resulting in a higher de-mineralizing potential and greater volume of lesions. 23 The profiles of mineral content showed that all the test groups gained mineral as a result of pH cycling with fluoridated milk. Mineral was lost when plain milk and deionized water were used as the treatment medium.…”

“…22 Though a number of in vitro studies have demonstrated the re-mineralizing efficacy of different concentrations of fluoridated milk, the re-mineralization effect of increasing the volume of fluoridated milk within the same concentration is still unclear. [23][24][25][26][27][28][29] Thus the objectives of this study were to investigate whether increasing (1) the concentration of fluoride in milk and (2) the volume of fluoridated milk alters its re-mineralizing efficacy. The null hypothesis tested was that increasing the fluoride concentration and volume of fluoridated milk would increase its remineralization efficacy on initial enamel carious lesions.…”

Comparative evaluation of root caries remineralization effect of plain milk, 5ppm of fluoridated milk, and 5ppm of sodium fluoride in deionized water using surface microhardness test: An in vitro study

“…In this study, fluoridated milk is used as a vehicle as it is easily accessible and also rich in calcium which could further enhance remineralization. The effectiveness of fluoridated milk on enamel remineralization has shown positive effect on caries reduction,[ 22 23 24 ] whereas only few studies have determined the effect of fluoridated milk on root dentine remineralization. [ 8 11 12 13 ]…”

Efficacy of Milk Fluoride Prevention of Dental Caries in Children Under 12 Years Old: A Review

“…Milk as a common nutrient seems to play a complex role in in-vitro biofilm--enamel interactions stimulating bacterial demineralization on one hand, and, as effective fluoride carrier, inhibits caries-like demineralization (Arnold et al, 2006). It was possible to verify an inhibition of enamel lesion formation by fluoridated milk already after 40 h of acid exposure and before any clearly visible clinical signs of demineralization were seen (Engström et al).…”