Effect of amine fluoride/stannous fluoride toothpaste and mouthrinse on dental plaque accumulation and gingival health.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to investigate the influence of amine fluoride (AmF)/stannous fluoride (SnF2) containing toothpaste and mouthrinse on plaque accumulation and gingival health of young adults after 4 weeks use. SUBJECT AND METHODS: Forty-two young adults (mean age: 28.33 +/- 7.19 years) were examined for the Plaque Index (PI; Silness and Löe, 1964) and Gingival Index (GI; Löe and Silness, 1963) scores, and divided randomly into two groups. Both groups used AmF/SnF2 containing toothpaste twice a day for 3 min toothbrushing, and one group after toothbrushing rinsed with AmF/SnF2 containing mouthrinse for 30 s. After 4 weeks the probands were re-examined. RESULTS: Statistically significant decrease in dental plaque (PI) and gingival (GI) index values were found at the end of the study. The reduction of PI and GI values was significant in all groups but it was higher in the combined (toothpaste + mouthrinsing) group, than using toothpaste only. CONCLUSION: The regular combined use of AmF/SnF2 toothpaste and mouthrinse was more effective in the reduction of plaque accumulation and maintenance of gingival health than the toothpaste alone.

Effect of fluoride on cariogenic oral microorganisms (an in vitro study).

The effect of sodium fluoride and sodium monofluorophosphate at concentrations of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 1000 mg/l in phosphate buffer (pH 6.5) as well as in UHT milk were studied on cultures and suspensions of Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Candida albicans. Using serial tenfold dilutions up to 10(-7) of 24-48 hour cultures, a subsequent 0, 60 and 120 min incubation caused no decrease in the number of CFUs. Growth kinetic studies in the Bioscreen biophotometer (Labsystem, Finland) revealed that sodium fluoride in different concentrations (from 0.875 mg/l up to 500 mg/l) influenced the growth dynamics of S. mutans and C. albicans: the exponential phase flattened out at the highest fluoride concentrations (500 mg/l) present in the growth media. The lag phase of C. albicans became longer. The results of these experiments indicate that sodium fluoride administered at higher concentrations than the usual caries preventive dosage made the generation time of cariogenic oral bacteria and fungi longer, slowing down their multiplication.

[Effect of smoking on the development of oral leukoplakia]. / A dohányzás hatása a szájüregi leukoplakia kialakulására.

The increase in cancer mortality throughout the world justifies the study of its causes and development. Oropharyngeal cancer is ranked on the sixth place, Hungary with the highest mortality among 46 countries. Tobacco use is implicated in the development of oral cancer, and oral leukoplakia as well. The aim of the study was to give an overview on the connection between tobacco use and oral leukoplakia. Summarizing the literary data strong evidence has been found on the role of smoking in the development both of oral cancer and oral leukoplakia. Epidemiologic patterns of cigarette-smoking show a steep increase in Central-European countries, especially in Hungary. Cross-sectional studies indicate higher prevalence rate of leukoplakia among smokers, with a dose-response relationship between tobacco use and oral leukoplakia, while intervention studies show a regression of the lesion after stopping the smoking habit.

Tobacco use and oral leukoplakia.

The increase in cancer mortality throughout the world justifies the study of its causes and development. Hungary has the highest mortality rate from oropharyngeal cancer out of forty-six countries. Tobacco use is implicated in the development of oral cancer, and oral leukoplakia as well. The aim of the study was to give an overview of the connection between tobacco use and oral leukoplakia, considering the epidemiologic patterns of tobacco habits, the prevalence of smoking in oral leukoplakia, and the effect of smoking on clinically healthy oral mucosa with special respect to central Europe and Hungary. In the data, strong evidence has been found for the role of smoking in the development of both oral cancer and oral leukoplakia. Epidemiologic patterns of cigarette smoking show a steep increase in central European countries. Cross-sectional studies show a higher prevalence rate of leukoplakia among smokers, with a dose-response relationship between tobacco use and oral leukoplakia, and intervention studies show a regression of the lesion after stopping the smoking habit.

The effect of fluoridated milk on human dental enamel in an in vitro demineralization model.

Fifty-seven sound human permanent premolars were demineralized for 14 days and then exposed to six different treatments: group 1, 1 mg/1 fluoride in milk for 7 days; group 2, 1 mg/l fluoride in milk for 14 days; group 3, 10 mg/l fluoride in milk for 7 days; group 4, 10 mg/l fluoride in milk for 14 days; group 5, control non-fluoridated milk for 14 days, and group 6, control tap water for 14 days. Enamel etch samples were taken and analysed for fluoride and for phosphorus. An increase in the enamel surface fluoride content was observed in groups 1-3. A statistically significant elevation (p < 0.01) of fluoride content and a significant decrease (p > 0.001) of acid solubility were found only in group 4.

The effect of bicarbonate/fluoride dentifrices on human plaque pH.

The acidogenic response in dental plaque after rinsing with sodium bicarbonate/fluoride dentifrice slurries was studied using three intra-oral models. In the first model, resting plaque pH was monitored in mesiobuccal plaque on upper molars and premolars in six healthy subjects after abstinence from normal oral hygiene for three days. These measurements were followed by a three-minute rinse with 10% sucrose and, following a two-minute interval, a three-minute rinse with a test dentifrice slurry. After the test dentifrice rinse, pH was monitored at regular intervals up to 60 minutes. Flow rate, pH and buffer capacity of stimulated saliva were also determined. Changes in resting pH, plaque pH minima, and maximum pH drop were calculated. A clear elevation in the resting pH was observed after bicarbonate/fluoride dentifrice rinses, and a significant increase was obtained in the pH minima. The smallest pH drop also was found after treatment with the bicarbonate/fluoride dentifrice rinse treatment (p < 0.02). A second model using telemetric partial dentures with interproximally placed micro-antimony pH electrodes was used to study the effects of rinsing with increasing concentrations of sodium bicarbonate and calcium carbonate solutions, and with a fluoride dentifrice containing sodium bicarbonate. The response to these treatments was found to be rapid, dose-dependent, and was the greatest from the sodium bicarbonate. A third model used 24 subjects to assess the effects of sodium bicarbonate/fluoride dentifrice on plaque pH before and after a glucose challenge. The use of the bicarbonate/fluoride dentifrice resulted in significantly less measurable plaque acid than the fluoride dentifrice treatment. Collectively, these results indicate bicarbonate in dentifrice to be an effective buffering agent for stabilizing the pH and neutralizing plaque acids in dental plaque.

[Effect of neodymium on the crystal structure of human dental enamel in vitro]. / Neodímium hatása humán fogzománc kristályszerkezeti jellemzöire in vitro.

The possibility of neodymium incorporation into hard tissues of permanent teeth has been investigated. The amount of neodymium was determined by X-ray microprobe analysis. The result indicates that different phases of enamel apatite have been recristallised. Neodymium compounds have appeared while the amount of some minerals in enamel have decreased. Neodymium could be an effective agent in stabilization of the apatite structure of dental enamel.

[The effect of rare earth metal-containing toothpastes on dental enamel solubility in vitro]. / Ritkaföldfém-tartalmú fogkrémek hatása humán fogzománc savoldékonyságára in vitro.

The effect of different REE containing toothpastes has been studied on human dental enamel, in an experimental model, using diluted suspensions of toothpastes. The grade of remineralization has been characterised by the amount of dissolved phosphorus from the enamel samples. All the investigated-, REE containing toothpastes decreased the acid-solubility of dental enamel, the best results were found in the group of samarium-containing toothpastes.

Studies on the incorporation of lanthanides in dental hard tissues.

Rare earth elements (lanthanides)--known from chrystal-chemistry for the rehardening effect on apatites--have been tested previously for the possibility of their incorporation in dental enamel. From the non-toxic lanthanides cerium was incorporated under in vitro conditions in human dental enamel. In the present study, the incorporation of lanthanum (La), europium (Eu), samarium (Sa), ytterbium (Yb) and neodymium (Nd) in human permanent enamel, dentine and deciduous enamel has been investigated by neutron activation analysis. The lanthanides were incorporated--following the above sequence--in an increasing ratio into enamel and dentine, by forming new, more resistant rare earth elements containing apatite structures.

[Crystallo-chemical problems of dental enamel and new possibilities of in vitro remineralization]. / A fogzománc kristálykémiai problémái és az in vitro remineralizáció újabb lehetöségei.

Incipient dental caries according to up-to-date concepts in dental research--means a demineralization without cavity formation. At this stage the carious process is reversible, and remineralization can occur in the presence of locally applied fluorides. In crystal chemical experiments, however, by treating natural apatites with lanthanides (Ce, La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb...Y, Sc) a more resistant complex could be developed. In this study extracted human molar teeth were kept for 60 days in Cerium (III)-nitrate solution, in order to investigate the incorporation of Ce3+ into human sound and carious enamel by light-microscopic-, and electron microprobe methods. Ce3+ was incorporated in sound enamel as well as into the incipient carious lesion, showing the histological characteristics of a remineralizing lesion. The mean values of the microprobe analysis data showed an increase in Ce3+ changing place with the Ca2+ the developing cerium-apatite being more hard and resistant from a mineralo-physical point of view.

Production of cerium-apatite in sound and carious dental enamel under in vitro conditions.

Incipient dental caries--according to up-to-date concepts in dental research--means a demineralization without cavity formation. At this stage the carious process is reversible, and remineralization can be achieved in the presence of locally applied fluorides. In chrystalchemical experiments, however, by treating natural apatites with lanthanides, [Ce, La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb ... Y, Sc] a more resistant complex could be developed. In this study extracted human molar teeth were kept for 60 days in Cerium (III)-nitrate solution, in order to investigate the incorporation of Ce3+ into human sound and carious enamel by light-microscopic-, and electron microprobe methods. Ce3+ was incorporated in sound enamel as well as into the incipient carious lesion, showing the histological characteristics of a remineralizing lesion. The mean values of the microprobe analysis data showed an increase in Ce3+ changing place with the Ca2+ the developing cerium-apatite being more hard and resistant from a mineralophysical point of view.

Effect of amine fluoride/stannous fluoride-containing toothpaste and mouthrinsings on dental plaque, gingivitis, plaque and enamel F-accumulation.

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of an amine fluoride/stannous fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash on dental plaque and gingivitis, plaque F- accumulation, F- content and acid solubility of dental enamel. Participants in the 12-week double-blind study were 92 schoolchildren, with a mean age of 12.4 years, randomly distributed to four groups: (1) AmF/SnF2 toothpaste, (2) placebo toothpaste, (3) AmF/SnF2 toothpaste plus AmF/SnF2 mouthwash, (4) placebo toothpaste plus AmF/SnF2 mouthwash. Analyzing the results, the mean values of dental plaque (Silness-Löe index) and of the sulcus bleeding index decreased statistically significantly in all groups except the placebo toothpaste users. Plaque F- and enamel F- content increased considerably only in the two groups using the AmF/SnF2 toothpaste. A decrease in acid solubility was significant only in the group of both test toothpaste and test mouthwash users. Thus the clinical efficacy of the tested AmF/SnF2 toothpaste might be increased by the combined use of mouthrinsings containing the same substances.

Changes of acid solubility and fluoride content of the enamel surface in children consuming fluoridated milk.

Changes of the acid solubility and fluoride content of the surface layer of the enamel of the first incisor of seventy-nine 9 to 10-year-old children living in a closed community were measured by the method of enamel biopsy at the 6th and 12th months of the consumption of fluoridated milk. Half-year after the beginning of consumption of fluoridated milk the acid solubility decreased significantly, while one-year-long consumption led to significant increase of the fluoride content of the enamel surface.

Collaborative WHO xylitol field studies in Hungary. VI. Changes in the carbohydrate to protein ratio of dental plaque.

The carbohydrate to protein ratio of dental plaque was analyzed in a field study assessing the effect of partial substitution of dietary sucrose by xylitol (X group) in comparison with systemic fluoride (F group) and restorative treatment solely (C group). The biochemical analysis was supplemented by quantitative assessment of plaque through the visible plaque index (VPI). The present substudy was carried out cross-sectionally and longitudinally (n = 83) in initially 6- to 11-year-old children. Missing base-line values for the carbohydrate to protein ratio were partly compensated for through reexamination of the carbohydrate to protein ratio 15 months after termination of the trial. The latter series served as reference to indicate the base-line situation. A lower carbohydrate to protein ratio was measured in the X and F groups than in the C group. Improvement of the VPI values was obtained only in the X group. Our results suggest the potential value of parallel quantitative and qualitative assessment of plaque.