Factors governing the choice of dentifrices by patients attending the Dental Centre, Lagos University Teaching Hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate what influences the choice of dentifrice used by patients attending a dental clinic. METHOD: Self-administered questionnaire on patients attending oral diagnosis clinic. Data analyzed for descriptIve statistics using EPI- info 2004 software. RESULTS: Two hundred and three patients comprising of 105 (51.7%) females and 98 (48.3%) males, were involved in this study. Toothpaste with toothbrush was the most common form of oral hygiene practice (90.6%). Cost of the dentifrice (32.5%), the taste of the dentifrice (51.7%), the presence of fluoride (53.7%), availability of the dentifrice (54.7%) and the recommendation of a dental health professional (32.5%) were some of the factors governing choice. CONCLUSION: The choice of dentifrices by patients is governed by factors other than the efficacy of the dentifrice and dental education is important to reverse this trend.

Reversal of primary root caries using a dentifrice with a high fluoride content.

Root caries is a widespread problem and can be quite serious in older populations. The restoration of root carious lesions is often difficult. Compared to enamel caries, there has been limited research into the pharmaceutical management of primary root caries lesions (PRCLs), and many of these studies have been carried out in vitro, with limited numbers of clinical trials. Fluoride is presently a cornerstone in dentifrice formulations for cost-effective and anticaries therapy. It is generally accepted that fluoride ions promote remineralization of tooth substances and reduce the rate of demineralization. The use of a dentifrice with a high fluoride content may be considered to reverse PRCLs, since more fluoride is required for the remineralization of roots than for enamel. This paper reviews the effects of dentifrices with high fluoride contents on the management of root caries.

The use of sodium bicarbonate in oral hygiene products and practice.

Early dentifrices contained natural ingredients, mostly in coarse particle form, and were quite abrasive. Salts, either sodium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, or a mixture of both, have also been used for tooth cleaning because of their ready availability and low cost. Because of both their relatively low intrinsic hardness and their high solubility, another advantage is low abrasivity. Their biggest disadvantage is a salty, unpalatable taste. Many modern dentifrices that contain sodium bicarbonate, either as the sole abrasive or one of several, disguise the saltiness with flavoring and sweetening agents. An almost inverse relationship exists between the percentage of baking soda in a dentifrice and its abrasivity. Sodium bicarbonate has no anticaries activity per se but is compatible with fluoride. In high concentrations, sodium bicarbonate is bactericidal against most periodontal pathogens. Most clinical studies have not found significant differences in periodontal response to baking soda as compared with other commercial dentifrices, probably because of its rapid clearance from the gingival sulcus. Sodium bicarbonate may not be the "magic bullet" for curing dental diseases, but its safety (if ingested), low abrasivity, low cost, and compatibility with fluoride make it a consummate dentifrice ingredient.

The role of fluoride dentifrices in a national strategy for the oral health of children.

The Department of Health's recent publication 'An Oral Health Strategy for England' proposes a number of targets for improving the oral health of children by the year 2003. It recognises that the prevalence and severity of dental caries have decreased considerably in England over the last 25 years but, water fluoridation apart, it suggests no specific measures to ensure that this improvement continues. There is evidence to suggest that in many regions this will not be sufficient, and that in the medium term a more coordinated approach involving government, the profession and commerce is required.