No abstract

The effect of daily mouthrinses on dental plaque accumulation and on salivary mutans streptococci was investigated in 200 children. The utilized solutions were: a placebo solution composed of mentholated deionized water (group I); 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate associated to 0.05% sodium fluoride (group II); 0.2% chlorhexidine digluconate (group III), and 0.5% stevioside mixed with 0.05% sodium fluoride, with pH 3.4 (group IV). In order to verify the effect on plaque formation, the accumulation of plaque was assessed by means of the Löe12 index, at the beginning and at the end of the experiment, whereas the quantification of cariogenic streptococci was accomplished on three saliva samples collected at 3 different moments: before the first mouthrinse, 24 hours after the first mouthrinse and 1 week after the last mouthrinse. The mouthrinsing routine was carried out on a daily basis during 4 weeks. Five milliliters of solution were rinsed during 1 minute. The results revealed 4.10, 26.75, 41.20, and 5.91% of reduction in plaque accumulation for groups I, II, III, and IV, respectively. Comparisons between the groups as to plaque reduction revealed that groups II and III were significantly different from groups I (control) and IV (p < 0.05), but did not differ from each other. The solution utilized by group III was the least accepted by children and, as the solution utilized by group II, caused mild dental pigmentation. There were no statistically significant differences as to the levels of mutans streptococci, probably due to the low initial levels observed in each one of the four groups.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dental prophylaxis prior to the topical application of acidulated phosphate fluoride solution applied twice a year in schoolchildren. Experimental groups were: Group I--control group, had no treatment. Group II--twice yearly topical application of acidulated phosphate fluoride solution with prior professional prophylaxis with rubber cup and non fluoride paste. Group III--twice yearly topical application of acidulated phosphate fluoride solution with prior toothbrushing with a non-fluoridated prophy paste. After 18 months analysis of 160 children in each study group led to the following conclusions: 1. Acidulated phosphate fluoride topical applications are effective in the prevention of dental caries. 2. The omission of a professional prophylaxis prior to topical fluoride application does not affect significantly the caries preventive effect.

There is a relationship between the use of fluoride, the reduction of dental caries and the increase of dental fluorosis. The purpose of this study was to analyze the fluoride kinetics in saliva after using the Happydent chewing gum, which contains 3.38 mg of fluoride as monofluorophosphate. Fifteen 7-9-year-old volunteers were instructed to chew the gum Trident (control) and Happydent on different days. Total saliva was collected for 3 minutes, at 0, 3, 6, 9, 15, 30 and 45 minutes after starting chewing. Salivary fluoride was analyzed with a fluoride-specific electrode (Orion 96-09) after acid hydrolysis. The data were analyzed by two-way analysis of variance and by Tukeys post hoc test (p < 0.05). The mean amounts +/- sd (mg) of fluoride released in saliva were 0.276 +/- 0.126 and 0.024 +/- 0.014 for Happydent and Trident respectively. The fluoride amount in the saliva samples after the use of Happydent was significantly higher than after the use of Trident in all experimental periods, except after 30 and 45 minutes. The high fluoride presence in saliva after the use of Happydent may be significant to prevent dental caries and this should be evaluated in clinical researches. On the other hand, children at an age of risk for dental fluorosis should avoid the use of Happydent.