In situ Remineralization of Root Surface Lesions Using a Fluoride Chewing Gum or Fluoride-Releasing Device

Abstract

The in situ remineralization of early root surface lesions was studied using a fluoride-releasing device (FRD) or a fluoride chewing gum. Root specimens with subsurface lesions were mounted in removable lower appliances in 6 adult subjects. Test groups chewed five sticks/day (0.1 mg F/stick) or one FRD (0.5 mg F/day release rate) was mounted in the midline of the appliance. A fluoride-free dentifrice was used three times/day for each 21-day control and the two test regimens. Separate root lesions were used to measure fluoride uptake or changes in mineral content by quantitative microradiography. Comparable values for percent remineralization for both FRDs and F gum were higher than controls, and the F uptake for FRDs exceeded both the F gum and controls (p = 0.05).

Chewing Gum—Facts and Fiction: a Review of Gum-Chewing and Oral Health

“…The fluoride-treated enamel specimens showed a significant-ly better acid resistance, significantly more remineralization, and significantly more F uptake in up to 70 pLm depth (Lamb et al, 1993). Using the same F-containing chewing gum and the same procedure, De Los Santos et al (1994) reported improved remineralization of rootsurface lesions after 21 days with fluoride-containing chewing gum, thus corroborating an earlier study of in vivo remineralization of root-surface caries with fluoridecontaining chewing gum (Lin and Corpron, 1991). Examples of marketed F-containing chewing gums are Fludent®, Fluorette®, Fluogum®, Sensodyne® mit Fluorid, and Lacalut® fluor.…”

The Potential of Dental-Protective Chewing Gum in Oral Health Interventions

“…Fluoride-containing chewing gum has more than 80 percent oral bioavailability, 3 reduces demineralization and enhances remineralization of enamel. [4][5][6] Fluoridecontaining chewing gum, however, is not available in the United States, although it is elsewhere in the world.…”

Fluoride and Urea Chewing Gums in an Intra-Oral Experimental Caries Model

“…Previous in situ studies have shown that F chewing gum enhances remineralisation in enamel and dentine [De Los Santos et al, 1994]. F chewing gum has been shown to release F into saliva with a similar pattern as tablets containing the same amount of F [Sjögren et al, 1993;Seppä et al, 1997].…”