Salivary Fluoride Concentrations and Fluoride Ingestion Following Application of Preparations Containing High Concentration of Fluoride

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess salivary fluoride concentrations and ingestion of fluorides after five different techniques of topical fluoride treatment. Ten volunteers received applications of fluoride gel, toothpaste, and foam. Fluoride concentrations were determined using ion-selective fluoride electrode in the samples of unstimulated saliva before and after procedures. The amounts of fluoride applied, recovered from the mouth, and retained in the mouth were calculated for each treatment. It was proved that fluoride ingestion following tray application of fluoride foam was significantly lower than ingestion following tray applications of fluoride gel (p < 0.01). The use of limited amounts of fluorides on a tray resulted in similar fluoride retention and lower ingestion comparing to the method which involves a large portion of fluorides followed by rinsing. Tooth brushing resulted in high salivary retention rates per amount of fluorides used in the procedure. These data provide initial concept about the possible advantages of some methods of topical fluoride application over others.

Salivary retention after application of fluoride gel using toothbrush or tray: a crossover trial

“…12,15 Our results provide comparative analyses on the retention of salivary fluoride in children using a protocol of gel application for 1 minute, which has been studied in Brazil. 13 Salivary fluoride retention after APF gel application in children's mouths seemed to be more affected by the residual gel remaining in the oral cavity than by the amount applied, since a lower fluoride dose used with a toothbrush resulted in the same salivary retention as traditional application with a tray using a four-fold higher amount of gel.…”

“…vary kinetics of fluoride following utilization of small amounts of gel with a toothbrush compared to use of trays, they were conducted in adult volunteers, using a gel application protocol for 2 minutes with a toothbrush 12 and 4 minutes with a tray. 12,15 Our results provide comparative analyses on the retention of salivary fluoride in children using a protocol of gel application for 1 minute, which has been studied in Brazil.…”

“…12 Therefore, an alternative to APF use in a tray is to apply fluoride gel with a toothbrush, since this method reduces the amount of gel required, with a consequently reduced risk of toxicity by accidental ingestion. 6,12 Another alternative for safe gel use in children is to reduce the time of gel application from 4 minutes to 1 minute, since both time periods lead to equally efficient enamel retention and demineralization reduction. 13 Fluoride levels in whole saliva can be affected by method of delivery, and generally follows the same pattern in plaque samples.…”

“…9 APF gel is traditionally applied by dispensing 2 to 5 g per tray. 11,12 The application in adult volunteers of…”

Effect of Fluoride Gel and Foam on Salivary Fluoride Concentration

“…The use of a limited amount of fluoride on the tray resulted in similar fluoride retention and lower ingestion compared to the method which involves a large portion of fluoride followed by rinsing. (25) APF foam allows tray application while using smaller amounts of fluoride. Foamy fluoride agents are readily dispersed within the oral cavity and are easier to apply than gel form, even when patients have fixed orthodontic appliances.…”