Effect of fluoridated milk on caries: 5 year results

Abstract

THE AIM OF the study was to assess the caries- preventive effect of fluoridated milk after 4- and 5 years of consumption in 165 institutionalized chil ren aged 6- to 12 years. The children consumed 200 ml of milk daily, fluoridated with 0.4 mg-, or 0.75 mg F- according to age. The data were compared with those of 122 home children without preventive measures. Analysis of the data showed a considerable increase in the ratio of caries-free children, aged 7-10 years, after 5 years of fluoridated milk consumption. The caries pre valence in the test group showed statistically significant reduction both in the primary and permanent dentition, in the latter between 60- to 67% . The caries reduction of the first permanent molars in the age-group of 7 years old was 85%. In children aged 9-12 years, after 4 years of fluoridated milk consumption, only small reductions could be observed. Milk-fluoridated thus seems to be effective in home children; early starting-age increases the protective effect considerably.