Fluoride Taken Up by Plaque, by the Underlying Enamel and by Clean Enamel from Three Fluoride Compounds in vitro

Abstract

The interaction of fluoride with plaque and the underlying enamel was studied in an artificial mouth after topical application of three different fluoride solutions. Streptococcus mutans cells were grown on windowed bovine enamel blocks to form artificial plaque. Plaque-covered and clean enamel samples were rinsed with NaF, amine fluoride and Na-MFP (200 ppm F-, twice a day for 10 min for 3 consecutive days). Amine fluoride and NaF caused F- increments in plaque (190 and 72 ppm), Na-MFP had no effect. In clean enamel the F- concentration increased with amine fluoride and NaF but not with Na-MFP. Underneath plaque the F- increments were higher than in clean enamel for all fluoride agents; the most pronounced difference could be seen with Na-MFP.