Objectives This randomized, cross-over in situ study investigated the impact of sodium fluoride dose and concentration in milk on caries lesion rehardening, fluoridation and acid resistance. Methods Twenty-eight subjects wore two gauze-covered enamel specimens with preformed lesions placed buccally on their mandibular partial dentures for three weeks. Participants used fluoride-free dentifrice throughout the study and consumed once daily one of the five study treatments: no fluoride in 200 ml milk (0F-200), 1.5 or 3 mg fluoride in either 100 (1.5F-100; 3F-100) or 200 ml milk (1.5F-200; 3F-200). After three weeks, specimens were retrieved. Knoop hardness was used to determine rehardening and resistance to a secondary acid challenge. Enamel fluoride uptake (EFU) was determined using a microbiopsy technique. Results A linear fluoride dose–response was observed for all study variables which exhibited similar overall patterns. All the treatments resulted in rehardening, with 0F-200 inducing the least and 3F-100 the most. Apart from 1.5F-200, all the treatments resulted in statistically significantly more rehardening compared to 0F-200. The fluoride doses delivered in 100 ml provided directionally although not statistically significantly more rehardening than those delivered in 200 ml milk. EFU data exhibited better differentiation between treatments: all fluoridated milk treatments delivered more fluoride to lesions than 0F-200; fluoride in 100 ml demonstrated statistically significantly higher EFU than fluoride in 200 ml milk. Findings for acid resistance were also more discerning than rehardening data. Conclusions The present study has provided further evidence for the anti-caries benefits of fluoridated milk. Both fluoride dose and concentration appear to impact the cariostatic properties of fluoride in milk.

An In Situ Caries Study on the Interplay between Fluoride Dose and Concentration in Milk

The present study investigated the effects of fluoride (F) concentration, lesion baseline severity (ΔZbase) and mineral distribution on lesion progression. Artificial caries lesions were cr

Effect of Fluoride, Lesion Baseline Severity and Mineral Distribution on Lesion Progression

Background: Theobromine is a natural alkaloid of plant origin; theobroma cacao. Attempts have been made to use it as a remineralizing agent. Aim of the study: Assessment of the remineralizing potential of theobromine containing toothpastes compared to those with fluoride using scanning electron microscope. Methods: 15 maxillary first bicuspids were selected. Crowns were sectioned and immersed in a demineralizing solution for 4 days. 30 specimens were divided into 3 groups (10 specimens each); group 1, specimens brushed with toothpastes containing theobromine, group 2, specimens brushed with toothpastes containing fluoride and group 3 for specimens brushed with toothpaste free of fluoride or theobromine. The brushing time was 9 minutes and 20 seconds each. Remineralization was carried out using a pH cycling model for 3 days using artificial saliva. The enamel was scanned before and after demineralization and after remineralization. Results: A statistically significant difference was found in calcium and phosphate levels between group 1and 3 and also between group 2 and 3, however no statistical significant difference between group 1and 2. Conclusion: Theobromine could be suitable alternative to fluoride for caries prevention in terms of safety and efficiency.

https://edj.journals.ekb.eg/article_134452_4807f4fd7f0adc909f363c6002e9ec36.pdf

Anna K. Thorn

Papers

The effect of theobromine on the in vitro de- and remineralization of enamel carious lesions.