Oral Health and Dental Management

Abstract

Salivary fluoride concentration after Professional topical fluoride applications

Cristina Nuca, Corneliu Amariei, Anca Gaita, Irina Diaconu

The aim of the study is the evaluation of the fluoride ions concentration retained in the whole saliva
after the use of a topical fluoridated agent – „Fluocal Gel”.
Material and methods
The study group consisted of 20 children aged 13 years old. Their parents were informed about the
importance of the professional topical fluoridation. The fluoride agent was applied in individual
trays, for 4 minutes, with salivary aspiration. The paraffin-stimulated saliva was collected first
before the fluoridation and then after 5minutes and 1, 2, 12, 24 and 48 hours. The fluoride ions concentration
in the salivary samples was assessed with a fluoride-sensitive electrode.
The results show that fluoride concentration in saliva has important levels in the first 24 hours after
the use of the fluoride agent, at the same time the salivary pH being kept at a neutral level along this
period.
Conclusion. The increase of the fluoride concentration in saliva through the use of fluoridated concentrated
agents is a very efficient method to prevent dental caries by several mechanisms, the most
important being the inhibition of the enamel demineralization and the stimulation of the remineralization
of the incipient caries.