Total and free available fluoride in toothpastes in Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, the Netherlands and Suriname.

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed total and free fluoride concentrations in samples of toothpaste from Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, the Netherlands and Suriname, and investigated the labelling practices of the respective manufacturers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Convenience samples were bought in the five countries and sent for analysis to the Netherlands. Levels of total and free available fluoride were measured. Details of the information declared on the packaging about type of fluoride and abrasives were recorded, and manufacturing and expiry dates were noted. RESULTS: A total of 119 samples of toothpaste were analysed. With one exception, all samples from the Netherlands complied with ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation) labelling requirements and there were no differences between the fluoride content declared and that found to be present on analysis. In samples purchased in the other countries, sodium monofluorophosphate (SMFP) toothpastes predominantly showed a low percentage of free available fluoride and the majority of toothpastes did not follow standard labelling guidelines. DISCUSSION: This study is not representative of any of the brands analysed, yet it highlights problematic discrepancies in products across countries. These may be related to the lack of a generally accepted methodology for analysing total and free fluoride content, absence of an agreement on the minimum concentration of fluoride required to ensure efficacy, weak regulating institutions that are unable to control labelling and consumer information, as well as a possible influx of counterfeit low-quality toothpaste. CONCLUSIONS: Renewed international focus should be directed towards closing gaps in guidelines and standards. Consumers should use only non-expired toothpaste, which should preferably be silica-based fluoride toothpaste that does not include abrasives containing calcium and that is properly labelled.

Avaliaçäo clínica do efeito preventivo de verniz fluoretado em dentes permanentes em erupçäo / Clinical evaluation of the preventive effect of fluoridate varnish in permanent teeth during eruption

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar clinicamente a eficácia do verniz fluoretado Duraphat© na prevençäo da cárie oclusal, durante a erupçäo de primeiros molares permanentes, em 1 ano. Foram selecionadas 60 crianças divididas em dois grupos de 30 pacientes. Em um grupo, a aplicaçäo foi trimestral e, no outro, semestral. A aplicaçäo do verniz foi realizada em um primeiro molar permanente de uma hemiarcada, enquanto o elemento homólogo foi observado para controle. Näo obtivemos uma diferença significativa na eficácia do Duraphat© entre o dente com verniz e seu homólogo e entre as aplicaçöes trimestral e semestral, em relaçäo ao aparecimento de cárie

[Fissure sealing combined with enamel fluoridation. Follow-up study 2 year after sealing]. / Fissurenversiegelung in Kombination mit Schmelzfluoridierung. Nachkontrolle von zweijährigen Versiegelungen.

In a two-year study the adhesion of diluted composite material as fissure sealant was tested upon etched and etched-fluoridated (aminofluoride) occlusal surfaces of molars and premolars. After 24 months the sealant was found to be intact in 89.3% of the only etched and in 85.6% of the etched-fluoridated fissures. 3.9% of all sealed fissures showed either an increase in the degree of caries or a filling, while the control teeth showed a percentage of 49.7 DF. Fissure sealing therefore appears to be an adequate method for reducing occlusal caries.

[Caries preventive effect of fluoride lacquer after several year's use in children]. / Kariesprophylaktische Wirkung von Fluorlack nach mehrjähriger Anwendung in der Jugendzahnpflege.

The course and result of a study in caries prophylaxis with fluoride varnish (Duraphat) is reported which was carried out under the auspices of the youth health organisation of the Land Hessen on pupils of the districts of Hanau Stadt and Land. During the course of 3 years the preparation was applied 5 or 6 times by a quick touch method. It resulted in significant marked decrease in the spread of caries as compared with control pupils.

The effectiveness of sodium fluoride treatment with and without iontophoresis on the reduction of hypersensitive dentin.

The effectiveness of topical sodium fluoride applied with and without iontophoresis was compared in patients complaining of tooth hypersensitivity. Reduction of sensitivity to cold and mechanical stimuli was evaluated during a period of 8 months by pain scoring in the exposed cervical dentin of homologous teeth on the two sides of the jaws. There was a significant decrease in the sensitivity of the exposed cervical dentin after treatment with sodium fluoride solution, with or without iontophoresis, during the whole experimental period. There was no striking difference between the two forms of treatment with respect to the reduction of sensitivity to mechanical and cold stimuli.