Action of the fluoride of the dentifrices on the dental enamel

Abstract

The possibility of interferring in the dental enamel solubility, reducing significatively the mineral loss, and the possibility of reverting the progress of initial carious lesions turn the fluoride an absolutely necessary element for the oral health. As preventive alternative against caries, the fluoride constitutes of an extremely efficient option for oral public healthcare at low cost. To achieve the purpose of supporting the literature concerning the efficacy of sodium fluoride (NaF), SMFP and of the association between NaF and SMFP present in dentifrices and mouthrinses, the present study aimed to determine in vitro the protection level of the human dental enamel provided by these fluoride forms in presence of pH drop. The rates of calcium removed from the enamel, which had been previously treated, demonstrated these drugs’ protecting action. The experimental results prove that the NaF contained in the test-dentifrice revealed to provide greater enamel protection, despite the lower concentration of this product when compared to the SMFP and to the NaF/SMFP association. These conclusions suggest the relevance of continuing those investigations, due to the importance of obtaining efficient answers by using low concentration of the most effective fluoride form as well as the importance of submitting the different products, frequently introduced to the market, to a quality control process.