More Fluoride Means Stronger Teeth

Patients Choice Winner Dr. Paul Lawrence and the rest of our staff at McKinney Smiles strives to protect the oral health of our community. We know how important dental care in McKinney is to the long-term health of our friends, family and neighbors. To help provide you with information needed to protect your family’s health, we regularly bring you news regarding the latest oral health news here at the McKinney Smiles blog.

For today’s news, we’re pleased to bring the results of a new study that suggests higher fluoride concentrations are needed when controlling tooth decay. The results of this latest study were published by Brazilian researchers in the journal PLOS One.

Researchers hoped to validate a cariogenic biofilm model that would evaluate the effect of fluoride on both root dentine and enamel under the affects of demineralization. After reviewing the data collected by the study, researchers concluded that higher fluoride concentrations are needed to control tooth decay in the underlying root structure of teeth. While decay possesses a risk of all aspects of oral health, root failure can quickly result in permanent damage that could mean tooth loss in adults.

Biofilm Testing

While both root tissue and tooth enamel are at risk of developing cavities because of gum recession, no previous research had examined whether fluoride treatments could help protect both tooth enamel and root tissue simultaneously, stated researchers from the University of Campians Piracicaba Dental School.

To determine fluoride’s effects, researchers created a biofilm that predicts the anticaries effect of substances on enamel and root structure. Streptococcus mutans, the bacteria responsible for tooth decay, biofilms were created on cow enamel and root tissue for four days. The test trays were exposed to a solution containing 10 percent sugar every three hours. The test trays were also exposed to fluoride two times a day at varying doses of 0, 150, 450, or 1,350 parts per million (ppm). These dosage levels simulated the use of toothpastes with both high and low fluoride concentrations.

After the four days, researchers individually collected the biofilm that had developed on the surface of the enamel and root structure. Researchers then analyzed the collected material for fluoride concentration and overall weight.

The 450 ppm exposure of fluoride was enough to create 60 percent reduction in the amount of decay found in the tooth enamel, while a dosage of 1,350 was required to produce a similar level of protection in the root structure. Researchers did note that exposed root structure is far more susceptible to the effects of decay when compared to tooth enamel.

These findings suggest to researchers that three times more fluoride concentration is needed to protect roots in order to achieve the same desired effect as what fluoride has on enamel. Therefore, researchers proposed that an increase level of fluoride be added to many over-the-counter oral health products like toothpastes and mouthwashes.

Protecting Your Oral Health

If the findings of this study prove accurate, this news helps to underscore the need to maintain a regular oral hygiene habit. If over-the-counter oral health products contain too little fluoride it becomes even more vital that patients brush at least twice day. Brushing in the afternoon should also be a consideration, especially for those living in communities that don’t fluoridate their water. Receiving regular dental care in McKinney Smiles should also remain vital to patients, as fluoride treatments can become part of their oral care if necessary.