Original Paper

Effect of Frequency of Sucrose Exposure on Dental Biofilm Composition and Enamel Demineralization in the Presence of Fluoride
R.A. Ccahuana-Vásquez, C.P.M. Tabchoury, L.M.A. Tenuta, A.A. Del Bel Cury, G.C. Vale, J.A. Cury

Faculty of Dentistry of Piracicaba, UNICAMP, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil

Address of Corresponding Author

Caries Res 2007;41:9-15 (DOI: 10.1159/000096100)

  Key Words

• Dental biofilm
• Demineralization
• Enamel
• Fluoride
• Sucrose

  Abstract

It has been suggested that enamel would resist higher frequencies of sucrose exposure if fluoride from water or dentifrice is being used. However, the effect of increasing frequencies of sugar on dental biofilm composition is not well known. Ten volunteers living in a fluoridated area wore palatal appliances bearing human enamel slabs during 14 days. The slabs were exposed to 20% sucrose solution 0 (control), 2, 4, 6, 8 or 10 times/day and the volunteers used fluoride dentifrice 3 times/day. Enamel demineralization was significantly greater than control for sucrose frequencies higher than 6 times/day. However, biofilm mass, total microbiota, total streptococci, lactobacilli counts and insoluble extracellular polysaccharide concentration increased, while Ca, P_i and F concentration in whole biofilm decreased significantly, with frequencies of sucrose exposure lower than 6 times/day. The findings confirm that fluoride can reduce enamel demineralization if sucrose consumption is not higher than 6 times/day, but changes in the biochemical and microbiological composition of the biofilm are observed with lower frequencies of sucrose use.

Copyright © 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Jaime A. Cury
Av. Limeira 901
13414-903 Piracicaba, SP (Brazil)
Tel. +55 19 3412 5303, Fax +55 19 3412 5212
E-Mail jcury@fop.unicamp.br

  Article Information

Received: January 16, 2006
Accepted after revision: July 19, 2006
Number of Print Pages : 7
Number of Figures : 3, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 33