Effect of Withdrawal of Fluoride-Containing Toothpaste on the Interproximal Plaque Microflora

Vol. 39, No. 3, 2005

Free Abstract Article (References) Article (PDF 106 KB)

Original Paper

Effect of Withdrawal of Fluoride-Containing Toothpaste on the Interproximal Plaque Microflora
S.R. Brailsford^a, E.A.M. Kidd^b, S.C. Gilbert^a, D.T. Clark^a, D. Beighton^a

^aDepartment of Microbiology and
^bConservative Dentistry, Guy's, King's and St. Thomas' Dental Institute, King's College London, London, UK

Address of Corresponding Author

Caries Res 2005;39:231-235 (DOI: 10.1159/000084803)

Key Words

Actinomyces
Fluoride toothpaste
Interproximal plaque

Abstract

To compare the effects of fluoride-containing and fluoride-free toothpaste on plaque microflora, 15 subjects were enrolled in a double-blind crossover trial. All subjects used a fluoride toothpaste for 7 days before the trial started. Then, 4 interproximal sites per subject were professionally cleaned and subjects used one of the toothpastes for 5 days. On the 5th day plaque was collected from 2 sites, 12 and 6 h after toothpaste use. There was no difference between the groups in the numbers or proportions of aciduric bacteria (recovered at pH 4.8 or 5.2), or of yeasts, neisseriae, lactobacilli or streptococci (total or individual species, including Streptococcus mutans). However, the numbers and proportions of Gram-positive pleomorphic rods, primarily Actinomyces naeslundii, increased in 6-hour samples from subjects using fluoride toothpaste. The data suggest that the anti-caries effect of fluoride toothpaste is not mediated primarily through effects on the plaque microflora, although effects on plaque physiology could be important.

Author Contacts

Prof. David Beighton, Department of Microbiology
The Henry Wollcome Laboratories for Microbiology and Salivary Research
King's College London Dental Institute, Floor 17, Guys Tower
London Bridge SE1 9RT (UK)
Tel. +44 207 188 7465, Fax +44 207 188 7466, E-Mail david.beighton@kcl.ac.uk

Article Information

Received: December 18, 2003
Accepted after revision: July 14, 2004
Number of Print Pages : 5
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 27

Medline Abstract (ID 15914986)

Download Citation

For non-native English speakers and international authors who would like assistance with their writing before submission, we suggest American Journal Experts for their scientific editing service.