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Now let's test your fluoridated toothpaste knowledge!
Modern diets pose little-to-no caries risk. Increasing a tooth’s resistance to acid dissolution and increasing the penetration of fluoride ions in tooth enamel are both important factors in preventing tooth decay.
Modern diets are significant factors in the increase of caries risk across many cultures. Dietary options such as sugary and acidic drinks, bottled non-fluoridated water, and processed foods high in added sugars all contribute to this increased risk. To combat the risk, prescription toothpastes often include antimicrobial agents, abrasives, and other ingredients which increase a tooth’s resistance to acid dissolution, in addition to increasing the penetration of fluoride ions into the enamel’s hydroxyapatite matrix.
Ziarati, Parisa & Umachandran, Krishnan & Sawicka, Barbara & Adom, Dickson & A. El-Esawi, Mohamed. (2018). Fluoridex Daily Defense Toothpaste for Oral and Dental Health: A Review. 3. 1-10. 10.24262/jmd.3.3.18034.
Enamel decalcification, also known as white spot formation, occurs primarily on smooth enamel surfaces and most commonly within the occlusal third of the crown.
White spot lesions commonly include enamel decalcification and most notably occur on the gingival third of smooth tooth surfaces. This type of lesion often represents the start of the caries disease process and can be attributed to multiple factors including fixed orthodontic appliances and prolonged exposure to bacterial plaque. White spot lesions can occur as early as one month after fixed orthodontic appliances are placed.
How Kau, Chung. (2011), Comparison of Clinpro™ 5000 1.1% Sodium Fluoride Anti-Cavity Toothpaste, Clinpro™ Tooth Crème, and MI-Paste Plus for the Prevention and Reduction of White Spot Lesions in Orthodontic Treatment. National Library of Medicine, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03440996.
What percentage of people across the world currently present with caries?
In a study titled “The Global Burden of Disease 2010,” researchers compared the prevalence of 291 diseases and injuries at multiple points in the last thirty years. Oral conditions including untreated caries, severe periodontitis, and severe tooth loss affected 3.9 billion people across the world. Untreated caries in permanent teeth topped the list coming in at a prevalence of 35% for all ages combined.
Marcenes, W., Kassebaum, N., Bernabe, E., Flaxman, A., Naghavi, M., Lopez, A., & Murray, C. (2013). Global Burden of Oral Conditions in 1990-2010. J Dent Res,92(7), 592-597. doi:10.1177/0022034513490168
In what year did the ADA approve fluoride as an active ingredient in toothpaste?
In 1960, fluoride was first approved by the American Dental Association to be commonly used in toothpastes as an active ingredient, though it has been noted to be of great significance as early as 1914. Since then, use of fluoridated toothpastes is known as one of the greatest accomplishments in modern dentistry, contributing to a dramatic reduction in caries across the world. Studies have shown that fluoride can reduce coronal and root caries by up to 30% in adults.
Ziarati, Parisa & Umachandran, Krishnan & Sawicka, Barbara & Adom, Dickson & A. El-Esawi, Mohamed. (2018). Fluoridex Daily Defense Toothpaste for Oral and Dental Health: A Review. 3. 1-10. 10.24262/jmd.3.3.18034.
Toothpastes containing sodium fluoride can produce an antibacterial effect on the oral cavity for what length of time?
In one clinical study, investigators compared the effects of sodium fluoride (NaF) and amine fluoride (AmF) on the bacterial environment within the oral cavity. Subjects brushed their teeth with one of the two types of toothpastes. Biofilm smears were collected from patients prior to brushing, immediately after, as well as 30 and 120 minutes post-brushing. After analyzing the data, it was found that AmF had little effect on bacterial activity; however, NaF significantly decreased the amount of bacteria. After 120 minutes, bacteria counts returned to similar pre-brushing levels.
Naumova, E., Weber, L., Pankratz, V., Czenskowski, V., & Arnold, W. (2019). Bacterial viability in oral biofilm after tooth brushing with amine fluoride or sodium fluoride. Archives of Oral Biology,97, 91-96. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archoralbio.2018.10.013
